The Role of Community Organizational Leadership

Community organizers connect people to improve their neighborhoods.

Community organizers are leaders that work to improve underrepresented communities and neighborhoods by strengthening the residents and institutions and bringing them into the mainstream.

Organizers steer these groups into various projects to improve the community from within. Stronger communities are then able to connect with other parts of society and provide new opportunities. By connecting local groups with shared interest community organizers give disconnected communities more political, social and economic opportunity.

Assessing the Community

Organizers develop relationships with members of the community.

Community organizer leaders must assess the communities they serve. They need to know the problems of the community, such as poverty, health, substance abuse and crime. Once they identify the problems burdening the community they can work to solve them. Community organizers must also know the strengths of the community. Communities may have some strong institutions, such as churches, schools, law enforcement or labor unions. There may be common facilities such as community centers and public parks to serve as locations for meetings and gatherings. Community organizers should develop personal relationships with community leaders to better integrate themselves into the community.

Connecting People and Institutions

Different parts of the community can offer solutions and opportunity.

Community organizing leaders must not only know the leaders in the community but also be able to bring them together for the shared interest of bettering the community. Established leaders can bring expertise, influence and opportunity to the community organizer's mission. The role of the community organizer is to bring these different leaders with different interests together to create common goals. A diverse group of local community leaders can provide different solutions and opportunities for the community.

Create Programs to Address Community Needs

When community leaders can agree to common goals, the community organizer's role is to develop programs to utilize the strengths of the community to reach those goals. For instance, a health screening campaign can use a common space like a community center or church as a location. Local health officials can supply medical staff and equipment and churches, local media and organizations can reach out to members or the public at large to increase participation.

Mobilizing the Community

The community organizers ultimate job is to use programs to mobilize the members of the community to have greater opportunity and influence in society. Community members should be able to voice concerns and take leadership of projects in their community. Projects such as voting registration, candidate forums and transportation to voting locations give community members a stronger voice in politics. Education, job training and small business events empower community members in the economy. All programs should have a goal that empowers community members to have more control in their own lives and more opportunity in society as a whole.

Connecting with Other Communities for Shared Goals

Community organizers may also work with other communities as part of larger scale projects. Large scale projects like public transportation, economic development and zoning laws can affect multiple communities. The community organizer needs to work with other communities to share common interest in large projects as well as advocate for the special circumstance of their community.

References

• Marin Institute: Community Organizing
• College Board: Community Activists and Organizers

Resources

• ACORN: Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now