Leadership in community context

My thoughts on leadership in the community...

      I really appreciated how Sampson focused on people that were involved in education, religion, and community organizations rather than strictly just politics. When I read the topic for this blog on the calendar, politicians were the first people to pop into my mind. I wasn't super excited about the topic, Of course I always like to know whats going on, However I don't always appreciate how politicians do their business. They set a precedent of how things should be run  and at any point not everyone is on board with their shenanigans I think this just causes a lot of dishonesty and distrust, these people should be able to be trusted, they were after all entrusted with running a community. Haha if only in a perfect world right?  At one point Sampson mentions leaders of youth programs. I was very excited to see this, as a coach for youth myself I feel that youth leaders have an important role in building character and helping mold who youth grow up to be. Especially if the community is underprivileged. Sampson studied the ties that these "leaders" have with other leaders, I think that cohesion is a big part in being able to get things done and run a successful community. I think that Sampson questions near the beginning of the chapter regarding how long leaders have been in positions, and looking at if there are new leaders in positions is important. Looking at something like this can give major insight to what the community will respond to. 

My research....

    The problem I seem to be encountering as I am conducting my research is that I am interested in to many topics! I read an article which sparks an interest for something else. although I do have some good pieces of material I am struggling to narrow down my thoughts. I really want to stay near the topic of what businesses are doing to stay successful while building a strong community and relationships. I firmly believe that businesses will only thrive when the community is happy with said business and A business that encounters resistance with the community will likely fail. I would really like to look at something that has proven community development/ relationships in a business. 

Moving...

Why do people choose to move to different neighborhoods? 

          Chapter 12 of Sampson's book discusses reasons/theories behind why people move into different neighborhoods, he brings up the issue of individual circumstances for reasons behind moving to a new neighborhood or community, some for better opportunities, or even fear of the current location (specifically fear in integrated societies). Since sociology is one of my emphasis areas I relied heavily on the knowledge I have in that field when reading Sampson's work. According to sociologist, social class systems are an important part of society this means that most individuals are trying to achieve a certain level of social class. This leaves much room for opportunity in an individuals life. For example, a young couple may decide to move out of a lower class neighborhood with a poor school district so their children can live in a more stable environment with better education in hopes that their children will eventually be better off than their parents once were. This social mobility could be a major impact on the question of why people move to different neighborhoods. Another reason behind people moving locations is work related. Businesses rely on the resources of the individual and the individual relies on income. Most people will do what it takes to make this system work. 

How likely is it that their individual choices will 

transform the communities they leave or enter?

           In Sampson's section labeled"Does moving in turn effect individuals" he describes how moving can be a "good" or "bad" experience for the mover based on the context of the move.  Sampson's specific study was on how moves affect the violent outcomes in children. He found that when movers stayed inside the city the percentage of violence in children increased whereas movers that went to city outskirts saw a decline in percentages . My personal thoughts on moving are similar, moving can be good or bad depending on the circumstances. Depending on how great the move (same city or totally different state) some cultures vary and what is acceptable in one community may not be for another community. So the outgoing "community leader" may move to a neighborhood and become the "neighborhood hermit". On the negative side, a criminal could move into a nice neighborhood, according to the readings most criminals commit crimes close to on in their very own neighborhood. 

Blog #7 Ideas

   With my two emphases being business and sociology I would like to integrate the two on how businesses can effect the success of a community both financially and in community togetherness. By businesses helping communities be the best they can be as a community (Sounds a little cheesy now that I write it out, maybe I should add world peace too haha) suggestions are encouraged! 

While researching some sources for the last blog I found two articles that nailed my thoughts on this issue so I hope you don't mind me re posting them! 

The privatization of public safety in Urban neighborhoods. 

  This article discusses how privately owned businesses can affect their community by adding public safety to their business like security staff or cameras. This would not just mean for their own business but for the section of block that they may inhabit. by doing this they are double covering each other and protecting not only the businesses but the people that like to enjoy them. 

MacDonald J, Stokes R, Grunwald B, Bluthenthal R. The Privatization of Public Safety in Urban Neighborhoods: Do Business Improvement Districts Reduce Violent Crime Among Adolescents?. Law & Society Review [serial online]. September 2013;47(3):621-652. Available from: Academic Search Premier, Ipswich, MA.

