Describes data derived from a 1979 national evaluation of the Community Resource Development programs of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Extension Service. A reanalysis of the data results in a general model of community development. (NRJ)

This paper explores how to obtain community development goals while operating under the constraints of citizen participation in Federal Programs. Five references. (Author/LY)

Content analysis of journal articles revealed that most authors agree that community decisions should be informed, democratic, and just. Authors disagree, however, about whether community development practitioners should act as advocates. The author provides a guide for making ethical choices concerning advocacy. (Author/CH)

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)

This paper describes a comprehensive, constituent-based evaluation approach that can yield useful information for policymakers, program planners, and administrators. The four stages are specification of constituent network; exploration of significant incentives; design of an incentive system; and assessment of the system. (JOW)

Describes a project that studied seven successful community development projects in order to find basic patterns in leadership, community organization, and action processes. Process patterns were found in several areas, and an awareness of these will be useful to community leaders and developers. (NRJ)

Influencing the location of employment opportunities should become the basic policy for rural development. (LY)

Since there seem to be greater differences among cities and among rural areas than between the two categories, community developers should base their strategies on other criteria, such as education, economic or income levels, decision making patterns, organizational participation, and mobility. (LY)

The author analyzes the challenges facing community development, contrasting the use of its rhetoric with actual practice. He considers the concept and methodology of community development, traces its roots, and explores its potential, particularly in this current period of social and economic crisis. (Author/SK)

Presents a philosophical and theoretical critique of community development's transformation into economic development. Introduces a successful rural revitalization process termed "community encouragement" and integrates a community's traditional values with progressive revitalization plans. (JOW)

Focuses on the issue of selecting the unit of analysis when employing secondary data in rural community studies and provides an empirical demonstration of the influence of selecting one unit of analysis over another. (JOW)

Draws on a wide range of theoretical and empirical literature and community-development experiences to investigate soulful practices within the field. Suggests that it is time to talk openly about soul in community development. (Author)

Groupware was used to survey rural development practitioners and policymakers about professional relationships, skills, and expertise. The software created an inventory of the social and knowledge capital of this community of interest but was not enough to sustain ongoing, active participation. (Contains 42 references.) (SK)