Unit - 3

Community- definition - characteristics- types- community organization as a method of social work-

definition-objectives-principles- phases of community organization -Concepts of community
development, community participation and community empowerment. Field work in social work -
Nature, objectives and types of field work - Importance of field work supervision.
❖ Community:

The community has been a primary emphasis of social work practice since its inception. Communities
are one of the many social systems that impact peoples' lives and shape their individual and group
identities. People are born in social environments, they grow, mature and learn about and form
impressions of social systems. They also build individual and collective identities through linkages that
connect them to lifelong community experiences.

❖ Definitions:
• Robert Bellah defines community as "a group of people who are socially interdependent, who
participate together in discussion and decision making, and who share certain practices that
both define the community and are nurtured by it"
• According to Foundation for Community Encouragement "A community is a group of two or
more people who have been able to accept and transcend their differences regardless of the
diversity of their backgrounds (social, spiritual, educational, ethnic, economic, political, etc.).
This enables them to communicate effectively and openly and to work together toward goals
identified as being for their common good."
• Bryon Munon (1968) defines "A community is a relatively self-sufficient population, residing in a
limited geographic area, bound together by feelings of unity and interdependency.".
• C. Farrington and E Pine define a community as a " group of people lined by a communications
structure supporting discussion and collective action."
❖ Characteristics of Community:

• Community is a complex and multifaceted concept in social work, encompassing various

characteristics that shape individuals' interactions and relationships. Here are some key
characteristics related to community in the context of social work:
• Human Scale: Communities often operate on a human scale, emphasizing personal connections
and relationships. This characteristic highlights the importance of face-to-face interactions,
personal engagement, and a sense of intimacy within the community.
• Identity and Belonging: Communities provide a sense of identity and belonging to individuals.
The formation of individual and collective identities within a community fosters a sense of
belonging, acceptance, and shared values, contributing to a person's well-being.
• Obligations: Communities involve a set of mutual obligations and responsibilities among their
members. Obligations can include providing support, sharing resources, and participating in
communal activities. These obligations create a sense of reciprocity and interdependence.
Coined by sociologist Ferdin and Tönnies, "Gemeinschaft" refers to a type of community
characterized by close-knit, face-to-face relationships and a sense of shared identity.
Understanding Gemeinschaft helps social workers appreciate the depth of connections within a
community and tailor interventions accordingly.
• Culture: Communities often have unique cultures, including shared values, customs, traditions,
and norms. Recognizing and respecting the cultural aspects of a community is essential for

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 effective social work. It involves understanding the cultural context to provide culturally
competent and sensitive services.

These characteristics underscore the dynamic nature of communities and the various dimensions that
social workers need to consider when engaging with and supporting individuals within those
communities. By understanding and respecting these characteristics, social workers can better address
the needs of individuals, families, and groups in the context of their communities.

❖ Types of Communities:
This loose definition is necessary in order to encapsulate all the different types of communities that
exist.
However, it is common to classify communities into the following categories
1. Communities of place
2. Communities of interest
3. Identity-based communities
4. Communities of nee
5. Communities of practice

Below are 21 different communities fitting into each of the above categories.
Communities of Place.
• Urban community - An urban community is a place-based community that has its own unique
structure and needs. Urban communities are densely-populated and often rely upon peripheral
communities to provide food and materials, while they offer services to other communities in
return.
• Suburban community - Suburban communities are less dense than urban and often have high
numbers of families and children. Their interests may be focused on family planning, education,
and cost of living pressures.
• Rural community - Rural communities are often oriented around agrarian lifestyles and have
unique concerns such as access to healthcare and services despite the fact they're far from
service providers. They also tend to, on average, have a higher degree of conservative political
leaning due to the need to rely on self and neighbor over government.
• Neighborhood - A neighborhood may be a small subset of any of the above communities of
place. It refers to a small group of people who live in very close proximity and may share local
services such as shops or a local elementary school.
• Suburb - Suburbs are bigger than neighborhoods but smaller than cities, and may have a local
government uniting them or shared interests in a particular hospital or small business
community that serves the whole suburb.
• National community - Benedict Anderson referred to nations as 'imagined communities'.
They're groups of people who will never see all of their compatriots face-to-face but have a
shared sense of identity and purpose built up by mass media and governmental institutions that
promote a nationalistic worldview.
• Global community - The global community encompasses everyone in the world and
Communities Of Interest
• Subcultures-Subcultural communities cohere around common beliefs and interest that are
distinct from the beliefs and interests of the dominant culture in which they live. For example,
we could think of the surfing community, gaming community, and so on.

