Survey responses from 68 civic and community organizations in South Dakota indicated that one-fourth currently had some level of youth participation. Service/community, religious, 4-H/scout leaders, and youth center/after-school programs, but none of the government or business organizations, indicated that youth participated in decision making.…

Provides a detailed description of the multiple levels of linkages among community groups and delineates the roles of volunteers within each of the levels. Describes the roles and responsibilities of the organization so that the volunteer can successfully represent the organization. (Contains 20 references.) (Author/JOW)

A service learning nursing course grounded in social justice principles focused on minority health, poverty, environmental health, and medically underserved populations. Students worked in community agencies, advocated for the underserved, and reflected on the relationship of social justice and citizenship to nursing. (SK)

A survey of 26 human service agencies in an empowerment zone found the following: 73% used interns, few from social work; 57% used empowerment in mission statements (more economic than social agencies); 69% of these wanted community practice interns; and higher-budget agencies were better able to negotiate the empowerment zone system. (Contains 20…

Contradictory expectations facing community development practitioners include innovation versus bureaucratic accountability and professionalization versus grassroots activism. Four operating frameworks affect practice: charity, welfare state, activism, and market. In some instances, these frameworks and their related discourses are being fused,…

Includes "The Czech Republic" (Paula Jindrova); "Working with Romanies and Others in Bulgaria" (Victor Djorgov); and "The Picture in Romania" (Florian Nizu). (SK)

Examined education-community partnerships from the viewpoint of the community partners. Analyses based on three education-community partnerships, two successful and one failed, show the importance of understanding motivations and expectations. Describes lessons learned through such partnerships. (SLD)

Discusses the evolution of public involvement in public management. Explains the theory that the degree of group involvement desirable in making a decision depends on the need for quality and acceptability in the eventual decision. (Author/JOW)

The diversity of older learners demands diverse educational opportunities provided by such community-based organizations as community centers, senior centers, area agencies on aging, public libraries, and churches. (SK)

Two elements vital to the sustainability of any development project are involvement of local women and cooperation of local institutions. Strategies for strengthening women's organizations include training indigenous staff, providing tailored technical assistance, facilitating funding for small business activity, and arranging exchange visits and…

A British project initiated forums of older people and community service providers for education and communication about issues. Despite tensions between the original project vision and the aims of community partners, the project began a needed dialog. (SK)

Results of a study of community service organizations (n=12) and their communities indicate that distribution of volunteer funds and time was unrelated to community needs as measured by objective indicators. The most important determinants of resource allocation are members' perceptions of the severity of problems and their willingness to work in…

The new concept of community must focus on the contributions of each group to the national culture and the uniqueness of each culture. It must define and affirm shared values. Common ground may best be found in civic culture. (SK)

The emotional life of community organizations and their members has been neglected in community development, although it can have an impact at individual, societal, and micro-social levels. Both the instrumental tasks and the emotions of organizations must be addressed. Understanding group dynamics can create awareness of this dimension. (Contains…

An Irish community organization's experience of partnering with a government agency led to the following recommendations: train staff to understand the partnership process; refine structures for effective consultation and interaction; develop a code of practice and standards; improve communication; and adapt to new methods of working. (SK)