Files and links (1)
Rights Statements InC/1.0 , Open Access
Report
Diverse Partners in Planning and Decision Making
WREP, 133, Washington State University Extension
06/1996
Handle:
https://hdl.handle.net/2376/7218
Abstract
Few complex issues are resolved in today's world without concerted efforts of citizens and community institutions. Indeed, according to Kretzmann and McKnight, "All the historic evidence indicates that significant community development takes place only when local community people are committed to investing themselves and their resources in the effort". The most successful community-based efforts draw upon the talents and gifts of a diverse group of residents. Strong communities identify, value, and utilize the capacities of local residents. Weak communities are places that fail, for whatever reason, to mobilize the skills, capacities, and talents of their residents or members. Institutions tend to focus on needs and deficits of communities and the people in them, rather than capacities and assets. As a result, community members are often assigned labels (for example, gang member, welfare recipient, ex-convict, pregnant teenager) that exclude them from opportunities to contribute. They are dismissed as being part of the problem, not the solution. The first step in moving toward Kretzmann and McKnight's vision of strong communities occurs when institutions begin to redefine those they serve, viewing them as citizens rather than "clients." The second step is institutional recognition of community members as partners in planning and decision making. Successful partnerships are grounded in seeking out and valuing community members with diverse strengths. This circular addresses diversity in a broad context, including but not limiting itself to issues of race and culture. In the latter cases, the general text was written to avoid the perpetuation of cultural stereotypes. While we acknowledge that differences exist among groups, you will not find specific descriptions or comparisons of racial/ethnic group traits. The case studies mention specific groups, and are intended as situation specific illustrations only. For resources on specific cultural groups, please consult the bibliography.
Metrics
224 File views/ downloads
88 Record Views
Details
- Title
- Diverse Partners in Planning and Decision Making
- Creators
- Louise Anne Parker (Author) - Washington State University, Department of Human DevelopmentDrew L. Betz (Author)
- Academic Unit
- Publications, WSU Extension
- Series
- WREP; 133
- Publisher
- Washington State University Extension; Pullman, Washington
- Number of pages
- 28
- Identifiers
- 99900502531401842
- Copyright
- In copyright ; openAccess ; http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/ ; http://purl.org/eprint/accessRights/OpenAccess
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Report