Moving From
Vision To Action
Gene L. Theodori, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Extension Specialist for Community
Development, & Associate Department Head
Program in Rural Sociology & Community Studies
Department of Recreation, Park & Tourism Sciences
Texas A&M University
Individuals
Cute
Ugly
Smart
1
2
Dumb
4
3
Communities
Active
Not Active
Conscious
1
2
Not
Conscious
4
3
Communities
Active
Not Active
Conscious
1
2
Not
Conscious
4
3
Working Definition
of Community
Community: a place-oriented process
of interrelated actions through which
members of a local population express
a shared sense of identity while
engaging in the common concerns of
life.
Elements of
a Local Society
A geographic dimension
physical space
Human life dimension
people living there
Relatively complete organization
institutions and patterns of behaviors that
cover the broad range of human interests
Social Fields
Process of social interaction
Actions
the projects, programs, activities, and/or
events
Associations
the formal organizations and informal
groups
Actors
the leaders and other persons
participating in associations and actions
Education
Government
Environmental protection
Faith-based
Economy
Recreation
Economy
Government
Faith-based
Action
Environmental protection
Education
Recreation
Economy
Faith-based
Community is not a given.
Government
Action
Education
Community is a variable.
Environmental protection
Recreation
Community Development
Community development: a process
of building and strengthening the
community.
Community Development
Purposive
Positive
Structure oriented
Exists in efforts of people
Community Development
Community development is purposive.
It is the intentional consequence of
actors engaging in associational
actions to initiate and maintain
community.
Community Development
Community development is positive.
The purposive intentions of the actors
revolve around a shared commitment
to improving their community.
Community Development
Community development is structure
oriented. The purposive and positive
actions of actors are direct attempts
to establish and/or strengthen the
community as an interlinking and
coordinating structure of human
relationships.
Community Development
Community development exists in
the efforts of people and not
necessarily in goal achievement.
Simply stated, community
development is purposive action
undertaken with positive intentions
at improving community structure.
Community Development
Development in community
- Task accomplishment
Development of community
- Structure building
Principles of
Community Development
The long-term theme of community
development should be to develop the
community as a human relationship
structure, rather than to develop things
in or through the community.
Principles of
Community Development
Community development must reflect
and express the values and wishes of
the local population.
Principles of
Community Development
Community development requires a
commitment on the part of special
interest groups to align their efforts
with those of other groups.
Principles of
Community Development
Community development requires
that attention be given continuously
to problems and needs in all areas of
local life.
Principles of
Community Development
Sustained community development
requires an organizational structure.
Principles of
Community Development
Community development requires
communication.
Principles of
Community Development
Community development requires a
commitment beyond selfish gain, at
least by a small number of people in
any community who can really make it
work.
Credit for “Principles of
Community Development”
Kenneth P. Wilkinson. 1968. “The
Community: Its Structure and Process.” Pp.
86–90 in Eileen Zuber, Steve Nelson, and
A.E. Luloff, 1998, Community: A Biography in
Honor of the Life and Work of Ken Wilkinson.
University Park, PA: The Northeast Regional
Center for Rural Development.
Stages of Community-Based Planning
1.
Initiation
2.
Organization of sponsorship
3.
Visioning, goal setting, and
strategy formation
4.
Recruitment
5.
Implementation
6.
Evaluation
Initiation
Involves generating widespread
consciousness of an issue among
various fields of interest in a
community.
Organization of Sponsorship
Involves the formation of multi-interest
networks and inter-organizational
linkages to coordinate and integrate
actions within and across the various
social fields.
Visioning, Goal Setting,
and Strategy Formation
Involves developing a vision, short-term
and long-range goals, and strategies
that transcend the special interests of
particular social fields.
Recruitment
Involves building cohesion, encouraging
participation, developing new leaders
and leadership skills, and coordinating
actions.
Implementation
Involves building, strengthening, and
maintaining the structure of the
community field.
Evaluation
Involves identifying and celebrating
specific outputs and/or outcomes of
the process.