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 • Counter cultures - Like subcultures, countercultures sit within a dominant culture but are
distinct cultural groups. But unlike subcultures, countercultures are oppositional to the dominant
culture. For example, hippies, the Amish, and cult groups are countercultural community groups.
• Sporting communities - Sporting communities cohere around a common interest in a shared
sport. They often develop their own practices, events, and phrases. For example, the global
football community share the football world cup as their peak event.

Identity-based communities:
• Religious communities – Religious communities cohere around spiritual beliefs and practices.
They may come together to worship, but also act as networks of support groups around the
world For example, if you move cities, you will be able to connect with branches of people within
your religion in the new city who can act as your new support network.
• Virtual communities - A virtual community gets together online. In the digital age, people
increasingly form identities and support networks online based upon common interests rather
than through nationalistic and regional identity features
• Ethnic group - People with a shared ethnicity have common history, practices cultures, and
beliefs. This leads them to naturally coming together to engage in their cultural practices as a
coherent community group.

Communities Of Need:
• Disabled community - As with all communities of need, disabled people come together to share
their common experiences, advocate for their shared needs, and support one another.
• Deaf community - A subset of the disabled community, the deaf community is a well-known
community who come together out of shared need and interest. For example, deaf people can
come together because they share a language - sign language (although there are many!) - and
there is even a distinct deaf culture with shared social norms.
• Elderly community - We see elderly communities coming together to share a common
experience of aging. Often, these communities both allow for shared medical resources and a
joyous sense of active community-building in the final quarter of life.
• Migrant and expat communities - Migrants often come together in new countries to support
one another. They may have shared language and culture, but also shared experiences, that
draw them together.

Communities of Practice:
• Professional community - Professional communities are groups of people who share a
profession or expertise. These groups often advocate for their profession set minimum standards
and engage ongoing learning. in shared professional development and ongoing learning.
• Guilds and associations - Guilds and associations are similar to professional communities, but
may not necessarily be connected to a profession. They may be connected to a hobby such as
woodworking or birdwatching.
• Business communities - Generally referred to as 'the business community', this is a group of
people who advocate for businesspeople and entrepreneurs. They may share experiences
running businesses and advocate for legal changes that make running a business easier, less
bureaucratic, or more efficient.
• Economic communities - Economic communities are larger-scale than business communities and
linked to nation-state economies. It may be, for example, APEC - the Asia-Pacific Economic

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 Community - which is essentially a trade bloc with lowered tariffs and standardized trade
agreements. Similarly, we have the European Economic Community.
The concept of 'community' is broad, and the above examples of communities are only a handful of the
great number of social units that exist in society. Humans tend to come together in social units to
network, share experiences, share resources, or achieve power in numbers.

Increasingly, as globalization makes the world more interconnected, we are developing new types of
communities in new and interesting ways. As we're able to globally communicate and connect using the
internet and new media, people form their identities through more dispersed groups than ever before.

❖ Community organization is a method of social work

Community organization is a method of social work that focuses on empowering communities and
promoting social change. It involves working collaboratively with community members to identify and
address social issues, build collective capacity, and enhance the well-being of the community. Here are
key elements and principles associated with community organization in social work:
• Assessment:
• Conduct a thorough assessment of the community to understand its strengths, challenges, and
resources.
• Identify key stakeholders, leaders, and influencers within the community.
• Community Engagement:
• Foster active and inclusive participation of community members in decision-making processes.
• Encourage open communication and dialogue to ensure diverse perspectives are considered.
• Empowerment:
• Empower community members by building on their existing strengths and capacities.
• Provide education and skill-building opportunities to enhance community members' ability to
address issues independently.
• Social Justice and Advocacy:
• Advocate for social justice and equality by addressing systemic issues and promoting policies
that benefit the community.
• Work to reduce disparities and ensure that the needs of marginalized groups are considered.
• Capacity Building:
Strengthen the community's ability to identify, plan, and implement solutions to its own
challenges.
Provide training and resources to enhance leadership and organizational skills within the
community.
• Collaboration:
Collaborate with other social service agencies, government entities, and community
organizations to leverage resources and expertise.
Facilitate partnerships to address complex social issues more effectively.
• Problem Solving:
Work with the community to identify and prioritize issues that need attention.
Facilitate the development of action plans to address identified problems.
• Cultural Competence:
Recognize and respect the diversity of the community, including cultural, ethnic, and
socioeconomic differences.
Tailor interventions to be culturally sensitive and relevant.
• Participatory Approach:

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 Involve community members in all stages of the intervention process, from planning to
evaluation.
Foster a sense of ownership and commitment to the community's development.

