COMMUNITY ORGANIZING (CO)

COMMUNITY ORGANIZING or CO DEFINED

 Refers to the framework and methodology used by
social development workers in empowering people’s
organizations as a way of addressing poverty and
social inequality. CO may be defined as a social
development approach that aims to transform the
powerless and voiceless poor into a dynamic,
participatory and politically responsive community.

 It is a participatory, systematic and sustained process

of building people’s organizations by enhancing the
capabilities and resources of the people for the
resolutions of their issues and concerns.
THE COMMUNITY ORGANIZING
PROCESS
 STAGES OF COMMUNITY ORGANIZING
√ STAGE ONE: ENTRY INTO THE COMMUNITY
√ STAGE TWO: COMMUNITY IMMERSION
√ STAGE THREE: CORE GROUP FORMATION
√ STAGE FOUR: FORMATION OF THE COMMUNITY BASED ORGN (CBO)
√ STAGE FIVE: COMMUNITY CAPACITY BUILDING
√ STAGE SIX: PARTICIPATORY COMMUNITY REASEARCH
√ STAGE SEVEN: COMMUNITY PLANNING FOR PROBLEM SOLVING
√ STAGE EIGHT: COMMUNITY RESOURCE MOBILIZATION
√ STAGE NINE: PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION
√ STAGE TEN: EXIT FROM THE COMMUNITY
 STAGE ONE: ENTRY INTO THE COMMUNITY

1. Definition:
Community entry is the process where the
Community Organizer (CO) officially enters the
community

2. Importance:
During community entry, the Community
Organizer (CO) is introduced to local authorities
and other key people in the community. It is the
first step by the Community Organizer (CO)
towards integration into the community
 STAGE ONE: ENTRY INTO THE COMMUNITY
3. Process
A. Preparation
a. Role of the Development Organization/Agency
• Clarify its purpose why it wants to work in the
community.
• Develop criteria for recruiting Community Organizer
(CO). Recruit a Community Organizer (CO) who will
stay and work with the people in the community.
• Develop criteria for target community. Select target
community using the criteria.
• Develop criteria for contact person and host family.
 STAGE ONE: ENTRY INTO THE COMMUNITY
3. Process
A. Preparation
b. Role of the Community Organizer (CO)
• Collect information about the community from
government and non-government organizations
working in the target community.
• Select contact person using criteria.
• Stay temporarily with a family recommended by
contact person.
• Prepare and bring personal items needed to stay in
the community.
 STAGE ONE: ENTRY INTO THE COMMUNITY
3. Process
B. Community Entry
a. Tasks of the Community Organizer (CO)
• Visit the house of contact person.
• Together with the contact person, pay courtesy
call to local authorities and key people in the
community.
• Stay temporarily with host family recommended
by contact person.
 STAGE TWO: COMMUNITY IMMERSION

1. Definition
“Community Immersion” is the process of staying and
living together with the people in the community and
experience their way of life.

2. Importance
Through community immersion, the Community
Organizer (CO) will gain better understanding of the
people and their situation. The people will also be able
to know the Community Organizer (CO) better and
mutually develop good relationships with each other.
 STAGE TWO: COMMUNITY IMMERSION

3. Process
• Identify host family using criteria earlier developed.
• Stay with host family.
• Go out and meet as many people as possible.
• Participate in household and livelihood activities of the
host family.
• Participate in community celebrations, activities and
meetings.
• Document observations and experiences using a “CO
Diary.”
 STAGE TWO: COMMUNITY IMMERSION
4. Important advice for the Community Organizer
(CO)
• Be humble.
• Be polite.
• Respect local belief, religion and culture.
• Do not get drunk.
• Do not make promises that will not be fulfilled.
• Do not flirt.
• Do not talk about political parties.
 STAGE THREE: CORE GROUP FORMATION
1. Definition
A “Core Group” is made up of 5-7 individuals
from the community selected and recruited by
the Community Organizer (CO) to help facilitate
the formation/strengthening of the “Community
Based Organization (CBO)”.

2. Importance
The “Core Group” works together with the
Community Organizer (CO) and provides
community leadership towards the
formation/strengthening of the “Community
Based Organization (CBO)”.
 STAGE THREE: CORE GROUP FORMATION

3. Process
A. The development organization/agency
develops criteria for recruiting “Core
Group” members which may include the
following:
• Leadership
• Integrity
• Availability
• Commitment
• Knowledge and skills
 STAGE THREE: CORE GROUP FORMATION
3. Process
B. Tasks of Community Organizer (CO)
• Observe and talk to people in the community.
• Identify potential “Core Group” members using
criteria.
• Select and recruit 5-7 potential “Core Group”
members. Women should be included.
• Conduct orientation meeting with all “Core Group”
members. Introduce and explain the work of the NGO.
Explain and clarify responsibilities of “Core Group”
members.
 STAGE FOUR: FORMATION OF THE
COMMUNITY BASED ORGANIZATION (CBO)

