ABSTRACT
The successful functioning of a coalition of project workers and neighbourhood users results in costs and benefits to residents. Residents often wanted to talk about the development of other groups, and how they tackled problems like maintaining interest and attracting new members, handling finance and coping with maverick members. The size of the catchment area is one of the factors that determine the relationships among users of a project. There will also be competition amongst groups, and between groups and staff for the use of rooms and secretarial services. Residents may find that their involvement with neighbourhood groups is costly financially. Collective action provides support for individual efforts to achieve change and its relative anonymity encourages individuals to act. Strength of collective action is that it provides a learning situation where inter-personal skills are acquired that are relevant to a person’s ability in negotiations with resource decision-makers.
