Between 1969 and 1972, the Washington Center for Metropolitan Studies will attempt to establish (1) an urban observatory program (a network of research-action programs) that will heighten the understanding of and deal with critical conditions in the Washington metropolitan area, and (2) an educational affairs program that will assist area…

The need for school construction in urban areas is discussed, emphasizing the involvement of lay persons in the community in the planning of new buildings. Urban school construction problems and some possible solutions are considered. Discussion is included of procedures and limitations pertaining to the involvement of the community as a whole in…

This paper identifies key factors which promote participation of the poor (resident participation) through group action and community decision making processes, programs, and activities; and describes techniques which Community Action Program (CAP) grantees have used successfully to enhance such participation. Kinds of CAP grantee and community…

In reviewing the attempts to conduct Federal antipoverty programs with "maximum feasible participation" by residents of the communities involved, Daniel Moynihan describes the origin of this provision in sociological theory, then discusses the nature and the internal contradictions of the great national effort at social change conceived under the…

This paper examines the power and energy needs of a small-to-medium sized (35,000), one industry, midwestern community and how that community overcame the communication obstacles which prevented fulfillment of its energy needs. The paper outlines the background on the communication situation being described, then provides a chronology of the key…

The need for a Gestalt Theory of neighborhood development was described in this paper. A model based on scale was developed in which small scale represents an isolated Appalachian who depends upon neighbors and kin and large scale represents a person who has developed a large number of relationships so that he is less dependent upon any one of…

This paper describes the beliefs and values of a pluralistic approach to social change and of four competing approaches: social Darwinism, functionalism, militancy, and conflict theory. Stressing the alienation and dogmatism of the competing approaches, the authors relate each approach to its operation in community action projects. Social…

The aims and activities of the CITIZENS Communications Center are summarized in this pamphlet. CITIZENS, a Washington, D.C. based resource center, provides technical assistance, research and educational services to citizens and community groups attempting to remind the broadcast industry of its duty to serve the interest of all segments of the…

The use of local lay advisory councils has been an effective method of involving citizens in the school program and an effective bridge between the community and the school. Topics in this publication cover: (1) Benefits of a Citizens Advisory Council, which discusses the benefits for learners, school board members, teachers, administrators,…

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has incorporated several allowances in its regulations pertaining to cable television. Some of these enable citizen groups and communities to intervene in the cable franchise after the final issuance in order to correct deficiencies in the franchising process and the administration of the franchise.…

Intended for local human relations committees and commissions, this ideabook may serve as a do-it-yourself kit, a springboard for human relations action, showing concrete action steps that can be taken. Ideas and suggestions given in the booklet may be used to provide a basis for organizing a human relations committee; awaken the educational…

A program initiated by Simpson College and assisted by a committee of representatives from Warren County, Iowa, to assist the population of the County to understand their community and its problems and set priorities in meeting these problems is reported. Two hundred key leaders, representative of the geographic, educational, economic, religious,…

The time for local groups to pressure local broadcasters for better children's television is now. Federal Communications Commission guidelines encourage broadcasters to involve the community in program planning. And a growing number of groups across the country have been participating. The San Francisco Committee on Children's Television, founded…

The Consumer Resources Environteam has developed this idea handbook as part of the Broad Spectrum Environmental Education Program in Brevard County, Florida. Interest had been displayed by local civic groups, fraternal clubs, and private organizations in identifying environmental improvement projects that could be undertaken by individual groups.…

Based on the principle that drug abuse is no longer a problem restricted to certain economic, social, educational, or intellectual levels or ethnic groups, this pamphlet relates some examples of on-going community action programs and projects. Essentially, these programs are striving to solve some of the drug related problems in their immediate…