1. Definition
A “Community Based Organization (CBO)” is
an association of people living in the same
geographic location.

2. Importance
The “Community Based Organization (CBO)”
is a structure that provides people with
opportunities to work together to solve
common problems affecting their lives.
 STAGE FOUR: FORMATION OF THE
COMMUNITY BASED ORGANIZATION (CBO)
3. Process
The task of Community Organizer (CO) in CBO
formation is to help the “Core Group” members
to:
• Identify and analyze community problems.
• Brainstorm and prioritize solutions.
• Discuss and determine the importance of
CBO formation/strengthening.
• Identify steps for CBO formation/
strengthening.
• Develop criteria for CBO leaders.
 STAGE FOUR: FORMATION OF THE
COMMUNITY BASED ORGANIZATION (CBO)
3. Process
Steps in “Community Based Organization (CBO)”
formation the “Core Group” should be
responsible for the following activities:
a. Planning for the Community Meeting
• Determine the purpose of the community
meeting.
• Determine suitable place and time for the
community meeting.
• Plan the agenda and clarify responsibilities.
• Announce the schedule, purpose and
participants of the meeting.
 STAGE FOUR: FORMATION OF THE
COMMUNITY BASED ORGANIZATION (CBO)
b. Activities during the Community Meeting
• Clearly explain the purpose and agenda of the
community meeting.
• Present community problems affecting community
and the need to solve problems by working
together.
• Present the idea and get approval for the formation
of the Community Based Organization (CBO).
• Present the idea of the need to elect 5-7 CBO
leaders. Discuss the process for nomination and
election.
• Present the responsibilities of CBO leaders and
their term of office.
 STAGE FOUR: FORMATION OF THE
COMMUNITY BASED ORGANIZATION (CBO)
b. Activities during the Community Meeting
• Start the nomination process. Allow candidates to
respond to their nomination.
• Conduct election in clear and transparent manner.
• Tally votes and announce election results.
• Allow newly elected CBO leaders to respond to
their election.
• Meeting should end on time after the election.
• Decide on the place, time and agenda for next
meeting.
• Record minutes in writing.
 STAGE FOUR: FORMATION OF THE
COMMUNITY BASED ORGANIZATION (CBO)

C. Activities after the Community Meeting

• The CO should meet with the newly
elected CBO leaders after the
community meeting.

• The CO will arrange the time, place and

agenda for the first formal meeting of the
CBO leaders.
 STAGE FIVE: COMMUNITY CAPACITY
BUILDING
1. Definition
“Community Capacity Building” is the process
of developing and strengthening knowledge,
skills and experience of the CBO leaders and
members.

2. Importance
Developing the capacity of the CBO leaders
and members will ensure greater community
participation, self-reliance and sustainability of
the organization.
 STAGE FIVE: COMMUNITY CAPACITY
BUILDING
3. Process
Tasks of the “CBO leaders”:
• Conduct assessment of training needs of
CBO leaders and members.
• Develop plan based on training needs.
• Identify available internal and external
resources to meet training needs.
• Training of first line and second line of CBO
leaders.
 STAGE FIVE: COMMUNITY CAPACITY
BUILDING
4. Basic skills needed by the Community Based
Organization (CBO)
• Facilitating CBO and community meeting
• Recording of minutes of the meeting
• Research and data gathering
• Planning
• Monitoring and evaluation
• Communication skills
• Management skills
• Financial skills
• Project proposal making
 STAGE SIX: PARTICIPATORY COMMUNITY
REASEARCH
1. Definition
“Participatory Community Research (PCR)” is
the process of identifying, analyzing and
prioritizing community problems and their
possible solutions.

2. Importance
The “PCR” enables community members to
identify community needs, resources and
priorities towards problem solving.
STAGE SIX: PARTICIPATORY COMMUNITY REASEARCH
3. Process
• The CBO leaders will call for a community meeting. The
agenda for community meeting is the formation and election
of the members of the “Participatory Research Committee
(PCR).”
• Formation of the “Participatory Research Committee (PCR)”
during community meeting.
• The CO will train CBO leaders and PCR on how to use
participatory research tools.
• After the training, the PCR will conduct the community
research together with community members.
• Community data tabulation and analysis. The CO will train
the PCR on how to do this.
• The CBO leaders will call for a community meeting for data
presentation and validation.
• Formation of the “Community Planning Committee” during
the community meeting.
 STAGE SEVEN: COMMUNITY PLANNING
FOR PROBLEM SOLVING
1. Definition
“Community Planning” is the process of
developing a community action plan based on
priorities, objectives and resources towards
community problem solving.

