Method or Strategies for Mobilizing Communities for Self-Financed Projects.

Community mobilization for self-financed projects is a process. This process must be conducted with absolute trust, honesty, and inclusion. The person in charge of the mobilization must listen to the views and opinion of the people in the community and must make them to have a sense of ownership in the process.   Although receiving input from a community can take time, particularly if the person in charge of the mobilization is new to the area. However, listening to the community cannot

be over-emphasized to ensure the project's sustainability and to foster the spirit of community ownership.

The process can take any acceptable pattern provided that at every stage, the community is carried along. The following steps can be applicable in ensuring a successful community mobilization for self-financed projects:

1.    Orienting the Community

The first step in community mobilization is to orient them to the process. This can be done in a number of ways, including written communication, television, radio, or an organized meeting. Meetings are more personal and conducive to building relationships.  They also facilitate two-way communication where questions can be answered efficiently. It is advisable to start these meetings as soon as possible, so that trust and a positive working relationship can be built between parties.

2.    Arrange a meeting

Having the meeting sponsored or hosted by a respected individual or group within the community can add credibility to its agenda. This may happen through a church, school, tribe, or other local group.  Utilizing community leaders also increases the chances of reaching a cross-section of the population and not just a narrow representation. It is essential that all members of the community receive word about the mobilization process and how they can be involved. Outreach to those who are isolated, vulnerable or considered marginal is critical. If they cannot personally attend a meeting, it is important that they be represented in some way.

3.    Define the goals of the meeting

The goals of the meeting must be carefully considered and reflected in the agenda by the person in charge of the mobilization. To ensure effective mobilization, community leaders can provide assistance presenting the information in a culturally appropriate manner. Some of the community leaders may be chosen to convey topics with which they are familiar. During this meeting, it is important to solicit the input of the community. Identify their needs and begin to prioritize how those needs will be met. 

This meeting will be an opportunity to develop an awareness of how important the projects are to the community, how to actualize them and also an opportunity to learn about the strengths and resources of the community. It will be important to define mutual goals and develop a plan as to how to reach these goals. This will include organizing individuals to work together and coordinate services. 

Various people in the community have different capabilities and these capabilities must be factored into action plans and considered when defining goals of a meeting. Community leaders and project workers should ask themselves, ‘What can we reasonably expect to achieve at the end of this meeting?

4.    Develop ongoing ways to communicate

Once goals have been defined and a plan has been developed, it will be important to identify ongoing ways to communicate. Rather than having large meetings, cluster meetings of project staff, community leaders and community members working on similar tasks are more manageable and efficient. The groups should begin team building with all team members (project staff, community leaders and community members). It is vital that marginalized and vulnerable people are included in these teams. Mediation with the community may be required for them to ‘allow’ marginalized or isolated members of their community to participate in a team. 

Work in small teams that include affected people as well as outside helpers. Team leaders should meet daily for sharing of information, planning and coordination. Not all teams will be required for all emergency response projects. Some people may be a member of more than one team.

Important Teams in Community Mobilization for Self-financed Projects

Logistics

• Transport people to work locations;
• Transport supplies to work sites when needed;
• Transport extra supplies to warehouse.

Communication

• Tell the story of the projects to potential donors;
• Tell the story of the response to the church;
• Take pictures of the work;
• Get the story to the press – church, local, national;
• Can be done by someone who is older, disabled, not able to do heavy work.
   

Accounts/ Finance

• Keep clear accounts of all money coming in for the projects ;
• Keep clear record of donors;
• Account for all money spent.  Show receipts for each expenditure;
• Can be done by someone older, disabled or not able to do heavy work,;
• Should be done by a team of local and outside people to increase trust.
   

Project manager

• Assess the requirements of a specific project in the larger projects;
• Plan for equipment, supplies and people needed;
• Request equipment, supplies and people through the coordinator and daily meetings;
• Plan the steps to complete the task.  Monitor budget and activity plans;
• Work with the team to complete the task;
• Communicate with the Coordinator throughout the process.
   

Supply manager

• Keep a constant inventory of supplies available for the projects;
• Prepare supplies for delivery to sites;
• Purchase supplies requested if approved by coordinator and finance;
• Should be trustworthy and a good organizer.
   

Tool manager

• Care for tools that are available for use on the projects;
• Sign tools out for projects and sign them back in when returned;
• Make sure that tools are working and in good repair;
• Can be done by someone not able to go out to work at sites.
   

Volunteer coordinator

• Recruit people for emergency response (community members, outside helpers);
• Keep track of people, skills and availability;
• Contact people for jobs as needed;
• Thank volunteers for helping;
• Can be done by someone who is not able to do heavy work;
• Should be a person who is calm and gracious.
   

Kitchen

• Provide coffee, tea, refreshments for workers;
• Depending on the projects, provide meals for workers, or local community if needed;
• Can be asked to provide emergency meals;
• Can be done by local volunteers or a local business that is willing to cooperate;
• Should be included in coordination meetings for best results.
   

Pastoral Care team

• Provide comfort and hope;
• May pray with and for the needs of people;
• Answer questions that arise from the project, such as why there are tragedies;
• Keep company with those in distress;
• May provide worship or prayer meeting for workers at beginning or end of day;
• Can be done by a pastor / priest or someone they appoint.

Psychosocial team

• Provide psychological ‘first aid’ to victims or workers as needed;
• Organize community meetings to assist in support and problem solving at community level;
• Can organize activities for children or people who are displaced;
• Work as advocates for people’s emotional and social needs;
• Support families as they plan their next steps.
   

Team co-ordinator(s)

Designate team coordinators to be responsible for the following:

• Make it possible for teams to do their work;
• Facilitate communication between work teams – meetings, messages, reports;
• Manage conflicts – mediate;
• Manage power struggles – recognise;
• Care for staff, volunteers;
• Ensure openness and transparency;
• Be an obliging leader.