Community Organizing

PhotoCredit: OaklandCommunity.Org

• Studies have underscored some key elements of the community which may be reactivated to bring social and behavioral change
• These include social organizations (relationships. structure and resources), ideology (knowledge, beliefs and attitudes) and change agents
• This process of change is often termed as "empowerment" or building the capability of people for future community action

Five Stages of Organizing: A Community Health Promotion Model

• Stage 1: Community Analysis
• The process of assessing and defining needs, opportunities and resources involved in initiating community health action program
• this process may be referred to as "community diagnosis", "community needs assessment", "health education planning", and "mapping
• this analysis has five components:
1. A demographic, social and economic profile of the community derived from secondary data
2. Health risk profile (social, behavioral and environmental risks). Behavioral risk assessment includes dietary habit and other lifestyle concerns like alcohol, tobacco and drugs. Social indicators of risk are studies because of its associations to health status and this may include exposure to long-term unemployment, low education and isolation
3. Health/wellness outcomes profile (morbidity/mortality data)
4. Survey of current health promotion programs
5. Studies conducted in certain target groups
• Steps in Community Analysis:
1. Define the community. Determine the geographic boundaries of the target community. This is usually done in consultation with representatives of the various sectors.
2. Collect data. As earlier mentioned, several types of data have to be collected and analyzed.
3. Assess community capacity. This entails an evaluation of the "driving forces" which may facilitate or impede the advocated change. Current programs have to be assessed including the potential of the various types of leaders/influential, organization and programs.
4. Assess community barriers. Are there features on the new program which run counter to existing customs and traditions? Is the community resilient to change?
5. Assess readiness for change. Data gathered will help in the assessment of community interest, their perception on the importance of the problem.
6. Synthesize data and set priorities. This will provide a community profile of the needs and resources, and will become the basis for designing prospective community interventions for health promotion.
• Stage 2: Design and Initiation
• In designing and initiating interventions the following should be done:
• Establish a core planning group and select a local organizer. Five to eight committed members of the community may be selected to do the planning and management of the program
• Choose an organizational structure. There are several organization structures which can be utilized to activate community participation. These includes the following:
1. Leadership board or council - existing local leaders working for a common cause
2. Coalition - linking organizations and groups to work on community issues
3. "Lead" or official agency - a single agency takes the primary responsibility of a liaison for health promotion activities in the community
4. Grass-roots - informal structures in the community like the neighborhood residents
5. Citizen panels - a group of citizens (5-10) emerge to form a partnership with a government agency
6. Networks and consortia - network develop because of certain concerns
• Identify, select and recruit organizational members. As much as possible, different groups, organizations sectors should be represented. Chosen representative have power for the groups they represent.
• Define the organization mission and goals. This will specify the what, who, where, when and extent of the organizational objectives.
• Clarify roles and responsibilities of people involved in the organization. This is done to establish a smooth working relationship and avoid overlapping of responsibilities.
• Provide training and recognition. Active involvement in planning and management of programs may require skills development training. Recognition of the program's accomplishment and individual's contribution to the success of the program and boost morale of the members
• Stage 3: Implementation
• Implementation put design phase into action. To do so, the following must be done:
1. Generate broad citizen participation. There are several ways to generate citizen participation. One of them is organizing task force, who, with appropriate guidance can provide the necessary support.
2. Develop a sequential work plan. Activities should be planned sequentially. Oftentimes, plan has to be modified as events unfold. Community members may have to constantly monitor implementation steps.
3. Use comprehensive, integrated strategies. Generally the program utilize more than one strategies that must complement each other.
4. Integrate community values into the programs, materials and messages. The community language, values and norms have to be incorporated into the program.
• Stage 4: Program Maintenance - Consolidation
• The program at this point has experienced some degree of success and has weathered through implementation problems. The organization and program is gaining acceptance in the community
• To maintain and consolidate gains of the program, the following are essential:
1. Integrate intervention activities into community networks. This can be affected through implementation problems. The organization and program is gaining acceptance in the community.
2. Establish a positive organizational culture. A positive environment is a critical element in maintaining cooperation and preventing fast turnover of members. This is the result of good group based on trust, respect and openness.
3. Establish an ongoing recruitment plan. It should be expected that volunteers may leave the organization. This requires a built in mechanism for continuous recruitment and training of new members.
4. Disseminate results. Continuous feedback to the community on results of activities enhances visibility and acceptance of the organization. Dissemination of information is vital to gain and maintain community support.
• Stage 5: Dissemination - Reassessment
• Continuous assessment is part of the monitoring aspect in the management of the program. Formative evaluation is done to provide timely modification of strategies and activities. Formative evaluation is done to provide timely modification of strategies and activities. However, before any programs reach into its final step, evaluation is done for future direction
1. Update the community analysis. Is there a change in leadership, resources and participation? This may necessitate reorganization and new collaboration with other organization.
2. Assess effectiveness of interventions/programs. Quantitative and qualitative methods of evaluation can be used to determine participation, support and behavior change level of decision-making and other factors deemed important to the program.
3. Chart future directories and modifications. This may mean revision of goals and objectives and development of new strategies. Revitalization of collaboration and networking may be vital in support of new ventures.
4. Summarize and disseminate results. Some organizations die because of the lack of visibility. Thus, a dissemination plan maybe helpful in diffusion of information to further boost support to the organization's endeavor.