Community Development
Community Development is a process by which change takes place and progresses in to the next phase. This is accomplished when small groups of people that are either based in the community itself or share the same mutual interest, discuss matters of concern to determine the most effective method to provide for the public.
The platform is then set for the local people to address these issues and decide on how to deal with the situations effectively, such as:
- State of minimum to maximum cooperation: Will there be full support and assistance from the community?
- State of minority to majority participation: What involvement and contribution will come from the community?
- State of external involvement to local control: Can the community be sustained by utilising its own resources, knowledge and indigenous cultures or will it be necessary to introduce external resources and specialist assistance?
"Sharing the Caring" is challenging community workers, youth workers, facilitators and volunteers - at the flax roots level, to progress from a situation of operating alone to one of connecting with other key whanau and local people, and effectively, develop relationships of trust. Group mentoring, visioning, facilitation and capacity building are possible activities that can provide a positive stimulus and trust.
Capacity Building is a phase in the process of community development that enables participants to identify signficant ideas to develop a pilot project and 'own' themselves.
The project team can then set about formulating an action plan - with achievable steps. This visioning process helps uplift and empower those participating, to a level where they acknowledge their motivated strengths. It then allows the group to network with other people or organisations, which can assist to create, develop and improve their project's outcomes.
