We have come again to consider that life on earth consists of great and small cycles - from the majestic, rhythmic pulsations of the seasons to the metabolic and reproductive processes of plant and animal- and that all cycles are inter-related, from the huge to the microscopic.......Further, the Earth is an organic being, itself in turn reflecting the life of the cosmos. "What is below is above; what is inside is outside." So goes the Hermetic (alchemists) formula, the origin of which supposedly lies far back in Egyptian antiquity. But is probably as old as human contemplation of nature itself. This cryptically compressed magical utterance is a motif running through human thought from the pre-literate nomadic religions to Taoism, Buddhism, and Jewish, Islamic and Christian mysticism.This paper describes my practice framework. The framework is divided into five sections: my value-system and philosophy and the four elements of community development practice- analysis, tactics, technique and method. Each of these four elements of my practice framework consists of a slogan, a description of the element, a process of application and a checklist.
B. Rozak (1979: vii)
My Practice Framework
My value-system is best described as ecosophy (or deep ecology). Ecosophists revive some of the alchemists philosophy along with an eclectic mix of ecological theory, European mythology, indigenous beliefs, psychology and non-violence theory. From ecology we learn the importance of relationships between organisms, including people, and our environment. We are all inter-connected in the web of life. From European mythology we revive the practice of celebrating the cycles of nature on the eight sabbats at the turning points of the solar year. From indigenous beliefs we learn the ability to feel the sacred in the land. From Jungian psychology we use the idea of archetypes and the collective unconscious. From non-violence theory we realise the need to respect all humans- even if they hold opposing views. The logical political ideology to accompany ecosophy is a participatory democracy which is dependant on well functioning communities.
The analogy which I use to assist me to remember the technology of community development is that of the alchemist. Alchemy was the study of the physical world in an attempt to understand the cosmos. Alchemists combined the "base metals" (chemical elements) in differing proportions in a crucible and then meditated on their reactions, in an attempt to find the gold of understanding. The concept of the four elements (air, fire, water, earth) being synthesised into the fifth, the universe/person was at the basis of their philosophy.
I have abstracted the concept of the four elements to represent the four parts of community development practice as this is a construct with which I am very familiar and which can easily be brought to my consciousness when needed. The four elements of CD practice are combined to create a dynamic system analogous to a chemical reaction. There are as many definitions of the meaning of the elements as there are authors on the subject, so I have listed my own below:
AIR- youth, east, spring, intellect, reason, communication- ANALYSIS
My practice framework as an aid to memory, so I have depicted it as a "memory wheel". The four points symbolise the four elements of community development. The connecting lines remind me that there is no linear process from one element to another, but rather multiple ways to move between them, or even to be doing them all at once. The centre represents myself, the fifth element, utilising the elements carefully and consciously. The enclosing circle symbolises the whole and the fact that the elements are all necessary to well rounded practice.
Community Development is integral to both my value-system and my political ideology so I see my role as a community worker as enabling people to participate in decision-making and to take action to improve their situation. I use the crucible of my practice framework to synthesise analysis, tactics, technique and method to create the gold of communal action.
Analysis is a process of drawing meaning from descriptions of a situation. Meaning becomes clear when we make connections between, or discover patterns in, previously unrelated facts or opinions. These patterns are then drawn together in a conceptual framework which forms the basis of our actions.
In community development, analysis is used to move from being overwhelmed by the size and number of our problems or even our ignorance of what causes our problems, to an understanding which points to possible action. Analysis in this context is not an end in itself, rather it is one of the elements informing the community development process.
The different types of analysis listed in the checklist below are used to describe and measure the community. Structural, Social and Situational Analysis is useful when a broader view will give a deeper understanding of the issues facing the community. Needs analysis is used to gather facts to support the demand for resources for the community. These types of analysis are often carried out by external experts who purport to be objective.
However community analysis, used as part of a process of community development, is carried out by members of the community. It is inherently subjective and the facilitator needs to take this into account. Community members may use the opportunity to describe their personal experience of the problems, but analysis involves also interpreting the meaning of these descriptions and then moving to possible actions. Naming the problems in clear and impersonal terms and encouraging everyone, including ourselves, to acknowledge our role in the problem is an essential part of a community analysis process.
Developing a vision for the preferred future is part of the process of developing an analysis. The descriptions of the situation and definition of problems informing analysis also form the basis of the vision statement. As Coover et al (1977) say:
As well as an analysis of the situation and problems facing the community, a clearly articulated vision of the community we are trying to create is helpful in selecting between different options for action.
Process of application
Tactics are the missing element from much discussion of CD theory. We may know who we want to act with (Method), what and why we want to do (Analysis) and how to do it (Technique) but still remain immobilised by fear of failure or disbelief in our combined power.
The process of deciding the tactics to be used in carrying out an action needs to animate and motivate members as well as clarifying the tasks involved. The application of planning techniques, no matter how participatory, are still not enough to ensure that the plans will be implemented. Twelvetrees (1991)describes theproblems in initiating action:
In community development members are donating their time, skills and resources, so there are some parallels with people who donate money to community organisations. Relationship fundraising theory, as described by Kim Klein in her video Major Gift Solicitation states that the motivation to donate is the result of Ability, Belief and Commitment (ABC). The same three factors are necessary to motivate community members to act.
Ability means that donors have disposable income to give. In community work we must choose tactics which take account of the skills and resources, including time, which members are able to contribute. Community members will often doubt their own skills, so training and the judicious use of experts may be necessary to increase confidence and ability.
Belief means that donors believe in your work. In community work, members must believe firstly, in the need for action; secondly, that they can make a difference through the tactics chosen; and thirdly, that they will get something out of it. "Making a difference" is the reward that members of community groups get out of their involvement. My second law of participation would be that people participate if they can do something concrete to improve the situation. They must believe that there is some connection between their lives and the issue.
Commitment means that donors will give to your organisation and not to another because they have a sense of belonging to it. Commitment is maintained by building relationships with the donors. In community work, commitment is often the result of relationships between community members and a sense of belonging to it. Commitment is maintained by continuing good relationships and ensuring well-functioning task or action groups which implement the tactic.
The importance of process as well as product is essential to maintaining belief and commitment to the tactic, especially when the inevitable setbacks occur. Shields (1991: 80-82) includes both process and task in the qualities of a well functioning group. They are: belonging and valuing; being clear about the task; creating safety; listening and consulting; respecting diversity and uniqueness; being aware of oppression; being committed to conflict resolution; encouraging and supporting leadership; training and developing skills; sharing visions and encouraging each others dreams; and making room for fun and humour.
When the ABC is present and the group is functioning well, realistic action plans can be developed. The action plan should include clear delegation of tasks, a timeline which includes reporting back to the wider community and indicators of success.
The fire in the belly is maintained by regularly evaluating the tactics and the action plan, reaffirming or changing them in light of the current ability, belief and commitment of participants.
Process of application
Air: Awareness raising
Reality is chaotic. Continually changing interactions between community members, external pressures and overwhelming amounts of information all combine to create confusion. Technique helps us move forward, to surf on, the chaos of real situations. A technique is a pre-determined sequence of actions which increase the likelihood of particular outcomes in a specific situation.
As techniques allow concrete action through pre-set routines, there is a temptation to use them without first thinking about which is the most appropriate. Some techniques, such as consensus decision-making and concientisation, are attached to political ideologies and are often applied indiscriminately. The process of safe application of technique described below will be some insurance against unthinking and inappropriate application as it insists on consciously choosing a technique. The actual situation must be clearly defined before a suitable technique can be chosen as there is no one technique which will work in every situation.
The details of the context will define the purpose of applying a technique at a particular point in the CD process. CD techniques have specific purposes- to research a situation and develop an analysis; to make decisions and plans; to resolve conflict and solve problems; to raise awareness and build groups. The technique which is most likely to achieve the purpose is chosen.
Each technique has limitations. For example, networking is too slow when the desired outcome is a quick decision. Each person has limitations of skill, experience or personality, so in CD practice the chosen technique is matched to the skills and limitations of the community members. Care-ful practitioners are also aware of our limitations, and remind ourselves of them, before we apply the technique.
Appropriate technique can be applied to move us forward at any stage of the CD process where we feel we are in danger of drowning in the chaos or to achieve a specific outcome. For example, strategic planning can be used to assist a community to plan their tactics, while netweaving can be used to build a community. However, just as a surfer adjusts her position on the wave to keep moving forward, we need to be re-assessing the appropriateness of the technique for the situation while we apply it. A cycle of action and reflection will prevent us continuing the technique after its purpose is achieved.
Process of safe application of technique
AIR: Research & Analysis
Method is used at the start of a community development process to build relationships and at any time when the community has lost its cohesion. People may be confused by too much analysis (analysis paralysis), be burnt out by too much action without reflection or be drifting along relying on inappropriate techniques. Going back to the basics of bonding and banding is often the only way to rebuild community relationships and reaffirm the common cause.
In cases where the rhetoric of inclusiveness and participation is not being implemented, we can go back to method to re-invigorate a community to turn the rhetoric into reality.
