1. Gene Theodori Texas A&M University (979) 845-2240 g-theodori@tamu.edu
Vision To Action
Gene Theodori
Texas A&M University
(979)

2. Working Definition of Community
Community: a place-oriented process of interrelated actions through which local residents express a shared sense of identity while engaging in the common concerns of life.

3. Elements of a Local Society
A geographic dimension
physical space
Human life dimension
people living there
Relatively complete organization
institutions and patterns of behaviors that cover the broad range of human interests

4. Fields
Emergent
Dynamic
Boundless
Wholes

5. Social Fields
Process of social interaction
Actions
Associations
Actors

6. Education
Government
Environmental protection
Faith-based
Economic development
Recreation

7. Economic development
Faith-based
Government
Education
Recreation
Environmental protection

8. Economic development Faith-based
Generalization
Action
Government
Education
Recreation
Environmental protection

10. Stanton Local Society

11. Sanderson Local Society

12. Community is not a given.

13. Community is a variable.

14. Community Development
Community development: a process of building and strengthening the social and economic viability of the community.

15. Community Development
Purposive
Positive
Structure oriented
Exists in efforts of people

16. Community Development
Community development is purposive. It is the intentional consequence of actors engaging in associational actions to initiate and maintain community.

17. Community Development
Community development is positive. The purposive intentions of the actors revolve around a shared commitment to improving their community.

18. Community Development
Community development is structure oriented. The purposive and positive actions of actors are direct attempts to establish and/or strengthen the community as an interlinking and coordinating structure of human relationships.

19. Community Development
Community development exists in the efforts of people and not necessarily in goal achievement.
Simply stated, community development is purposive action undertaken with positive intentions at improving community structure.

20. Development in community
Community Development
Development in community
- Task accomplishment
Development of community
- Structure building

21. Principles of Community Development
The long-term theme of community development should be to develop the community as a human relationship structure, rather than to develop things in or through the community.

22. Principles of Community Development
Community development must reflect and express the values and wishes of the local population.

23. Principles of Community Development
Community development requires a commitment on the part of special interest groups to align their efforts with those of other groups.

24. Principles of Community Development
Community development requires that attention be given continuously to problems and needs in all areas of local life.

25. Principles of Community Development
Sustained community development requires an organizational structure.

26. Principles of Community Development
Community development requires communication.

27. Principles of Community Development
Community development requires a commitment beyond selfish gain, at least by a small number of people in any community who can really make it work.

28. Stages of Community-Based Planning
Initiation
Organization of sponsorship
Identification and analysis of critical community-level issues

29. Stages of Community-Based Planning
Visioning, goal setting, and strategy formation
Recruitment
Implementation
Evaluation