SW12 Midterm Notes
GROUP 1: Functions, Knowledge, Skills and Strategies of a CO Worker
What are the functions of a CO worker? The following are the functions of the coworker according
to Arthur Dunham:
1. Fact finding - to secure and maintain an adequate factual basis for sound planning
2. Program development - to initiate, develop new programs and services and modify or terminate
social welfare programs and services that had become irrelevant.
3. establishment of standards - To establish, maintain and improve social welfare standards, and to
increase the effectiveness, efficiency and economy of operation of social welfare agencies.
4. Coordination - to improve and facilitate interrelationships and to promote coordination between
organizations, groups and individuals concerned with social welfare programs and services.
5. Education - to develop better public understanding of social welfare needs, problems, resources,
objectives, services, methods and standards.
6. Support and participation - to develop adequate public support of and public participation in
social welfare activities.
What are the required knowledges as CO worker should possess?
Based on the CO workers roles and functions, she should possess the following knowledge:
1. The goals and objectives of society
2. Social legislations
3. Research
4. Group process / human and group behavior
5. Power structure in a community
6. Management of power
7. Use of inter-group relationship
8. Problem dash solving a decision making
9. Situation analysis
10. Planning processes
11. Policy formulation
12. Existing resources (internal and external)
13. Program development
What skills are required of a CO worker?
The CO worker should possess the following skills:
1. Working with people/one on one and small groups
2. Organizing
3. Verbal and written communication
4. Committee work
5. Leadership
6. Administration
7. Interviewing
8. Research
9. Planning and policy formulation
10. Strategy designed and implementation
11. Lobbying
12. Recording
13. Social education and action
14. Inter-group relationship
15. Coordination
What is a technique?
• Technique is a technical method of accomplishing a desired end according to
webster. The Philippine social work encyclopedia described technique as the
manner by which certain activities are executed based on the mechanical or formal
aspects.
What are the techniques of a CO worker and how can they be illustrated?
The following are the techniques of a CO worker with brief illustration on how they are
used:
1. Structuring - This technique employs the use of suitable structures to engage in problem
solving as councils, committees, task force, ad hoc committee, study groups, etc.
2. Situation analysis - he technique involves the breaking up of a problem situation, our
collection of data, exploring the content and examining and setting forth of the various
aspects, issues and relationship involved to gain insight and understanding the content
better for logical conclusions/ solutions.
3. Problem Analysis - This technique is the process of looking into the causes of the problem
and their effects on those affected by it.
4. Role Playing and Socio-drama
Role playing is acting out a situation which would depict a problem or varied problems and their
effects designed to change the attitude and thinking of the target audience towards the problem as
from apathy to concern.
Socio-drama is a dramatic performance, with psychological overtones that is also designed to
change the values, attitudes, habits and thinking of the target audience to a desired manner.
5. Education and Promotion -this technique employs a range of educational and promotional
ways/approaches to enhance people’s understanding and support of programs, projects and plans
for community improvement and development. Examples of such educational and promotional
techniques are the use of film showing, training seminars, posters, folk media, field visits to model
projects and communities, community assemblies where resource persons are invited to speak on
vital topics or issues and other concerns.
6. Demonstration-this technique uses the organization of demonstration projects to illustrate ways
of dealing with certain social problems which can be subsequently adopted for similar uses by the
com- munity and other communities and organizations.
7. Use of Group Dynamics and Experiential Learning in Training
-CO workers in Region XI who implemented the Baranganic Approach have discovered that the
use of experiential learning and group dynamics are effective techniques in training indigenous
leaders who have an aversion to lecture-type seminars. Experiential learning employs the exposure
of trainees to a planned situation or game where they experience a learning process. Group
dynamics on the other hand had been defined and to mean “the interacting forces within a small
human group.” For purposes of our learning and indigenous application, it refers to planned group
processes designed to communicate new knowledge and ideas; to change negative values, attitudes
and behavior and to promote/strengthen relationships among the target group members.
8. Use of an Expert/Consultant
No person has a monopoly of knowledge, hence one of the CO worker’s technique is the use of
an expert from other fields she is not knowledgeable about or another CO worker who has more
experience as consultant. By utilizing the knowledge and expertise of others, she enriches her own
and wastes no time doing things through the trial and error method. She accomplishes therefore
her goal and objectives as a CO worker as she assists her target client community with increased
confidence and competence that assures positive results.