2. Importance
Community planning provides opportunities for
the community members to participate in decision
making, thus ensuring ownership of the problem
solving process. It also enables them to identify
and formulate solutions to their common
problems together.
 STAGE SEVEN: COMMUNITY PLANNING FOR PROBLEM SOLVING
3. Process
The tasks of the “Planning Committee” are:
• Review community priorities based on the
result of the PCR and develop community
action plan:
– Identify possible project/s.
– Set up project objectives.
– Identify target groups.
– Identify activities and persons
responsible.
– Identify resources needed.
– Develop budget.
– Develop strategy on how to access to
resources needed.
 STAGE SEVEN: COMMUNITY PLANNING FOR
PROBLEM SOLVING

3. Process
The tasks of the “Planning Committee” are:
• Review community priorities based on the
result of the PCR and Call a community
meeting to present “community action plan”.
Presentation, validation and approval of
“community action plan” by community
members.
• Finalize “community action plan” based on
suggestions and recommendation of
community members.
STAGE EIGHT: COMMUNITY RESOURCE
MOBILIZATION
1. Definition
“Community Resource Mobilization” is the
process of utilizing people and their resources
towards accomplishing desired changes in the
community.

2. Importance
The community needs resources in order to
implement its projects and activities. “Community
Resource Mobilization” enables the community
to maximize the use of available local resources
towards achieving problem solving objectives.
External resources should only be utilized if local
resources are not available.
 STAGE EIGHT: COMMUNITY RESOURCE
MOBILIZATION
3. Process
Role of the “CBO Leaders” in mobilizing community resources:
• Establish clear and regular communication and
feedback system with community members.
• Secure commitments of community members towards
a particular cause.
• Follow-up and monitor commitments of community
members.
• Delegate responsibilities in problem solving to
maximize participation of community members.
STAGE NINE: PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION

1. Definition
A. Project implementation
It is the process of carrying out projects and
activities towards achieving the desired change.
Through implementation, plans are mobilized into a
series of actions that will lead toward
accomplishment of the goals and objectives.
B. Project Monitoring
Monitoring is the assessment of the project
implementation process and activities and to check,
whether the results are achieving the objectives of
the desired change. Monitoring should be regularly
done during the implementation process.
 STAGE NINE: PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION

1. Definition
C. Evaluation
Evaluation is the process of assessing the impact
of the projects and activities of the community. It is
concerned with determining the accomplishments
of goals and objectives. The community members
should conduct the evaluation themselves at the
completion of a project or activity.
2. Importance
The “Community Action Plan” is the vehicle to
achieve desired community changes. A regular
monitoring and evaluation process will ensure
effective achievement of activities and desired
results.
 STAGE NINE: PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION
3. Process: the tasks of the “CBO leaders” during project implementation are
the following:
A. Project Implementation
• Oversee and direct the implementation of projects and activities.
• Clarify roles of each member in projects or activities.
• Motivate the community members to contribute to the projects and
activities. Mobilize the use of community resources for the projects
or activities.
• Conduct regular consultation and feedback with community
members.
• Manage inter-personal relationships and conflict management.
Facilitate team building activities.
• Conduct an information and advocacy campaign on the
“Community Action Plan”.
 STAGE NINE: PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION
3. Process: the tasks of the “CBO leaders” during project
implementation are the following:
B. Monitoring and Evaluation
• Formation of the Monitoring and Evaluation
Committee.
• Development of the monitoring & evaluation plan.
• Develop participatory tools for monitoring and
evaluation.
• Preparation of the evaluation report.
• Presentation and validation of evaluation report during
community meeting.
• Finalization of the evaluation report after community
meeting.
STAGE TEN: EXIT FROM THE COMMUNITY

1. Definition:
“Community Exit” is the process whereby
the Community Organizer (CO) gradually
leaves the community as the “Community
Based Organization (CBO)” moves
towards independence and self-reliance
 STAGE TEN: EXIT FROM THE COMMUNITY
2. Importance
The “Community Exit” strategy enables the “Community
Based Organization (CBO)” to grow and gradually develop
into a mature self-governing and self-reliant association
independent. The CBO needs to grow and develop into a
self-governing and self- reliant institution at its own pace and
on its own time. At the initial stage of Community Organizing
process, the CO takes a major role in leading the CBO in the
problem solving process. As the capacity of the CBO leaders
and members gradually develop, they should assume more
responsibilities and move towards becoming independent and
self-reliant. The role of the CO should then change from
initiating, leading and managing to facilitating and
coordinating of development activities.

The “Community Organizer (CO)” should already start

thinking about the exit strategy before entering the
community. At the final stage, the CO should eventually leave
the community.
 STAGE TEN: EXIT FROM THE COMMUNITY

3. Process
The “Community Based Organization (CBO)”
needs to establish federations, actively
participate in networks and build strategic
alliances with other groups and organizations
in a continuing basis. These partnerships will
enable the CBO to give and receive support
from other CBOs, groups and organizations.

The tasks of the “Community Organizer (CO)”

in enabling CBO leaders to move towards
becoming an independent CBO:
 STAGE TEN: EXIT FROM THE COMMUNITY

3. Process
• Continuing education for CBO leaders and
members, especially developing second and third
line of leaders.
• Strengthening communication and resource
mobilization skills, especially local fundraising.
• Establishing strong support system through
networking and building alliances with government
and non-government organizations.
• Establish linkages and networking with other
organizations at the village, commune, district,
province and national level.
• Join CBO federations with similar values and
objectives for mutual benefit where appropriate.