Community Organization Approach

Objectives

At the end of the chapter, the students should be able to:

1. Define organization and community organization approach;

2. Discuss community organizing as a process; and

Explain the principles of community based approach.

Introduction

Organizations specifically rural community organizations can be found almost

everywhere. There are farmer organizations, cooperatives of all types (multi-purpose, producers,
marketing, credit, and non-agriculture cooperatives), irrigators associations, women
organizations, youth organizations, traders, millers, market vendors, tricycle drivers, and many
others. Some of these organizations are seasonal, moderately viable and functional and do not
flourish to really contribute to the development of people and communities.

The community organization approach is not entirely new approach to development;

however, this approach is still believed to be one of the best approaches in generating genuine
and continuous change in the social, economic, cultural, political, and environmental life of the
people located in various ecological zones. For beginners in the CO approach, questions are
asked: Why do we need to organize? Are rural people capable of managing their own
organizations? This helps them organize and manage their own organizations? This Chapter
attempts to present the process, experiences and practices of people who had implemented the
approach in rural communities.

Concept of Organization

Why do we organize? This is a basic question that rural people and personnel from
government and the private sector usually ask. Is there really a need to organize? The simple
answer is: people are organized into clubs, associations, cooperatives, societies and fraternities in
order to achieve common goals which ultimately may give/contribute benefits to the
person/individual, groups/association, and to the community. There are activities, projects or
programs that a person cannot do individually; he needs other people including their resources,
knowledge, capabilities, time and values.

What is an organization? An organization is composed of a group of people, with a

purpose, implementing specific tasks/activities covering specific geographic area or defined
boundaries (Daft, 1983). As defined in other management books, important key words to
remember are: a group of people, activities/tasks, common purpose/goals and geographic area.

Community Organization (CO) Approach

Community organizing is basically the process of establishing a viable and functional

community organization that is created to contribute to sustainable development of rural
communities. Therefore, the acronym of CO may mean community organizing as a group of
people.

Community organizing (CO) is a process that revolves around the lives, experiences and
aspirations of the people; a process that is people-centered and geared towards their continuing
capability building, self reliance and empowerment. It is a process wherein the people analyze
their own problems and needs, decide on their own future, and ultimately make their own
solutions (Manalili, 1990).

Community organizing (CO) is a problem solving approach whereby the community is

empowered with the knowledge and skills to identify and prioritize his needs and problems,
harness and mobilize its human and material resources to deal with these problems, harness and
mobilize its human and material resources to deal with these problems and take action
collectively. It stresses leadership formation and capability building hence it is also been referred
to as a learning process approach (Ferrer, 1988). He stressed that an organization is essential in
mobilizing and coordinating the human and material resources of the community in pursuit of
their common interests.

Community organizing (CO) approach is the active participation of all elements of

society individually or through associations, in defining and achieving the common goals of
development. In order to fully understand the approach, there are basic premises in community
organization that will help us fully comprehend the need for the CO approach (Isles, 1980).

First, unorganized poor people have become indifferent and apathetic about their lives
because they are objectively and subjectively powerless in dealing with their problems.

Second, that when the poor band themselves together into an organization, they can help
redress the socio-political and economic imbalance between the rich and the poor and between
the weak and the strong.

Third, the organization brings about a sense of power among poor people.

To summarize the points of people who used the CO approach, a viable and functional
organization serves as: (a) an organization that elicits people participation in identifying
problems common to many and affect a great number of people; (b) venue to collectively plan,
implement and evaluate projects that solve identified problems; (c) an action group that mobilize
and harness human, material, financial resources to achieve common goals; (d) a group to
network with other organizations, agencies of government, and private sector to help resolve
specific problems; and (e) a learning process for community people to achieve empowerment
particularly of the depressed, deprived and the less privileged members of society.

Principles in Community-Based Approach (CBA)

Community organizing (CO) is an approach by itself but it can be a part of a community-

based approach. Prof. Ferrer of UP (1988) presented some principles that will help CO workers.

1. CBA: people centered, community oriented and resource based.

2. CBA is taking the people as partners in development.
3. CBA begins with the strength not weaknesses of people.
4. Its goal in people: (for example) fisher folks not only fisheries.

