Difference between revisions of "Community Development Network"

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[[File:Shane-rounce-DNkoNXQti3c-unsplash sm.jpg|thumb|Photo: Many different hands placed on a log, by [https://unsplash.com/photos/DNkoNXQti3c Shane Rounce on Unsplash]]]
 
[[File:Shane-rounce-DNkoNXQti3c-unsplash sm.jpg|thumb|Photo: Many different hands placed on a log, by [https://unsplash.com/photos/DNkoNXQti3c Shane Rounce on Unsplash]]]
 
This public page is a work in progress and will be updated with information that participants have consensus on. For issues yet to be discussed, they will be in Google Docs that are accessible only to participants.
 
This public page is a work in progress and will be updated with information that participants have consensus on. For issues yet to be discussed, they will be in Google Docs that are accessible only to participants.
 +
 +
Attend the [https://communitynetworksg.wordpress.com/community-forum-2020/ Community Forum 2020]
  
 
Request to join our [https://www.facebook.com/groups/848734845497116/ Facebook Group - Community Development Network SG]  
 
Request to join our [https://www.facebook.com/groups/848734845497116/ Facebook Group - Community Development Network SG]  
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Look here for our repository of useful articles and information - [https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1ckJEsGOmF42fkfkLBFU40okO1pqvu0NR Google Drive]
 
Look here for our repository of useful articles and information - [https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1ckJEsGOmF42fkfkLBFU40okO1pqvu0NR Google Drive]
  
== Purpose ==
+
==Purpose==
 
 
=== Vision  ===
 
 
 
Insert vision statement
 
 
 
===Mission===
 
Insert mission statement
 
 
 
=== Objectives ===
 
Insert objectives
 
  
 
===Opportunities for Collaboration===
 
===Opportunities for Collaboration===
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[https://docs.google.com/document/d/1HrHykpT-WEoER8nyY5Vk7Ehunmt0J_yb_Y39qkm09ac/edit?usp=sharing Creating a Shared Knowledge Base] - to collate and make sense of information about community development (best practices, case studies, research etc) that is relevant to practitioners, organisations and policymakers.
 
[https://docs.google.com/document/d/1HrHykpT-WEoER8nyY5Vk7Ehunmt0J_yb_Y39qkm09ac/edit?usp=sharing Creating a Shared Knowledge Base] - to collate and make sense of information about community development (best practices, case studies, research etc) that is relevant to practitioners, organisations and policymakers.
 
[https://docs.google.com/document/d/1bJhSSd3GiSwlVB7eCpMHnwxHUqaXqHGXxtZLMSrUK6o/edit?usp=sharing Community Festival / Forum 2019] - to co-organise, co-design a forum about the community, for the community and by the community
 
 
(If you want to insert a project here to solicit for inputs or collaboration, please request for a user id and password by sending an email to justin.lee@nus.edu.sg)
 
  
 
[https://docs.google.com/document/d/1FRRnB8mLHBS6e-XXnwtb3Y04IGs2N9n1unJdtlHze0U/edit#heading=h.kmtlfrc9cbzy Community Fellows] - to conduct solutions-focused research together with their communities
 
[https://docs.google.com/document/d/1FRRnB8mLHBS6e-XXnwtb3Y04IGs2N9n1unJdtlHze0U/edit#heading=h.kmtlfrc9cbzy Community Fellows] - to conduct solutions-focused research together with their communities
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[https://docs.google.com/document/d/1PVyLWf1B4FfnCygBvb0lB-9muYi7yoBExDgqDuPqsRw/edit?usp=sharing Community Currency] - concept paper to start a local exchange trading system / community currency
 
[https://docs.google.com/document/d/1PVyLWf1B4FfnCygBvb0lB-9muYi7yoBExDgqDuPqsRw/edit?usp=sharing Community Currency] - concept paper to start a local exchange trading system / community currency
  
=== General Guiding Principles ===
+
===General Guiding Principles===
==== Openness sustained by trust, and balanced by integrity ====
+
====Openness sustained by trust, and balanced by integrity====
 
The network should be a safe space for participants to share honest views and constructive feedback. Openness creates vulnerability too, so it should be sustained by trust and integrity among participants, so that new or diverse ways of thinking are not dampened.
 
The network should be a safe space for participants to share honest views and constructive feedback. Openness creates vulnerability too, so it should be sustained by trust and integrity among participants, so that new or diverse ways of thinking are not dampened.
  
==== Consensus-driven balanced by respect for diverse viewpoints ====
+
====Consensus-driven balanced by respect for diverse viewpoints====
 
Through dialogue, participants should aspire to consensus on network matters. Where there is disagreement and collective decisions need to be made, voting can be the less preferred option.
 
Through dialogue, participants should aspire to consensus on network matters. Where there is disagreement and collective decisions need to be made, voting can be the less preferred option.
  
==== Contributions should be participant-led and strengths-based ====
+
====Contributions should be participant-led and strengths-based====
 
Network matters should be defined and led by participants themselves, tapping into their areas of expertise.
 
Network matters should be defined and led by participants themselves, tapping into their areas of expertise.
  
 
Everyone is encouraged to propose and take on projects or activities, and the network should reduce barriers to initiating and mobilising participation where possible.
 
Everyone is encouraged to propose and take on projects or activities, and the network should reduce barriers to initiating and mobilising participation where possible.
  
==== Fun and informality ====
+
====Fun and informality====
 
The network should be fun because community is built upon informal relationships and we should invest in those relationships.
 
The network should be fun because community is built upon informal relationships and we should invest in those relationships.
  
 
(Note: These are working principles and will be reviewed and refined as we go along. Possibly new ones will be introduced and old ones removed. They will also be up- or down-voted by participants so that the most relevant ones go to the top, indicating a sense of priority. Guiding principles are only useful to the extent that they are useful reminders to achieve core ideals we tend to forget or overcome key habits we find hard to break; they are less useful when internalise them or already take them as given. They also become more useful when they articulate the relationship to alternative or competing values, providing an indication of how these conflicts might be resolved)
 
(Note: These are working principles and will be reviewed and refined as we go along. Possibly new ones will be introduced and old ones removed. They will also be up- or down-voted by participants so that the most relevant ones go to the top, indicating a sense of priority. Guiding principles are only useful to the extent that they are useful reminders to achieve core ideals we tend to forget or overcome key habits we find hard to break; they are less useful when internalise them or already take them as given. They also become more useful when they articulate the relationship to alternative or competing values, providing an indication of how these conflicts might be resolved)
  
==== Share unpolished work early ====
+
====Share unpolished work early====
 
"Waiting too long on “polish” can slow down the process of getting to the best idea. Encouraging the sharing of unfinished work creates a new social norm." If there is a culture where unpolished work is deemed as unprofessional, people will wait to share work until it’s near-perfect. But because it’s so far along, people may provide frivolous platitudes instead of feedback on the core idea. The initial idea keeps steamrolling ahead, irrespective of quality. Much better if you encourage people to share work that’s in progress and a little rough. [paraphrased from this [https://www.fastcompany.com/90414459/3-ways-to-improve-teamwork-in-the-workplace?utm_campaign=eem524%3A524%3As00%3A20191013_fc&utm_medium=Compass&utm_source=newsletter article]]
 
"Waiting too long on “polish” can slow down the process of getting to the best idea. Encouraging the sharing of unfinished work creates a new social norm." If there is a culture where unpolished work is deemed as unprofessional, people will wait to share work until it’s near-perfect. But because it’s so far along, people may provide frivolous platitudes instead of feedback on the core idea. The initial idea keeps steamrolling ahead, irrespective of quality. Much better if you encourage people to share work that’s in progress and a little rough. [paraphrased from this [https://www.fastcompany.com/90414459/3-ways-to-improve-teamwork-in-the-workplace?utm_campaign=eem524%3A524%3As00%3A20191013_fc&utm_medium=Compass&utm_source=newsletter article]]
  
=== Network Membership Rules ===
+
===Network Membership Rules===
  
===== Radical Inclusion, For Now =====
+
=====Radical Inclusion, For Now=====
 
Currently, we operate on a 'radical inclusion' basis where we accept anyone who is referred by a member. We will post an update for member inputs if we ever come across requests to include people who might create some discomfort. At Meet-Up 3, we agreed that we will continue to do this until it poses a problem of some sort--e.g. if it dilutes the value or fragments the network in some way--then we will review this policy.
 
