The centrality of the definition of need as the major determinant of both substance and strategy in the conduct of needs assessment in a community is highlighted. A definition of need is proposed as a working definition for needs assessment undertakings, and consequently as a foundation for social practice. (Author)

Relations between culture and community are analyzed in an evaluation of a community arts project conducted in a small Colorado community. An artist worked in a variety of arts activities to promote community development goals. It was confirmed that community arts can serve as a catalyst for community development. (Author/JOW)

This paper proposes bargaining as a useful conflict resolution skill for community developers. Key bargaining concepts and practice principles from the fields of international conflict resolution, the social action model of community organization, and political science are discussed. (Author/CT)

Drawing on Kaufman's distinction between development in the community and development of the community, this paper discusses the constraints on local economic development associated with increased concentration of capital. The likelihood of successfully employing "import substitution" and other localization strategies without confronting issues of…

The Episode of Purposive Change Model was used to evaluate the statewide redesign of human services for vulnerable children/families. Significant findings included the following: (1) community context is important; (2) long-term change requires keeping the initiative on the community agenda; and (3) participants must remain focused on ultimate…

In this article, some of the constraints to the design of a feasible integrated, rural community development project in an isolated Third World setting are considered. Constraints to data gathering are considered in terms of reliability, validity, and multidisciplinary team work. (Author/CT)

In this article, the relationship between community economic development and transfer payments is considered. It is argued that fundamental restructuring of society is changing the context for community economic development. Possible local strategies to capture cash transfers are discussed, including successful examples of development based on…

Reports the evaluation results of a leadership development program for rural citizens. Results suggest that (1) one-week training efforts are less effective than longer, more intensive training programs, and (2) more effective programs include both classroom study and on-site exposure to community development practice. (Author/CT)

Evaluation of 78 multicommunity development organizations (MDOs) sharing economic development resources found that MDOs with higher levels of job retention were in areas with low per-capita income and more manufacturing. MDOs with larger staffs and budgets were more successful at job creation and retention. Community size and MDO age also…

Presents a case study of participatory evaluation which suggests an evaluation method which not only provides meaningful data for decision makers but also provides important feedback to the community. Shows the steps leading to self-evaluation workshops and reviews the evaluation methods that were utilized. (Author/CT)