Module 1:

COMMUNITY WORK
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
After completion of the module, the students will be able to:

• Identify and describe different concepts of community and the

different values and principles, steps and strategies of community
development;
• Appreciate the values of community immersion as a means of
developing themselves as citizens and helping people improve their
way of life and in alleviating their living conditions;
 Community means different things to different people. There are
numerous definitions and various theories used to analyze the
concept of community.
Community, in many ways represents a valid and meaningful social
concept that has found a prominent place in social work practice.
Community social work signifies “the practice of professional social
work with communities as target population or setting for
interventions”.
Communities are the context for community social work and
community social work recognizes the diversity of communities. So,
understanding different perspectives and dimensions of community
is significant for effective community social work practice and
community development.
 Concepts of Community
Development
A. Community and Community Development
B. Values and Principles of Community Development
C. Community Development Steps and Strategies
D. Immersion as Component of Community
Development
E. Do’s and Don’ts of Community Immersion
A. Community and Community
Development
The word “community” is derived from Latin
and has been used in the English language since
th
the 14 century. It refers to both the
development of a social grouping and also the
nature of the relationship among the members.
 The term is often associated with one or more of the
following characteristics:

a. common people, as distinguished from those of rank or

authority;
b. a relatively small society;
c. the quality of holding something in common; and
d. a sense of common identity and characteristics;
 The concept of community was further developed in the
19th century to contrast the dynamics and relationships of
residents within a local setting to that of larger and more
complex industrial societies.

It is related to the terms commune (French) and

Gemeinschaft (German), in terms of denoting particular
kind of relationships. Relationships within a community
were thought to be more direct, holistic, and significant
than the more formal and abstract relationships with the
larger society.
THREE MAIN TYPES OF COMMUNITY
1. Geographic communities - share physical
space, so that residents come into contact with
each other by virtue of proximity, rather than
intent. However, to be a “real” community,
residents must feel a sense of belonging and hold at
least some values and symbols in common.
2. Communities of Interest - are sometime
referred to as “communities within communities”.
Members of these communities choose to associate
with each on the basis of a common interest (e.g. bike
club) or shared concerns (e.g. poor air quality).

3. Virtual Communities - are groups of people that

primarily interact via communication media rather
than face to face. If the mechanism is a computer
network, it is called an online community.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

“Community Development” (CD) is a process

to create conditions of economic and social
progress for the whole community with its active
participation and fullest possible reliance upon
the community’s initiative.
B. Values and Principles of Community
Development
Community development is sometimes confused
with community-based programs, community
research and other forms of community interventions.
The most significant feature that distinguishes
community development from other community work
is its values and principles:
a. Democratic – The will of the majority must be
carried out, but only after all voices are heard and
considered and minority rights are protected.

b. Inclusive - There are many barriers to participation

in society; poverty, disability, age, race and ethnicity
are some other characteristics that often marginalize
people. A healthy community embraces diversity and
recognizes that all community members have a right
to be heard and participate in processes that affect
their lives.
c. Non-authoritarian - Organizational structures are
as flat as possible, with all participants being seen as
equally important and having equal input.

d. Community Self-Determination - Community

members come together to discuss their concerns,
assess options and arrive at their own conclusions.
They may seek advice form “experts”, but consider it
along with other sources of information and their own
experience and make their own decisions that are right
for them.
e. Community Ownership - Communities thrive when they
develop their own assets, but also when they “own” their problems
and issues. When communities accept that it is “their” problem,
then they are more likely to work together to develop a solution,
and the solution will be better than one provided solely by an
external “expert”.

f. Enhance Natural Capacities and Network - There are sources

of strength in every community; for example, informal
networks and social support systems, or certain individuals
that have particular talents or are able to help others in need.
A community developer identifies these existing community
assets and works with them. It is important not to duplicate
existing structures and functions as that may weaken rather
than strengthen the community.
g. Social Justice and Equity - This is the fundamental to
community development and is at least implicit in all CD
work, if not an explicit goal of a CD program.

h. Universality - Services are available to everyone, without

requiring means or needs testing.

i. Service Integration- Often services provided to persons

in need are fragmented, so that one service provider
doesn’t know what other services are available or being
used, resulting in gaps, duplications and sometimes
conflicting advice or treatments.
C. Community Development Steps and
Strategies
Community development is sometimes confused
with community-based programs, community
research and other forms of community interventions.
The most significant feature that distinguishes
community development from other community work
is its values and principles:
1. Learn about the Community
Whether you want to be an active member of the community,
an effective service provider or a community leader, you will
have to be familiar with its issues, resources, needs, power
structure and decision-making processes. Your initial
operation could include reading your local newspaper
regularly, attending community events, reading reports and
familiarizing with available services as well as community
projects and activities.
Close Observation - of the community as you
interact with it will also provide significant insights into
the strengths and weaknesses of the community.
2. Listen to Community Members
You won’t be able to learn everything you need to know by reading
and observation. You will need to talk to others about their interests
and perceptions to put it into context. You can contact community
members through formal channels, such as joining local organization,
or informally by chatting with people that visit the library or that you
encounter in other situations, such as shopping at local stores or
attending school activities. By listening to the community, you may
identify an area in which there seems to be a common interest in
making a change.
3. Bring People Together to Develop a
Shared Vision
In some circumstances it may be appropriate to invite representatives
of specific organizations or sector to attend, but more often it would
be a public event for a neighborhood or, for other types of
communities, for all the identified members. The purpose of this
gathering would be to develop a shared “community vision”; i.e.,
through imagining their ideal community and discussing their ideas
together they will determine arrive at a common vision and some
broad strategic directions that all are committed to working towards.
4. Assess Community Assets, and Resources,
Needs and Issues

