3. Place.

Communities of people brought together by

geographic boundaries.

4. Practice. Communities of people in the same profession or

undertake the same activities.

5. Circumstance. Communities of people brought together by

external events/situations.

About 90% of community projects, especially branded communities,

try to develop a community of interest. But a community of interest
competes with our mental leisure time. Communities of interest are
the hardest type of community to develop.

A community is a social unit (a group of living things) with

commonality such as norms, religion, values, customs, or identity.

A formal group is formed when people come together to accomplish

specific goals and objectives.

An informal group is formed when two or more people come together

to accomplish a specific task which is mainly socially geared.

An urban area is the region surrounding a city. An area with high

density of population.

A rural area is an open swath of land that has few homes or other
buildings, and not very many people. A rural area’s population
density is very low.
Why is community action important?
A global community are the people or nations of the world,
considered as being closely connected Community action is about putting communities at the heart of their
by modern telecommunications and as being economically, socially, own local services. Involving communities in the design and delivery
and politically interdependent. of services can help to achieve a number of objectives, including:

Sectoral means relating to the various economic sectors of • Building community and social capacity – helping the
a society or to a particular economic sector. community to share knowledge, skills and ideas.

A social space is physical or virtual space such as a social center, • Community resilience – helping the community to support
online social media, or other gathering place where people gather itself.
and interact.
• Prevention – a focus on early access to services or
There are, broadly speaking, five common features of communities. support, engagement in design, cross-sector collaboration
and partnerships.
You can classify every type of community by the purpose that brings
them together. • Maintaining and creating wealth – for example helping
people into employment or developing community
1. Interest. Communities of people who share the same enterprises.
interest or passion.
• Importance of Understanding Community Dynamics and
2. Action. Communities of people trying to bring about Community Action
change.

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 • Community Dynamics is the change and development 1. Common interests between people
involved in a community that includes all forms of living
2. a common ecology and locality
organisms.
3. A common social system or structure
• Community Action is putting communities as the center of
the services development and services delivery. This Hence, communities come to be marked by a fair degree of social
initiative aims to cater the primary needs of the coherence
communities before implementing it. In such way,
community action will help the community dynamics or the POLITICAL – Community is the set of activities that are associated
degree of improvement of the community. with making decisions in groups, or other forms of power relations
between individuals, such as the distribution of resources or status.
• It is important to understand these two because these will The academic study of politics is referred to as Political Science.
propel the success and stability of the communities. They
go hand in hand and are proportionally related. Community in the Perspective of institutions

The 5 Major Social Institutions and Their Functions

These institutions are working together promoting a common good.

Family - Responsible for reproduction to replace members,

provides protection, socialize the young

Economic - Produces and distributes goods and services.

Political- Assists group in decision making

Education - A way to pass on culture, knowledge, and values

Religion - Helps people find purpose in their lives

Define Community in the perspective of social science, institutions, Develops spiritual side of people
civil society, and local/grassroots Provides guidelines for personal behavior and social interaction
Understanding the different perspectives on community Module 2
Community as a concept is not solid. Functions of Communities in Terms of Structures, Dynamics,
and Processes
A community has different parts and is therefore seen from various
viewpoints. Community and its Five Functions

• Social science is the branch of science devoted to the 1. Production, Distribution, Consumption
study of societies and The community provides its members with the means to make a
the relationships among individuals within those societies. living. This may be agriculture, industry, or services. No community
• “behavioral science” can survive if it does not provide some way for its people to make a
living and obtain the material resources that they need for living. This
• Sociological – community as a group who follow a social involves, first of all, the industrial sector (broadly
structure within a society (culture, norms, values, status). understood). Someone has to take raw material and fashion it into
They may work together to organize social life within a some sort of useful product. It is also the
particular place, or they may be bound by a sense of transportation/warehousing/retail sector, since somehow the goods
belonging sustained across time and space. that are produced have to be moved to and through the
market. Finally, production and distribution are useless if there is no
Anthropology – Community is to be characterized in terms of:
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one to buy or use it, if there is no “market.” When Henry Ford was Cultural - This refers to the prevailing beliefs and traditions of the
criticized for paying his laborers the princely sum of $5 a day (a lot of people in the community.
money in 1920), he replied that all those cars he was making were no
good if no one could afford to buy them. Guide questions:

2. Socialization 1. What is the significance of Cultural structure?

The community has means by which it instils its norms and values in *This structure preserves and cultivate our sense of NATIONAL
its members. This may be tradition, modelling, and/or formal IDENTITY.
education. No community can survive if it does not arrange for its Economic - This refers to “the community’s various ways and means
continuation. A way must be found for children to learn what they will of production and allocation of scarce resources
need to know to be adults; for workers to develop the knowledge,
skills and abilities to do their jobs; for in-migrants (whether they are • Social change is the transformation of social institutions
from the neighboring State or from across the ocean) to learn “how over time.
we do things here.”
• Change is said to be constant. It is inevitable. It is expected
3. Social Control to happen. The big question, however, what makes it
happen? Of course, there are many factors—social,
The community has the means to enforce adherence to community political, or cultural.
values. This may be group pressure to to conform and/or formal laws.
Communities are incredibly complex systems. For all those players • Along with time, persons, environments, and ideologies
(whether human or corporate) are to move around and “do their change. People move in and move out. People live and die.
thing,” there have to be “traffic rules” to keep them from crashing into People's stories and experiences change. People make
each other. Only the smallest part of social control is “busting bad discoveries and innovations.
guys”; much of it is an issue of forming and enforcing contracts
(mutual agreements about who will do what to whom how and with • The environment changes as well—nature, water, earth,
what) and supporting the “social contract” (those “rules” of what is minerals, climate, seasons, sources of raw materials, and
expected of one that were learned through socialization). This energy.
function is also often referred to as “boundary maintenance.” Community is a process.
4. Social Participation The Freudian psychology, based on the study of the 'wish,' is
The community fulfils the need for companionship. This may occur in preeminently a study of process and points towards new definitions
a neighbourhood, church, business, or other group. In part, it is of personality, purpose, will, freedom.
through participation that much of those functions is accomplished. If we study community as a process, we reach these new definitions.
5. Mutual Support For community is a creative process.
The community enables its members to cooperate to accomplish It is creative because it is a process of integrating.
tasks too large or too urgent to be handled by a single person.
Supporting a community hospital with tax dollars and donations is an Community Organization
example of people cooperating to accomplish the task of health care.
Finally, one of the purposes of community is to “share the journey,” • refers to organizing aimed at making desired improvements
and to motivate and encourage each other along the way to a community's social health, well-being, and overall
functioning.
COMMUNITY STRUCTURES- THE WAY THAT A GROUP OF
PEOPLE ARE ORGANIZED. • a process by which a community identifies needs or
objectives, takes action, and through this process,
Sociopolitical - This refers to the social and political networks that develops cooperative and collaborative attitudes and
connect individuals, organizations, and its leaders. practices within a community.

Guide Questions: • Community Development - a process where community

members come together to take collective action and
• What are the contributions of socio-political structure to the generate solutions to common problems. Community well
development of society? being (economic, social, environmental and cultural) often
*this structure is responsible in making agreements, social evolves from this type of collective action being taken at a
regulations, policies, conditions, laws etc. to protect and strengthen grassroots level. Community development ranges from
human rights and other community core values. small initiatives within a small group to large initiatives that
involve the broader community.

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TYPOLOGIES of COMMUNITY • Voluntary , non-profit and non-governmental
FORMAL GROUP - A formal group is formed when people • Third sector (in contrast to public and private sector
come together to accomplish specific goals and objectives. An
official group has particular structures and roles where • NGOs:Non-governmental organizations
responsibilities of members of the group are defined.
• A social space is a physical or a virtual space such as
Some of the common formal groups that exist within the social center, online social media, or other gathering place
organization or community include schools, church, hospitals, where people gather and interact.
government, and civic organizations.
Characteristics of Social Space Communities:
*Example is the FEC (Faculty of Employees Club of SEPNAS)
we have constitution and by laws, we have officials. We have • Environmental infrastructures
goals and objectives that can be read in the consti and by laws • Natural and semi-natural (man influenced) green
of FEC. infrastructure elements
INFORMAL GROUP - An informal group is formed when two or
• Natural spaces
more people come together to accomplish a specific task which
is mainly socially geared. The main idea behind the • Environment as a social space, place of interaction
establishment of the informal group is the satisfaction of both
personal and psychological needs. • Public space/open space related to human’s daily life

It consists of a set of personal relations, social networks, • Green recreation zones

common interest and emotional sources of motivation.
• Neutral grounds for different groups to come together

