Community Engagement, Solidarity and Citizenship

Quarter 1 – Module 1: Community Dynamics and

Community Action
What is Community and Why is there a Need in Studying this?

Individuals having significant interaction within a specified area becomes one of the contributory
factors in forming community. The word community was derived from the Latin word communis
which means “common” or “shared”.

1. It may share a certain sense of place whether it is geographical area or through

a virtual space. Geographical community is a community where members share the same
geographical vicinity such as a village, province or neighborhood. Nongeographical
community is a community formed based on needs, ideas, interests, identity, practices, and
roles in social institutions such as at home, all work, in government, society, or the community at
large.

2. Communication and relationships are imperative in building community. As people

communicate and interact, relationships foster. It develops pattern by which adopted in the
environment. Communities may also be in two levels: Micro-level community, a group is formed
based on personal ties. This may include groups formed for pursuing common interests or goals
like forming a small organization to hold a fund-raising activity such as concerts. At macro-level,
large group affiliation is formed such as national
communities, international communities, and virtual communities. Companies and corporations
may develop various programs that would include different members across the country. They
will work on meeting certain objectives and expand on the aspect of community involvement.

Mores, values, and identity is a commonality that form culture. Hence, the interest of social
sciences focused in the study of communities. The following are the importance of studying
community:

1. It motivates people to work together – people feel a sense of community and recognize
the benefits of their involvement.
2. It encourages social, religious, or traditional obligations for mutual help.
3. People see a genuine opportunity to better their own lives and for the community.
4. It understands policies promoting community participation that values social capital.
5. Community participation could be understood as the direct involvement of citizenry in
the affairs of planning, governance, and overall development programs at local or
grassroot levels.
What is Community Action?
Community Action is any activity that aims to increase the understanding, engagement and
empowerment of communities for the intention of giving services to people.

There are 3-key points in grasping the definition more meaningful:

• Understanding – raise an awareness about certain communal issues that needs to be

addressed. People develop the feeling of involvement once they truly comprehend the situation
within. They come together to support advocacies that will overcome community needs and
difficulties.
• Engagement – Once issues are assessed properly and people in the community understand
the needs, they work collaboratively to act on it. The main goal of engaging in the community is
to improve the partnership and coalitions among the community. It is important that engagement
occurs so that members will be able to involve meaningfully in the activities that they have
created.
• Empowerment – enable the people to independently decide, plan-out and take action to
control the situation they have in the community. This means, initiative and decisions come from
internal group organized for the benefit of everyone. It is also necessary that the community can
provide significant networks and linkages that will genuinely serve the advocacies that they
have built.

Hence, the study of community action is imperative in the field of social sciences and other
related disciplines as it lays on the foundation that individuals and families – as basic unit, are
embedded in different social structures that shape the behaviors in the system. Having
knowledge in community action makes an individual understand better by being aware in the
environment, have meaningful engagement and accept empowerment to create significant
impact.
Community Engagement, Solidarity and Citizenship
Quarter 1 – Module 2: Different Perspectives on
Community
THE SOCIAL SCIENCE PERSPECTIVE
“Social Science” is an umbrella term for various fields of study which examines social relations
and human society. It views the community as composed of people interacting with one another,
sensitive to each other’s emotions and subjective point of view.

Basically, it describes “community as a group of people in a particular area interacting together.”

The following are disciplines in social sciences that related to the idea of community:

• Anthropology - This field examines the various aspects of humans, such as their biology,
behavior, culture and social interactions. It may also study how people adapt their ways of
living to different environments e.g, determining ways to help a community solve health
related concerns. This can be addressed by understanding the situation through
interacting with the people in the community. Connecting its history with its present
condition., end eventually solving the community concern.
• Economics - This field studies the production, allocation and consumption of goods and
services. In any community, one finds various forms of wealth distribution. The ultimate
goal of economics is to improve the lives of people, such that their needs are satisfied.
• Political Science - The field encompasses the various ways and means of allocating
power, influence, decision-making. This includes types of governments and management
systems, and how people in small bands or informal groups make decisions when they do
not have recognized leaders. All communities have some forms of political system.
• Psychology - This discipline studies the human mind, brain, and social behavior. This
extends to interaction between people and interpersonal relationships. It comprises a
variety of different subfields including abnormal psychology, developmental psychology,
cognitive psychology and social psychology.
• Psychology in general is most often associated with the study, diagnosis and treatment
of mental illnesses.
• Sociology - This field is the study of society, social order, social interactions, and culture.
It introduces the concepts of social capital and communitarianism. Social capital is defined
as the networks of relationship among people who live and work in a particular society for
the effective functioning of the community. The concept of communitarianism explains the
connection between the individual and the community. Every person has a special role in
one’s society, and it’s part of human nature to relate with other people in various conditions
or situations.
CIVIL SOCIETY PERSPECTIVE
Stresses the idea of forming a group, foundation or an organization in service to society. This
perspective views society as a community of citizens linked by common interests and collective
activity.
Examples include people’s organization, civic organization, and social movements. This is
considered the affective model of community since a sense of belonging is achieved due to the
collaboration of shared interests and identities in serving the humanity.

