Why were these interviews and surveys conducted?

When describing community well being, researchers often discuss a term referred to as social capital.  While there are many definitions of social capital, a common one is “features of social organization, such as networks, norms, and trust, that facilitate coordination and cooperation for mutual benefit” (Putnam, 1993).  These surveys and interviews were aimed at measuring aspects of social capital in Friday Harbor.  However, concepts such as norms and trust are abstract and often difficult for community members to manipulate when working on projects that will benefit the general community.

Is there a concept that is  practical for community residents to use for collective community development?

Yes.  Researchers at Iowa State University have developed a concept termed Entrepreneurial Social Infrastructure (ESI) which they have shown through case studies can encourage collective action in communities to achieve tangible goals. This in turn can lead to sustainable development and improved community well being.

What is Entrepreneurial Social Infrastructure and what are its components?

Networks:  Linkages and ties among diverse members of a community are a very important component of Entrepreneurial Social Infrastructure.  Research in small communities in Iowa has found that communities with these linkages (a social infrastructure) were more inclined to engage in collective action for the betterment of the whole community—they were entrepreneurial. Networks that are diverse, inclusive, flexible, horizontal (linking diverse members within the community) and vertical (linking  local organizations with outside organizations that have access to different resources not available to the community) are most effective for the collective benefit of the community.

Legitimacy of alternatives:  This is a community’s acceptance of and respect for multiple and diverse points of view.  It is important for communities to realize that there will always be controversy because a community is always changing.  If controversy is accepted by a community, and the flow of non-judgmental information is increased, the controversy should lead to more thoughtful decisions about the community’s future than simply trying to repress the controversy.  When controversies arise, it is important to focus attention on process: how issues are discussed and decisions made is just as important as the particular outcome.  People should not be seen as good or bad because they have differing opinions about an issue, but simply as representing different possible solutions to a problem.

Resource Mobilization:  ESI is also enhanced when resources inside and outside the community are utilized and readily accessible.  Resource mobilization occurs when citizens invest in community projects either financially or through time commitments, the community is willing to allow local taxes to support community projects, and the community is able to tap into outside resources from county, state, and federal governments or private foundations.

Based on the interviews conducted for the Connecting Schools and Communities grant, how does my community measure in terms of the concept of ESI?

Many of the questions asked during the interviews were targeted toward understanding the quality of networks in the community of Friday Harbor.  The other components of ESI—legitimacy of alternatives and mobilization of diverse resources—were targeted in the survey.  The following subheadings are important for describing network dynamics in the community of Friday Harbor.  Each subheading is followed by a few important results and whether each result supports, fails to support, or is neutral towards ESI.  This is intended to give the community feedback on positive network dynamics and possible dynamics that need improvement.

Results

Support ESI

Organizational Involvement and Leadership Positions

·       Many respondents were involved in a wide variety of organizations....................

·       There were a variety of respondents, with regards to different ages, gender, and economic status, who held leadership positions.................................................

·       It was inconclusive whether or not different ethnicities held leadership positions...

·       Many respondents were involved in organizations that were not local in origin.....

Networking (friends and relatives involved in community affairs)

·       Nearly all of the respondents were personally connected to others who were involved in the community..............................................................................

• Respondents were connected to a wide variety of people who were involved in community affairs...........................................................................................

Percentage of Friends in Community and Adults Known by Name

·       Half of the respondents claimed that most of their friends were in the community

·       On average, respondents knew less than half of the adults in the community by name............................................................................................................

·    Yes

·    Yes

·    Neutral

·    Yes

·    Yes

·    Yes

·    Yes

·    Neutral

Results

Support ESI

Recreational Activities, Significant Social Groups, Church Relations and Gathering Places

·       Two-thirds of the respondents’ recreational activities were done on an individual basis with little or no interaction with others.......................................................

·       Few respondents reported attending school events for leisure............................

·       Social groups in the community were very diverse in adult members, the number of members, and the purpose of the group.......................................................

·       Few social groups, that respondents considered significant, were mentioned in which youth or older youth were members.......................................................

·       The majority of respondents were not involved in a church................................

·       The community had a wide variety of churches with members..........................

·       There were many gathering places in the community for  adults........................

·       There were few gathering places for youth.......................................................

Community Representation, Decision Makers, Implementing, and Stopping Projects

·       There were multiple people mentioned by respondents as representing the community, with a core group of individuals mentioned repeatedly.....................

·       Multiple respondents named a core group of individuals as making decisions.......

·       Most respondents could think of multiple people who were effective in implementing projects.....................................................................................

·       Over 70 individuals were mentioned as being able to implement projects............

·       Respondents mentioned multiple people who were able to stop projects.............

·       Most people who stopped projects did so for the betterment of the community...

Race Relations, Youth/Adult Relations

·       Most  respondents made no reference to an Hispanic group or any other ethnic group in the community..................................................................................

·       Respondents who did mention the Hispanic population were interested in better serving their needs.........................................................................................

·       Adults supported youth by giving large amounts in scholarship money every year to multiple recipients.......................................................................................

·       Multiple respondents perceived a division between the youth and the older community members.....................................................................................

• Multiple respondents perceived the youth as being left out in the community......

Economic Relations

• A severe economic divide appears to exist in the community.............................
• There was a lack of affordable housing in the community..................................

·       No

·       No

·       Yes

·       No

·       Neutral

·       Yes

·       Yes

·       No

·       Neutral

·       Neutral

·       Yes

·       Yes

·       Neutral

·       Yes

·       No

·       Yes

·       Yes

·       No

·       No

·       No

·       No