Currently, we operate on a 'radical inclusion' basis where we accept anyone who is referred by a member. We will post an update for member inputs if we ever come across requests to include people who might create some discomfort. At Meet-Up 3, we agreed that we will continue to do this until it poses a problem of some sort--e.g. if it dilutes the value or fragments the network in some way--then we will review this policy.
  
== Network Events for 2020 ==
+
<br />
 +
 
 +
==Network Events for 2023==
 +
<br />
 +
 
 +
=== Meet-up 18 - Yishun ===
 +
'''Date''': August (TBC)
 +
 
 +
'''Venue''': TBC
 +
 
 +
'''Proposed Agenda''':
 +
 
 +
* Understand Diverse Yishun Organizations engaged in Community Work and Explore Collaborations (or Just Make Friends) [1.5 hour]
 +
 
 +
* [[Roving Community Innovation Lab]] – Request for another host organisation so that we can bring the lab to your locality. We have tentative plans to try it with Tzu Chi Humanistic Youth Centre, but I need another host because my Jurong hosts got too busy to do it anytime soon. May also work with NUS Comms and New Media Students who may lend their help as part of their Comms for Social Change module. [10 mins]
 +
* Background about [https://futurereadysociety.sg/abundant-community-initiative-giving-circles/ Giving Circles] and request for applicants to apply to be [https://futurereadysociety.sg/action-fellow-application/ Action Fellow] to drive this initiative together with NVPC+IPS+LKYCIC. [10 mins]
 +
* [awaiting suggestions of other items]
 +
 
 +
 
 +
<br />
 +
 
 +
===Meet-up 17 - Yoga in the Park / Update and Re-group===
 +
'''Date''': 15, 17, 22 or 31 May (depends on Doodle poll)
 +
 
 +
'''Proposed Agenda''': 1 hour yoga, then general updates and catch-up
 +
<br />
 +
==Network Events for 2022==
 +
<br />
 +
 
 +
===Meet-up 16 - Year of End Gathering===
 +
'''Date:''' Doodle Poll
 +
 
 +
'''Time:''' 2-4pm
 +
 
 +
'''Proposed Agenda:'''
 +
 
 +
*Dancing in the Dark (30 mins) - proposed by Justin, and will be operated by his brother
 +
 
 +
Come and dance like nobody is watching—because nobody ''can'' in almost total darkness.
 +
 
 +
Dancing used to be a natural way of expressing joy at hearing music. Professionals have stylised these movements, created standards and  determined what kinds of bodies can dance. Now dancing is mostly performance and posturing. There are norms on who should be doing what kind of dance, and how they should look, dress and move while participating.
 +
 
 +
What if we took that judgment away? What if we could participate in collective joy again?
 +
 
 +
Come for a 30 min dancing in the dark social experiment. Come dressed in comfortable clothes. Bring the young, the old and the awkward.
 +
 
 +
[Concept inspired by/stolen from [https://www.nolightsnolycra.com/ No Lights No Lycra]]
 +
 
 +
*Participatory Budgeting at Town Council 30 mins - proposed by Justin
 +
 
 +
There is an opportunity to do this, and just need to find an MP who might be keen to take this on. Looking for feedback to the concept, and also connections to possible partners/connections you can refer me to.
 +
 
 +
<br />
 +
===Meet-up 15 - Hosted by Kwek Li Yong @ My Community===
 +
<big>'''SIGN UP HERE''':</big>
 +
 
 +
<big>https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdquCPcLhq-0iVHlgcwhy8om7XiL325b_-x5xXrL7u-Ozm3ig/viewform?usp=sf_link</big>
 +
 
 +
Date - '''25 June 2022'''
 +
 
 +
Time - '''7.30pm to 9.30pm'''
 +
 
 +
Venue - '''Museum @ My Queenstown'''
 +
 
 +
'''46-3 Commonwealth Drive #01-388'''
 +
 
 +
'''Singapore 140463'''
 +
 
 +
 
 +
'''Agenda'''
 +
 
 +
*Get to know how [https://mycommunity.org.sg/about/ My Community] does cultural asset mapping, elicit stories from residents, organise tours, 'co-curate' a museum and why they have been extraordinarily successful in attracting young professional volunteers to unearth the heritage of a local community.
 +
*Is 'Hello Dawson' Programme by My Community and [https://www.ourbetterworld.org/about-crt Cassia Resettlement Team] doing what is known as '[https://lacnetwork.org/local-area-coordination/ Local Area Coordination]'? Kwek Li Yong (My Community) and Lim Jingzhou (Cassia Resettlement Team) will discuss how their work may be similar or different (eg regular flat vs rental flats), informally facilitated by Justin Lee.
 +
 
 +
"Our Hello Dawson! team is helping more than 1000 elderly, low-income and physically disabled residents affected by the Selective En bloc Redevelopment Scheme (SERS) in Tanglin Halt relocate to Dawson. Join us if you have a heart for others, and would like to befriend our Tanglin Halt residents."
 +
 
 +
https://mycommunity.org.sg/volunteer-teams/<br />
 +
 
 +
*Any other issues participants want to discuss
 +
 
 +
===Meet-up 14===
 +
Date - '''27''' '''Apr 2022'''
 +
 
 +
Time - '''2-4pm'''
 +
 
 +
Venue '''- IPS'''
 +
 
 +
'''Agenda'''
 +
 
 +
*Having a '''<nowiki/>'community work clinic' (?''') to practice/train facilitation skills in conducting community meeting/community arts project and also discuss ethics of practice (eg sharing info). [Izzaty/Shiyun] (This was proposed at last round but we didn't have time to get to it)
 +
*'''Paying community members to do research''' '''and information gathering for us?''' Eg, collating and archiving the community or community arts initiatives in Singapore (as Izzaty suggested previously). I'm quite happy to part with small sums of my own money for this, and maybe this is a supplementary source of income for community members who need it? One possibility is to help populate our [[Community Development|wiki page on community development]], which needs a proper update so that we can better tap into the collective intelligence of everyone here. [Justin]
 +
*Inputs on a '''Community-Driven Basic Income''' Concept -- Since Basic Income is unlikely here, how about a community-led version where 10-20 families provide financial support (and other forms of support) to one low-income family and top-up to whatever the income benchmark is for that family to meet its basic needs. [Justin]
 +
*Inputs for '''Non-Profit Conference''' organised by IPS & ToteBoard, theme is "Solutions that Help Us Help One Another" and the focus is on 1) mutual aid, contributing to the commons; 2) new ways of organising social care and social change through cooperatives; and 3) peer-to-peer or collaborative forms of learning that help to unlock a community’s learning capacity. [Justin]
 +
 
 +
<br />
 +
 
 +
===Meet-up 13===
 +
Date - '''16 Feb 2022'''
 +
 
 +
Time - '''2-3.30pm'''
 +
 
 +
Venue - Via Zoom
 +
 
 +
See [https://docs.google.com/document/d/1QjnUcCGNKnMJHc695eMg6NaTO8fl0PyyjiwaQgDnunA/edit?usp=sharing HERE] for notes
 +
 
 +
'''Agenda'''
 +
 
 +
1. Kangli's doctoral research on civil participation in Singapore- "Builders of Our New (?) Society: Civil Participation in Singapore and the Impact of COVID-19"
 +
 
