Grassroots Leadership Training

A Case Study of an Effort to Integrate Theory and Method

Bibliographic Data

ID6076575
AuthorsEric Zachary (corresponding author)
Year2000
Volume7
Issue1
Pages71-93
Publication date2000-03-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Community Practice (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1070-5422 • E-ISSN: 1543-3706
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1300/j125v07n01_06
OpenAlexW1583147338
LanguageEN
Citations received6
References cited13

The breakdown of community in poor and working-class urban neighborhoods is well documented. Most efforts to rebuild a sense of community assign a major role to indigenous leaders. The development of critically conscious group-centered leaders best fits the contemporary grassroots neighborhood context. The challenge for the teacher/trainer who embraces this approach is to align methodology and philosophy so that they reflect and reinforce each other. In a case study of one such program, the following methodological elements were identified as critical: rituals of engagement; the sharing of power; a culture of participation characterized by safety, respect, and high expectations; and skillful, yet humble, facilitation to create solidarity and equality within the group. These dimensions led to the emergence of a community of learners in which the participants took significant risks in their development as leaders

Community organizing · Context (archaeology · Empowerment · Geography · Grassroots · Indigenous · Political science · Politics · Power (physics · Public relations · Sociology · Solidarity · Behavioral and Psychological Studies · Community Health and Development · Early Childhood Education and Development · Law · Psychology · Social Psychology

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