Community Development in Wayne County              

What is Community Development?

Defining community development is challenging since it doesn't neatly fit into a traditional discipline box.  It seeps through and ties together many fields, including economics, sociology, anthropology, and more.  We who work in the field don't help the confusion since we may be engaged in very different activities or operating under different beliefs.  In general, community development can be summarized as activities that seek to help people improve their quality of life. 

In Extension we approach community development from...what else...an educational perspective.  We seek to create educational opportunities for local organizations, governments, and individuals that will ultimately increase the ability...the capacity...of the community to help itself.  Those educational opportunities may be in a traditional classroom setting, but not always.  More often Extension CD staff serve as informal learning facilitators.  We may spend time moderating a discussion, helping a group identify their goals, or providing a local government with resources.  Our primary focus is dealing with change--from adapting to changing conditions to recognizing and taking advantage of opportunities. 

Typical community issues and opportunities include planning; use of new information technologies; economic development; environmental concerns; decaying community infrastructures (such as roads and bridges); and access to medical, recreational and educational services.

What kinds of activities and programs are available?

The short answer is: what do you want?  Community development specialists use a wide range of teaching methods.  We meet with individuals on specific issues, work with existing groups on identifying and effectively reaching their goals, and hold workshops on topics relevant to the local community.   We also serve as a catalyst for community change, helping to created needed organizations, linking groups with similar interests and goals, providing reliable information and resources, and facilitating the development of ideas into projects and activities.

Specific services include:
  Assisting with the collection and analysis of information important to decision-making--such as helping with survey design, providing sources of (or actual) demographic information and other facts, facilitating public discussions, and more

  Facilitating activities that help groups select and implement a course of action, such as strategic planning or goal-setting

  Trainings for boards and other organizational entities (such as Chambers of Commerce or local governments)

  An experience in citizen involvement through the Crossroads Simulation--a 2 - 3 hour game geared towards youth and adults with limited experience dealing with public issues

  Assisting with the use of technology to enhance the local community through the Missouri Express and Community Connections projects

  Leadership development through a new cross-county program (offered for the first time in the fall of 2000).

Hart Environment Data:
Indicators of Sustainability

U.S. Conference of Mayors:
Best Practices of City Governments

Pew Partnership for Civic Change:   Best Practices

Sustainable Communities Network:
Case Studies

USDA Rural Development:
Ideas That Work

University of Missouri-St. Louis Small Business Program
(includes Small Business
Start-Up Kit)

University of Missouri - Office of Social & Economic Data Analysis (OSEDA)

The Chronicle of Philanthropy

Access America for Seniors 

AARP - American Association of Retired Persons

Missouri State Government

Shelterforce Online

Consumer Information Center

IKNOW: Interactive Knowledge for Nonprofits Worldwide: key issues for nonprofits

The NonProfit Gateway

National Center for Small Communities