Rational and reflective models of community action

The Western Colorado Rural Communities Program (WCRCP) was created to address problems resulting from an energy development boom in the region. It was conceived, and perceived by administrators, following a set of assumptions, referred to here as the rational model. This model is based on a positivist conception of professional action that suggests that problems can be reduced to objective, value-free statements that can then be subjected to analysis and solution. In the most effective projects of the WCRCP, however, the program followed a different model: one based on action through reflection. The effect of these different models — rational and reflective — operating at different levels of the system led to difficulties in program staff communicating their accomplishments to institutional administrators. It also proved problematic in developing appropriate commitments for the institutionalization of the program once outside foundation funding was phased out. The nature of the conflict between these models as it arose through the implementation and operation of a community service program is discussed here. Suggestions are offered for the alternative structuring of such programs.

Action (physics) · Boom · Business · Foundation (evidence) · Institutionalisation · Management science · Political science · Public relations · Reflection (computer programming) · Service (business) · Service model · Set (abstract data type) · Sociology · Structuring · Value (mathematics) · Computer Science · Engineering · Law · Marketing · Rhetoric and Communication Studies · Service-Learning and Community Engagement

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