Groups of people come together regardless of location, and organize plans to render support and
assistance to society. Some examples of civic organizations in the Philippines are ABS CBN
Foundation, Ayala Red Cross Foundation, Boy and Girl Scouts of the Philippines and Caritas
Manila. The human right movement, on the other hand, is an example of social movement.

LOCAL AND GRASSROOTS PERSPECTIVES

This perspective highlights volunteerism. Members of communities may involve themselves in
various programs or activities. The community uses self organization and encourages the local
citizens to contribute to the community by taking responsibilities and actions.

Leaders and other members identify the sources of concerns in a local setting and determine
ways to address these problems. Volunteers are mobilized in cooperation with government
decision-makers who will be accountable for their actions. The community also formulates
programs for others, and employs actions according to the needs of the community.

A concrete example of this is when doctors and dentists in different communities come together
to organize medical and dental missions especially for families affected by calamities. The youth
who are full of spirit and energy are often excited to engage themselves in outdoor activities.
Immersing themselves in farming and fishing and taking part in the planting of trees and crops
will serve a meaningful experience for them.
Community Engagement, Solidarity and Citizenship
Quarter 1 – Module 3: Functions of Community

Leaders are important figures that will guide the members to carry out the plans in pursuit of the
group’s objectives. The guidance of a good leader in a group ensures the coherence of plans
and better implementation of programs.

In the Philippines, the government provides several levels of leadership, from the president and
vice-president, including other government officials at the national and in the local levels such
as mayors, congressmen, and governors. They are appointed based on qualifications, attitude
and most often, through the votes of the residents. It is otherwise known as
Formal Power Structure because they are individuals from whose authority is based on formal
rules appointed by the government. There are also people who are appointed because of their
ability to lead, direct or achieve without an official leadership title. They are known as
Informal Power Structure. They are popular to others as influencers who can lead others with
the most influence. Informal power comes, not from an official position, but from the respect and
appreciation one has earned from the members of a group. This respect and appreciation allow
the individual to influence his or her peers in a way that others within the group cannot.
Examples are managers, supervisors, philanthropists, businessmen, producers and even
employees who lead their group as likable and charismatic leaders.
Legal authoritative decision-makers, on the other hand, are individuals or bodies whose
authority is based on formal rules and institutions. They are appointed because of their
intelligence, reputations, decision-making, dictation from laws and policies and connections.
Examples are the appointments made by the president of the country through his/her Powers of
Appointment as stated in the constitution or with the consent of the Commission on
Appointments like the heads of the executive departments, board of members and its leaders from
any national government-related institutions, ambassadors, other public ministers and consuls, etc.

The aforementioned (3) power dynamics are part of individual dimensions of community which
could be:
1. Interrelationship- community leaders are with direct relation with you through familial
relations, affinities or feeling of kinship, and social network, and
2. Organization- they could be part of an institution or an association, that has a particular
purpose in our community.
A LEADER is an important figure in the community. Leaders must possess important
characteristics such as:

1. Effective Communication
- an open communication is highly recommended for leaders and their constituents. There
should be free access to important information concerning social issues and public matters.
2. Development of Social Capital Building
- developing a resilient capital is among the most important contributors to successful
community leadership.
3. Community Engagement
- it is important to encourage young leaders to participate so that they are ready to take over
when the time comes.
4. Collaboration
- leaders should learn to “build bridges” and develop networks among community leaders within
the diverse fields. These major components of being a better leader will help improve
communities by effecting positive social change, improve the relationships of their residents as
well as build community power.

COMMUNITY POWER is the capacity of the community to exercise control over activities and
seek ways to employ available resources to establish a stronger and successful community. The
diagram below presents some ways for a community to build power.
Community Engagement, Solidarity an Citizenship
Quarter 1 – Module 4: Typologies of Communities

FORMAL AND INFORMAL COMMUNITIES

The table below details the differences between formal and informal community. An example of
a formal community is a business firm, where people are assigned positions based on their job
descriptions and functions. One example of an informal organization is a group of jogging
enthusiasts who meet once a week at the city park.

SOCIAL SPACE is defined as a physical or virtual space which members of the community visit
or where they stay. Some examples of social space include the social center, online social
media, or other gathering spaces where people gather or interact. Some social spaces are
owned by the government, such as town squares, parks, and beaches.

These are spaces generally open and accessible to people. Private social spaces, on the other
hand, are owned and regulated regularly, such as shopping malls. These social spaces may be
used by community residents for their gatherings or simple recreation activities.
RURAL-URBAN COMMUNITIES
Communities may be located in either rural or urban areas. These areas have distinct
characteristics. The following are the three general characteristics of rural areas:
a. Population density is found to be low, meaning few people populate the entire community,
and they tend to live far apart from each other.
b. The area is situated geographically distant from larger urban areas.
c. Each area typically specializes in a particular form of livelihood, such as farming.

Characteristics of urban areas are as follows:

a. There is higher population density, with more diverse subgroups (ethnic, racial cultural, age,
sexual orientation)
b. Various industries and businesses are found in the areas.
c. A large portion of people lived in rented apartments or homes.
d. Transportation is readily available although this may be costly
e. Urban areas are highly developed with many buildings and structures
f. Traffic and noise levels are high in these areas
g. The large population gives rise to close interactions among many people as well as more
intense political involvement among citizens.