 +
2. White Paper on Community Development.
 +
 
 +
*Hana update on her findings from research project with SMU students
 +
*Peiyi update on follow-up research
 +
*Kangli's suggestion to use action research or CBPR. "It has always been on my heart to do evaluative research on the different forms of community development in SG, especially those of informal ground-up movements. I think it would be a good addition to the White Paper. It could be CPBR or action research, rather than a traditional top-down approaches."
 +
*Terence's suggestion to "do a broad survey of community developers out there. We could look at it as a spectrum, suggesting trends, common methods or interest to cater to our target readership. By starting the ball rolling, more persons/groups who identify as community developers/aid might surface".
 +
*Khadijah: "Love the idea of the promotion or rather showcasing the citizen/community lead ground up initiatives - plenty had sprouted during the pandemic. Coincidentally A Good Space had reached out and shared their new initiative [Listening Living Labs] that seeks to build on the collaboration among the various entities in the Mind The Gap Collective" [Justin: I've been roped in to their Labs as well, and we can work with them in some way for sure, once we figure out what we want to do]
 +
*Justin: I can offer the support of socialcollab, this wiki itself, and get students to do a wikithon, plus pull together a knowledge management framework to help us make collective sense of the information we have so far, prioritize our knowledge gaps and discuss what areas require more investigation.
 +
 
 +
3. Shiyun: How information about the community members (shared voluntarily by the members themselves) is organized and shared among community workers, in terms of methods and in terms of ethics. [Izzaty adds: "I feel I take such cautiousness for granted and want to understand how consent looks in community development."] 
 +
 
 +
4. Izzaty: 
 +
 
 +
*Methods of Archiving Community Arts For Community?
 +
*Having a circle to practice/train facilitation skills in conducting community meeting/community arts project or anything to do with rallying!
 +
 
 +
5. Community Forum 2022? To do or not? And if so, in what form?
 +
 
 +
6. Do Something Together?
 +
 
 +
==Network Events for 2021==
 +
 
 +
===Meet-up 12===
 +
Date - '''30 Sep 2021'''
 +
 
 +
Time - '''3-5pm'''
 +
 
 +
Venue - via Zoom
 +
 
 +
===Meet-up 11: Welcome to CDN, Tsao Foundation===
 +
Date - '''4 Aug 2021'''
 +
 
 +
Time - '''3-5pm'''
 +
 
 +
Venue - via Zoom
 +
 
 +
'''Agenda & Discussion Notes'''
 +
 
 +
#Hana Alhadad - Research Project with SMU Public Policy Task Force that will become Community Development White Paper (15 mins)
 +
#Community Forum Circle would like to share some initial ideas with the community and get their feedback (20 mins)
 +
#Feedback on Vision, Organizational Structure and Forward Plans of CDN (30 mins)
 +
#Tsao Foundation's experience using realist evaluation of their community engagement programmes / Survey on learning interest in realist evaluation (10-15 mins)
 +
 
 +
===Meet-up 10: White Paper and Community Fellowships===
 +
Date - '''4 May 2021'''
 +
 
 +
Time - 10am -12 noon
 +
 
 +
Venue - '''via Zoom'''
 +
 
 +
'''Agenda & Discussion Notes'''
 +
 
 +
#Forming a central circle and subcircles for CDN
 +
#Community Development White Paper (Hana, Justin)
 +
#Update on Ngee Ann Kongsi-IPS Community Fellows (Justin)
 +
 
 +
===Meet-up 9: Reflections on Community Forum===
 +
Date - '''5 Jan 2021'''
 +
 
 +
Time - '''3-4pm'''
 +
 
 +
Venue - '''via Zoom'''
 +
 
 +
'''Agenda & Discussion Notes'''
 +
 
 +
#Reflections on Community Forum 2020, CDN as a whole, and aspirations for this year<br />[Watch out for a link to the notes]
 +
 
 +
==Network Events for 2020==
 +
----
  
=== Meet-up 8 ===
+
===Community Forum 2020===
Date - '''TBC'''  
+
Date - '''6 - 21 Nov 2020'''
  
Time - '''TBC''' 
+
See [https://communitynetworksg.wordpress.com/community-forum-2020/ Community Forum 2020] and [https://communitynetworksg.wordpress.com/2020/10/26/what-to-attend-at-community-forum-2020/ summary of what to attend]
 +
----
  
Venue -  '''via Zoom'''  
+
===Meet-up 8: on Zoom===
 +
Date -  '''2 July 2020'''  
  
==== Agenda ====
+
Time - '''2-4pm''' 
  
 +
Venue -  '''via Zoom'''
  
== Network Events for 2019 ==
+
'''Agenda & Discussion Notes'''
 +
 
 +
#Helping Ubin residents with accessibility needs reach their polling station, shared by Jodie from Artsolute.
 +
#*Voting station for Ubin residents is at SUTD, quite a distance
 +
#*There are 3-4 wheelchair users and other seniors with accessibility needs, making a total of about 20
 +
#*Will request for volunteers, transportation sponsors later on if existing channels don't deliver
 +
#Requests for human library volunteer and ideas for [https://www.facebook.com/events/nvpc-towards-a-city-of-good/national-day-ground-up-party-2019/351630465731935/ National Day Ground Up Party], shared by Hilda of OpenJio.
 +
#*Those who want to offer themselves as a human 'book' please approach Hilda
 +
#*Those who have interesting ideas and activities as part of the festivities also approach her
 +
#Soliciting for ideas on the types of volunteering activities to do online, as well as establishing trust and maintaining engagement online, shared by Xinwei of Singapore Children's Society.
 +
#*Difficult to engage online because may not have prior relationships with certain volunteers or donors face to face before.
 +
#*Suggestions include: play online games, or use Tik Tok, which work well with youth.
 +
#Organising [https://docs.google.com/document/d/1bJhSSd3GiSwlVB7eCpMHnwxHUqaXqHGXxtZLMSrUK6o/edit?usp=sharing Community Forum 2020], shared by Justin
 +
#*Generally agreeble to have ground-up way of organising Forum where co-organisers take the lead and make independent decisions on specific segments
 +
#*A coordinating committee and set of documents will be shared with those who want to co-organise and plan
 +
 
 +
 
 +
==Network Events for 2019==
 
----
 
----
  
=== Meet-up 7: South Central Community Family Service Centre ===
+
===Meet-up 7: South Central Community Family Service Centre===
 
Date -  '''4 February 2020'''  
 
Date -  '''4 February 2020'''  
  
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Venue -  '''South Central Community Family Service Centre'''  
 
Venue -  '''South Central Community Family Service Centre'''  
  
Address - '''Blk 5 Delta Ave, #01-09, Singapore 160005'''
+
Address - '''Blk 5 Delta Ave, #01-09, Singapore 160005'''
  
==== Agenda ====
+
'''Agenda'''
# Possibility conversations (Justin, IPS) (see [https://docs.google.com/document/d/1AXnQEzLdY7KglOCzJh3SXwLQFVHfCx79VUOX_uuwFRU/edit?usp=sharing link] to discussion at CDN 6 on what this is) & Sharing of reflections and dreams (Vincent)
+
 
# Circle of Influence by Chris
+
#Possibility conversations (Justin, IPS) (see [https://docs.google.com/document/d/1AXnQEzLdY7KglOCzJh3SXwLQFVHfCx79VUOX_uuwFRU/edit?usp=sharing link] to discussion at CDN 6 on what this is) & Sharing of reflections and dreams (Vincent)
# Update on Ubin by Terence  
+
#Circle of Influence by Chris
# Update on [https://docs.google.com/document/d/1bJhSSd3GiSwlVB7eCpMHnwxHUqaXqHGXxtZLMSrUK6o/edit# Community Forum 2020 / Learning Festival] -- open to collaboration with interested parties; looks like October works for IPS, what about others who are interested? (Justin / Gerard)
+
#Update on Ubin by Terence
# [https://serve.sg/ Serve.sg] beta -- skilled volunteer matching platform has been soft-launched and we are looking for guinea pigs to try so that we can refine the system (Justin, Serve.sg)
+
#Update on [https://docs.google.com/document/d/1bJhSSd3GiSwlVB7eCpMHnwxHUqaXqHGXxtZLMSrUK6o/edit# Community Forum 2020 / Learning Festival] -- open to collaboration with interested parties; looks like October works for IPS, what about others who are interested? (Justin / Gerard)
# [[Civic Experiment & Wiki Challenge]] -- call for inputs & participation (Justin, socialcollab.sg)
+
#[https://serve.sg/ Serve.sg] beta -- skilled volunteer matching platform has been soft-launched and we are looking for guinea pigs to try so that we can refine the system (Justin, Serve.sg)
 +
#[[Civic Experiment & Wiki Challenge]] -- call for inputs & participation (Justin, socialcollab.sg)
  
 
----
 
----
  
=== Meet-up 6: Ngee Ann Poly ===
+
===Meet-up 6: Ngee Ann Poly===
 
<br />Date - '''15''' '''November 2019 (Confirmed)'''
 
<br />Date - '''15''' '''November 2019 (Confirmed)'''
  
Line 107: Line 293:
 
Hosted and made possible by Mathew Wong, Head of Programme for Community Development Diploma, Ngee Ann Poly.     
 
