Question 5: Macro/Community Model of Change Application
Think about how your organization interacts with the community.
Write a 300-350 word summary. For full credit you must address 3 of the following:
Describe the model of community change (from class) that your organization seems to most heavily rely upon.
Give an example of something your organization has done that points to this model.
Choose an alternate model of community change (from those we have covered in class) that would result in a different approach.
Describe how your organization might do things differently if it employed this alternate model.
Cite one reference from Bussey et al. (2020) or from the handout: Models of Community Practice.
Write a clear narrative, connecting your thoughts and using clear language.
Models for Community Practice: Examples and Themes
Now that you have read about each of the models, let’s think about the examples and themes of each. Compare and contrast the differences, and think about how mixed strategies exist where there is overlap. We will apply these to real-world examples in an upcoming activity.
Remember models are PRESCRIPTIVE. That means that they give us ideas and tools for how to address an issue. They are informed by theories which are DESCRIPTIVE, meaning they tell us how how to understand the issue.
Social Planning or Policy
“Let’s get the facts and take the logical next steps.”
Examples: University Departments of Public Administration, Urban Affairs; federal bureaus and departments; United Way; Housing Authority; large social problems such as domestic violence, housing, crimes
Themes: Rational, deliberately planned change; establishing, arranging, and delivering goods and services
Locality or Community Development
“Let’s all get together and talk this over.”
Examples: Vista, Peace Corps, adult education, networking
Themes: Democratic procedures, self-help, voluntary cooperation, and development of indigenous leadership
Social Action
“Let’s organize to overpower our oppressor.”
Examples: Consumer and environmental groups, feminist action groups, gay and lesbian organizations, civil rights and black power groups, La Raza, labor unions, radical political action groups
Themes: Redistribution of power, resources, or decision-making in community and/or changing basic policies or formal organizations
Transformative
“Let’s come together as equals to achieve personal and political change.”
Examples: Workers’ rights study circles, participant-guided workshops, rural citizenship movement—Southern Christian Leadership Conference, feminist support, Idle No More, #BlackLivesMatter
Themes: Personal is political, small-group orientation, self-directed learning, interpersonal bonds, collective group decision-making
You can use the organization VOA. Here is the website:
