Community Organising vs Community Development?

Since joining Grapevine, I have noticed that there are some misconceptions around community organising and how it is mistaken for community development, particularly involving community groups. As a new community organiser and previously working as a community developer, I will describe the differences between them.

1. Finding the people and bringing them together

Community organisers attract people by asking what would they like to see in their community. Community organisers get out onto the street and knock doors, they awaken the community into thinking about their area and the common issues that affect them. Community organisers ask people if they would like to meet and talk about their concerns or aspirations for their area. A group is formed when a common theme is identified and people commit to taking action, the group ask organisations and businesses to collaborate and together they plan to empower their community. Place based community organising involves people who have a interest in the same area; the people have similar values and want to invest their time, they share responsibilities and form a structure strong enough to ignite change. The group members share their stories about what matters most to them and they are listened to.

Community developers attract people by encouraging them to join community groups and social activities for company and wellbeing, they entice them by offering a cup of tea and a biscuit, the groups also offer fun and stimulation. The community developer may be supporting 1:1 from a referral or they meet people in community spaces and invite them to join a suitable activity. Community developers encourage people to socialise and the main objective of their role is to reduce isolation, build social connections and improve wellbeing. Groups are run by different organisations at different venues and if the community developer identifies gaps in social connection, their role is to create a space for people to connect. The groups and activities are not limited by area, anyone can turn up.

2. Empowering the people

Community organisers support the people to delegate power. Together they identify skills within the group, they assign more leaders and people fill other useful roles, and this supports people to feel purposeful and empowered. The group seek out other resources to gain more power and momentum towards reaching their goals. The group hold regular meetings to strategize, they use power mapping and campaign charts to set targets and identify resources. The group members decide which task they will complete and also report their results back to the group. Each person has a responsibility to achieve the goal. Members are coached 1:1 and as a group to find their personal and collective power.

Community developers support people to feel empowered by encouraging them to connect and feel a sense of purpose in their community. When building a community group, leaders are identified and are recruited into peer volunteers. The peer volunteers lead the group and make the decisions, although the rest of the group’s ideas are valued, there isn’t a committee or shared responsibility. Members can come and go as they please without commitment. However, some of the group members do want to make changes but organising isn’t available to help achieve the change. There are activities available and training to encourage self-confidence and wellbeing, however, coaching and support will continue in 1:1 support sessions, not as a group.

3. Resources

Community organising supports people to seek out the power in their community. The most important resources they ask for are people and their precious time. This can be challenging because they are asked to be accountable and put the work in. Most common resources that are used and collaborate with in community organising are the local businesses, churches, funders, schools, the council and other non profit organisations that support the same values.

Community developing supports community groups to reach out to funders to help enrich a group by funding equipment for activities and social events. Members are not held accountable or have to give up their time, though it is encouraged to attend to retain members and vibrancy. Members can be signposted or referred to other community activities and organisations that can support their needs, for example: CAB, council, CAVA, social services, community centres, life skills groups, leisure activities - again this is only supporting the individual not the group or the community.

4. Action

Community organising has a long term mission. To achieve this, action must follow the talking and strategizing, however, the talking and strategizing will never end. A culture needs to be planted into the community and passed down through generations so that residents have their say and feel empowered within their community. For this to happen, commitment is required from the group and the group need to be relentless in their mission. Community organising is about working together to achieve the goal, we do this by analysing information and agree on actions and targets. The action in community organising continues, the group form a coalition and can become a constituted group; they will hold power and will have a say about what happens in their area. The group will build on their resources and apply for funding for their projects, the group grows stronger and their message becomes louder.

Community developing is also building community connections for the long term. People are asked to commit, but they don’t have to, because the group will continue to run by the volunteers and supervised by the community developer. The community group’s actions are to continue to support each other and work with the peer volunteers to keep the group stimulating and educational. Group members are not given roles and are not responsible for the running of the group, however, that doesn't mean they don’t care and some do commit and enjoy encouraging others. I have observed group members who care about what happens at the sessions and want to keep the connections alive. When people are referred to other social activities, it is the individual who needs to take action and get involved, it wouldn’t be the group’s responsibility.

This is a working document and I will continue my observations. I will share more as my community organising journey continues.