• Social green surrounding

*As teacher in SEPNAS, aside from being a member of the
organization, teachers also have groups of friends, lunch • Outdoor space
buddies etc.
• Safe place, etc.
Rural communities are often farm lands. However, a rural
“Community Action Modalities”
community can also be woodland forests, plains, deserts, and
Module 4
grassland.
Community Action
Urban means "related to cities." It may refer to: Urban area,
-The collective grasp and ownership of a situation
geographical area distinct from rural areas. Urban culture, the
culture of towns and cities, sometimes used as a euphemism for Ingredients of Community Action
African-American culture.
*common context
global community. noun. 1. the people or nations of the world,
considered as being closely connected by modern *common experience
telecommunications and as being economically, socially, and
*common understanding of an issue
politically interdependent.
*common analysis
Common point of view toward issues of human rights, global
warming and climate change, peace and order, socio-economic *An acceptable standard
conditions as well as disputed issues such as territorial conflict.
Community Engagement - Taking part of serving on committees
“Community Sectors,” we’re pointing at the various groups that that focuses on community-building activities or resolving
people in the larger community might be divided into for reasons problems are essential in community action.
of common social, political, economic, cultural, or religious
interests. In some cases, membership in a sector may be 2. Members of the community must get involve in interviews,
conscious (business people as part of the “business sector,” for group discussions and surveys.
example.) In others, people may not think about their 3. The goals of every community vary as communities have
membership (parents may not think of themselves as helping to different needs.
make up the “education sector.”) Many individuals may belong 4. These needs flow from factors such as the population,
to, or have contact with, several of these sectors; others may be accessible resources available and the environment where
considered only in relation to a single one. the community is based.
5. One common method towards being updated of the
Characteristics of Sectoral Communities: people's concerns is through research.
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 6. Members of the community must get involve in interviews, • Contacts and connections made in a diverse, multi-sector
group discussions and surveys. In this way, community group lead to new community relationships. And these
leaders can assess of a possible program to take and/or relationships can speak new community initiatives that
plot a solution of observed problems. might never have otherwise existed. (Community Tool Box)
7. It is through connecting and networking that we can voice
out beautiful ideas that can be used by all. One must not • Social Institutions (five key sectors):
limit himself or herself to help and one must not be limited • Schools • Media
to participate.
8. 2. When people share a strong sense of community they • Businesses
are motivated and empowered to change problems they • Churches
face, and are better able to mediate the negative effects • Government - town or city
over things which they have no control." (Chavis, D. & • Sectors are important for identification. People with the
Wandersman, A. 2002) This is the true image of community same interest would most likely form a group and that
engagement. group could be a medium for actualizing any possible
• Solidarity - must defy boundaries. (race, gender, wealth potentialities set for community development. This
and other factors that could create segregation must be categorization of talent and interest will pave the way of
eradicated) those people who are unable to see their roles in their own
community. And once roles are established, people will
• when we strip off our titles, positions, and possessions. become the backbone of a harmonious and progressive
community. They become obliged to serve their fellowmen
• everybody must be given the chance to contribute and be and that desire starts with their intention to be part of a
heard. movement.
• A united community means a safer community. Community Virtues
• will help maintain safety and assurance and strive to 1. Resilient Communities
connect with people through communication.
Countless challenges are faced by almost everyone every day.
Citizenship - refers to the set of rights and duties a person has in Only resilient people become successful after facing each
that nation challenge. As Filipinos are known to be resilient people, it is also
There are ten (10) qualities of a good citizen according to hoped that our communities should be resilient, as well.
Quizlet.com: Based in a tropical country, we are experiencing different
1. Respects the rights and properties of others seasons that could harm our crops and livestock. Drought,
2. Respects and obeys the laws of the land floods, heat waves, earthquakes, forest fires, and tsunamis are
3. Take part in and improve life in his community just a few of the challenges from Mother Nature that our
4. Take an active part in the government communities face (Delos Santos, D. 2017). Aside from that,
5. A responsible family member challenges can be in the form of corruption, red tape, crime,
6. Loyal to his country and proud of his accomplishments terrorism, and human rights abuses (Delos Santos, D. 2017). It
7. Uses natural resources wisely is expected that despite all these, people and communities
8. Believes in equal opportunities for all people should rise from it all and continue to live and exist. As these
9. Well informed on important issues and is willing to take a stand on challenges are already expected, for they come on an annual
these issues when conscience demands it basis or as a precedent from other communities, contingency
10. Respects individual differences, point of view, and acknowledges plans must be crafted.
that ways of life are different from his own 2. Vigilant Communities

As we take extra careful in securing our door locks at night,

communities must also be vigilant to possible threats. Securing
the safety of its members is one of the main focus of any
Module 5 community. Laws are already in existent to make sure that
Purposes of Community Action everybody will get to enjoy their freedom in its utmost sense. It
serves as a deterrent but will be used when someone tries to
• A community is expected to have diverse members. break the status quo.
• Each member is unique. However, upholding dogma of the past might seem a
• Everyone could bring anything on the table. standard, but communities must also be ready to adapt if there
are new trends that are beneficial for the community's growth.

