COMMUNITY ORGANIZING
- a method of bringing about development in the community through collective problem solving
- the process of raising the people’s capacities, interest/desires and willingness in answering their needs, solving their problems, and working towards the common good through cooperative efforts and collective self-help efforts.
- enabling the people to become the principal actors in the process of development of the community.
The Community Organizing Process
Pre-Immersion
- Identification of the area for immersion/organizing
- Preliminary visit to the identified community – entry may be formal or informal.
- Gathering of initial data about the people in the community – initial immersion and integration.
Immersion Phase
- Data Gathering
- Analysis of data/diagnosis/consultation
- Planning the Solution/Validation
- Implementation
- Evaluation
Post Immersion
- Dialogues/Conferences
- Recommendations for Sustainability
- Follow-ups.
Do’s and Don’ts for a Community Organizer
Free yourself from biases and don’t discriminate Be Flexible (avoid complaining / do not make comparisons) Good motivation Smile to people and respect them Converse and identify with people, refrain from engaging in vices. Do not dictate…start where people are. Never make promises for help or favor Treat people as partners in development Coordinate with existing groups Evaluate the projects and do not forget to thank the people.
SESSION FIVE
SITUATIONAL ANALYSIS
• A collective process of examining the prevailing social, political, economic, environmental, education, cultural and spiritual conditions of a given community.
• An activity that is done in a systematic