Community organizing is the process of bringing together and empowering people to a common purpose and goal. It is also a way of influencing in building the capacity of leaders to identify their needs and issues and take action collectively.
First and foremost, a community organizer has an ultimate way to initiate a courtesy call for the Mayor, Punong Barangay, or anyone subject to the formalization of partnership in the community. A Memorandum of Agreement with the partner community should be established with clear rules and functions among the parties to deliver the expected output of the program.
There are different ways of entering in a community through simple, grand, and pre-arranged entry. Simple entry needs no proper introduction to maintain neutrality. The grand entry is introduced during events like general assembly, and lastly, is the Pre-arranged entry where the community organizer is introduced or enters to community through referrals.
The first step, called “Entry to the Community”, in this step needs an entry plan. Before the entry, a community organizer needs to conduct a social investigation and gathering of data which includes community profiles like history, population, etc.
The second step is “Integration” commonly called immersion. In this process, needs a community organizer to gain knowledge about the community and assess the community through living with the people. This way will fully understand the customs, culture, and political dynamics of a community.
The third step is “Spotting” or identifying potential leaders in the community. Leader is categorized into two; formal leaders who are in a position in government, and informal leaders who on the other hand, are not in the position but are influential people in the community. These potential leaders are your champions or gatekeepers who eventually will help you move and carry out the plan.
“Core group formation” is the fourth step in community organizing wherein these people are identified as your gatekeepers or champions to facilitate and perform actively in community development works. We may consider different kinds of members of the community to actively participate in whatever plan and purpose for the gain and benefit it will serve.
The fifth step is the “Formation of Organization”. In this step, the community organizer assists in establishing or organizing a group or association, guides on the selection of leaders, capacitation, and assists in acquiring legal identity.
“Networking” performs on building an alliance, partnership with target area, and creation of Memorandum of agreements and counterparts. Through this, it will help grow and widen your linkage, partnering with individuals or different agencies and sectors with the same purpose and goals that will benefit each other.
The last step, “Phase out Stage”, is essential for proper closure and post-program activities to be dealt with as a facilitator. It determines the effectiveness of the latter and how capable the community is after phase out and a sort of evaluation wherein the success of the program is attained at the end.
Following these key steps will guide and help community organizers to bring out the best in them. Effective community organizing depends on the level of integration, immersion, and interaction of a community organizer in the area. Indeed, to generate the support and interest of the community, it is a must to build rapport, good relationships, trust, open communication among the community partners, and be flexible.
