Community Development

Community Development… More Funding Community groups supported Security & Safety Equity …What does it mean to the COMMUNITY? Feeling good about where and how we live Connectedness Community leaders supported More community facilities Better community places and spaces More stuff to do… Better stuff…

1980s it often had a “community self help” aspect Times are changing… Only four or five years ago, the expectation was that councillors were elected to make decisions. They were there to make the big calls, and their re-election prospects arguably hinged on the ‘quality’ of their decisions. Today the council’s role is often considered more as a decision-facilitator than a decision-maker. There is an expectation that all key decisions of council will involve some degree of community consultation and deliberation. High Speed History…. 1960s and ‘70s Community Development often had a “political action” orientation 1980s it often had a “community self help” aspect 1990s it fell away with economic rationalism (belt tightening) More recently “community building’ and “community capacity building” more vogue “Community engagement” emerged within government and then other terminology around social capital, social planning …community consultation….. BOTTOMLINE: Scarcity of Resources & Fragmentation of Effort

What its not…. It isn’t community service delivery: People are clearly demanding greater service delivery from both government and the private sector. Clearly, providers should give the best service possible. Yet community development is more than delivering services. Delivering what “clients” or citizens perceive they need does little to stimulate the “ rethinking”, social networks or leadership that builds the ability of communities to manage change. It isn’t social work or welfare: In a community development process, many communities may aim to improve the situation of the unemployed, ill, disabled or poor, strengthen social interaction, or improve social support services. However, community development is not a social welfare program. It is a self-directed process aimed at a broad range of economic, social and environmental community benefits. It isn’t a “feel good” exercise: Community development produces real “ bricks and mortar” and “ dollars and cents” outcomes. It achieves this through cooperative action, rethinking and organisation. But it involves a lot of action and work. It is far more than a morale boosting exercise.

Council Centric Community Centric

Our Definition: “Whangarei District Council’s Community Development Framework seeks to support communities to collectively impact positively upon the issues, needs and aspirations identified as important by those communities”.

Begin with the end in mind… Consider the community eco-system Converse and consult with stakeholders widely…..but not “overly” Assess readiness of individuals and groups….and Council Engage and support the willing and the able Ensure clarity of expectations Adopt intentional outcomes measurement Be patiently urgent…..its an iterative process Do Review Plan …. but seek first to understand

Community Development Operational Model Wider Council Departments Link cross departmentally with… Parks & Recreation e.g. playgrounds Venues & Events e.g. Community Days Infrastructure projects e.g. Pedestrian crossings Civil Defense Communications e.g. Story telling & Capacity Building Graphics e.g. for Signs/Signage Legal – for capacity building Policy – for Information IT – Advice Customer Service – Information Libraries – Information/Research Community Development Link directly with… Community Funding Village Plan (Renamed Community-Led) projects Community Buildings Pensioner Housing City Safe CCTV Community Liaison Community Development Advisors Engage with Community district wide Support capacity development Facilitate Community Engagement/Action Provide Pivotal Point of Contact with WDC Coordinate Advocacy Groups Advise on Community funding & Support Community Led Projects Community

Thank…Qs?