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)

The authors discuss a consumer opinion survey that analyzes local service and retail business activity. The survey identifies where consumers shop and why. Findings provide community development practitioners with information to develop educational programs involving local business management. (Author/CH)

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)

Discusses the value of a state rural policy center and identifies seven policy program areas. Presents the role of community development practitioners in contributing to the development of rural policy initiatives and implications for initiative development. (JOW)

The author, a political candidate, describes campaigns as events allowing citizens to assess candidates' knowledge of community problems. He documents the adversarial nature of a candidate's self-education and explores the relationship of the intellectual content of the political process to community development. (SK)

This paper demonstrates the utility of community development skills, tactics, and strategies within the workplace. The case study addresses the process of uniting the division between the direct care staff and administration in a human service organization through the use of the participatory process. (Author)

One hundred ninety-seven volunteers were surveyed to assess community development knowledge and skill gains and community involvement and community building behavior from participation in a Master Gardener program. Though the program was intended to disseminate horticultural information, it was found to have a serendipitous effect on community…