Influencing commitment of volunteers in neighborhood watch organizations. 
          As stated in my last blog I feel that it is extremely important to understand what drives community members to feel the need to help out their community or vise versa, what deters them from helping? Fear, selfishness ? with this knowledge at hand maybe we can figure out a way to encourage those that are currently not willing to stand up and help their community to do something even the smallest thing helps. I want to know, what drives commitment in a community? 

Thomas V, Selvadurai S, Er A, Lyndon N, Moorthy R. Factors Influencing Commitment of Volunteers' in Neighborhood Watch Organization. Journal Of Social Sciences (15493652) [serial online]. December 2011;7(4):569-574. Available from: Academic Search Premier, Ipswich, MA. Accessed October 8, 2013.

What businesses and business organizations could do...

I particularly love this article I found, It goes through bullet points of what businesses can do for our communities. (I found this one after I already started my blog, I guess my vision isn't as cheesy as anticipated).

*Education- Adopting a course in schools on things like economics.
             - Inviting children into the workplace- show them what its like
             - Student interns
             - Job training and placement
             -sponsoring programs (kids at work)
*Family friendly workplace
*Encouraging employee involvement
*sponsoring a community event for youth
*paying entrance fees to impoverished children (or stating a fund for these facilities that are paid entry only)
*providing college scholarships

The list goes on and on

http://people.missouristate.edu/MichaelCarlie/SOLUTIONS/INSTITUTIONS/what_your_local_business.htm

Blog Six- The testing of Altruism and cynicism in the neighborhood

Sources found after readings...

MacDonald J, Stokes R, Grunwald B, Bluthenthal R. The Privatization of Public Safety in Urban Neighborhoods: Do Business Improvement Districts Reduce Violent Crime Among Adolescents?. Law & Society Review [serial online]. September 2013;47(3):621-652. Available from: Academic Search Premier, Ipswich, MA. Accessed October 8, 2013.

    This article describes how privately owned businesses in neighborhoods can affect the neighborhood itself among youth by applying their own public security features for the public. 

ANDERSON J, MACDONALD J, BLUTHENTHAL R, ASHWOOD J. REDUCING CRIME BY SHAPING THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT WITH ZONING: AN EMPIRICAL STUDY OF LOS ANGELES. University Of Pennsylvania Law Review [serial online]. February 2013;161(3):699-756. Available from: Academic Search Premier, Ipswich, MA. Accessed October 8, 2013.

    Combining both emphases of sociology and business this article discusses zoning of neighborhoods and the effects of the crime rate. They found that neighborhoods that are mixed commercial-residential have a lower crime rate. 

Thomas V, Selvadurai S, Er A, Lyndon N, Moorthy R. Factors Influencing Commitment of Volunteers' in Neighborhood Watch Organization. Journal Of Social Sciences (15493652) [serial online]. December 2011;7(4):569-574. Available from: Academic Search Premier, Ipswich, MA. Accessed October 8, 2013.

   Comparing the levels of commitment of an organization such as neighborhood watch. What effects the commitment and ties to the community. 

Sobol J. Social ecology and police discretion: The influence of district crime, cynicism, and workload on the vigor of police response. Journal Of Criminal Justice [serial online]. July 2010;38(4):481-488. Available from: Academic Search Premier, Ipswich, MA. Accessed October 8, 2013.

   This article reviews how police use discretion in certain neighborhoods, they view crime as normal in some neighborhood regardless of the actual instance. 

Explain how these sources relate to one or both of my emphases... 

     The sources I have chosen either look at how a community and businesses can work together or integrate together to create a safer environment for the entire community. By understanding how businesses can help their community, they will build a stronger one. Other sources take a look at how and why people commit themselves to their community. I think it is important to understand why some residents feel the need to involve themselves in a community and why some just don't care. 

How I feel these relate to Sampsons methods...

      In Sampsons methods of the letter drop and CPR I feel like he was only testing if people WOULD take the time to help. I think that it helps to understand WHY someone would stop and help or why someone would not. In these days I feel like there are so many warnings out there, meaning there is always some story floating around like, not stopping to help little old ladies, its a gimmick for gang members to snag you. Or people putting money in your windshield wipers while your in the store so when you come out you will stop and take the time to get it out, meanwhile they have to chance to rob you or worse. Maybe some members of society want to help but are scared or hesitant because of the world we live in. Is it best to just keep your head down and keep walking ? I feel like this relate to Sampsons work because it is important to know what average of community members would help but also why and why not.