Hosted and made possible by Mathew Wong, Head of Programme for Community Development Diploma, Ngee Ann Poly.     
  
==== Agenda ====
+
'''Agenda'''
# Ngee Ann Poly's Diploma in Community Development - (Matthew Wong, Head of Programme)
+
 
# Project developments & inputs: Community Fund, Community Festival & Community Fellows - (Justin Lee)
+
#Ngee Ann Poly's Diploma in Community Development - (Matthew Wong, Head of Programme)
# Possible presentation on community development by interested parties at SSR's Seminar Series - (Justin on behalf of SSR) [They say it is very well attended]
+
#Project developments & inputs: Community Fund, Community Festival & Community Fellows - (Justin Lee)
# Discuss whether CDN is ready to articulate collective objectives, membership rules and associational norms - (See [https://www.facebook.com/groups/848734845497116/permalink/910440462659887/ Chris Teo's post] )
+
#Possible presentation on community development by interested parties at SSR's Seminar Series - (Justin on behalf of SSR) [They say it is very well attended]
# Presentation and sign up for a Community Trail in Pulau Ubin - (Terence Tan and Jodi Thiele of [https://www.artsolute.asia/ Artsolute] ‪)  
+
#Discuss whether CDN is ready to articulate collective objectives, membership rules and associational norms - (See [https://www.facebook.com/groups/848734845497116/permalink/910440462659887/ Chris Teo's post] )
# Insights on Community Development in Singapore - (Abhishek Bajaj)  
+
#Presentation and sign up for a Community Trail in Pulau Ubin - (Terence Tan and Jodi Thiele of [https://www.artsolute.asia/ Artsolute] ‪)
# Any Other Business  
+
#Insights on Community Development in Singapore - (Abhishek Bajaj)
 +
#Any Other Business
 +
 
 +
 
 +
'''What Was Discussed'''
 +
 
 +
*See this [https://docs.google.com/document/d/1AXnQEzLdY7KglOCzJh3SXwLQFVHfCx79VUOX_uuwFRU/edit?usp=sharing link] for notes.
  
==== What Was Discussed ====
 
* See this [https://docs.google.com/document/d/1AXnQEzLdY7KglOCzJh3SXwLQFVHfCx79VUOX_uuwFRU/edit?usp=sharing link] for notes. 
 
 
----
 
----
  
=== Meet-up 5: "Who is afraid of community development?" ===
+
===Meet-up 5: "Who is afraid of community development?"===
 
<br />Date - '''12 October 2019 (Sat)'''
 
<br />Date - '''12 October 2019 (Sat)'''
  
Line 131: Line 321:
 
Hosted and made possible by - '''ArtsWok Collaborative''', as part of their [https://www.facebook.com/thegreenhouseseries Greenhouse Series]. ArtsWok says they are open to co-facilitation with partners.  
 
Hosted and made possible by - '''ArtsWok Collaborative''', as part of their [https://www.facebook.com/thegreenhouseseries Greenhouse Series]. ArtsWok says they are open to co-facilitation with partners.  
  
==== Agenda ====
+
'''Agenda'''
# See https://www.facebook.com/events/2427241927519582/
+
 
 +
#See https://www.facebook.com/events/2427241927519582/
 +
 
 
----
 
----
  
=== Meet-up 4: Frank Früchtel on "The Value of Dependency in Community & Community Work" ===
+
===Meet-up 4: Frank Früchtel on "The Value of Dependency in Community & Community Work"===
 
<br />Date - '''6 September 2019 (Friday)'''
 
<br />Date - '''6 September 2019 (Friday)'''
  
Line 146: Line 338:
 
Hosted and made possible by - '''Beyond Social Services'''
 
Hosted and made possible by - '''Beyond Social Services'''
  
==== Agenda ====
+
'''Agenda'''
# Talk by Frank Früchtel on "The value of dependency in community and community work" (30 to 45 mins) followed by a discussion and interaction. Frank is the Dean for Social and Educational Sciences at the Potsdam University of Applied Sciences.
+
 
# Any Other Business  
+
#Talk by Frank Früchtel on "The value of dependency in community and community work" (30 to 45 mins) followed by a discussion and interaction. Frank is the Dean for Social and Educational Sciences at the Potsdam University of Applied Sciences.
 +
#Any Other Business
  
==== "The Value of Dependency in Community and Community Work" by Frank Früchtel ====
+
===="The Value of Dependency in Community and Community Work" by Frank Früchtel====
 
See notes here:
 
See notes here:
  
Line 156: Line 349:
 
----
 
----
  
=== Meet-up 3: "Meanings of community & community work" ===
+
===Meet-up 3: "Meanings of community & community work"===
 
<br />Date - '''30 August 2019 (Friday)'''
 
<br />Date - '''30 August 2019 (Friday)'''
  
Line 165: Line 358:
 
Facilitated by - '''Abhishek Bajaj'''
 
Facilitated by - '''Abhishek Bajaj'''
  
==== Agenda ====
+
'''Agenda'''
# The personal meanings of community & community work to members (Abishek Bajaj)
+
 
# Su-Lin on Oct Meet-Up
+
#The personal meanings of community & community work to members (Abishek Bajaj)
# Sharing by Bee Leng & Hana on MSF's Comm Dev Framework
+
#Su-Lin on Oct Meet-Up
# NVPC to share about 'Community Matters' initiative to map out what makes a good community and develop a framework (Grace, Joel)
+
#Sharing by Bee Leng & Hana on MSF's Comm Dev Framework
# Agree on the scope of the Participatory Research Project, timelines, responsibilities and implementation (Hana + Justin)
+
#NVPC to share about 'Community Matters' initiative to map out what makes a good community and develop a framework (Grace, Joel)
# Opportunity to run experiential workshop for SBFF's 'CSR in Action' (Justin)
+
#Agree on the scope of the Participatory Research Project, timelines, responsibilities and implementation (Hana + Justin)
 +
#Opportunity to run experiential workshop for SBFF's 'CSR in Action' (Justin)
  
==== What Was Discussed ====
+
'''What Was Discussed'''
* Abhishek facilitated a dialogue session to elicit views about the meanings and values of community work and how that intersects with individual identity and experiences.
+
 
