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Understanding and Describing the Community

Understanding and Describing the Community. What is a community?. A community is any group sharing something in common: Locale Experience Interest. Things to Find Out. Geographic boundaries. How long the community has existed. General history. Key people and leaders. Demographics.

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Understanding and Describing the Community

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  1. Understanding and Describing the Community

  2. What is a community? A community is any group sharing something in common: • Locale • Experience • Interest

  3. Things to Find Out • Geographic boundaries. • How long the community has existed. • General history. • Key people and leaders. • Demographics. • Expenses and income. • Important issues. • Morale and involvement levels. • Key allies and rivals.

  4. Why should you use a community description? • To capture unspoken rules and norms. • To gain understanding. • To get a feel for attitudes and opinions. • To take stock of strengths and shortcomings.

  5. How can you use a community description? • For your own reference. • To share with others who do work in your community. • To present as background information to reporters. • To use as a basis for a grant proposal.

  6. When should you write a community description? • When you’re new to a community. • When you’ve been working in a community for any length of time and want to take stock. • When you’re considering introducing a new initiative or program.

  7. Basic Principles for Understanding the Community • View the community as the teacher and yourself as the student. • There is not always cause-and-effect logic for social interactions. • Question the accuracy of all information.

  8. Low-effort Situations for Finding Info Seek situations that offer— • Simplicity • Accessibility • Unobtrusiveness • Permission • Frequent activity

  9. Gaining an Understanding of Your Community • Gather basic tools. • Drive through the area. • Adjust boundaries. • Review area with a list of things to watch for. • Contact and interview key individuals in the community. • Visit local hangouts. • Work with a partner.

  10. Interview Tips • Start with small talk. • Explain your motives. • Ask for a definition of the community. • Follow up on leads and go on to subjects and areas you haven’t reached yet. • Ask who else you should talk to. • Let interviewee end the interview. • Thank interviewee for his/her time.

  11. How to Write Your Description • Draft your initial description and analysis. • Share draft with key community members; get their feedback on accuracy. • Consider results so far. • Get feedback from varied sources before completing final description and analysis.

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