COMMUNITY SECTORS are various groups or subdivisions of the larger community divided
based on characteristics such as political, economic, cultural, and religious beliefs. The various
sectors that exist in all communities may be categorized according to the following sectors with
their inclusions:

1. HEALTH -medical and mental health professionals; pharmacists and pharmacies; hospitals and other
in-patient facilities, clinics, non-traditional health practitioners; public health agencies and systems.

2. EDUCATION - public and private preschools, K-12 schools, colleges and universities, school
committees, school administrators, teachers, other educational institution employees; parents, students,
state board of education; adult basic education (ABE) and English as Second or Other Language (ESOL)
programs

3. LAW ENFORCEMENT -the local and state police, the court system- judges, probation officers,
prosecutors, courtappointed defense lawyers, court-mandated program for offenders.

4. GOVERNMENT - regional, provincial, state, local, and tribal government bureaucracies, agencies, and
officials, both elected and appointed.

5. BUSINESS - from the self-employed carpenter to the multinational corporation with a local facility.

6. YOUTH - youth themselves (generally viewed as ages 18 and younger) and those who work directly
with them (youth violence prevention and outreach programs, Big Brother/Big Sister, Boys’ and Girls’
Clubs, scouting, etc.) parents, human service, culture, and sports/recreation sectors.

7. THE MEDIA - newspapers and magazines, radio, and TV, vast array of blogs, videos, online news, and
other materials available on the internet.
8. HUMAN SERVICES - non-profit professional and volunteer organizations that provide free and
affordable services such as job training, food, shelter, elder services, services for individuals with physical
or mental disabilities, support and advocacy for immigrants, among others.

9. RELIGION - places of worship and their members, religious organizations (e.g. Knights of Columbus,
CBCP) of all faiths, may include the hierarchy of a national church as well (a Roman Catholic archbishop,
for instance)

10. SERVICE/FRATERNAL ORGANIZATION - the Lions, Masons, Rotary, Kiwanis, and other local and
national or international service organizations, college fraternities/sororities or other local and national
social clubs, as well veterans’ organizations and the like.

11. COMMUNITY ACTIVIST VOLUNTEER GROUPS - individuals for or against political issue, supportive
of existing institutions (“Friends of” the local park, a school playground volunteer corps), oriented toward
economics (groups that volunteer to help non-profit and small business owners with financial and
business plans), or more generally concerned with the quality of community life (e.g. organizers of
community festivals)

12. CULTURe - artists such as musicians, dancers and choreographers, writer, actors and directors,
designers and visual artists, as well as arts organizations, theaters, orchestras, museums, galleries, and
those who work as support staff in the arts- stagehands, cameramen, electricians, set builders, etc. ;
regular consumers and supporters of the arts.

13. HOUSING DEVELOPMENT - both public and private non-profit housing agencies and organizations
that provide rent subsidies and/or affordable housing, as well as developers who build market-rate and
upscale residential and commercial properties.
-may include everyone from fair housing advocates to those who own and/ or manage urban real estate
worth millions of pesos.

14. SPORTS AND RECREATION - sports clubs, town or county recreation departments, amateur and
professional athletic associations, public and private sports and recreation facilities, gyms, coaches,
personal trainers, recreation leaders, and camp directors, as well those who participate in these groups
as athletes, spectators, or supporters.

15. THE ENVIRONMENT - individual environmentalists, international, national, and local environmental
organizations, conservation land trusts, recreational hunters and fishermen, rock climbers and
mountaineers, wildlife biologists and botanists, ecologists, hikers, canoers/kayakers, and other outdoor
people, hydrologists (water specialists), those who make a living from a pristine or carefully-managed
environment.

16. AGRICULTURE - confined to rural areas, may also include dairy farmers, cheesemakers, winemakers
and vineyards, and food processors and packers, including all consumers of the food produced.
LOCAL AND GLOBAL COMMUNITIES

A LOCAL COMMUNITY is characterized by close social integration and physical proximity.

Moreover, a local community is defined as a group of people sharing the same environment and
conditions intent, belief, resources, preferences, and needs and risks. These factors may affect
the identities of the individuals as well as the community’s degree of cohesiveness. In addition,
a local community may consist of business operators, public agency staff, residents with
interactions that may include sharing of resources, information, and assistance. Commercial
relationships may also be present between local businesses and consumers.

The GLOBAL COMMUNITY, on the other hand, is a system characterized by integration and
interaction between individuals and groups away from each other in time or space or both. The
word “global” refers to the nation of the world considered closely connected by modern
telecommunication, though they are economically, socially and politically independent
(Sebastian, 2009, and dictionary.com) The domains and certain aspects of the local and global
communities intertwine. Establishments, programs, and other events that started in the local
setup may eventually grow to have a global presence, such as the Jollibee fast food chain.

Proposed plans and programs in the local community, when implemented successfully, may
reach the global community, and gain traction there as well such as outreach activities,
programs during calamities etc.