* ArtsWok agreed to Host Meet-Up 5 (Oct 12) as art of their Greenhouse session.
+
*Abhishek facilitated a dialogue session to elicit views about the meanings and values of community work and how that intersects with individual identity and experiences.
* Su-Lin also said that MOH Transformation Team (something like an innovation unit) would like to join CDN. They care about healthy living and community development and would like to come and see if there are any synergies with the groups here. Explore the relationship between the Health and Social sectors. She wanted to see what the network felt about including them.
+
*ArtsWok agreed to Host Meet-Up 5 (Oct 12) as art of their Greenhouse session.
* [Network rule] Currently, we operate on a 'radical inclusion' basis where we accept anyone who is referred by a member. We will post an update for member inputs if we ever come across requests to include people who might create some discomfort.We agreed that we will continue to do this until it poses a problem of some sort--e.g. if it dilutes the value or fragments the network in some way--then we will revisit this policy.
+
*Su-Lin also said that MOH Transformation Team (something like an innovation unit) would like to join CDN. They care about healthy living and community development and would like to come and see if there are any synergies with the groups here. Explore the relationship between the Health and Social sectors. She wanted to see what the network felt about including them.
* Ng Bee Leng and Hana shared about their roles and experience in MSF’s ongoing consultation for developing guide on community work for FSCs. See [https://docs.google.com/document/d/1PWctTEn08FOw_LmN8Ndgqhgu2VokuoF-GTlqQXQZVn8/edit?usp=sharing summary here]. '''Request''': The committee is looking for people to be part of this consultation process, through cluster conversations, or even step up as facilitators of that process. Contact Ng Bee Leng (AMKFSC) if interested.
+
*[Network rule] Currently, we operate on a 'radical inclusion' basis where we accept anyone who is referred by a member. We will post an update for member inputs if we ever come across requests to include people who might create some discomfort.We agreed that we will continue to do this until it poses a problem of some sort--e.g. if it dilutes the value or fragments the network in some way--then we will revisit this policy.
* NVPC shared the objectives and process of the [https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1ckJEsGOmF42fkfkLBFU40okO1pqvu0NR Community Matters Series] - 5 sessions of dialogue / research will run from 25 Sep - 16 Jan 2020. Broadly speaking, the goal is to arrive at insights about community development for community developers. '''Request''': Participation or as co-facilitators. Contact Grace at 96345511 or graceannchua@nvpc.org.sg
+
*Ng Bee Leng and Hana shared about their roles and experience in MSF’s ongoing consultation for developing guide on community work for FSCs. See [https://docs.google.com/document/d/1PWctTEn08FOw_LmN8Ndgqhgu2VokuoF-GTlqQXQZVn8/edit?usp=sharing summary here]. '''Request''': The committee is looking for people to be part of this consultation process, through cluster conversations, or even step up as facilitators of that process. Contact Ng Bee Leng (AMKFSC) if interested.
* [IMMEDIATE – by December] Hana’s $4k faculty development fund. '''Offer''': you can use this to collect data from community developers in Singapore (by December) – refreshments, vouchers & transportation cost (can defray costs for others interested to do research).
+
*NVPC shared the objectives and process of the [https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1ckJEsGOmF42fkfkLBFU40okO1pqvu0NR Community Matters Series] - 5 sessions of dialogue / research will run from 25 Sep - 16 Jan 2020. Broadly speaking, the goal is to arrive at insights about community development for community developers. '''Request''': Participation or as co-facilitators. Contact Grace at 96345511 or graceannchua@nvpc.org.sg
* [Future plan] To write a white paper on community development, define it, map out landscape, understand needs and challenges in Singapore, present collective positions where there is consensus and make policy recommendations.
+
*[IMMEDIATE – by December] Hana’s $4k faculty development fund. '''Offer''': you can use this to collect data from community developers in Singapore (by December) – refreshments, vouchers & transportation cost (can defray costs for others interested to do research).
* SBBF's CSR in Action: Various organisations that expressed interest will be connected to SBBF.
+
*[Future plan] To write a white paper on community development, define it, map out landscape, understand needs and challenges in Singapore, present collective positions where there is consensus and make policy recommendations.
 +
*SBBF's CSR in Action: Various organisations that expressed interest will be connected to SBBF.
  
 
(Members in Google Group at this time = 90)
 
(Members in Google Group at this time = 90)
Line 188: Line 383:
 
----
 
----
  
=== Meet-up 2: Let's Get to Know One Another First + Organise a Community Festival?===
+
===Meet-up 2: Let's Get to Know One Another First + Organise a Community Festival?===
 
<br />Date - '''30 July 2019 (Tuesday)'''
 
<br />Date - '''30 July 2019 (Tuesday)'''
  
 
Time - '''2.00 pm - 5.00 pm'''
 
Time - '''2.00 pm - 5.00 pm'''
  
Venue - Meeting Room, '''Institute of Policy Studies''', 1 C Cluny Road, House 5 S(259599)
+
'''Venue - Meeting Room, Institute of Policy Studies, 1 C Cluny Road, House 5 S(259599)'''
 +
 
 +
'''Agenda'''
  
==== Agenda ====
+
#Getting to Know One Another - 20 mins
# Getting to Know One Another - 20 mins  
+
#Co-Design and Collaborate on [https://docs.google.com/document/d/1bJhSSd3GiSwlVB7eCpMHnwxHUqaXqHGXxtZLMSrUK6o/edit?usp=sharing Community Festival / Forum] (so far: IPS & Beyond Social Services) - 1 hour
# Co-Design and Collaborate on [https://docs.google.com/document/d/1bJhSSd3GiSwlVB7eCpMHnwxHUqaXqHGXxtZLMSrUK6o/edit?usp=sharing Community Festival / Forum] (so far: IPS & Beyond Social Services) - 1 hour
+
#[https://docs.google.com/document/d/1FRRnB8mLHBS6e-XXnwtb3Y04IGs2N9n1unJdtlHze0U/edit?usp=sharing Community Fellows]: Invitation for inputs and partnerships (IPS) - 30 mins
# [https://docs.google.com/document/d/1FRRnB8mLHBS6e-XXnwtb3Y04IGs2N9n1unJdtlHze0U/edit?usp=sharing Community Fellows]: Invitation for inputs and partnerships (IPS) - 30 mins
+
#Contributing to MSF's / MCCY Community Development Framework - 30 mins
# Contributing to MSF's / MCCY Community Development Framework - 30 mins
 
  
  
 
Other possible agenda:
 
Other possible agenda:
* clarify the definition of community & community development
 
  
==== What Was Discussed ====
+
*clarify the definition of community & community development
* [https://www.instagram.com/openjio/ Openjio] (see this [https://www.todayonline.com/commentary/how-singapores-youth-are-changing-social-sector-going-beyond-volunteerism op-ed] also) came to share about what they do. They have [https://t.me/OpenJio a Telegram channel] where they publicise events that they consolidate from Peatix, Eventbrite, [https://www.agoodspace.org/ A Good Space], Facebook, and [https://www.youthcorps.sg/en Youth Corps] newsletters
+
 
* Possible Community Forum/Festival 2019 - up from [https://lkyspp.nus.edu.sg/ips/events/details/ips-community-forum-2018-here-comes-everybody-and-all-can-contribute last year's IPS Community Forum]
+
'''What Was Discussed'''
 +
 
 +
*[https://www.instagram.com/openjio/ Openjio] (see this [https://www.todayonline.com/commentary/how-singapores-youth-are-changing-social-sector-going-beyond-volunteerism op-ed] also) came to share about what they do. They have [https://t.me/OpenJio a Telegram channel] where they publicise events that they consolidate from Peatix, Eventbrite, [https://www.agoodspace.org/ A Good Space], Facebook, and [https://www.youthcorps.sg/en Youth Corps] newsletters
 +
*Possible Community Forum/Festival 2019 - up from [https://lkyspp.nus.edu.sg/ips/events/details/ips-community-forum-2018-here-comes-everybody-and-all-can-contribute last year's IPS Community Forum]
 +
 
 
----
 
----
  
=== Meet-up 1: On the Design of the Network ===
+
===Meet-up 1: On the Design of the Network===
 
<br />Date - '''Friday,''' '''31 May 2019'''
 
<br />Date - '''Friday,''' '''31 May 2019'''
  
Line 217: Line 416:
 
Venue - '''Credit Suisse'''
 
Venue - '''Credit Suisse'''
  
==== Agenda ====
+
'''Agenda'''
* What are our objectives? What value can we get out of it?
+
 