• Evaluation:
Regularly assess the impact of interventions on the community.
Adjust strategies based on ongoing evaluation to ensure effectiveness.

Community organization as a method of social work is a dynamic and flexible approach that recognizes
the importance of community voice and agency in creating sustainable positive change. Social workers
employing this method often serve as facilitators, coordinators, and advocates for community
development and empowerment.
Community Organization:

A community organization, also known as a Community-Based Organization, is an organization that

works to improve the social health, well-being, and overall functioning of a community. Geographically,
psychosocially, culturally, spiritually, and digitally bounded communities organize themselves.

Community work, community projects, community development, community empowerment,

community building, and community mobilization are all examples of community organization.
❖ Definition &:

❖ Principles of Community organization: by Murray G. Ross(1967)

• Meaning & Definition Murray G. Ross (1967)

Defines community organization as a "process by which a community identifies its needs or
objectives, gives priority to them, develops confidence and will to work at them, finds resources
(internal and external) to deal with them, and in doing so, extends and develops cooperative and
collaborative attitudes and practices in the community".

Community," in the sense in which it is used here, refers to two major groupings of people. Firstly, it may
be all the people in a specific geographic area a village, a town, a city, a neighborhood, or a district in a
city.8 Principles of Community Organization are:
1. The Principle of Specific Objectives
2. The Principle of Planning
3. The Principle of People's Participation
4. The Principle of Inter-Group Approach
5. The Principle of Democratic Functioning
6. The Principle of Flexible Organization
7. The Principle of Optimum Utilizations of Indigenous Resources
8. The Principle of Cultural Orientation

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 ❖ Principles of Community organization:
Community organization is a process that aims to empower communities by promoting their active
participation in decision-making and problem-solving processes. The principles you've listed capture key
aspects of effective community organization. Let's break down each principle:
• Specific Objectives:
Focus on clearly defined goals and outcomes.
Objectives should be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART).
• Planning:
Develop a well-thought-out plan to guide community development efforts.
Include strategies, timelines, and resource allocations in the planning process.
• People's Participation:
Emphasize the active involvement of community members in decision-making.
Encourage collaboration and inclusivity to ensure diverse voices are heard.
• Intergroup Approach:
Recognize and address the needs of various social groups within the community.
Promote unity and cooperation among different groups to achieve common goals.
• Democratic Functioning:
Uphold democratic principles in decision-making processes.
Ensure transparency, accountability, and equal representation in community activities.
• Flexible Organization:
Adapt to changing circumstances and community needs.
Be open to adjusting strategies and plans based on feedback and evolving situations.
• Optimum Utilization of Indigenous Resources:
Encourage the use of local knowledge, skills, and resources.
Build on the strengths and assets already present within the community.
• Cultural Orientation:
Respect and integrate cultural values, traditions, and practices into community initiatives.
Consider the cultural context when designing programs to ensure relevance and acceptance.

These principles collectively form a foundation for effective community organization. By adhering to
these principles, community organizers can create sustainable, participatory, and culturally sensitive
initiatives that empower communities to address their own challenges and improve their overall well-
being.
(For elaborated Principles content refer to the text book page no. 115,116,117)

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 ❖ Phases of Community Development:
• The exploratory phase is the first step in the community organizing process. The community
organizer must first identify the needs and a concern of the community. This can be done
through surveys, interviews, and focus groups. The community organizer must also learn about
the history of the community and the challenges that it has faced the past.
• Discussional phase - Once the community organizer has identified the needs and concerns of
the community, the next step is to facilitate discussions among the community members. These
discussions help the community members to develop a shared understanding of the problems
and potential solutions. The community organizer must create a safe space for these discussions
and encourage the community members to share their ideas.
• Organizational phase - The organizational phase is the third step in the community organizing
process. The community organizer helps the community members to organize themselves and
develop a plan of action. The community organizer must help the community members to
identify their strengths and resources. The community organizer must also help the community
members to develop a plan of action that is realistic and achievable.
• Action phase - The action phase is the fourth and final step in the community organizing
process. The community members take action to address the problems that they have identified.
The action phase can take many different forms, such as protests, boycotts, or lobbying. The
community organizer must support the community members during the action phase and help
them to achieve their goals.

