COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, SOLIDARITY, AND CITIZENSHIP MR. DALE G.

BERTIZ
SY. 2019-2020

COMMUNITY
ENGAGEMENT,SOLIDARITY
AND CITIZENSHIP
Handouts
No. 1

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COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, SOLIDARITY, AND CITIZENSHIP MR. DALE G. BERTIZ
SY. 2019-2020

Definition of Community
SOCIAL SCIENCE PERSPECTIVES
Social science is un umbrella term for the various fields pf study which examine social relations
and human society.

Basically, from a social science perspective, a community is described as a group of people in

a particular are interacting together.

Anthropology- this field examines various aspects of humans, such as their biology, behavior,
culture and social interactions.

It may also study how people adapt their ways of living to different environments, e.g
determining ways to help a community solve health-related concerns.

This can be addressed by understanding the situation through interacting with the people in the
community, connecting its history of people, such that their needs are satisfied.

Economics- this field studies the production, allocation and consumption of goods and
services. In any community, one finds various forms pf wealth distribution.

The ultimate goal of economics is to improve the lives of people, such that their needs are
satisfied.

Political Science- this field encompasses the various ways and means of allocating power,
influence, and decision making.

This includes types of government and management systems, and how people in small bands
or informal groups make decisions when they do not have a recognized leader.

All communities have some form of political systems. The members pf community should a
understand how its political system works, how power and influence are satisfied are distributed
(through nit always the sale way) and what changes occur.

Psychology- this discipline studies the human mind, brain and social behavior. This extends to
interactions between people and interpersonal relationships.

It comprises a variety of different subfields including abnormal psychology, developmental

psychology, cognitive psychology and social psychology.

Sociology- this field is to study society, social order, social interactions and culture.
It includes the concepts of social capital and communitarianism.

The concept of communitarianism explains the connection between the individual and the
community.
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SY. 2019-2020

Every person has a special role in one’s society, and it is part of human nature to relate with
other people in various conditions or situations.

Community are recognized are recognized as institutions such as organizations for

religious, social, or similar purposes.

The relationships in a society considered necessary for effective community functions.

INSTITUTIONAL PERSPECTIVE
The institutional perspective views the concepts of community in three different dimensions.

First- it is an existing establishment or physical space where members of the community go for
a certain purposes.

Examples of this are companies, hospitals, or educational institutions.

Second- the institutional community as a social model. This is defined by networks and
institutions where community groups are formed in certain areas such as school, churches or
companies, and members gather to meet their needs.

People joins clubs and associations to hone their skills, join religious organizations to deepen
their faith, participate in media activities to improve their communication skills, and meet with
their friends and family at restaurants to satisfy their hunger.

Some of the religious organizations based in the Philippines are Catholic Church, the Agama
Islam Society, Couples for Christ and Simbahang Lingkod ng Bayan.

Third- is that community is composed of the ways people act, interact with each other, react
and expect each other to act and interact.

Example include institutions such as marriage or friendship, roles such as mother or police
officer, status or class, and other patterns of human behavior.

This dimension presents how people act in relation to each other. It includes their expectations,
assumptions, judgements, predictions, responses and reactions.

It perceives patterns of relationships sometimes identified as roles and status, and the formation
of groups and institutions that derive from those patterns.

For example, a “father” is both a role and an institution. This explains that in a community, its
social organization is the sum total pf all those interrelationships and patterns.

Communities are recognized as institutions such as organizations for religious, social, or

similar purposes.

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CIVIL SOCIETY PERSPECTIVES

The civil society perspective stresses the idea of forming a group, foundation or an organization
in service to society.

This perspective views society as a community of citizens linked by common interests and
collective activity. Examples include people’s organization, civic organizations and social
movements.

This is considered the effective model pf community since a sense of belonging is achieved due
to the collaboration of shared interests and identifies in serving the humanity.

Groups of people come together regardless of location, and organize plans to render support
and assistance to society.