It is extremely helpful to undertake a comprehensive

community assessment which will collect both
qualitative and quantitative data on a wide range of
community features.
5. Help Community Members to recognize and
articulate areas of concern and their causes

It is the community members that are most familiar with

the situation and, in many cases, have knowledge and
wisdom that an “external” experts lacks. By providing
tools, resources, meeting space, and facilitation,
community developer empowers the community to start
take ownership of the issues and the development of
solutions.
6. Establish “Vehicle for Change”

In most circumstances it will be necessary to create a “vehicle for

change” for an organizational change, which in most cases will start as
a steering committee. A group of people ranging from a few
unaffiliated individuals or a coalition of organizations and
institutions. There is a wide range of activities that the steering
committee will need to undertake to ensure that it will be able to plan,
organize, implement and evaluate the initiative effectively, including
developing a charter or terms or reference, establishing governance
policies, obtaining sufficient resources to carry out the work and
identifying potential partners who can contribute to its success.
7. Develop an Action Plan

A well thought out plan that is easily comprehended by

the community members, clearly links activities with
objectives and indicates responsibilities, time frames and
resources required.
8. Implementation of Action Plan

Mobilization of all resources to take actions such as but

not limited to: working with community workers to
identify needs and appropriate services; developing
informational brochures; eliciting support from targeted
organizations; distributing the brochures to the
organizations; and meeting with organizational
representatives to provide further information.
9. Evaluate results of Action

Check whether you have not caused any harm to others

through your actions. Other reasons to evaluate may be
to demonstrate the effectiveness of the initiative so that it
will be continued, to satisfy funder requirements and to
provide information that will be useful to others or to
subsequent initiatives.
10. Reflect and Regroup

Allow time for the group to catch its breath

before embarking on the next initiative. Thank
everyone that contributed. Celebrate success.
Reflect on disappointments
D. Immersion as Component of
Community Development
A strategy of transforming DDU (deprived,
depressed and underserved) communities and
trainees into self-sustaining ones as men for others
imbued with good citizenship values of being:
MAKADIYOS, MAKATAO, MAKABAYAN, &
MAKAKALIKASAN.
Forms of Integration in Community Immersion

• Home visits
• Living with selected families preferably with key
informants
• Informal discussions with individuals or groups
• Sharing in household and community activities
• Attendance in social gatherings (fiestas, etc.)
• Assistance in production work (selling, farming)
Whom do you immerse in the Community?

The student-trainees together with the community

partners: parents, youth, the differently-abled
constituents, professionals, members of people’s
organizations and other formal/informal groups.
What are the personal gains a student gets from
community immersion?

• Opportunity to comprehend other people’s lives

• Social acceptance from community relations and the right to offer
service
• Enhance experiences in conducting asset mapping
• Establish rapport and relationship with different people
• Develop their conscientization ability – realizing issues that will
help solve problems in the community
• Acquire first-hand experiences in dealing with community works
• Chance to learn life skills that will enrich and better mold
persons
E. Do’s and Don’ts of Community
Immersion
 Before the Conduct of Community Immersion
THINGS TO REMEMBER THINGS TO AVOID
1. Familiarize yourself with the basic information Never forget to inform and get the consents of your
and theories regarding community life partners/guardians about the activities lined up.
2. Secure a waiver from the NSTP office Coordinate with the local/barangay officials

3. Always inform your faculty in-charge of your Do not go to the community either through public
destination. Be on time. transport or private vehicle.
4. Be armed with background information about Do not go to the community either without
the area of immersion. determining the background information about it.
5. Pay courtesy call to community leaders, whether
formal or informal.
6. Secure documents like a letter of acceptance Avoid bringing original copies of signed documents
from the community. in the community.
7. Bring your own personal provisions like water, Whenever possible and not offensive, decline in
snacks and shirt. receiving gifts from the community.
 DURING THE ACTUAL COMMUNITY
IMMERSION
THINGS TO REMEMBER THINGS TO AVOID
8. Be courteous to everyone. Avoid labeling and naming people with
politically incorrect terms. Try to be
more discreet in your use of words.
9. Act properly and discretely.
10. Wear proper uniforms and IDs. Do not show off in terms of get-ups.
Avoid drawing attention.
11. It is highly advised to keep your Never bring out your valuable things like
valuables secured. cellphones, jewelry and money in public
places.
12. Always document your visits.
 DURING THE ACTUAL COMMUNITY
IMMERSION
THINGS TO REMEMBER THINGS TO AVOID
13. Always ask for permission from concerned Never promise and commit to a task that is
people when you have to take pictures. beyond your and your school’ capability.
14. Do the assigned task, stay on task, help the
group review and understand the task, work to
complete the task and be proud of the outcome of
the task.
15. Contribute/share relevant ideas and listen
carefully to other group member’s ideas.
16. Encourage participation from all group
members.
17. Share materials with the group, divide the
workload fairly and contribute to the activities of
the group.
 AFTER COMMUNITY IMMERSION

THINGS TO REMEMBER THINGS TO AVOID

18. Validate and evaluate if the
programs and activities were
conducted appropriately and as
planned.
19. Provide copies of your final
documentation output to the NSTP
Office and to the community where
you conducted your immersion.
THANK YOU!