Personnel have the
training, skills, experience, and knowledge needed to build community capacity and promote community change.
Personnel demonstrate a commitment to the community’s well-being, and have the competencies needed to:
- engage and build trusting relationships with community members;
- adapt to changing situations and environments;
- assess needs;
- understand and interpret data;
- provide assistance with defining and prioritizing community assets and issues;
- develop community plans;
- lead and facilitate meetings and discussions;
- manage groups and resolve conflicts;
- build coalitions among community residents, associations, and institutions;
- develop networks with groups outside the community that can advance the initiative;
- understand and work within relevant financial and administrative infrastructures;
- understand and implement projects related to the focus and priorities of the initiative (e.g., improving infrastructure, preventing substance use, promoting public safety, etc.);
- work with stakeholders in a culturally competent manner that considers gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, developmental level, disability, and other relevant characteristics; and
- engage in community work without maintaining a high profile or dominating the initiative’s public presence.
Interpretation: Competence can be demonstrated through a combination of education, training, and experience, including life experience. Some states may offer or require licensing, certification, or credentialing for personnel in this field.
Note: As referenced in COA’s standards for “Human Resources” (HR) and “Training and Supervision” (TS), personnel may include paid employees or volunteers.
The organization supports personnel by:
- arranging flexible work schedules;
- providing regular opportunities for training and professional development;
- celebrating the initiative’s accomplishments; and
- discussing challenges and struggles facing the community and the initiative.
Personnel include members of the community who:
- are knowledgeable about community dynamics;
- remain objective, fair, and flexible when working with other community members;
- support a culture of consensus-building;
- respect confidentiality; and
- demonstrate a long-term commitment to the community and the initiative’s goals.
Employee workloads support the achievement of positive community outcomes, are regularly reviewed, and are based on an assessment of the following:
- the qualifications, competencies, and experience of personnel; and
- the amount of work and time required to accomplish assigned tasks and responsibilities.