ABSTRACT
Community change initiatives often begin with a small group of people who are aware of the issue and equipping them with the tools to do something about it. However, to get change moving requires a large number of people to become aware, to take responsibility and to participate in taking action. This chapter discusses Lofquist’s theories of the spectrum of attitudes that people bring to community development and defines principles for community development—participation, responsibility and changing conditions.
Effective change requires activists to use principles of participation, responsibility and changing conditions. Consider these questions: (1) How can community members be invited to participate in making decisions and planning strategies affecting them? (2) How can participants be encouraged to take personal responsibility, at the same time as they work together in mutuality of purpose? (3) How can a group of community members work together to change conditions affecting their common well-being?
