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Community Agents
[See also - Guidelines for a Poverty Focused
Community Assistance Service]
In this article we look at the emerging role of community development agents in the
rural areas of Scotland where they may function as some mix of:
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In January 1995 the Secretary of State for Scotland announced that
there was to be a wide ranging and participatory review of the Governments rural
policies and the mechanisms for delivering them.
Rural Forum is an alliance of 23 non governmental organisations with a
broad concern for rural Scotland. It accepted the challenge by undertaking a consultation
process which amongst other things considered the problem of community involvement. During
discussions it was noted that:
A strong case was put forward for the appointment of local
animators in rural communities who would have their finger on the pulse of
things and understand the needs of rural communities. They would be able to assess
opportunities from an integrated perspective. It was felt that (local government)
councillors could not fulfil this role as a rural specialist (in terms of knowing the
systems and networks) was needed to act as a go-between amongst the various groups and
bodies involved.
Rural Forum Scotland (November 1995) Rural Scotland the
White Paper Consultation
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In 1997 the Secretary of State noted that the rural areas accounted for 90% of the land
area and 30% of the population of Scotland and that rural development was thus one of his
top priorities. In the discussion paper of October 1997 there is a section on
challenges one of which is the ability to revitalise democratic procedures.
One approach which merits attention is the use of community
development agents, or animateurs to help local, rural communities draw up
their own development strategies. The aim would be to promote a cycle of regeneration led
by local communities, who with the assistance as necessary from animateurs
would prepare an agreed vision for the future of their community, develop a strategy and a
programme of action, before forming community partnerships to make things happen through
accessing capital and revenue funding. The purpose would be to promote the well-being of
rural communities by giving local people confidence, resources, skills and support to
prepare and implement their own community strategic plans.
The Scottish Office (October 1997) Towards a Strategy for Rural
Development a discussion paper.
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By 1999 the Scottish Office was able to publish material about new ideas in rural
development which were based on field research on best practice. One such report (quoting
Ruth Anderson of Rural Forum) recognised three community development roles.
Community Development Roles: Three Definitions
Watkins Lynn (1999) Community Development Agents in Rural
Scotland; New Ideas in Rural Development No.7; The Scottish Office Central Research
Branch; ISBN 0 7480 7843 6.
Available from The Stationery Office Bookshop, 71 Lothian Road,
Edinburgh EH3 9AZ, UK Price
The definitions for the three terms for a community development agent reflect the
primary functions they perform. Although it is useful to define these different roles, in
practice, many of the activities described under the different headings will overlap.
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One entrusted with the business of another
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![bullet](_themes/nature/nabull1.gif) | a person who is employed (or contracted) to carry out a specific part of the aims,
agenda and business of her employing organisation |
![bullet](_themes/nature/nabull1.gif) | the employing organisation may be a local community or an organisation such as a local
partnership, enterprise company or local authority |
![bullet](_themes/nature/nabull1.gif) | the agenda which the agent will work with will vary according to the nature of the
employer |
![bullet](_themes/nature/nabull1.gif) | the community agent will need a clearly defined description of the decision making
powers given to her by the employer |
![bullet](_themes/nature/nabull1.gif) | the community agent will need to have good organisation knowledge, administration skills
and an ability to work within a set agenda |
![bullet](_themes/nature/nabull1.gif) | the community agent will need a good knowledge of the organisation scene outwith the
remit of her own employer so as to act as a signpost where appropriate, to other sources
of support |
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One who inspires, gives life to, envigorates
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![bullet](_themes/nature/nabull1.gif) | an animator may be employed (or contracted) by an organisation or by a local community
to stimulate debate, discussion and action on issues or relevance to the community |
![bullet](_themes/nature/nabull1.gif) | the animator needs to be seen as non-partisan in this respect, with a broad remit to
raise awareness, stimulate thought and involve the local community in identifying issues
of importance to them |
![bullet](_themes/nature/nabull1.gif) | the animator will have leadership qualities in this context, in that she will act as a
motivating element within communities, encouraging broad local involvement and
participation |
![bullet](_themes/nature/nabull1.gif) | she will need to have excellent skills with people, an ability to listen and to speak,
to draw out local issues, to co-ordinate group sessions and events |
![bullet](_themes/nature/nabull1.gif) | she will need a good, broad knowledge of community development and of the organisational
map in order to advise and inform communities and agencies of activities elsewhere and to
fit the unstructured aspirations of communities into an appropriate context, and promote
partnership approaches |
![bullet](_themes/nature/nabull1.gif) | the animator will support community initiatives in obtaining appropriate support for the
development of their ideas |
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One who expedites, makes easy
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![bullet](_themes/nature/nabull1.gif) | a community facilitator will assist the community in the achievement of its aims,
bringing skills and knowledge to whatever process the community is involved in to support
the achievement of specific aims |
![bullet](_themes/nature/nabull1.gif) | a facilitator will act as a support person who enables the community to meet its aims |
![bullet](_themes/nature/nabull1.gif) | a facilitator will identify training needs in the context of the communitys aims
and support the appropriate individuals to gain those skills |
![bullet](_themes/nature/nabull1.gif) | facilitators will have management and people skills which may be applied to specific
projects or to community involvement techniques such as community conferences | Watch and pen, lighter adult man was once known as the "three treasures", every man must never be away from the body. The iwc replica same thing with jewelry is that in the replica watches social occasions people wear watches often reflect their status, identity and wealth status. Therefore, in interpersonal communication, people wear watches, especially men's watches, most eye-catching. Table is a symbol of life quality and status. The invention of fake rolex watches the watch from a very intuitive concept, the body will become easy to carry large bell, convenient for people to know the time. See a man has no taste, do not look at his appearance, do not look at his height, does not see his wallet, do not look at rolex replica watches his qualifications, as long as his hand wear, neck, waist circumference is three feeling. And the best thing to eat is on the hand.
![bullet](_themes/nature/nabull1.gif) | facilitation will usually be the follow on stage to animation |
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