9. FORMAL STUDY
The CO worker employs this technique to influence public opinion and motivate people to act on
certain community or national issues. She carries out a formal study by gathering and analyzing
data in connection with current issues or problem. the results of which she interprets and
disseminates to the public that they would appropriately act on said issues or problem.
10. Use of Questions in Handling Group Discussions
This technique will be discussed separately and in detail in the next chapter on group processes
and committee meetings.
What is a strategy?
• Strategy had been defined as "a tactic or careful plan or a method devised to achieve a
desired goal." The Philippine Social Work Encyclopedia alludes to strategy as "a procedure
adopted by social workers to achieve a goal."
The different strategies being employed by a CO worker are the following.
1. Management of Power
The CO worker uses this strategy by helping create new centers of power in communities where
leadership is indifferent and ineffective.
2. Training of Leaders for their Role Functions
The training of indigenous leaders for their role functions is an effective strategy in-enabling the
community to be a self-reliant and self-managed community.
3. Organizing People for Specific Tasks, Roles & Functions
Goals and objectives can only be realized if there are groups of persons who plan for these goals
and objectives, then implement and monitor and evaluate their implementation. Organizing people
for these purposes is the forte of CO workers. People are organized to do specific tasks is a strategy
that facilitates the attainment of goals and objectives since the job is done in a more organized
manner which uses at the same time the pooled thinking, expertise and resources vi those involved
in the different organized operational units.
4. Use of Conflict
This strategy had been popularized by Alinksy. It is used in communities where the people are
apathetic towards their pressing problems and needs when other strategies fail. The introduction
of conflict is designed to awaken the people from their lethargy and trigger the desired action on
their part to do something about their community problems. The use of conflict however requires
its handling by a competent and experienced CO worker.
5. Collaborative Strategy
Roland Warren had developed a typology of strategies for achieving purposive change. These are
collaborative strategy, campaign strategy and contest strategy.
Collaborative strategy is based on the assumption of consensus or common base of values and
interests among the parties in disagreement. And that agreements can be obtained by overcoming
poor communication misinformation and inaction.
6. Campaign Strategy
Campaign strategy is applicable when the people are not in agreement on how an issue should be
resolved. This strategy employs educating, persuading and pressuring the recalcitrant into agreeing
with a group’s proposed solution/approach to a major issue or problem in the community.
7. Contest Strategy
Where there is dissension in crucial issues, the contest strategy would apply to crystalize the issues
involved and to get majority votes/support for one of the contestant’s proposal which will be
considered the community’s adopted decision after voting.
8. Social Brokerage
It is employed when a problem threatens to be explosive or disruptive and is diffused through the
CO worker’s intervention as a broker with the involvement of relevant groups and individuals who
can help diffuse a crisis situation.
9. Use of Integrative Mechanisms to Strengthen Organization
This is the second strategy of the Social Action model of community organization. It employs
the integration of other groups' efforts and support to strengthen the cause another group or agency
is espousing. The support may be in the form of expertise, logistics, equipments, personnel,
speakers bureau or just a public announcement of support.
10. Social Protests to Support Social Movements
This is the third strategy of the social action model which is commonly used as a strategy in
influencing change or modification of policies, legislations, ordinances, programs and services
deemed irrelevant, inadequate or disadvantageous to the greater sector of society.
Social protests are mass action activities where people march in the streets with placards
conveying the cause of their action or what the group is protesting about. The mass action is
sometimes in the form of mass delegation of protesters presenting their petition with media
coverage to the legislators, a government office, private organization, a business establishment, a
landlord or even foreign embassies. Such mass action is however done in a peaceful manner
befitting a professional strategy.
11. Lobbying
This may be included as the fourth strategy of social action, wherein interest groups attend
committee meetings of the legislative bodies and the legislative sessions itself to show support of
or protests against the passage of certain bills or some of its offending provisions. Their lobbying
consists of presenting a position paper to the deliberating committee where their stand is detailed
in a concise and incisive manner
12. Use of Field Trips
People learn faster through visual aids and actual experience. Hence, the CO worker employs
this strategy for fast-track learning designed for indigenous leaders' training for community
development and leadership roles. She therefore schedules a field trip to a model community where
the trainees learn how the model community is administered and managed through people's
participation.
13. Use of Volunteers
Services in welfare agencies and their CO work are often hampered by lack of professional
workers and adequate funding. As observed, developing countries like the Philippines have long
plans that are short in funds. Such is the reality in Third World countries like ours that are plagued
with multifarious and multifaceted problems. There-fore with scarce resources, people want to
accomplish so much. Hence, we should strategize in order to achieve our social goals. We have to
learn to use simple solutions and be creative for complex problems.