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Anything, also, that could be the cause of a community to fall, after their own advantage but the benefit of all the members of
be it its economy or the welfare of its people, must be the community.
eliminated. Being alert and awake will always give a head start.
Five-Point Community Initiatives
3. Progressive Communities
The five-point community initiatives are the processes or
Change is the only constant in this world. One who is afraid of mechanisms that a community undergoes in order to develop
change can never go to places. From what we have learned and realize its goals.
from the previous virtue, safeguarding our belief system is
important but so as keeping with development. Protecting our • 1. Engagement - connecting to the community and its
culture and history will always be everybody's goal but our world people
right now is advancing drastically and if we cannot keep up, we • 2. Planning - converting ideas into blueprints through
will be left at the bottom. meetings and discussion
Progressive communities know when to change and when • 3. Implementation - action and realization of the set plans
not to adapt. The role of community leaders are very critical in
this matter. Synergy is important for ideas to flourish and take • 4. Development - enhancing process for continuous
root. Ideas that are arbitrary made without the consultation of implementation
the community will be hollow and will not connect to their target
beneficiaries. (Delos Santos, D. 2017). It will always be a risk in • 5. Sustainability - meeting needs of stakeholders; pursued
advancing to the current trends but not trying to do so will result as a goal
in not wanting to grow. POVERTY

a manifestation of marginalization or social exclusion in that

4. Adaptive Communities communities don't have equal access to the resources

Progressive community is more likely the same with Adaptive (e.g., income, financial capital, the means to produce goods,
Community. However, the former is more into looking for long- etc.) and political power that would improve conditions therein
term changes. Its target is growth from what is already present. Social Determinants of Health and Development
The latter deals with the present condition. Innovative and
creativity are two of the requirements in order step up with the 1. Differences in exposure
current trends.
People in poverty are likely to get exposed to particular
Korean fashion is very trending now in the Philippines. health risk, as they are prone to higher levels of stress brought
Teenage girls are at the peak of copying the way how Koreans by their work. Lower paid employees usually do hard manual or
dress. Even with Korea's skin care products are always present technical labor.
in the Philippine cosmetics shops. This is one example of trying
to change a bit, to look trendier, to adapt. But an adaptive 2. Differences in vulnerability
community is more into the changes occurring in order to People in poverty has the inability to pay for regular health
survive whenever our environment demands it. With this Covid care or medical treatment. They suspend their treatment or
19 pandemic, if our community won’t adapt to the new normal choose not to get treated at all.
guidelines, then it is expected that more people will get infected
by the virus. 3. Differences in consequences

Community Virtues Children in poverty, most of the time, skip school to work.
They end up going back to school years older than their grade
Accountable communities have the best people who knows their level peers. This is usually the cause of students eventually
role in their community. They have the sense of ownership. dropping out because of age difference. In result, they land into
They know that they have to take part in planning, execution, blue collar jobs that pays low, hence, the two previous
solution and sustaining community goals and programs. The determinants.
sense of ownership empowers people and in result, gives
people confidence and will to act. People become committed
and be more productive.

Beautiful ideas spring from people who are accountable.

They study, research and dissect information or proposals
before putting it on the table, for fear that it will result in failure if
not looked into thoroughly. Accountable people do not just look

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 The following are the social factors that when addressed,
improve conditions for health and development.

1. Economic Factors

Unemployment rate is growing year after year. The

government must extend more its help to people who lack jobs,
graduate or not.

2. Cultural Factors

Gender is one factor for the inequality of opportunities.

Different breaks are given to men and women. Choice of food is
also a factor. United States has the high rate for heart health
problems than Japan, because of their diet. Food intake also
varies from religious belief system.

3. Social Inclusion

Building good relationship with neighbors lowers the risk of

stress and paranoia. Participative individuals have healthier
lifestyle since it requires healthier mind and body to involve
oneself.

4. Education

Education is the key for a better future. It grants better jobs

that pays well. Educated people have more choices in career,
health and life.

5. Social Norms of Acceptance of Particular Behaviors or

Practices

Vices are detrimental to health. Examples are smoking,

alcohol and drug abuse. Other unhealthy habits include sleeping
late or sleeping less that the recommended hours of sleep,
unbalanced and procrastination.

6. Politics

Every group has a decision making committee. From

planning to implementation, the decision of the group must be
unanimous. However, projects that lack accord could be harmful
as it break routine, which most find it unhealthy.

7. Living Conditions

The stress of living in a difficult situation or neighborhood

brings forth is unhealthy.

8. Geography

People living in far-flung places have little access to

hospitals, schools, and other institutions.

United Nations Millennium Developmental Goals 2015 Report

The eight (8) millennium developmental goals (MDG) for

2000 - 2015 are anchored in the above mentioned purposes. As
we are now in the year 2020, results of MGD 2015 are out.

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