Paul Elsner

　　No society can remain vital or even survive without a Reasonable base of shared values… where community exists it confers upon its members identity, a sense of belonging, a measure of security. Individuals acquire a sense of self partly from their continuous relations toothers, and from the culture of their native place.-John W. Gardner (1991)
　　 Community building involves creating relationships that let people and organizations share values, find common interests, and mobilize resources toward solutions. For community colleges, this community building means reaching beyond the walls of their institutions to nurture such relationships and develop networks. Uniquely positioned to be neutral conveners, community colleges can bring parties together and bind divergent interests for the betterment of the community.

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　Making the case for community building
　　Community building requires deep engagement and the sharing of common interests, resources, and values both within and beyond college walls. We make the case for community college participation because healthy communities make stronger community colleges. community building does not always immediately serve a college’s purposes, but over the long term, benefits in positive and often unforeseen way.

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　Isolation is dangerous
　　Community colleges are in great peril when they are isolated from their communities. Not long ago, community colleges had simpler missions and stronger funding sources. Today, legislation and policy leaders have pushed community colleges into survival mode. Colleges an their communities now depend on shared resources and mutual, interdependent support. The colleges must know who is “out there”: it is no longer “them” and “us”. As categorical funding disappears, block grants and state –formula funding will become the norm, greatly reducing the control and flexibility for locally driven programs.
　　Community building can increase a community college’s options for funding. Corporate workforce training, that involves municipalities, small businesses, and neighborhoods, has eclipsed older vocational funding. Local school –reform initiatives have led community colleges to create after –school tutorials that are organized by colleges instructional designers and delivered at the Urban League or at a church community center. Health and human services program staff must look to locally based agencies, municipalities, states welfare departments, community –based organizations, and churches for alliances. This kind of creative thinking can lead to better recognition within the community, increasing community colleges’ possible sources of financial support.

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　Community colleges must understand their communities
　　Understanding the community outside its walls helps to define a community college’s mission. Significant change in a college comes from adapting roles, rules, and responsibilities in accordance with real community needs.

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　Should community colleges have social agendas?
　　Arguments in favor of community building raise the question of whether community colleges should have social agendas, which can by no means be answered with one voice. The colleges get pulled this way and that by local politics. They are accountable to their own boards’ mandates; to the agendas of mayors and other municipal leaders; and to their areas’ special –based organizations, which are fiercely competitive about prerogative and territory.
Policymakers are not always concerned with a social agenda. Most try to limit community college functions to core purposes and general education fundamental.
　　Building alternative resources with many community collaborators may be the only way for community colleges to improve funded by limited resources. By joining forces with other institutions, colleges can maximize their ability to provide services ranging from assisting inner –city schools to helping families in crisis.
Community building is one way to carry out a community college’s goal of being an integral part of the community, and to restructure the community support system for both students and citizens. For the good of the community and the good of the college, community colleges should understand and accept their social responsibility.