Some examples of civic organizations in the Philippines are ABS-CBN Foundation, Ayala Red
Cross Foundation, Boy and Girl Scouts pf the Philippines and Caritas Manila.

Human rights movement, on the other hand, is an example of social movement.

Community is linked by common interests and collective activity.

Its objective is to serve other people. Examples include people’s organization, civic
organizations, and social movements.

LOCAL AND GRASSROOTS PERSPECTIVES

This perspective highlights volunteerism.

Members of different communities may involve themselves in various programs or activities.

The community uses self-organization and encourages the local citizens to contribute to the
community by taking responsibilities and and actions.

Leaders and other members identify the sources of concerns in a local setting and determine
ways to address these problems.

Volunteers are mobilized in cooperation with government decision-makers who will be

accountable for their actions.

The community also formulates programs for others, and employs actions according to the
needs of the community.

Doctors and dentists in different communities come together to prganize medical and dental
missions, especially for families affected by calamities. When Typhoon Haiyan hit the country in
2013, children and the elderly became weak and sick, and a medical mission was implemented
to improve their health condition.

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The youth who are full of spirits and energy are often excited to engage themselves in outdoor
activities.

Immersing themselves in farming and fishing and taking part in the planting of trees and crops
will serve as meaningful experiences for them.

Self-organization is initiated to encourage local citizens to contribute to the community.

This perspective emphasizes volunteerism.

ESSENTIAL ASPECTS OF A COMMUNITY

Awareness of the essential aspects of the community is necessary in aiding the residents to
reflect on ways to be positively involved in its improvements.

The poet John Donne said, “No man is an Island,” referring to humanity’s interconnectedness
and the belief that humans are and always will be social beings.

Being aware of the structure of the community and exploring its aspects will help the students
understand the necessary measures that should be undertaken to serve as an active member
of a community.

▪ Demographics
▪ Geography and environmental influences
▪ Beliefs and Attitudes
▪ Local Politics
▪ Local economy and businesses
▪ Income distribution
▪ Housing
▪ Educational Facilities and Programs
▪ Health and Welfare Systems
▪ Sources of information and public opinion
▪ Summary Assessment of Community Issues

DYNAMICS AND PROCESSES

Community power is the capacity of the community to exercise control over activities and seek
ways to employ available resources to establish a stringer and successful community.

It is imperative to understand the nature of community power.

Member’s knowledge of who has the authority to make decisions, who controls/ influence the
flow of resources, who is not part of the decision-making process, how to build community
power from within and outside pf the community, and the ability to develop inclusive and
effective programs.

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Knowledge, relationships, programs, members and leaders are important factors to

achieve effective community power.

LEADERSHIP
Leader- generally defined as the person eho has the responsibility of controlling or taking
charge pf the particular groups.

This important figure will figure will guide the members to carry out the plans in pursuit of the
group’s objectives.

The guidance of a good leader in a group ensures the coherence of plans and better
implementation of programs.

In the Philippines, government provides several levels of leadership, from the president and
vice-president, including other government officials at the national and local levels.

Usually, leaders in a community are appointed based on qualifications, attitude and most often
through the votes of the residents. This is a democratic way to select a leader.

In some traditional cultures, leaderships is hereditary, or passed down from parent to child.

There are also people who are appointed leaders because of their intellectual, wealth,
reputation, high status, decision making skills, dictation from laws and policies and connections.

Globally, choosing leaders is crucial because they may improve or worsen a nation’s condition.

There are components in improving leadership in a community and essential to this nation’s
community leaders:
▪ Effective Communication
▪ Development of Social Capital Building
▪ Community Engagement
▪ Collaboration
The major components of being a better leader will help improve communities and also improve
the relationship of their residents.

Relationships
The success of a community will be more meaningful if its members have harmonious
relationships with each other.

This is vital for members of both geographical and non-geographical communities.

In forming relationships, persons can give and recipients support, encouragement, praise and
information.

