Methods or Strategies for Mobilizing Communities for Self-Financed Projects

Mobilizing
a community for self-financed projects is a process. It must be conducted
with trust, honesty, and inclusion. The community must feel a sense of
ownership in the process, which is established when the person in charge of the
mobilization listens to their views and opinions. Receiving input from a
community can take time, particularly if the person in charge of the
mobilization is new to the area. However, listening to the community is
integral to a project’s sustainability and to fostering community
ownership.

Orienting
the Community

The
first step in mobilizing the community is to orient them to the
process. This can be done in a number of ways, including written
communication, television, radio, or an organized meeting. Meetings are
more personal and conducive to building relationships. They also
facilitate two-way communication where questions can be answered
efficiently. It is advisable to start these meetings as soon as possible,
so that trust and a positive working relationship can be built between parties.

Arrange a meeting

Having the meeting sponsored or hosted
by a respected individual or group within the community can add credibility to
its agenda. This may happen through a church, school, tribe, or other
local group. Utilizing community leaders also increases the chances of
reaching a cross-section of the population and not just a narrow
representation. It is essential that all members of the community receive word
about the mobilization process and how they can be involved. Outreach to
those who are isolated, vulnerable or considered marginal is critical. If they
cannot personally attend a meeting, it is important that they be represented in
some way.

Define the goals of the meeting

The goals of the meeting must be
carefully considered and reflected in the agenda by the person in charge of the
mobilization. To ensure effective mobilization, community leaders can
provide assistance presenting the information in a culturally appropriate
manner. Some of the community leaders may be chosen to convey topics with which
they are familiar. During this meeting, it is important to solicit the input
of the community. Identify their needs and begin to prioritize how those needs
will be met.

This meeting will be an opportunity to
develop an awareness of how important the projects are to the community, how to
actualize them and also an opportunity to learn about the strengths and
resources of the community. It will be important to define mutual goals and
develop a plan as to how to reach these goals. This will include organizing
individuals to work together and coordinate services.

Various people in the community have
different capabilities and these capabilities must be factored into action
plans and considered when defining goals of a meeting. Community leaders
and project workers should ask themselves, ‘What can we reasonably expect to
achieve at the end of this meeting?’

Develop
ongoing ways to communicate

Once goals have been defined and a plan
has been developed, it will be important to identify ongoing ways to
communicate. Rather than having large meetings, cluster meetings of
project staff, community leaders and community members working on similar tasks
are more manageable and efficient. The groups should begin team building
with all team members (project staff, community leaders and community members).
It is vital that marginalized and vulnerable people are included in these
teams. Mediation with the community may be required for them to ‘allow’
marginalized or isolated members of their community to participate in a
team.

Work in small teams that include
affected people as well as outside helpers. Team leaders should meet daily
for sharing of information, planning and coordination. Not all teams will be
required for all emergency response projects. Some people may be a member of
more than one team.

Teams

Logistics

Transport
people to work locations;
Transport
supplies to work sites when needed;
Transport
extra supplies to warehouse.

Communication

Tell
the story of the projects to potential donors;
Tell
the story of the response to the church;
Take
pictures of the work;
Get
the story to the press – church, local, national;
Can
be done by someone who is older, disabled, not able to do heavy work.

Accounts/
Finance

Keep
clear accounts of all money coming in for the projects ;
Keep
clear record of donors;
Account
for all money spent. Show receipts for each expenditure;
Can
be done by someone older, disabled or not able to do heavy work,;
Should
be done by a team of local and outside people to increase trust.

Project
manager

Assess
the requirements of a specific project in the larger projects;
Plan
for equipment, supplies and people needed;
Request
equipment, supplies and people through the coordinator and daily meetings;
Plan
the steps to complete the task. Monitor budget and activity plans;
Work
with the team to complete the task;
Communicate
with the Coordinator throughout the process.

Supply
manager

Keep
a constant inventory of supplies available for the projects;
Prepare
supplies for delivery to sites;
Purchase
supplies requested if approved by coordinator and finance;
Should
be trustworthy and a good organizer.

Tool
manager

Care
for tools that are available for use on the projects;
Sign
tools out for projects and sign them back in when returned;
Make
sure that tools are working and in good repair;
Can
be done by someone not able to go out to work at sites.

Volunteer
coordinator

Recruit
people for emergency response (community members, outside helpers);
Keep
track of people, skills and availability;
Contact
people for jobs as needed;
Thank
volunteers for helping;
Can
be done by someone who is not able to do heavy work;
Should
be a person who is calm and gracious.

Kitchen

Provide
coffee, tea, refreshments for workers;
Depending
on the projects, provide meals for workers, or local community if needed;
Can
be asked to provide emergency meals;
Can
be done by local volunteers or a local business that is willing to
cooperate;
Should
be included in coordination meetings for best results.

Pastoral
Care team

Provide
comfort and hope;
May
pray with and for the needs of people;
Answer
questions that arise from the project, such as why there are tragedies;
Keep
company with those in distress;
May
provide worship or prayer meeting for workers at beginning or end of day;
Can
be done by a pastor / priest or someone they appoint.

Psychosocial
team

Provide
psychological ‘first aid’ to victims or workers as needed;
Organize
community meetings to assist in support and problem solving at community
level;
Can
organize activities for children or people who are displaced;
Work
as advocates for people’s emotional and social needs;
Support
families as they plan their next steps.