* Who will co-organise and participate, and in what way?
+
*What are our objectives? What value can we get out of it?
* Are there other existing networks already relevant to community work?
+
*Who will co-organise and participate, and in what way?
* Based on objectives and existing circumstances, how should we structure the network, and decision-making?
+
*Are there other existing networks already relevant to community work?
 +
*Based on objectives and existing circumstances, how should we structure the network, and decision-making?
 +
 
 +
'''What Was Discussed'''
  
==== What Was Discussed ====
 
 
Link to the [https://docs.google.com/document/d/1fAu0y2LgDEIdcS7Hb4xDpQHrRHVVE4GAWT1w5hravrE/edit# consolidated inputs] from participants about the objectives and design of the network
 
Link to the [https://docs.google.com/document/d/1fAu0y2LgDEIdcS7Hb4xDpQHrRHVVE4GAWT1w5hravrE/edit# consolidated inputs] from participants about the objectives and design of the network
  
Line 231: Line 432:
  
 
'''Key points'''
 
'''Key points'''
* Background to the meeting:  
+
 
* Participants agreed to meet monthly
+
*Background to the meeting:
* We can take our time to get to know one another better--through play--before deciding how to run the network
+
*Participants agreed to meet monthly
* Those who have ideas and want to do something can already start forming groups and starting discussions. Please create project pages or documents and post links to the 'Projects' header above, or start a discussion at the [https://groups.google.com/forum/#!forum/community-development-network-sg Google Group - Community Development Network SG] 
+
*We can take our time to get to know one another better--through play--before deciding how to run the network
 +
*Those who have ideas and want to do something can already start forming groups and starting discussions. Please create project pages or documents and post links to the 'Projects' header above, or start a discussion at the [https://groups.google.com/forum/#!forum/community-development-network-sg Google Group - Community Development Network SG] 
 +
 
 
----
 
----
  
=== Resources ===
+
===Resources===
 
[http://ncdd.org/rc/item/2142/ NCDD’s Engagement Streams Framework] - to help navigate the range of dialogue and deliberation approaches available. How are Citizens Juries are different from Deliberative Polling?  When should you use World Cafe, rather than Open Space? 
 
[http://ncdd.org/rc/item/2142/ NCDD’s Engagement Streams Framework] - to help navigate the range of dialogue and deliberation approaches available. How are Citizens Juries are different from Deliberative Polling?  When should you use World Cafe, rather than Open Space? 
  
 
[https://www.citizenlab.co/ Citizen Lab]'s [https://www.citizenlab.co/ebooks-en/inclusion-in-e-democracy?utm_source=CitizenLab+Newsletter+%28GDPR+optin%29+EN&utm_campaign=a6e7d41f03-en-newsletter-June19&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_49e1e8647d-a6e7d41f03-198993133&goal=0_49e1e8647d-a6e7d41f03-198993133 guide to inclusive participation on a digital platforms]
 
[https://www.citizenlab.co/ Citizen Lab]'s [https://www.citizenlab.co/ebooks-en/inclusion-in-e-democracy?utm_source=CitizenLab+Newsletter+%28GDPR+optin%29+EN&utm_campaign=a6e7d41f03-en-newsletter-June19&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_49e1e8647d-a6e7d41f03-198993133&goal=0_49e1e8647d-a6e7d41f03-198993133 guide to inclusive participation on a digital platforms]

Latest revision as of 03:56, 12 July 2023

Photo: Many different hands placed on a log, by Shane Rounce on Unsplash

This public page is a work in progress and will be updated with information that participants have consensus on. For issues yet to be discussed, they will be in Google Docs that are accessible only to participants.

Attend the Community Forum 2020

Request to join our Facebook Group - Community Development Network SG

Request to join our Google Group - Community Development Network SG (for group discussions and collaborations)

Request to contribute to our Collective Blog - for longer form reflections and essays

Look here for our current collective understanding of community development in Singapore - Comm Dev Wiki Page

Look here for our repository of useful articles and information - Google Drive

Purpose

Opportunities for Collaboration

Getting to Know One Another - to help participants know one another, articulate a vision, dream, values and what we should do together.

Creating a Shared Knowledge Base - to collate and make sense of information about community development (best practices, case studies, research etc) that is relevant to practitioners, organisations and policymakers.

Community Fellows - to conduct solutions-focused research together with their communities

Community Currency - concept paper to start a local exchange trading system / community currency

General Guiding Principles

Openness sustained by trust, and balanced by integrity

The network should be a safe space for participants to share honest views and constructive feedback. Openness creates vulnerability too, so it should be sustained by trust and integrity among participants, so that new or diverse ways of thinking are not dampened.

Consensus-driven balanced by respect for diverse viewpoints

Through dialogue, participants should aspire to consensus on network matters. Where there is disagreement and collective decisions need to be made, voting can be the less preferred option.

Contributions should be participant-led and strengths-based

Network matters should be defined and led by participants themselves, tapping into their areas of expertise.

Everyone is encouraged to propose and take on projects or activities, and the network should reduce barriers to initiating and mobilising participation where possible.

Fun and informality

The network should be fun because community is built upon informal relationships and we should invest in those relationships.

(Note: These are working principles and will be reviewed and refined as we go along. Possibly new ones will be introduced and old ones removed. They will also be up- or down-voted by participants so that the most relevant ones go to the top, indicating a sense of priority. Guiding principles are only useful to the extent that they are useful reminders to achieve core ideals we tend to forget or overcome key habits we find hard to break; they are less useful when internalise them or already take them as given. They also become more useful when they articulate the relationship to alternative or competing values, providing an indication of how these conflicts might be resolved)

Share unpolished work early

"Waiting too long on “polish” can slow down the process of getting to the best idea. Encouraging the sharing of unfinished work creates a new social norm." If there is a culture where unpolished work is deemed as unprofessional, people will wait to share work until it’s near-perfect. But because it’s so far along, people may provide frivolous platitudes instead of feedback on the core idea. The initial idea keeps steamrolling ahead, irrespective of quality. Much better if you encourage people to share work that’s in progress and a little rough. [paraphrased from this article]

Network Membership Rules

Radical Inclusion, For Now

Currently, we operate on a 'radical inclusion' basis where we accept anyone who is referred by a member. We will post an update for member inputs if we ever come across requests to include people who might create some discomfort. At Meet-Up 3, we agreed that we will continue to do this until it poses a problem of some sort--e.g. if it dilutes the value or fragments the network in some way--then we will review this policy.


Network Events for 2023


Meet-up 18 - Yishun

Date: August (TBC)

Venue: TBC

Proposed Agenda:

  • Understand Diverse Yishun Organizations engaged in Community Work and Explore Collaborations (or Just Make Friends) [1.5 hour]
  • Roving Community Innovation Lab – Request for another host organisation so that we can bring the lab to your locality. We have tentative plans to try it with Tzu Chi Humanistic Youth Centre, but I need another host because my Jurong hosts got too busy to do it anytime soon. May also work with NUS Comms and New Media Students who may lend their help as part of their Comms for Social Change module. [10 mins]
  • Background about Giving Circles and request for applicants to apply to be Action Fellow to drive this initiative together with NVPC+IPS+LKYCIC. [10 mins]
  • [awaiting suggestions of other items]



Meet-up 17 - Yoga in the Park / Update and Re-group

Date: 15, 17, 22 or 31 May (depends on Doodle poll)

Proposed Agenda: 1 hour yoga, then general updates and catch-up

Network Events for 2022


Meet-up 16 - Year of End Gathering

Date: Doodle Poll

Time: 2-4pm

Proposed Agenda:

  • Dancing in the Dark (30 mins) - proposed by Justin, and will be operated by his brother

Come and dance like nobody is watching—because nobody can in almost total darkness.

Dancing used to be a natural way of expressing joy at hearing music. Professionals have stylised these movements, created standards and  determined what kinds of bodies can dance. Now dancing is mostly performance and posturing. There are norms on who should be doing what kind of dance, and how they should look, dress and move while participating.

What if we took that judgment away? What if we could participate in collective joy again?

