Foundations of Practice
Level OneLevel TwoLevel Three

Fall 2008 Training

Understanding Communities and Their Dynamics—A Distance Education Program

Component One, Understanding Communities and Their Dynamics, is a distance education program consisting of a series of seven, one and one-half hour sessions. The focus is on understanding community, the dynamic components of community, Principles of Practice, community demographics, community economics, power structures, situational analyses and roles of Extension, community sustainability, and community development processes.

In the North Central region, the NCRCRD implemented component one through a distance education program. A series of seven 1.5 hour sessions was offered in Fall 2008 using Adobe Connect (formerly known as Breeze) technology and a phone line. The sessions were held from 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. Central Standard Time, unless otherwise noted (see October 8 and November 12), on:

  • Tuesdays, September 30 - November 11
  • Wednesdays, October 1 - November 12

Sessions were archived and can be retrieved below.


Sessions

1. Introduction to the Series and Basic Introduction to Community

Instructors: Janet Ayres (IN) and Stephen Jeanetta (MO)
September 30 and October 1, 2008

The ability to more fully understand the complexity and dynamics of issues and situations in a community context is important to be able to develop effective programs.

Introduction to the Series by Janet Ayres

Basic Understanding of Community by Stephen Jeanetta

2. Community Economics

Instructor: Scott Loveridge (MI)
October 7, 2008, 1:30 – 3 p.m. CST
October 8, 2008, 2:30 – 4 p.m. CST

The ability to understand the economic base of a community and the dynamics between the various economic sectors, including the ways in which money turns over in the community, leaves the community, or is invested are important in providing a vibrant economy.


3. Community Demographics

Instructor: Andy Lewis (WI)
October 14 and 15, 2008

The ability to understand the demographic profile and trends in a community is essential to identifying issues and sustainable alternatives.


4. Community Power Structure

Instructor: Janet Ayres (IN)
October 21 and 22, 2008

The ability to identify who the decision makers are in the community, the resources they affect, and the power structure is crucial in gaining access to a community, gaining trust and credibility, and being effective in educational programs.


5. Community Situational Analysis

Instructor: Anne Heinze Silvis (IL)
October 28 and 29, 2008

The ability to analyze a particular issue or situation in a community from a historical, political, cultural and community context and determine Extension's role in the issue is an important competency of community development.


6. Community Sustainability

Instructor: Jerry Hembd (WI)
November 4 and 5, 2008

The ability to understand the impact of decisions on the quality of natural resources and the long-term sustainability of the environment is an important component of community development.


7. Community Development Process

Instructor: Tim Borich (IA)
November 11, 2008, 1:30 – 3 p.m. CST
November 12, 2008, 10 – 11:30 a.m. CST

The ability to know how to organize and mobilize resources for action, as well as possible barriers, is necessary in developing programs that are meaningful and effective.