Theories & Best Practices

 Models & Theory: How do we solve community problems?

Our Theory

Solutions to complex community problems require access to broad level information, access to resources, and the inclusion of multiple and diverse community stakeholders. Communities need skilled people in intermediary roles to make critical connections: people to information, people to resources, and people to other people. People in the intermediary role need to employ an advanced level skill, knowledge, and habits in order to make effective and sustainable connections, and, in turn, promote genuine community level solutions.

I-Net

National association of leading education and workforce development organizations working in local communities to ensure the success of students. INet seeks to strengthen and expand the efforts of intermediaries across the country, represent the collective voice of organizations and individuals performing intermediary functions, and promote the importance of intermediary organizations and activities on the public policy agenda. (http://www.intermediarynetwork.org/members/index.html)

Partnership Model

The Partnership Model includes four primary conceptual building blocks: membership, participation, shared responsibility and leadership. These building blocks establish the framework through which community building occurs. Community building methods can then be analyzed using categorical action principles related to agenda building, structure, analysis, ownership, technology and stewardship.

• Agenda Building – Core group puts issue on community agenda
• Structure – Develop structure to involve stakeholders in community building process
• Analysis – Community based research to analyze issue and solutions
• Ownership – Establish community ownership of issue and solution
• Technology – Identify, transfer, and design sound innovation/technology
• Stewardship – Demonstrate accountability, consistency, and constancy in implementing and evaluating the solution