Come for a 30 min dancing in the dark social experiment. Come dressed in comfortable clothes. Bring the young, the old and the awkward.

[Concept inspired by/stolen from No Lights No Lycra]

  • Participatory Budgeting at Town Council 30 mins - proposed by Justin

There is an opportunity to do this, and just need to find an MP who might be keen to take this on. Looking for feedback to the concept, and also connections to possible partners/connections you can refer me to.


Meet-up 15 - Hosted by Kwek Li Yong @ My Community

SIGN UP HERE:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdquCPcLhq-0iVHlgcwhy8om7XiL325b_-x5xXrL7u-Ozm3ig/viewform?usp=sf_link

Date - 25 June 2022

Time - 7.30pm to 9.30pm

Venue - Museum @ My Queenstown

46-3 Commonwealth Drive #01-388

Singapore 140463


Agenda

  • Get to know how My Community does cultural asset mapping, elicit stories from residents, organise tours, 'co-curate' a museum and why they have been extraordinarily successful in attracting young professional volunteers to unearth the heritage of a local community.
  • Is 'Hello Dawson' Programme by My Community and Cassia Resettlement Team doing what is known as 'Local Area Coordination'? Kwek Li Yong (My Community) and Lim Jingzhou (Cassia Resettlement Team) will discuss how their work may be similar or different (eg regular flat vs rental flats), informally facilitated by Justin Lee.

"Our Hello Dawson! team is helping more than 1000 elderly, low-income and physically disabled residents affected by the Selective En bloc Redevelopment Scheme (SERS) in Tanglin Halt relocate to Dawson. Join us if you have a heart for others, and would like to befriend our Tanglin Halt residents."

https://mycommunity.org.sg/volunteer-teams/

  • Any other issues participants want to discuss

Meet-up 14

Date - 27 Apr 2022

Time - 2-4pm

Venue - IPS

Agenda

  • Having a 'community work clinic' (?) to practice/train facilitation skills in conducting community meeting/community arts project and also discuss ethics of practice (eg sharing info). [Izzaty/Shiyun] (This was proposed at last round but we didn't have time to get to it)
  • Paying community members to do research and information gathering for us? Eg, collating and archiving the community or community arts initiatives in Singapore (as Izzaty suggested previously). I'm quite happy to part with small sums of my own money for this, and maybe this is a supplementary source of income for community members who need it? One possibility is to help populate our wiki page on community development, which needs a proper update so that we can better tap into the collective intelligence of everyone here. [Justin]
  • Inputs on a Community-Driven Basic Income Concept -- Since Basic Income is unlikely here, how about a community-led version where 10-20 families provide financial support (and other forms of support) to one low-income family and top-up to whatever the income benchmark is for that family to meet its basic needs. [Justin]
  • Inputs for Non-Profit Conference organised by IPS & ToteBoard, theme is "Solutions that Help Us Help One Another" and the focus is on 1) mutual aid, contributing to the commons; 2) new ways of organising social care and social change through cooperatives; and 3) peer-to-peer or collaborative forms of learning that help to unlock a community’s learning capacity. [Justin]


Meet-up 13

Date - 16 Feb 2022

Time - 2-3.30pm

Venue - Via Zoom

See HERE for notes

Agenda

1. Kangli's doctoral research on civil participation in Singapore- "Builders of Our New (?) Society: Civil Participation in Singapore and the Impact of COVID-19"

2. White Paper on Community Development.

  • Hana update on her findings from research project with SMU students
  • Peiyi update on follow-up research
  • Kangli's suggestion to use action research or CBPR. "It has always been on my heart to do evaluative research on the different forms of community development in SG, especially those of informal ground-up movements. I think it would be a good addition to the White Paper. It could be CPBR or action research, rather than a traditional top-down approaches."
  • Terence's suggestion to "do a broad survey of community developers out there. We could look at it as a spectrum, suggesting trends, common methods or interest to cater to our target readership. By starting the ball rolling, more persons/groups who identify as community developers/aid might surface".
  • Khadijah: "Love the idea of the promotion or rather showcasing the citizen/community lead ground up initiatives - plenty had sprouted during the pandemic. Coincidentally A Good Space had reached out and shared their new initiative [Listening Living Labs] that seeks to build on the collaboration among the various entities in the Mind The Gap Collective" [Justin: I've been roped in to their Labs as well, and we can work with them in some way for sure, once we figure out what we want to do]
  • Justin: I can offer the support of socialcollab, this wiki itself, and get students to do a wikithon, plus pull together a knowledge management framework to help us make collective sense of the information we have so far, prioritize our knowledge gaps and discuss what areas require more investigation.

3. Shiyun: How information about the community members (shared voluntarily by the members themselves) is organized and shared among community workers, in terms of methods and in terms of ethics. [Izzaty adds: "I feel I take such cautiousness for granted and want to understand how consent looks in community development."]

4. Izzaty:

  • Methods of Archiving Community Arts For Community?
  • Having a circle to practice/train facilitation skills in conducting community meeting/community arts project or anything to do with rallying!

5. Community Forum 2022? To do or not? And if so, in what form?

6. Do Something Together?

Network Events for 2021

Meet-up 12

Date - 30 Sep 2021

Time - 3-5pm

Venue - via Zoom

Meet-up 11: Welcome to CDN, Tsao Foundation

Date - 4 Aug 2021

Time - 3-5pm

Venue - via Zoom

Agenda & Discussion Notes

  1. Hana Alhadad - Research Project with SMU Public Policy Task Force that will become Community Development White Paper (15 mins)
  2. Community Forum Circle would like to share some initial ideas with the community and get their feedback (20 mins)
  3. Feedback on Vision, Organizational Structure and Forward Plans of CDN (30 mins)
  4. Tsao Foundation's experience using realist evaluation of their community engagement programmes / Survey on learning interest in realist evaluation (10-15 mins)

Meet-up 10: White Paper and Community Fellowships

Date - 4 May 2021

Time - 10am -12 noon

Venue - via Zoom

Agenda & Discussion Notes

  1. Forming a central circle and subcircles for CDN
  2. Community Development White Paper (Hana, Justin)
  3. Update on Ngee Ann Kongsi-IPS Community Fellows (Justin)

Meet-up 9: Reflections on Community Forum

Date - 5 Jan 2021

Time - 3-4pm

Venue - via Zoom

Agenda & Discussion Notes

  1. Reflections on Community Forum 2020, CDN as a whole, and aspirations for this year
    [Watch out for a link to the notes]

Network Events for 2020


Community Forum 2020

Date - 6 - 21 Nov 2020

See Community Forum 2020 and summary of what to attend


Meet-up 8: on Zoom

Date - 2 July 2020

Time - 2-4pm

Venue - via Zoom

Agenda & Discussion Notes

  1. Helping Ubin residents with accessibility needs reach their polling station, shared by Jodie from Artsolute.
    • Voting station for Ubin residents is at SUTD, quite a distance
    • There are 3-4 wheelchair users and other seniors with accessibility needs, making a total of about 20
    • Will request for volunteers, transportation sponsors later on if existing channels don't deliver
  2. Requests for human library volunteer and ideas for National Day Ground Up Party, shared by Hilda of OpenJio.
    • Those who want to offer themselves as a human 'book' please approach Hilda
    • Those who have interesting ideas and activities as part of the festivities also approach her
  3. Soliciting for ideas on the types of volunteering activities to do online, as well as establishing trust and maintaining engagement online, shared by Xinwei of Singapore Children's Society.
    • Difficult to engage online because may not have prior relationships with certain volunteers or donors face to face before.
    • Suggestions include: play online games, or use Tik Tok, which work well with youth.
  4. Organising Community Forum 2020, shared by Justin
    • Generally agreeble to have ground-up way of organising Forum where co-organisers take the lead and make independent decisions on specific segments
    • A coordinating committee and set of documents will be shared with those who want to co-organise and plan