❖ Concept of community organization and its relationship with community development

Community organization is a process through which community members come together to identify
common concerns, develop a shared vision, and work collaboratively to address issues and improve the
overall well-being of the community. It is a grassroots approach to problem-solving and development
that empowers individuals within a community to actively participate in decision-making processes that
affect their lives. Community organization aims to build social capital, strengthen local networks, and
enhance the capacity of a community to address its own needs.

The relationship between community organization and community development is close and mutually
reinforcing. Community development is a broader concept that encompasses various initiatives and
strategies aimed at improving the economic, social, and environmental conditions of a community.
Community organization is one of the key tools used in the process of community development. Here's
how they are related:
Empowerment and Participation: Community organization emphasizes the active involvement and
empowerment of community members. Through organizing, people can voice their concerns, share their
ideas, and actively participate in decision-making processes. This empowerment is a crucial aspect of
community development, as it fosters a sense of ownership and responsibility for the community's well-
being.
Identifying Needs and Assets: Community organization involves a thorough assessment of community
needs, assets, and resources. This process helps in identifying the strengths and weaknesses of the
community. Understanding these aspects is essential for effective community development planning, as
it allows for targeted interventions that leverage existing resources and address specific needs.
Building Social Capital: Social capital refers to the social networks, relationships, and trust within a
community. Community organization fosters the development of social capital by promoting

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collaboration and cooperation among community members. A strong social capital is a valuable asset in
community development, as it facilitates collective action and enhances the resilience of the community.
Advocacy and Social Change: Community organization often involves advocacy for policy changes and
social justice issues. This advocacy is instrumental in influencing the broader socio-economic and
political environment that directly or indirectly impacts the community. Through organized efforts,
communities can work towards creating positive social change and promoting policies that support their
development goals.
Sustainability: Sustainable community development requires the active participation and commitment
of community members. Community organization helps in building sustainable initiatives by ensuring
that development projects align with the community's values, needs, and long-term goals. This bottom-
up approach increases the likelihood of project success and longevity.

In summary, community organization is a fundamental component of community development, serving

as a catalyst for positive change, empowering community members, and fostering collaborative efforts to
address the unique challenges and opportunities within a community.

❖ Objectives of Field work:

Fieldwork in social work is a crucial component of social work education and practice. The objectives of
fieldwork are multifaceted, aiming to provide students with real-world experience and skills necessary
for effective social work practice. Here are some common objectives of fieldwork in social work:
Integration of Theory and Practice:
Apply theoretical knowledge gained in the classroom to real-life situations.
Develop the ability to bridge the gap between academic learning and practical application.
Skill Development:
Hone and refine professional skills such as communication, assessment, intervention, and evaluation.
Develop case management and organizational skills necessary for effective social work practice.
Client Interaction and Relationship Building:
Build and maintain professional relationships with clients, families, and communities.
Develop empathy, active listening, and rapport-building skills.
Cultural Competence:
Gain exposure to diverse populations and cultures to enhance cultural competence.
Understand and respect the cultural, social, and economic factors that impact clients.
Ethical Decision-Making:
Navigate ethical dilemmas and practice ethical decision-making in real-world situations.
Develop a strong ethical foundation for professional conduct.
Professional Identity and Self-Awareness:
Explore and define one's professional identity as a social worker.
Enhance self-awareness and understanding of personal values and biases.
Supervision and Reflection:
Engage in regular supervision with field instructors to receive feedback and guidance.
Reflect on personal and professional growth, challenges, and learning experiences.
Advocacy and Social Change:
Understand the role of social workers in advocating for social justice and social change.
Identify and address systemic issues affecting clients and communities.
Assessment and Intervention:
Develop skills in assessing the needs and strengths of individuals and communities.
Implement appropriate interventions and evaluate their effectiveness.

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Professional Networking:
Build connections with professionals in the field and within the community.
Explore potential career paths and opportunities within the social work field.
Documentation and Record Keeping:
Learn to maintain accurate and thorough records of client interactions and interventions.
Understand the importance of confidentiality and privacy in social work practice.

Fieldwork serves as a crucial bridge between academic preparation and professional practice, allowing
social work students to apply their knowledge in real-world settings while developing the skills and
competencies necessary for effective and ethical social work.

❖ Steps to conduct a Field Study.