GROUP 2:
WORKING WITH COMMITTEES AND OTHER GROUPS
• Group process had been defined as the network of psychological interaction that goes on
in every group; it is everything that happens in a group, and affected by the kind of
interaction among the members. In this sense, it is used to also mean group dynamics
What are the forces operating in a group?
1. Social interaction – is the dynamic interplay of forces in which contact between persons results
in modification of attitudes and behavior of participants.
2. Communication – is the means through which information, symbols and messages are given
or transmitted and received. It may be verbal or non-verbal. It is the element that facilitates inter-
action.
3. Leadership – is the process of influencing others for the purpose of performing a shared task.
This process requires that one person direct, motivate and coordinate others in the group in order
to get the assigned task accomplished.
What are the principles of group process
1. Principle of Participatory Leadership
Every member of the group should be allowed to share their ideas and opinion in any
deliberation of the group and be involved in the problem-solving and decision-making process it
undertakes.
2. Principle of Group Attraction
The more attractive the group is to its members, the greater is the influence the group can
exert on them.
3. Principle of Felt Needs
Strong pressures for change in the group can be accomplished by creating a shared
perception of the need for change lie within the group itself.
4. Principle of Feedback
Information relating to the need for change, plans for change and its consequent results must
be shared with the group members.
For effective committee work, the following are the principles developed
b y A u d r e y R . t r e c k e r a n d h a r l e i g B . t r e c k e r, w h i c h i s e l u c i d a t e d f o r o u r
indigenous application
1. The Principle of Democratic Values
2. The Principle of Purpose
3. The Principle of Constructive and Creative Leadership
4. The Principle of Proper Personnel
5. The Principle of Planning
6. Principle of Preparation
7. The Principle of Setting and Atmosphere
8. The Principle of Facts First
9. The Principle of Participation
10. The Principle of Teamwork
11. The Principle of Progressive Process
12. The Principle of Time and Timing
13. The Principle of Reporting
14. The Principle of Evaluation
15. The Principle of Member Satisfaction
What are the factors for effe ctive working relationship :
1. Group Solidarity - there is group solidarity when members of the group feel a sense of
common interest.
2. Sense of Common Purpose - this means the group member awareness of common goal
and objectives and when they derive a sense of achievement not only for himself but also for
the welfare of others.
3. Group Stability - this pertains to the group members sense of security in relation to other
groups.
4. System of External Reward - the desire to be appreciated and recognized for efforts,
contributions, ideas and achievement is met.
5. Sense of Belonging - the caring and bigayan, attitude of members gives one a feeling of
belonging or “ we feeling “.
What are the uses of questions as a technique in group discussion?
* To o p e n d i s c u s s i o n
* To s t i m u l a t e i n t e r e s t
* To p r o v o k e t h i n k i n g
* To a c c u m u l a t e d a t a
* To g e t i n d i v i d u a l p a r t i c i p a t i o n
* To d e v e l o p a s u b j e c t m a t t e r
* To c h a n g e t h e t r e n d o f d i s c u s s i o n
* To l i m i t o r t e r m i n a t e d i s c u s s i o n
What type of question usually asked as a technique and for what purpose
1. Overhead- this type of question is directed to the group as a whole. It is effective for launching
discussion and in promoting group thinking .
2. Direct - this type of question is directed to a particular individual to draw his participation curb
monopolization, interrupt private conversation and bring back the discussion in focus.
3. Kick off - this type of question is used to discussion of a new subject therefore be challenging
and be able to provoke participants to think.
4. Follow up- this type of question is used to keep discussion going towards attaining the objective
of the meeting.
GROUP 3:
THE PROCESSES FOR PEOPLE EMPOWERMENT
What is people empowerment?
• People empowerment is the process of releasing the potentials of people through
appropriate programs, services and strategies; removing blocks that deter their growth and
development and accessing thein for the enhancement of their highest capabilities that they
would be freed from the fetters of poverty, ignorance, oppression, social injustice and fear
to stand up for their rights and pursuits for happiness as a member of a free and just society.
What are the source of power?
The following are the sources:
1. Freedom
A free man has the power to carve his own destiny as he is not inhibited or prevented to think and
plot the ways and means for him to achieve his goal in life and be able to realize his God-given
potentials. While a man without freedom is like a man with fetters who is prevented by his chains
from accomplishing his desired goals in life and realize his potentials to its fullest, Freedom is
therefore a source of power.