Community Organizing Process

There are several ways of organizing people. This chapter presents three models of CO
namely: a) a process used by Elmer M. Ferrer (1988) in community based coastal resources
management; b) a process used by Angelito Manalili (1990) in one of his CO project; and an
organizing process used by CLSU in implementing the BIDANI program.
A. CO Process in Coastal Resource Management

(Adapted from the Professional Chair Lecture of Prof. Elmer M. Ferrer delivered
on February 18, 1988 at Bulwagan Tandang Sora, College of Social Work and
Community Development, University of the Philippines).

The CO process was used in a coastal resource management in Laguna. This

portion presents the process based on the experiences in the project. Community
organizing is undertaken in identifiable phases viewed in a continuum but not necessarily
as ladder-like distinct steps.

1. Project Site Selection

Many development agencies when preparing plans for development projects
rarely have any idea of the particular community where the project is going to be
implemented. But, for a community-based coastal resources management which is site-
specific the selection of the project site is a crucial phase. It may spell the initial success
or failure of the project.
As a general rule, site selection must follow the general design of your program
i.e., the program goals and objectives. However, some criteria have been found useful in
many development projects. These are:
 a. The site must have a relative concentration of the sector your program wishes
to address and organize;

b. There should be no strong resistance to the program or agency, better still an

influential group or person has expressed initial support;

c. There should be no over abundance or proliferation of development programs

in the project site; and

d. There must be no serious peace order problem.

2. Integration and Community Study

Before any organi9zing can be done, an initial study of the community should
first be undertaken. Such a study is necessary to guide the efforts of the organizer in
identifying the problems of the community, in having an initial idea of what to do, and in
determining the types of approach/method to start the people moving. Hence, the
thoroughness in the initial study or the lack of it will determine the direction or
aimlessness of any organizing effort.
But in order to gain a firsthand knowledge of the community, it is important to
immerse ones self among the people. The local people cannot be expected to open up
with their problems and opinions, indeed their very lives, to complete strangers. Sensitive
practices like blast fishing, cyanide, poisoning, can be revealed only after a process of
integration. As outsiders, the organizers can only learn of the local situation from the
local people themselves; it is only the latter who can supply the most revealing picture of
themselves and their community.
In integrating, the guiding principle which the organizers follow is: rapport-
building through maximum involvement in all the facets of the peoples daily lives. This
may be undertaken thru: 1) person-to-person conversations and informal discussions with
small groups; 2) house-to-house visits and 3) participation in the peoples social and
economic activities; and 4) lending a hand in the household chores like cooking, washing
dishes, fetching water from the well, cleaning the house and even baby-sitting. At the
same time, one must avoid certain activities which the majority of the barrio people
consider as anti-social like gambling and excessive drinking.
The organizers involvement in the peoples economic activities also equips them
with the necessary data to strike up conversations and discussions. Talks about their
livelihood inevitably animate the people.
Despite the different approaches, integration still proved to be the best method for
data gathering. Integration makes the organizers acceptable to the community members.
This acceptance becomes the key factor for the organizers ability to gather correct and
meaningful data.
 Integration and community study to indeed have a dialectical relation. Good
integration leads to better community study and better community study serves as basis
for deeper integration.

3. Issue Selection and Prioritization

After the initial integration and study comes the presentation to the people of the barrios
situation in a synthesized form. A comprehensive knowledge of the local situation should help
the people grasp the facts that govern their livelihood their natural resources, their acquired
skills and technology, their shortcomings and their untapped potentials.
Acquiring the knowledge that natural and social factors can be controlled and manipulated
will motivate them to directly take a hand in their own affairs. Besides, presenting the study
done beforehand will enable the organizers to verify and deepen the accuracy of the data
gathered.
The community profile may serve as their mirror in understanding their community
situation and may be used for generating discussions regarding the community resources;
problems and needs. Hopefully the discussions generated may be directed towards making the
people conscious of the need for an organization that will serve as their venue for solving their
problems.

4. Contact Building and Spotting of Potential Local Leaders

In the process of integration and community study, conscious efforts must be made to
identify contacts in the community who can provide and or validate information about the
community and its people.
Peoples participation is a very important component of community organization. The
right and the responsibility to decide on the important facets of their lives should be given back
to the people. The top-down process of decision-making prevalent in the country must give way
to a more democratic bottom-up process of decision-making. To ensure popular participation the
leadership of an organization should come from among the ranks of the majority. Leader spotting
is not an easy job. Many people in the community have the potential to lead in the sense that they
have the analytical mind, are respected by the community and are articulate when the occasion
warrants.

5. Formation and Strengthening of a Core Group

The core group is the basic building block for a peoples organization. It is the training
ground for collective leadership and for the practice of peoples participation. To the members of
the core group, the organizer will transfer his skills and knowledge in doing community work so
that when he leaves the community a group of people is sure to take his place.
The core group in a community may be formed from the most active initial contacts and
potential leaders. The following criteria may be used in choosing the core group members:
1. Belongs to the poorer sector in the community;

2. Has extensive relations in the area and is well respected by members of the community;

3. Conscientious and resourceful in his work;

4. Open-minded and desirous of change; and

5. Articulate of the problems and aspirations of the members of the community.

6. Education and Mobilization

At every of organizing, educational and mobilizing activities should be undertaken.
Educational activities aim to deepen the understanding by the people of their present condition
(i.e. problems, human and material resources) and heighten their consciousness in order that
they may actively involve themselves in the struggle for change. Educational work may be done
through informal, small group and one-on-one conversation. Observation and exposure trips to
other projects will concretize abstract principles.
For instance, in the Marine Conservation and Development Program of Silliman
University the people were made to observe plankton thru the microscope and coral reefs by
snorkeling. Community-wide activities like slide presentation, community newspapers may also
be undertaken.
Mobilizing and involving the people in the day to day activities of the organization like
monitoring and guarding the coral reefs will help develop their capability and readiness to
respond and take action on their immediate needs towards solving their long-term problems.
Mobilizations like making representations with the local government and other development
agencies also help build and strengthen the peoples self-confidence and their collective spirit.
As mobilization gains greater group and reaches a wider segment of the community the
functions of a community organization may now be formalized.

7. Setting-up a community organization

After some time in which the capabilities of the core group members have been
sufficiently tested, and when an adequate number of people have been attracted to common
goals and objective, the expansion of the core group can now be done through the setting-up of
a community or sectoral organization. The formal setting-up of the organization may involve:
1. Drafting a constitution
2. Formalizing membership
3. Calling for a general assembly
4. Drawing up organizational plans
 5. Creating committees (e.g. marine management committees, education committee,
etc.)
6. Electing officers and assigning persons to particular tasks.

B. CO Process Adapted from A. Manalili (1990)

Another model of CO is presented, though very similar, it may give another insight to
the reader. The steps in the process are as follows:
1. Entering the community
2. Integrating with the people
3. Social analysis
4. Spotting and developing indigenous leaders in the community
5. Core group building
6. Setting-up the organization
7. Strengthening the organization

1. Entering the community

Organizer may be internal or external to the community. An organizer before entering
the community gathers information about the community such as peoples way of life,
customs and traditions, religion, source of livelihood and primary problems. He conducts a
preliminary social analysis of the community to be able to plan the most effective way of
entering a community.

2. Integrating with the people

He lives in the area to really integrate with the people and tries to be close with
them. The people may accept him as one of them. Through social and very personal
interactions, his knowledge of the barrio becomes substantive.

By participating in the production or economic life of the people, he learns the

problems. He joins community social activities. Every day is a learning day. The problems
are already his problems.

3. Social analysis (SA)

The first two steps are concentrated on the organizer, this time SA revolves on the
peoples lives, experiences and aspirations. The COer helps people to become more
systematic in the analysis of the situation.

The process is a collective and continuing activity so that analysis becomes a tool
for conscientization for action. SA is an activity that helps raise the level of consciousness
of the people and the organizer. This is a dialogue/focus group discussion. There is now
collective consciousness.
 SA should lead to the continuing development of the peoples critical awareness
and their ability to relate to national and global realities.

4. Spotting and Developing Indigenous Leaders in the Community (IL)

Identify IL who possess two characteristics:

a) Firm grasp of the community

b) Willingness to act and be committed to the cause of the poor

5. Core Group Building

Among the potential leader, a core group for organizing is formed. Core group for
farmers, women and youth.

Oganizer

In the process, CO becomes people-centered not leader-centered.

