Confronting power dynamics and engaging the community's voice in collective impact
Collective Impact Forum
Confronting power dynamics and engaging the community's voice in collective impact (48:11) shows a plenary discussion with community-based organizations that highlights when and how to authentically engage community groups for collective impact.
This panel discussion shares important insights about community engagement, from community-based advocates and organizers. Panelists addressed several questions, including:
- What have you seen work and not work in terms of community engagement? (5:00) This discussion stresses the importance of engaging where the community feels it's important, the time needed to develop trust, and helping residents find their voice.
- How do you work with and mitigate power dynamics in community engagement? (16:40) Responses focus on finding and leveraging power in the community. You can find a particular plea to public health organizations offering stipends for participation in surveys or focus groups at 27:36.
- What are some tools to engage the community? (31:50) This segment encourages funders to partner with trusted community organizations to lead community engagement, and stresses the importance of continually assessing quality of work to assure that the community you intend to help is not inadvertently hurt.
- How do you build consensus when the community has different priorities? (36:20) In this section, panelists acknowledge that different priorities are OK, and suggest building relationships with different community sectors that can impact the need being addressed.
When to use
Use this video for staff development, coalition development, or to gain perspective when your organization faces challenges with community engagement.
Your staff could view it independently or as a group, whole or in segments.
You might consider watching and discussing different segments during a training or at a series of staff meetings. You could also select a segment that speaks to a particular challenge your organization faces, and share it with others for reflection and discussion.
The video might be particularly helpful to introduce or sustain the foundations of community engagement with individuals or groups who may academically understand community engagement but would benefit from hearing the perspectives of a trio of community organizers with boots on the ground.
Things to consider
The audience for this panel discussion is a group of funders, which guided the panelists' comments.
Use this resource
Confronting power dynamics and engaging the community's voice in collective impact
Find similar resources
- By practice: authentically engage with the community
- By type: videos, case studies
- By goal: build community relationships