Conducting a field study in social work involves a systematic and ethical process to gather
information, analyze data, and draw conclusions that contribute to the understanding of social
issues or the improvement of social services. Here are general steps you can follow

1. Identify and acquire researchers of the field: It is essential to acquire researchers who are specialized
in the field of research. Moreover, their experience in the field will help them undergo the further steps
of conducting the field research.
2. Identify the topic of research: Post acquiring the researcher, they will work on identifying the topic of
research. The researchers are responsible for deciding what topic of research to focus on based on the
gaps observed in the existing research literature.
3. Identify the right method of research: After fine tuning the research topic, researchers define the
right method to approach the aim and objectives of the research.
4. Visit the site of the study and collect data: Based on the objectives, the observations begin.
Observers/Researchers go on field and start collecting data either by visual observation, interviews or
staying along with the subjects and experiencing their surroundings to get an in-depth understanding.
5. Analyze the data acquired: The researchers undergo the process of data analysis once the data is
collected.
6. Communicate the results: The researchers document a detailed field study report, explaining the data
and its outcome. Giving the field study a suitable conclusion.

Each field study is unique, and these steps can be adapted based on the specific context and
goals of your research. Always adhere to ethical guidelines and be sensitive to the needs and
perspectives of the communities you are working with.

❖ Methods of Field work:

It gives an in-depth information on subjects because they analyzed for a long period of time. Field study
allows researchers to fill the gaps in data which can be understood by Bed and conducting in-depth
primary research. There are four main types of methods for conducting field research.

1. Ethnographic Field Notes: This type of field work is particularly associated with field work that
records and analyzes culture, society or community. Most commonly this method of research is
used in social anthropology, societies and communities.
2. Qualitative Interviews: Qualitative interviews give researchers detailed information. This vast
information is segregated in order to make inferences related to the sample group. This data is

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 gathered by conducting interviews either informally, conversationally or in an open-ended
interview.
3. Direct Observation: Researchers gather information on their subjects through close visual
observation. The researcher can record the observations and events as field notes holistically
without a guided protocol. This form of research approach is termed as unstructured
observation. However, in a structured observation the researcher uses a guide or set protocols to
observe people and events. Furthermore, in direct observation the observer is detached and
does not obstruct the research setup. It does not work as an alternative method for conducting
field research, and rather works as an initial approach to understand the behavior of the
research. This type of method is extensively used in fields of sociology and anthropology
wherein the researchers focus on recording social life details in a setting, community, or society.
4. Participant Observation: In this research method, the researcher takes part in the everyday life
of the members chosen for observation. This gives the observer a better understanding of the
study. Additionally, these observation notes are primary type of data which the researchers later
develop into detailed field notes.

❖ Types of Filed work:

Social work involves a wide range of fieldwork settings and roles, each with its own unique
challenges and opportunities. Here are some common types of fieldwork in social work:
• Child Welfare:
Working with children and families involved in the child welfare system, including foster care and
adoption.
Conducting home visits to assess family environments.
Collaborating with schools and other community resources to support children.
• School Social Work:
Providing support to students within a school setting.
Addressing behavioral issues, academic challenges, and social-emotional needs.
Collaborating with teachers, parents, and administrators to create a positive school
environment.
• Medical Social Work:
Working in hospitals, clinics, or other healthcare settings.
Assisting patients and their families in coping with illness, disability, or end-of-life issues.
Connecting clients with resources for healthcare and support.
• Mental Health and Clinical Social Work:
Providing counseling and therapy services to individuals, couples, and groups.
Diagnosing and treating mental health disorders.
Working in private practice, community mental health centers, or hospitals.
• Substance Abuse Counseling:
Assisting individuals dealing with substance abuse issues.
Providing counseling, support, and resources for addiction recovery.
Collaborating with treatment facilities and support groups.
• Community Organizing:
Mobilizing communities to address social issues and advocate for change.
Building coalitions and partnerships with community members and organizations.
Implementing grassroots initiatives for social justice.
• Geriatric Social Work:

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 Working with older adults to address issues related to aging.
Providing support for caregivers and families.
Advocating for the rights and well-being of older individuals.
• Criminal Justice Social Work:
Working with individuals involved in the criminal justice system.
Providing rehabilitation and reintegration support for offenders.
Advocating for criminal justice reform.
• International Social Work:
Working with communities and individuals in a global context.
Addressing issues such as poverty, human rights, and community development.
Collaborating with international organizations and agencies.
• Disaster and Emergency Response:
Providing support and assistance to individuals and communities affected by natural disasters or
emergencies.
Coordinating relief efforts and resources.
Offering counseling and mental health support to those impacted.

These are just a few examples, and social work field placements can also involve a combination of these
areas. The specific fieldwork opportunities may vary based on the social work program, the individual's
interests, and the needs of the community or organization.
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