SECTION IVATTITUDE, KNOWLEDGE

AND SKILLS

Jose Benito C. Ronolo

Objectives:1. Identify the importance of knowledge, attitude and skills

2. Describe community development attitude

3. Visualize the process of inquiring knowledge

4. Explain community problems and conflicts

Basic skills and knowledge are needed along with a positive mind-set or attitude on order to effectively

implement the community development process.

One way to think about attitude, knowledge and skills is to think about

what you need to believe and feel(attitude), what you need to know

(knowledge) and what you must be able to do (skills) to successfully

undertake a community development initiative.

ATTITUDE- is the preference of an individual or organization towards or away from

things, events or people. It is the spirit and perspective from which an

individual, group or organization approaches community development.

When we talk about an organizations attitude we use the term “organizational culture”

Key Qualities and Beliefs- respect for the individual, group and

community- strong sense of responsibility and

commitment- empathy

- openness to look at alternate solutions, new opportunities and ways

to improve

- patience, perseverance and endurance

- creativity, innovation and intuition- willingness to participate without

always having to lead- trust in others- self-confidence

KNOWLEDGE- Community development requires a

broad base of knowledge on many subjects. Knowledge is the data and

information and the models or theories you use to work with this information

and data.

What knowledge do we need?- the community

- social, economic and environmental development- partnerships

- group process and dynamics - teambuilding

- problem-solving and decision making processes

- Project management- Financial management and fund-

raising- training and skill development

methods and opportunities- organizational development and

design

Knowledge by itself, however, is not enough to successfully initiate and

maintain a community development effort. Applying this knowledge is of

equal importance.

SkillsSkills move you from theory and

knowledge to action. Skills involve the performance of mental or physical

tasks

Skills are clustered into five primary areas:

1. communication, facilitation and team-building skills

2. research, planning and evaluation skills3. problem-solving and conflict-

resolution skills4. management skills

5. Organizational design and development skills

One government worker attended so many meetings in a month that she

became very good at figuring out how meetings should be run. One of the

tasks she took on with several community groups was to train them in

conducting good meetings.

At one session, a participant said that if she hadn’t come along when she did to

“fix” the group’s meeting skills he would have quit. He too attended

many meetings and had no time for ones that were poorly managed.

Problem-Solving and Conflict Resolution Skills

1. Identify the issue or problem2. look at options and alternatives3. help individuals understand the

views of others4. break the impasse if discussions get

bogged down

5. Manage conflict when it occurs6. Help find common ground

7. assist members to recognize agreement when it happens

8. ensure that everyone understands the agreement

Management Skills

In order to effectively start and maintain a community development process strategic, financial, human resource and operational planning

skills are required.

Good management comes with good leadership.

Organizational Design and Development Skills

This may require creating new structure or making changes to an

existing organziation.

Building on Skills ad Responding to Skill Gaps

It is important to be open to using new skills in new ways, developing new

skills and recognizing the abilities of others.

THANK YOU!!!