1. Asset Based Community Development and Appreciative Inquiry
Shane R. Brady, PhD
University of Oklahoma

2. Why ABCD?
ABCD is best thought of as an approach and methodology to community development.
Developed by Kretzmann and McKnight in the early 90’s
Alternative to deficit based approaches
Situated in an empowerment or collaborative paradigm of community practice

3. Why Use ABCD? Consistent with “democratic” principles
Empowerment
Social justice
Citizenship
Allows engagement with diverse communities
Supported by practice
In an increasingly diverse world, there is not a one-size fits all approach to community development. Strategies must be locally relevant and culturally specific
Examination of successful programs underscores common themes and features – mobilization of local people, local talent; community definition of issues, processes, deep and broad mobilization of local people in their common interest

4. Mapping Assets

5. Traditional development vs ABCD
Needs, deficiencies, problems
Negative mental map
Client mentality
Resources go to social service agencies
Undermines local leadership
Dependency
Separates community
Outside in
Capacities, assets, dreams, strengths
Optimistic mental map
Citizen participation
Minimizes bureaucracy, resources to community
Builds local leadership and confidence
Empowerment
Builds connections
Inside out
The Asset based approach to community development was developed by John McNight, Jody Kretzmann and colleagues at Northwestern University. It begins with a critique of the standard, more social service agency orientation to community development. The standard approach begins with the fundamental belief that the community is broken. It creates problem lists, needs assessments, identifies inadequacies. In contrast, the Asset Based approach demands a major paradigm shift. This approach begins with what the community has. Its fundamental premise is that all communities have capacities, gifts, skills which, if identified, mobilized and applied can bring about significant economic and social change. Focusing on needs fails to harness the wisdom and strengths of community members – boxes them in and reinforces a client – fix me – mentality. Focusing on assets empowers individuals and communities

6. What’s wrong with the old way?
Deficiencies – define the entire picture
Problems become discrete units – not interlocking pieces
People become clients – “them” vs “us”
Resources ($$) goes to agencies, not to the community
Programs target individual needs, not community needs
Gives message that solutions come from outside
Individuals don’t connect with each other
Deepens the cycle of dependency
There’s a lot wrong with the old way
Essentially, the experience of people in the community is denied. Solutions come from outside. People’s experience of their problems as a network of interlocking issues is not reflected in the categorical, problem list approach to issues. Problems are seen as individual issues, people are seen and dealt with as individuals . The solutions don’t encourage people to connect with one another – they connect with social service providers – dependency is deepened. Leadership is not built; economic self-sufficiency will never be achieved

7. What’s good about ABCD?
Begins with what the community/individuals have
Can begin/be sustained without funding, grants
Builds leadership
Builds internal connections – no “them” vs “us”
Builds connections between community and the outside
Issues and solutions defined holistically – as they are experienced
Self-sufficiency/empowerment can be built
Ultimately, ABCD can lead to greater self-sufficiency and empowerment

8. From the ABCD Institute
“Our purpose is not to help people. Our purpose is to build a different kind of neighborhood for us all.”
“Everything we do is intentional. It all serves to build reciprocal, supportive relationships.”
“We are committed to building a stronger, more diverse community, a community that extends hospitality and welcomes the contribution of everyone. A strong community is where everyone contributes: young, old,disabled or otherwise. Participation creates a happier, healthier, more productive community.”
“Building relationships is what it’s all about. The networking, the one-on-one relationships – that’s what builds inclusive neighborhoods for everybody.”
From Rans, SA, Green, M Hidden Treasures: Building Community Connections by Engaging the gifts..
2005 ABCD Institute

9. Principles of ABCD Asset-based Full participation/full contribution
Everyone is important
Mobilize all gifts, all creativity
Relationship-driven
Builds capacity, creative solutions
Internally focused - local solutions
More successful
More efficient use of resources
Creates citizen space
ABCD builds structures that fosters participation. People find their place in community through participation.This citizen space is where people connect, institutions connect – interact, cooperate and transform
In addition to asset-based – there are several other related principles of ABCD
Ultimately, ABCD – creates a citizen space in which individuals, associations and institutions are connected to one another and mobilized for the common good
Terry Tempest Williams, in an essay entitled Engagement (in The Open Space of Democracy) asks
“Are we ready for the next evolutionary leap – to recognize the restoration of democracy as the restoration of liberty and justice for all species, not just our own? To be in the service of something beyond ourselves – to be in the presence of something other than ourselves, together – this is where we can begin to craft a meaningful life where personal isolation and despair disappear through the shared engagement of a vibrant citizenry.”
Full participation – no individual or group is marginalized – everyone has something to contribute