Network Events for 2019


Meet-up 7: South Central Community Family Service Centre

Date - 4 February 2020

Time - 2 - 5.30pm

Venue -  South Central Community Family Service Centre

Address - Blk 5 Delta Ave, #01-09, Singapore 160005

Agenda

  1. Possibility conversations (Justin, IPS) (see link to discussion at CDN 6 on what this is) & Sharing of reflections and dreams (Vincent)
  2. Circle of Influence by Chris
  3. Update on Ubin by Terence
  4. Update on Community Forum 2020 / Learning Festival -- open to collaboration with interested parties; looks like October works for IPS, what about others who are interested? (Justin / Gerard)
  5. Serve.sg beta -- skilled volunteer matching platform has been soft-launched and we are looking for guinea pigs to try so that we can refine the system (Justin, Serve.sg)
  6. Civic Experiment & Wiki Challenge -- call for inputs & participation (Justin, socialcollab.sg)

Meet-up 6: Ngee Ann Poly


Date - 15 November 2019 (Confirmed)

Time - 10am -12pm

Venue - Ngee Ann Polytechnic, School of Humanities & Social Sciences, Blk 75-01-02

Address - 535 Clementi Rd, Singapore 599489

Hosted and made possible by Mathew Wong, Head of Programme for Community Development Diploma, Ngee Ann Poly.

Agenda

  1. Ngee Ann Poly's Diploma in Community Development - (Matthew Wong, Head of Programme)
  2. Project developments & inputs: Community Fund, Community Festival & Community Fellows - (Justin Lee)
  3. Possible presentation on community development by interested parties at SSR's Seminar Series - (Justin on behalf of SSR) [They say it is very well attended]
  4. Discuss whether CDN is ready to articulate collective objectives, membership rules and associational norms - (See Chris Teo's post )
  5. Presentation and sign up for a Community Trail in Pulau Ubin - (Terence Tan and Jodi Thiele of Artsolute ‪)
  6. Insights on Community Development in Singapore - (Abhishek Bajaj)
  7. Any Other Business


What Was Discussed

  • See this link for notes.

Meet-up 5: "Who is afraid of community development?"


Date - 12 October 2019 (Sat)

Time - 10- 3pm

Venue - Goodman Arts Centre (specific room to be updated)

Address: 90 Goodman Rd, Singapore 439053

Hosted and made possible by - ArtsWok Collaborative, as part of their Greenhouse Series. ArtsWok says they are open to co-facilitation with partners.

Agenda

  1. See https://www.facebook.com/events/2427241927519582/

Meet-up 4: Frank Früchtel on "The Value of Dependency in Community & Community Work"


Date - 6 September 2019 (Friday)

Time - 2-5pm

Venue - Deutsche Bank, Level 17

Address: Deutsche Bank AG, Asia Pacific Head Office, One Raffles Quay, South Tower, 048583 Singapore 

Hosted and made possible by - Beyond Social Services

Agenda

  1. Talk by Frank Früchtel on "The value of dependency in community and community work" (30 to 45 mins) followed by a discussion and interaction. Frank is the Dean for Social and Educational Sciences at the Potsdam University of Applied Sciences.
  2. Any Other Business

"The Value of Dependency in Community and Community Work" by Frank Früchtel

See notes here:

https://communitynetworksg.wordpress.com/2019/10/15/the-value-of-dependency-in-community-and-community-work-notes-from-a-talk-by-frank-fruchtel/


Meet-up 3: "Meanings of community & community work"


Date - 30 August 2019 (Friday)

Time - 10am - 1pm

Venue - Meeting Room, Institute of Policy Studies, 1 C Cluny Road, House 5 S(259599)

Facilitated by - Abhishek Bajaj

Agenda

  1. The personal meanings of community & community work to members (Abishek Bajaj)
  2. Su-Lin on Oct Meet-Up
  3. Sharing by Bee Leng & Hana on MSF's Comm Dev Framework
  4. NVPC to share about 'Community Matters' initiative to map out what makes a good community and develop a framework (Grace, Joel)
  5. Agree on the scope of the Participatory Research Project, timelines, responsibilities and implementation (Hana + Justin)
  6. Opportunity to run experiential workshop for SBFF's 'CSR in Action' (Justin)

What Was Discussed

  • Abhishek facilitated a dialogue session to elicit views about the meanings and values of community work and how that intersects with individual identity and experiences.
  • ArtsWok agreed to Host Meet-Up 5 (Oct 12) as art of their Greenhouse session.
  • Su-Lin also said that MOH Transformation Team (something like an innovation unit) would like to join CDN. They care about healthy living and community development and would like to come and see if there are any synergies with the groups here. Explore the relationship between the Health and Social sectors. She wanted to see what the network felt about including them.
  • [Network rule] Currently, we operate on a 'radical inclusion' basis where we accept anyone who is referred by a member. We will post an update for member inputs if we ever come across requests to include people who might create some discomfort.We agreed that we will continue to do this until it poses a problem of some sort--e.g. if it dilutes the value or fragments the network in some way--then we will revisit this policy.
  • Ng Bee Leng and Hana shared about their roles and experience in MSF’s ongoing consultation for developing guide on community work for FSCs. See summary here. Request: The committee is looking for people to be part of this consultation process, through cluster conversations, or even step up as facilitators of that process. Contact Ng Bee Leng (AMKFSC) if interested.
  • NVPC shared the objectives and process of the Community Matters Series - 5 sessions of dialogue / research will run from 25 Sep - 16 Jan 2020. Broadly speaking, the goal is to arrive at insights about community development for community developers. Request: Participation or as co-facilitators. Contact Grace at 96345511 or graceannchua@nvpc.org.sg
  • [IMMEDIATE – by December] Hana’s $4k faculty development fund. Offer: you can use this to collect data from community developers in Singapore (by December) – refreshments, vouchers & transportation cost (can defray costs for others interested to do research).
  • [Future plan] To write a white paper on community development, define it, map out landscape, understand needs and challenges in Singapore, present collective positions where there is consensus and make policy recommendations.
  • SBBF's CSR in Action: Various organisations that expressed interest will be connected to SBBF.

(Members in Google Group at this time = 90)


Meet-up 2: Let's Get to Know One Another First + Organise a Community Festival?


Date - 30 July 2019 (Tuesday)

Time - 2.00 pm - 5.00 pm

Venue - Meeting Room, Institute of Policy Studies, 1 C Cluny Road, House 5 S(259599)

Agenda

  1. Getting to Know One Another - 20 mins
  2. Co-Design and Collaborate on Community Festival / Forum (so far: IPS & Beyond Social Services) - 1 hour
  3. Community Fellows: Invitation for inputs and partnerships (IPS) - 30 mins
  4. Contributing to MSF's / MCCY Community Development Framework - 30 mins


Other possible agenda:

  • clarify the definition of community & community development

What Was Discussed


Meet-up 1: On the Design of the Network


Date - Friday, 31 May 2019

Time - 10.00 am - 12.00 pm

Venue - Credit Suisse

Agenda

  • What are our objectives? What value can we get out of it?
  • Who will co-organise and participate, and in what way?
  • Are there other existing networks already relevant to community work?
  • Based on objectives and existing circumstances, how should we structure the network, and decision-making?

What Was Discussed

Link to the consolidated inputs from participants about the objectives and design of the network

Link to Ijlal's fieldnotes on the meeting.

This is meant to be a collective document so please add points or reflections to this document. You can comments within [brackets] and also identify yourself.

Key points

  • Background to the meeting:
  • Participants agreed to meet monthly
  • We can take our time to get to know one another better--through play--before deciding how to run the network
  • Those who have ideas and want to do something can already start forming groups and starting discussions. Please create project pages or documents and post links to the 'Projects' header above, or start a discussion at the Google Group - Community Development Network SG 

Resources

NCDD’s Engagement Streams Framework - to help navigate the range of dialogue and deliberation approaches available. How are Citizens Juries are different from Deliberative Polling?  When should you use World Cafe, rather than Open Space? 

Citizen Lab's guide to inclusive participation on a digital platforms