In more detail
A community is a group of people with a shared interest and an idea of themselves as such. Community groups are organisations which are made up of members of a community; are led by them; and which attempt to embody the shared interest of the community.
Not all the members of a community are necessarily members of a community group. Some residents, for example, choose not to pay subs to be members of a residents’ association. Not subscribing, however, doesn’t mean they aren’t part of the community. You don’t have to be a member of a group to belong to a community but, in general, you must be a member of the community to join, or lead, a community group.
For example, a charity to help homeless people which isn’t led by people with experience of homelessness, isn’t a community group. A housing co-operative (a sort of organisation where the members may also be the benefiaries) is a community group.
Mutual Aid
Community groups are ‘voluntary organisations’ (no one has to join one), but they are about ‘mutual aid’, not necessarily volunteering. Mutual aid means exchanging resources and services so that everyone benefits. Volunteering means giving resources (time) and services to help some needy beneficiaries. Many community groups depend on volunteers (to serve on committees or to keep a list of members etc), but community groups have to involve some element of give and take – ie exchange.
Not all community groups are small – though the vast majority are tiny. Some large organisations, employing staff could still be seen as community groups. For example, the National Farmers’ Union or Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament are two large organisations which represent the shared interest of the members of the communities which, respectively, make them up and lead them.
Community Groups in different forms
It isn’t always clear what the community is that a community group is drawn from. Sometimes community groups may not be exactly what they say they are ‘on the tin’. For example: the
A community group doesn’t have to have a set of written rules; most community groups don’t. A group of parents who meet at the school gate, or students who share notes and help each other revise for exams – don’t need a written constitution. Of course, they still have rules - unwritten ones – because all organisations have rules. Most community groups are unconstituted (have no written rules); many have constitutions (written rules); some may be set up as co-operatives, charities or even as limited companies.
A community group can be ‘virtual’. For some people, Facebook or Twitter are community groups. People keep in touch by writing letters and phone calls as well as through face to face meetings. Digital communications have made all of these activities – and other ways of acting as community group – easier.
| Key Facts:
Community groups are made up by members of a community, led by them and representing the interests of a community. Most are very small. Most are very informal. Community groups play a big part in making social capital (the links between people) and in enabling communities to get hold of and deal with larger organisations like the council. |
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In the toolkit:
Who Leads Neighbourhood Planning?
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BIRMINGHAM COMMUNITY PLANNING TOOLKIT DEFINITION SHEET This sheet may be reproduced in paper or electromic or any other form but please mention it was made by Chamberlain Forum Limited for Birmingham City Council supported by Department for Communities and Local Government.
| created: 2016-07-20 15:31:05 | by: admin | status: f published |