Indicates that student vocational organizations have a unique capacity to bring the goals of vocational education to the attention of the public. Suggests that sponsoring a community activity, such as a bicycle race, is an effective way to do this. (JOW)

The advantages of citizen participation in the school's decision-making process fall under the headings of representative school governance, community support and interest, and improved school performance; the disadvantages fall under politics, loss of authority, and public opposition. (IRT)

Case study demonstrates how one suburban elementary school district successfully increased public participation by adopting an in-district choice program. Uses factors that enabled and inhibited implementation of the choice program and parental and educator views about it to demonstrate effective approaches to engaging the community in public…

Community schools are environment-changing institutions that engage children, families, neighbors, and local organizations in active work to improve life and learning in the community. This article describes how community schools create conditions that enable students to learn and teachers to teach at high levels. The authors discuss keys to…

Workplace volunteer councils (WVC) are associations of representatives from the public, private, and nonprofit sectors working together to enhance grass-roots volunteerism. Volunteer administrators can play an integral role in supporting partnerships formulated through a WVC by providing opportunities and expertise to ensure that the experience is…

Explores Milwaukee, Wisconsin's use of community Geographic Information Systems (GIS) using long-term ethnographic research. Overall, the effects of GIS and other digital technologies are quite varied across different community organizations, influenced strongly by factors such as leadership quality, organizational capacity, and resourcefulness in…

States that Constance D'Arcy Mackay was instrumental in defining the genre of children's theater in the early 20th century. Discusses her career highlights. Concludes that Mackay played a pivotal role in the "making" of the history of children's theater in the United States, and that while little of her personal history is known, her…

Explores multiple meanings of empowerment and community participation and what health means in this context. Considers whether the tyranny of the professional has been replaced by the tyranny of the community. (SK)

Community surveys in rural Pennsylvania (393 responses) investigated how residents view women in their local community. Results suggest that women are as involved as men and perceive similar characteristics as important to being influential, but their underrepresentation as leaders has resulted in perceptions that women are not very influential.…

ASSET (Allegheny Schools Science Education and Technology) Inc. is an independent nonprofit organization dedicated to improving science and technology achievement of all Pittsburgh-area students. Program elements include developing and articulating the vision, forming dynamic teams, sustaining collaborative support systems, and maintaining a…

This article presents the case study of an individual with a significant psychiatric disability who identified spirituality as the primary facilitator of her community integration. Recommendations are made for human service practice. (Author)

Survey responses from 969 (of 2,552) Oregon Extension volunteers revealed personal benefits, including gains in knowledge, self-confidence, and interpersonal relationships. Community benefits were noted by more than one third. A few noted economic benefits (increased job skills and useful contacts). The costs of volunteering were perceived as low…

Analysis of data from 10,798 residents of 99 small Iowa towns revealed that smaller communities, those with a high percentage of full-time employed residents, more college graduates, and more people working in town have higher community participation levels. (Contains 41 references.) (JOW)

Inauthentic participation may be limited to providing inputs, giving the community no power. However, even weak participation in the form of utilization, contributions, enlistment, cooperation, and consultation can have benefits. (Author/SK)

Oregon 4-H program conducted focus groups with 18 volunteer managers experienced in working with Latino adult volunteers. Latino volunteerism occurs first in the context of family and neighborhood, and they do not think of their contributions as volunteering. Organizations must establish a presence and build trust in the Latino community.…