10. Categories of Assets Individuals Associations Institutions
Skills, talents, capacities
Dreams, visions
Associations
Families,
Institutions
Businesses, schools, libraries, police, fire, non-profits
Physical environment
Greenspaces, transportation
Local economy
Present in every community
Associations – can be formal or informal – people who share interests

11. ABCD Processes Map of community’s assets
Individuals mobilize, contribute gifts, talents
Internal connections
Develop a vision, “common good”
Define and solve problems
Multiple pathways for leadership
External connections
Reinforce internal strengths
Appropriate to community’s vision
Outside resources are definitely needed. They can be used more effectively if the community is mobilized and ready to use them

12. ABCD In Action Interviews and conversations Stakeholders of all kinds
Resident perspective must be emphasized
Questions are affirming
Must be brought into solutions (prototypes)

13. Appreciative Inquiry

14. What is AI
AI is a strategy of inquiry used in organizations and communities with individuals and groups to identify strengths, assets, wishes, and dreams of members.
AI was founded by Cooperrider and Suresh Srivastva in to provide organizations with a more positive approach to decision making.
Situated in a social constructivist paradigm
Guided by constructionism, positive psychology
Conducive with the strengths based perspective, Rothman’s capacity centered mode of practice, and tool within ABCD.

15. Core Principles
Positive Principle – Positive questions lead to positive change
Anticipatory Principle – Image inspires action
Simultaneity Principle – Inquiry create change
Poetic Principle – We chose what we study
Constructionist Principle – Words create worlds

16. AI Elements? Complimentary to ABCD Affirmative Vision oriented
Contextual
Participatory
Dialogical

17. 5D Perspective
Define
Discover
Dream
Design
Deliver

18. Participation Self-Mobilizing Interactive Functional Consultation
Information Giving
Passive

19. Application of AI Goals must be conducive to AI philosophy
Group size should be complimentary to the community of inquiry and its members
Facilitator of AI is not a leader or teacher, but a guide
AI takes time
Transformation is directly linked to enacting community visions.

20. AI Questions Open-ended Conversational Affirming
Tell me about your best times in OKC growing up?
Think about Southern Oaks and the best of what it is as a community. Now, tell me what your dream vision for the Southern Oaks community looks like?
Use prompts not more questions.

21. AI is not
Deficit based
Problem focused
Highly structured

22. AI Community Example
Watch the following video on using AI in community practice and watch for the utilization of the principles and philosophy of AI. o

23. Questions
In what contexts do you think AI would be more beneficial? Why?
Are there any contexts where AI would not be appropriate? Why or Why not?
Think about your field practicum sites and surrounding communities, how can you envision AI being more useful in to them?

24. References
Center for Appreciative Inquiry (2014). Principles of appreciative inquiry. Retrieved from: ai/principles-of-appreciative-inquiry/ University of Kansas (2015). Community Toolbox. Retrieved from: contents/overview/models-for-community-health-and- development/asset-development/main Cooperrider, D. & Whitney, D. (2005). Appreciative inquiry: A positive Revolution. San Francisco: Berrett-Koehler.

25. ABCD and Service Learning
Core principles of social justice and equity
Respect for the community and its individuals
Paradigm shift – missionary mentality
Paradigm shift – community-driven vs research- driven, funder-driven
Conceptual framework/tools to understand communities
As faculty who will be lightening rods for service learning in our own campuses, it is important that we model the principles of partnership in our teaching, mentoring of other faculty, and in the institutional partnerships that we participate in creating.
Asset-based community development is a framework that is based on principles of social justice and equity, respect for everyone in a community, counters labeling, marginalizing individuals and communities
We want our students to become participating citizens – engaged in communities – both as students and for the rest of their lives
Students ill pick up on the missionary mentality that many academic institutions have towards their neighbors, and we as faculty have to counter that. Students will see how grant-writing, following the funding, looking for “what hasn’t been done before” drives much of academic culture. We need to shift that paradigm
Students will find themselves working in communities and may miss the boat without a compelling framework or tool – they may miss what is really happening, who the leaders are, how they lead,
And, for those students who will eventually spend their lives and careers working with or as part of communities, we want to start them off on the right foot

26. What do students learn from asset-based approach?
Appreciate strengths of individuals, how they keep themselves healthy
Understand community resources and how they provide for citizens’ well-being
Understand how community residents perceive their health and define their concerns