Principle of community work
- 1. Methods of Social Work Page 1 Principle of Community Organization Principles of community organization, in the sense in which the term is used here, are generalized guiding rules for sound practice. Principles are expressions of value judgments. The principles of community organization, which are being discussed here, are within the frame of reference and in harmony with the spirit and purpose of social work in a democratic society. We are concerned with the dignity and worth, the freedom, the security, the participation, and the wholesome and abundant life of every individual. This implies practice of following principles of democracy, such as betterment of the marginalized, transparency, honesty, sustainability, self- reliance, partnerships, cooperation, etc. In the literature of community organization we find various sets of principles. Dunham (1958) has presented a statement of 28 suggested principles of community organization. He grouped those under seven headings. 1. Democracy and social welfare 2. Community roots for community programs 3. Citizen understanding, support, and participation and professional service 4. Cooperation 5. Social Welfare Programs 6. Adequacy, distribution, and organization of social welfare services, and 7. Prevention. Ross (1967) outlined specific principles – the elementary or fundamental ideas regarding initiation and continuation of community organization processes. These principles have been discussed in terms of the nature of the organization or association and the role of the professional worker. The twelve principles identified by Ross are: 1. Discontent with existing conditions in the community must initiate and/or nourish development of the association.
- 2. Methods of Social Work Page 2 2. Discontent must be focused and channeled into organization, planning, and action in respect to specific problems. 3. Discontent which initiates or sustains community organization must be widely shared in the community. 4. The association must involve leaders (both formal and informal) identified with, and accepted by, major sub- groups in the community. 5. The association must have goals and methods and procedures of high acceptability. 6. The programs of the association should include some activities with an emotional content. 7. The association should seek to utilize the manifest and latent goodwill which exists in the community. 8. The association must develop active and effective lines of communication both within the association and between the association and the community. 9. 9) The association should seek to support and strengthen groups which it brings together in cooperative work. 10. The association should develop a pace of work in line with existing conditions in the community. 11. The association should seek to develop effective leaders. 12. The association must develop strength, stability and prestige in the community. Keeping in mind the actual practice situations in India Siddiqui (1997) has worked out a set of 8 principles. 1. The Principle of Specific Objectives 2. The Principle of Planning 3. The Principle of People’s Participation 4. The Principle of Inter-group Approach 5. The Principle of Democratic Functioning 6. The Principle of Flexible Organization 7. The Principle of Optimum Utilization of Indigenous Resources 8. The Principle of Cultural orientation