2. Knowledge and Wisdom
Persons with vast knowledge and wisdom can wield power since people look up to them in awe
and faith. Their every pronouncements are taken seriously as people respect them and believe in
their wisdom and would therefore follow their exhortations, advices and command.
3. Mental and Moral Efficacy
Individuals endowed with mental and moral efficacy wield power through the sheer brilliance of
their mind and moral integrity. They can influence the thinking of other people and their behavior
to the desired positive end since they have the mental and moral efficacy to do it.
4. Capability for Leadership Roles
Individuals who have what it takes to let people do what need to be done is in a position of power.
Such individuals have the charisma and leadership capabilities that enable them to make people
act and follow them. This personal capability is a source of power that can be used for positive or
negative designs.
5. Ability to Act and Produce an Effect
Individuals known to be achievers who can act and deliver the goods are greatly admired for their
capability specially those who are weak and incompetent who comprise their throng of followers.
As rule models, they have the power to influence and modify behavioral patterns for productive
pursuits.
6. Prestige and Wealth
Famous and wealthy people are in the center of power. They make or unmake a person because of
their powerful connections, As the saying goes, "Money talks as well as prestige." These
prestigious and wealthy individuals are the kingmakers. They either heavily contribute funds and
give other largesse to those whom they want to be voted to powerful positions, or buy the positions
themselves. In return they share power through patronage and decision making with those they
have helped elected in powerful positions. upbringing. Also on the kind of advisers they have
whether formal or informal.
7. Physical Might as Individuals Controlling an Armed Group
Society cowers in fear from these individuals whose power emanates from the barrel of a gun, It
is difficult to deal with this kind of ruthless power as it does not have a conscience to appeal to or
argue with. The only way to contend with it is through a mightier power like people power and
cunning. Spiritual power also works wonders in batt- ling evil forces.
How can the people be empowered for their own benefit and their country?
People should be given opportunities to acquire the other positive sources of power as freedom,
knowledge and wisdom, mental and moral efficacy, capabilities for leadership roles and abilities
to achieve their goals and dreams. They should also be assisted to realize their highest potentials
as active and contributing members of society.
These are the suggested processes for people empowerment:
1. Identify the blocks that hinder people's growth and development
2. Removal of the blocks to growth and development
3. Releasing the potentials of people
4. Accessing the people for the enhancement of their potentials to its highest and productive level
Holistic Approach
People empowerment should be approached through an integrated and inter-disciplinary effort
since a person's total well-being is attained through his physical, social, economic, mental and
spiritual needs. A person for example may be made economically productive but if his moral and
spiritual development had been left unattended to, he cannot be an asset to his society which he
may soon exploit for his own personal aggrandizement. People empowerment would therefore
require a holistic approach.
Atmosphere of Freedom:
Only in an atmosphere of freedom can any program for people empowerment prosper. People
should be free to know their rights and privileges, the laws and policies that had been enacted for
their benefit in order that they would be able to profit front thein. They should be free to express
themselves when they feel wronged and short-changed by some powerful sectors of society
without fear of reprisal as they enjoy equal rights, freedom and protection as any powerful citizen
of the land. They should be free to avail of the same opportunities usually availed of only by these
with the right connections. People should be free from harassments and persecutions from those
who wield power who may feel threatened when people learn to assert their rights and privileges.
For freedom is essential for people empowerment.
Social Justice:
Social justice should be a living reality and experienced and not merely enshrined in our legal
statutes. For social justice engenders faith in the government and the institutions that represent
present it. Without social justice, the government loses its credibility and its covenant with the
people who would then be encouraged to look for alternative forms of governance or resort to
violent means in obtaining justice for themselves. Besides as posited by Plato, "those who commit
injustice is ever made more wretched than those they made to suffer."
Conduct in Government Service:
Officials and workers in the government service should be impressed upon that they are there to
serve the people and not to be their masters as many of them believe and behave. These type of
officials and workers are a bane to the government service.
Graft and Corruption:
Graft and corruption had always been cited as one of the causes of our country's underdevelopment
and national shame. How can any program for people empowerment prosper if it is handled by
corrupt officials and workers in government? People often complain that they cannot do business
with most government offices unless they give lagay or grease money. How can an honest,
struggling entrepreneur succeed in his quest for economic stability if he has to contend with a lot
of red tape even in just securing a license, permit or loan from government offices? These irksome
experiences of red tape and its twin lagay is enough to kill one's initial enthusiasm and
determination since a big slice of the precious capital is lost to red tape.
