CAPIR

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• Core Modules
  • 1. CAPIR Introduction
  • 2. Community Entry
  • 3. Values
  • 4. Rights and Responsibilities
  • 5. Community Snapshot
  • 6. Community Mobilisation
  • 7. Accountability
  • 8. Fields of Action
• Library Modules
  • 1. Participation
  • 2. Negotiation
  • 3. Group Skills
  • 4. Decision Making
  • 5. Strategic Questioning
  • 6. Health Development
  • 7. Leadership
  • 8. Cultural Safety
  • 9. Internet Skills
  • 10. Funding Applications
• Process Drivers
  • 1. CAPIR Introduction
  • 2. Community Entry
  • 3. Values
  • 4. Rights and Responsibilities
  • 5. Community Snapshot
  • 6. Community Mobilisation
  • 7. Accountability
  • 8. Fields of Action
• CAPIR Tools
  • A - Z of Tools
  • Tools by Module
  • Readings
• Definitions
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Core Module 5 - Community Snapshot

About community snapshot

A community snapshot is about gaining an understanding of the community. This can be done in a cultural, spiritual, economic, social and political sense, as well as by documenting the services and physical environment.

A snapshot can be built by collecting existing and new information. It is also about understanding the community's readiness and capacity to be involved in any activities including planning activities. Even if you think you know the community well, this step should not be overlooked. Going through the process will provide you with a good understanding of your starting point. You will then be able to look back later and see the changes that have occurred.

It is important to remember that if the community is not interested in being involved, this may mean that:

• they are happy with the way things are, or may already be involved in many other equally important activities
• the community may be in a depressed and disempowered state and unable to meet this challenge at this time. You will have to do very different work if this is the case (read up on community development techniques)
• there is a lot of relationship-building to do before the community may be willing to work with you.

Building a community snapshot will help you to know whether you are (in a symbolic sense):

• planting seeds
• nurturing young plants
• watering vigorously growing plants
• harvesting fruit.
  (With thanks to Leanne Wilson. Department of Main Roads)

Community snapshots can be built by groups or individuals. How it is done in each community will depend on the facilitator and their relationship with their community. For example, local schools might take on this activity as a learning event for their classes. Remember that those who gather the knowledge often feel more connected to and interested in it. The gathering process in itself is also a good way of sharing information and encouraging participation.

The information gathered could be a simple collection of stories and opinions or it could be a complex gathering of statistical data. As with each stage of the CAPIR process, all types of knowledge are important and valuable and should be considered during the process.

See the Sample Community Snapshot.

Knowledge can come from:

• personal experience, ie. describing stories or reliving events, learning by doing
• the stories and experiences of others eg. 'scientific' or academic research, policy or other official type knowledge (including statistics or evidence) other community's experience etc.

Process driver

Use the Process Driver to help build a snapshot of the community.

Tools

Link to useful tools on this module.

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