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Social Capital

Social Capital. Presenters: Doreen Hauser-Lindstrom , Washington State University Extension Service Lynette Flage , North Dakota State University Extension Service Presented 2006 CYFAR Conference. Connecting Citizens to Strengthen Communities. Social Capital Theory.

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Social Capital

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  1. Social Capital Presenters: Doreen Hauser-Lindstrom, Washington State University Extension Service Lynette Flage,North Dakota State University Extension Service Presented 2006 CYFAR Conference Connecting Citizens to Strengthen Communities

  2. Social Capital Theory • “The core idea of social capital theory is that social networks have value” Robert Putnam, Bowling Alone • Social Capital refers to • connections among individuals. • interaction that enables people to build communities, to commit themselves to each other, and to knit the social fabric.

  3. Research Involving Social Capital Roper Center Social Capital Benchmark Survey, 2000 • 41 communities were surveyed • 26,230 individuals surveyed • Attempt at widespread systematic measurement of social capital within communities • Will serve as point of comparison for future research which attempts to assess changes in key indicators

  4. Research Involving Social Capital Oregon Survey Research Laboratories, 2003 • Survey commissioned by the Northwest Area Foundation for rural communities in eight-state region • Examined the relationship between social capital and poverty • Considered the interpersonal networks, sense of community belonging, personal effectiveness, and community effectiveness • 3,358 telephone interviews completed with 100 mail-back surveys from communities with low telephone coverage

  5. Research Involving Social Capital Numerous Studies on this topic measuring: • Social capital & crime • Social capital & health • Social capital & education • Social capital & economic activity • Social capital & the environment

  6. Six Categories of Social Capital • Civic Engagement • Trust • Civic Responsibility • Power of Community Members • Networks & Connections • Collective Community Vitality From materials prepared for the Northwest Area Foundation, 2004 by Lynette Flage and Doreen Hauser-Lindstrom

  7. Civic EngagementHow civically engaged are people in your community? • Have you donated your time to volunteer work in your community in the last 12 months? • Have you attended a community parade or celebration in the past 12 months? • Have you contacted a local tribal/public official in the last 12 months?

  8. TrustDo people trust or feel safe in your community? • How often do you feel safe walking down the street at night in your community? • Overall, can you trust your local government to do what is right?

  9. Civic ResponsibilityDo citizens feel a sense of civic duty? • You lost your wallet with $200 in it. How many people in your community would return it? • A terrible storm hit your community and left people homeless. How many people would help out in any way?

  10. Power of Community MembersAre you making a difference? • Have you helped plan or lead a meeting or activity? • Do you or your friends think you can impact where you live and make it a better place? • Have you served on a committee or as an officer in any club in the past 12 months?

  11. “Bonding” with people who are similar, and “Bridging” with people who are different from themselves. Have you been involved in any recreational, sports, garden, investment or hobby group in the last 12 months? Have you been involved in a youth or parents’ organization in the past 12 months? Networks & Connections

  12. Each individual is important to the community’s vitality! How often do young people move away from your community to find better opportunities? Are people of different races and ethnicities welcomed and involved together in the same groups, organizations, and activities? Collective Community Vitality

  13. Next Steps • How do you see yourself using these tools? • Are there other social capital materials are you aware of or have used? • What programs/activities have you done in your work or community that has been successful in building social capital?

  14. Doreen Hauser-Lindstrom Community Leadership Specialist, Center to Bridge the Digital Divide Washington 4-H Technology & Community Networks Washington State University Extension Service doreen@wsu.edu 509-358-7686 Lynette Flage Community Leadership Specialist, Center for Community Vitality North Dakota State University Extension Service Lynette.Flage@ndsu.edu 701-265-5200 For more information contact:

  15. Presentation References • Clues to Rural Community Survival • Horizons Program Social Capital Survey • 143 Ways to Increase Social Capital • Putnam, Robert, D., Feldstein, Lewis, M., Better together: Restoring the American community. • Putnam, Robert, D.,Bowling alone – The collapse and revival of American community. • Social Capital Benchmark Survey. The Roper Center for Public Opinion Research, USA. • The Saguaro Seminar: Civic Engagement in America. (See page 12 of your handout for additional information)

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