|
 Definition
of Community Development
by Mark S. Homan
Community development recognizes sources of wealth (or community
capital) that exist in the community, helps those sources to
grow, and links them with one another to form a stronger, more
capable community. Fundamental to this notion is that members of
the community itself have the primary responsibility for
decision making and action. Community development produces
self-reliant, self-sustaining communities that mobilize
resources for the benefit of their members.
Types of Community Capital
- Environmental
- Physical
- Human
- Economic
- Political
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- Informational
- Social
- Spiritual
- Cultural
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Definition of Community:
Community is…. a group of individuals who have learned how to
communicate honestly with each other, whose relationships go
deeper than their masks of composure, and who have developed
some significant commitment to “rejoice together, mourn
together, “and to “delight in each other, make others conditions
our own.”…Genuine community is not easily achieved or easily
maintained; its avowed goal is to seek ways in which to live
with ourselves and others in love and peace…Once a group has
achieved community, the single most common thing members
express, “I feel safe here.” …Scott Peck
Community
Capital:
Most people think of development only in terms of physical and
economic development. Community capital comes in many forms:
Economic, Physical, Environmental, Human, Political,
Informational and Social. In community development we draw on
all assets of our community.
The Elements of
Community Development are:
-
Build on community assets -
Build on what is already there, Recognize its resources
Increase skills of individuals
- By sending someone to a grant writing workshop.
-
Connect people with each other to
build relationships, share talents, energy and information
- Everything happens through relationships; connect people
in a purposeful way for clear results.
-
Connect existing
resources...Create or increase community resources -
i.e., Lindsey needs a switch to communicate at school, the
high school shop class can make a simple switch using
donated materials from the local hardware store…now others
will benefit.
-
Community assumes ownership of
direction, action and resources - Community decides what
to do, and how to do it, not the agency. What the community
produces is theirs.
-
Community members do all work
possible - Members are taking responsibility of doing
work themselves, becoming more skilled, having a sense of
ability not disability.
-
Create beneficial external
relationship - Communities connect with each other, and
with external supports, such as OCSHCN, bringing in needed
assistance to expand skills, offer support, and share
resources.
-
Increase community self-reliance
and confidence - Believe in itself and its abilities.
As it tackles and solves one issue, it becomes more skilled
and confident in tackling the next one.
-
Build self-sustaining
organizations - Organized action brings new energy, new
leadership, and new vitality. The organization takes care
of itself as it takes care of community issues.
-
Enhance the quality of life -
The community moves past problems, to believe that better is
possible, and even likely. It is certainly deserved, and
can be expected
Service Vs.
Development approach:
| Service |
Development |
| Service focuses on problems
|
Development focuses on assets
and capacities |
| Service reinforces power
imbalances from giver to receiver |
Development equalizes power
relationships |
| Service relies on experts |
Development relies on
partnerships |
| Service keeps recipients
isolated and dependent |
Development links people with
shared interests and promotes leadership |
| Service meets needs |
Development fuels abilities
|
| Service requires problems
|
Development prevents problems
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This information was generously
provided to us by Mark Homan, a wonderful author and
teacher.
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