This can provide feelings of belongingness and connectedness that most people seek in one
way or another regardless of one’s beliefs system, cultural background and areas of interest.
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COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, SOLIDARITY, AND CITIZENSHIP MR. DALE G. BERTIZ
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Social Change
It refers to changes that occur in the social order of a society.

These changes may be related to nature, social institutions, social behavior, or social relation.

Social change can be driven by cultural, religious, economics, scientific or technological forces.

In sociology, it is similarly defined as the collaboration of mechanisms within the social

structure characterized bu changes in cultural symbols, rules of behavior, social organizations
or value systems.

TYPOLOGIES OF COMMUNITY

FORMAL INFORMAL

The group is created as per official authority, The group is formed according to the likes,
to fulfill certain goals or objectives. interests and attitudes of the members.
The group possesses a systematic The group has a loose structure, and the
hierarchical structure. members join to satisfy their social needs.
The position of a member defines his/her Every members is as important as any other
importance in the group. members.
There is a professional relationships among There is a personal relationship among
members. members.
The flow of communication is restricted due The flow pf communication stretches in all
to the chain of command. directions.

RURAL COMMUNITIES
Characteristics;
1. Population density is found to be low, meaning few people populate the entire
community, and they tend to live apart from apart from each other.
2. The area is situated geographically distant from larger urban areas.
3. Each are typically specializes in a particular form pf livelihood, such as farming.

URBAN COMMUNITIES
Characteristics;
1. There is a higher population density, with more diverse subgroups
2. Various industries and businesses are found in the area.
3. A large portion portion of the people live in rented apartments or homes.
4. Transportation is readily available, although this may be costly.
5. Highly developed with many buildings and structures.
6. Traffic and noise levels are high in these areas.
7. The large population gives rise to close interactions among many people, as well as
more intense political involvement among citizens.

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COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, SOLIDARITY, AND CITIZENSHIP MR. DALE G. BERTIZ
SY. 2019-2020

LOCAL AND GLOBAL COMMUNITIES

Local community- characteristic by close social integration and physical proximity pr shared
the same environment and conditions.

Global community- is the interaction between individuals and groups away from each other in
time or space or both.

SECTOR
Community Sectors- various groups or subdivisions of the larger community divide ld based
on characteristics such as social, political, economic, cultural, and religious beliefs.

▪ Health
▪ Education
▪ Law Enforcement
▪ Government
▪ Business
▪ Youth
▪ The media
▪ Human Services
▪ Religion
▪ Service/Fraternal Organization
▪ Community Activist Volunteer Groups
▪ Culture
▪ Housing
▪ Sports and Recreation
▪ The Environment
▪ Agriculture
Every sector plays an important role in society and focuses on the appropriate projects related
to their sector’s objectives.

The members of each sectors will determine ways to address related concerns and strengthen
their good programs.

SOCIAL SPACE
Social space is determined as a physical or virtual space which members of ghe community
visit or where they stay.

Some examples of social space include the social center, online social media, or other
gathering spaces where people gather and interact.

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COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, SOLIDARITY, AND CITIZENSHIP MR. DALE G. BERTIZ
SY. 2019-2020

UNDERSTANDING COMMUNITY DYNAMICS AND COMMUNITY

ACTION
The word “community” was derived from the latin word communis which means “common” or
“shared”.

Community is that it is a social unit composed of people who have something in common
whether or not they are in the same geographical vicinity.

What is Community Action?

It refers to any activity that aims to increase the understanding, engagement, and
empowerment of communities for the intention of giving services to people.

It also described as social action or community engagement.

Some of the community action programs in the Philippines are health and nutrition projects of
UNICEF, and disaster response projects in the Philippines for areas affected by earthquakes,
floods, landslides and other disastrous events.

In community action, citizens engagement in the planning, and delivery of local services to the
people.

It aims to build community and social capabilities, to foster community resiliency, prevent
upcoming problems, and maintain and create wealth.

Reference:
Semorlan, Ava Ann P. Ph.D et al. Community Engagement,Solidarity, and Citizenship