The two basic principles of building community are creating relationships and then coming to an agreement to undertake public action together. Before we can build relationships, facilitators should clarify their own role in the process. When making contact with community members we must gain their agreement for our presence. Not all community members need to agree but there must be an invitation from some sector or else we are in danger of imposing a top-down process - doing for, not doing with. A sense of community, of belonging, relies on personal relationships between members.
The second stage in method is to listen to the issues being raised with an open mind, not to judge or suggest our solutions. This requires considerable discipline and is time consuming, but essential to building relationships. The technique of Active Listening can be applied here, as we may respond to what is being said, by restating and checking that we are hearing correctly and perhaps sharing relevant experiences of our own. In this way we create a dialogue and build bonds of common understanding. These shared understandings of the issues are extended by linking people with common concerns. These individuals then make contact with others, creating a chain reaction. Including the third person in the dialogue converts it to a public rather than private conversation. Networking techniques are often useful to build contacts between individuals.
However, bonding between individuals alone is not enough to develop empowered communities which take public action. At some stage all the conversations need to be brought together into a common agreement of what the issues are. Only then can there be a banding together to take public action to address the issues. It is important at this stage to make sure that the whole community is involved, especially those who are at the periphery, or disadvantaged in some other way. In fact, as these people often have the most to gain from community development, they should be the first approached.
Community analysis will provide a basis for discussion, and decision-making techniques can be used to reach agreement. Once there is agreement on the range of issues facing the community, they need to be prioritised and agreement sought on which will be acted on, before decisions on tactics and then action can be made.
Application of this method can build a community or move a community out of stalemate. However, although Method is the basis of community building, it still requires a little technique, analysis and tactics to be a well balanced process.
Process of application
Checklist of Method
References
Community work consists, in my view, of a value-system and a technology. Simply put, the technology is to do with assisting other people to build, control and manage organisations. The value system has to be, for me, centrally located in a desire to create a better world for people, who, in any given situation, are disadvantaged, and to empower them. A. Twelvetrees (1982 :166)
FIRE- warrior, north, summer, action, energy, enthusiasm, initiative- TACTICS
WATER- parent, west, autumn, emotion, nurture, intuition - TECHNIQUE
EARTH- elder, south, winter, the physical, stability, practicality, nourishment- METHOD
The symbolism of the four elements is used in astrology to group the twelve astrological signs. As Frances Yates describes in The Art Of Memory, Renaissance alchemists used this system of elements and astrological signs, depicted within a circle representing the universe, as a way to symbolise and memorise their perception of reality. Giordano Bruno, the most prominent of these alchemists, used these "memory wheels" or "Seals" to symbolically create a universe in the mind which would represent the external universe. These "Seals" are comparable to the mandalas of Eastern religions and the geometric patterns of Islamic mysticism both of which are used to represent and communicate ideas about the divine and the universe.
AIR: Analysis
bring a breath of fresh airAn understanding of the root causes of social problems is essential in directing the energies of social activists, but it is not enough. A vision for a healthy society is also necessary- to guide their actions and to enable them to develop a coherent strategy for change. (Coover : 27)
Checklist of types of Analysis
FIRE: Tactics
use the fire in the belly
People new to groups often talk a great deal about what they plan to do but don't get around to carrying it out........different group members have different ways of coping. Some put on a brave face and speak with assurance even when they are unsure....Other group members are too dependant; they rely on the worker and are reluctant to take responsibility themselves. (Twelvetrees: 46)
One of the key roles of leaders, either formal or informal, is to inspire and motivate members- to act as animators.
Checklist of Tactics
Fire: Campaigning
Water: Supporting
Earth: Group building activities
WATER: Technique
surfing on chaos
Checklist of Techniques I Use
FIRE: Decision-making & Planning
WATER: Conflict resolution & problem solving
EARTH: Awareness raising & Group building
EARTH: Method
go to ground
Some useful sayings to remember when using Method:
Conclusion
This framework is an aid to remembering that community development is a multifaceted process. Just as the Alchemists studied chemical reactions in the hope of understanding the universe and sought the correct combinations of elements to create "gold", the framework is a reminder that the careful combination of the four elements may lead to the gold of a sustainable community. No one element alone can achieve the goal, all four must be present in the process.
Coover V., Esser C., Deacon E., Moore C. (1977) Resource Manual for a Living Revolution New Society Publishers, Philadelphia USA.
Kelly A. (1997) The Gift of Analysis, Technique and Method Unpublished Course Notes.
Roszak B. in Todd N.J.(ed) (1977) The Book of the New Alchemists EP Dutton, New York.
Shields K. (1991) In the Tiger's Mouth Millennium Books, Newtown Australia.
Twelvetrees A. (1982) Community Work Macmillan Education Ltd., London.
Yates F.A. (1966) The Art of Memory Penguin Books, Australia.
Home Life Earth Air Fire Water