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Source: Community Support: Clarifying aims and conditions
http://web.ukonline.co.uk/communitysupport/5002caad.htm
Page updated: 26 Feb 2001
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Clarifying aims and definitions

Community
That web of personal relationships, group networks, traditions and patterns of behaviour that develops amongst those who share the same physical neighbourhood and its socio-economic situation, or common understandings and goals around a shared interest.

Community Development
Aims to enrich the web described in 'Community' above and makes its threads stronger, to develop self confidence and skills, so that the community (the people) can begin to make significant improvements to their neighbourhood (the place and its material equipment) or its cause. (This and the above are from the ACW Skills Manual)

Community Sector
We define this as distinct from 'Community'. It is the third sector - Private Sector, Public Sector, Community Sector. The Community Sector consists of formally-run organisations. Includes organisations representing or servicing local communities, and a distinctive sub-sector, the Voluntary Sector, consisting of larger more established bodies, with paid staff.

Accountability
A key issue in the running of all types of organisation. The five questions to be asked of a person with power are:
(1) What power do you have?
(2) Where did you get it from?
(3) In whose interests do you exercise it?
(4) To whom are you accountable?
(5) How do we get rid of you?
These questions were devised by the former member of parliament Tony Benn.

compiled by MB, 21 February 2001