 6. Setting-up the Organization

At this stage of CO, The people are now to set up their organization. In their
general assembly, they will formally declare their unity and select their officers. Reasons
for organizing are clear. Members have full confidence of the organization. The
organization is the embodiment of their collective dreams and aspirations. Tasking must
be based on the capability of everyone.

7. Strengthening the Organization

The organization must be continuously strengthened. Mass membership need to

do social analysis by themselves. Issues and problems confronting the community should be
analyzed. CO may begin at the village level then two-wide.

C. CO Process in the BIDANI Program (CLSU BIDANI Terminal Report 2001)

The Barangay Integrated Development Approach for Nutrition Improvement

popularly called BIDANI is a program and an approach in nutrition improvement thereby
improving the level of living of rural communities. The program has four major components,
namely: local governance, nutrition improvement, income generating project and micro-credit. It
utilize various approaches particularly holistic, integrated, participatory, multi-agency, and LGU-
led program. The selected state universities and colleges in the Philippines initiated this program
in their pilot towns and barangays.

The CO process is basic in its implementation as it tries to mobilize and empower

the rural people to solve their own problems with external and internal assistance. The steps are
as follows:

1. Organizational Preparation of SUC as lead Initiator of the Program/Approach

The BIDANI program is one of the extension programs of SUCs. The Extension
Office implementing the program must be well-trained and committed in its goals.
All the implementers (faculty and staff) must be fully aware/knowledgeable of the
vision. Mission, goals, components, structure, process/activities, projects,
funding, monitoring and evaluation of the program. SUC administrators, LGUs
and external funding support are necessary to implement the program.

2. Site Identification by SUC and LGU

The project is usually implemented in 2-5 barangays/municipalities per province.

The project is implemented in barangays that are development oriented and with
active local leaders. Responsiveness of LGUs is the major criterion because the
project is owned and managed by the organized and trained Municipal Technical
Action Committee (MTAC). Criteria for selecting barangays are: high occurrence
 of malnutrition, accessibility, depressed/poor village and activeness of local
leaders.

3. Orientation and Advocacy to LGUs

This is the presentation of the program and approach to the municipal mayor
and his councilors and other chief of offices. Another orientation shall be conducted
for the barangay chairmen of selected pilot barangays. Site visitation will be
conducted where local leaders become aware of the program, thereby planning for
orientation training will be done.

4. Orientation and Training of Local Barangay Planning Committees

This is usually a three-day orientation-training of all barangay leaders

involved (10-12 per barangay) in the pilot barangays. Preliminary barangay data,
problem analysis and solution identification, strengthening of committee roles and
functions are done. Initial community planning is done.

5. Participatory Integrated Local Barangay Development Planning

From the 3-day training, real planning of the various committees will be done
at the municipality or barangay. Plans will be consolidated in an agreed format. These
include a three-year annual investment plan and annual plan. A general assembly will
be conducted to present the plans or each sector/committee. The barangay will also
plan to establish their barangay management and information system. This is to be
organized and managed by the people themselves.

6. Approval and Submission of Plans and Fund Sourcing

When the plans are finalized and approved by the Barangay Development
Councils (BDCs), it will be submitted to the Barangay Council (BC). A resolution
will be prepared for the approval of the plan. The Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA)
particularly the 20% development fund will be budgeted. External funding will be
sourced out.

7. Implementation of Plans by LGUs

Ideally, the barangay chairman and committee chairmen spearhead project

implementation. The Cos from the SUCs play major role in facilitating project
implementation.

8. Technical Backstopping

Weekly visitations of Cos, training, focus group discussion are conducted. Each
committee is encouraged to lead proposed projects and encourage to look for
external assistance.
 9. Evaluation, Replanning and Updating

This is the quarterly, semi-annual monitoring and conduct of process/project

evaluation. What is the status of the project? What are problems in implementation? Are
beneficiaries satisfied? Do we meet our objectives? What are unfinished projects?

Review Questions:

1. What are the organizations existing in your area?

Describe their membership, activities, benefits of members and contribution to development of
the community?

2. Are these agencies providing assistance to these organizations? In what way assistance were
given?
3. Define the following terms:
3.1 community
3.2 organization
3.3 community organizing

4. Select one model of CO and briefly discuss. Present its strengths and weaknesses.

5. What are your suggestions to strengthen rural organization? Explain your answer.