Principles And Guidelines

Principles and guidelines for THS staff working in communities

The following principles and guidelines were developed by a group of THS staff experienced in community development approaches. These principles and guidelines need to be thought about within the context of people's values, beliefs, language, relationship to country, and cultural and historical backgrounds.

Approaching the community

Have an open mind
Be prepared to spend time learning about the community - people, language, ways, values. Each community will be different
Be prepared to be flexible and take the opportunity to discuss issues when people raise them
Recognise that the world view you carry will be very different to the world view of the community
Find out what the protocols are for visiting the community such as dress, time, who to approach, where to and where not to go, and local politics to avoid

From experience …

When I started working at Port Keats, other people who had been working with the community for some time were the front people. I took my time, stood back, watched and listened. I talked with people about their lives and how they were getting on. I talked about my life and family too. It took a while to establish trust. Now people know me, which makes it easier when visiting or when I see people visiting Darwin. I always ask how they and their families are and talk about what is happening. It's a wonderful feeling.

Lyn O'Donoghue, Senior Aboriginal Health Promotion Officer,
Operations North

Interacting with the community

Respect the views and ideas of community residents - do not impose your own
Realise that every community is complex - it has strengths and weaknesses which community residents will identify
Community residents can be sensitive about their home - respect their privacy when discussing it with others
Recognise that you have skills and knowledge to offer the community - do not be afraid to share them. Likewise Aboriginal people have skills and knowledge to share with you. Learning is a two way process
Use plain English, not jargon
Recognise the diversity of people living in the community - make sure you get a representative view by approaching a wide range of people, taking note of protocols
Be prepared to talk about yourself, your family, your job and what it and you could offer the community

From experience …

You … have to know when it is the right time to talk. Your business might have to wait until another time, a more appropriate time. People might have other things on their minds. People will tell you when they're ready to listen. I might say "something's changed with social security and you women need to know about it". And the women will say "Alright, we're going down the creek fishing this afternoon. Come down then and talk to us." They'll tell you exactly when they'll be ready to listen.

Olive Rogers, Aboriginal Nutrition Adviser,
Operations North

Working with the community

Recognise mutual and different goals
Assist without doing for people. This principle is essential to ensure that the program is suitable for the community, addresses the needs of the community, and belongs to the community
Take leadership from community residents in planning on how to achieve their goals - it is their process
Be prepared for the fact that nothing might happen in your time frames, or that the community might have other priorities. Cultural activities will often take priority over other things
You do not have to be everything to everybody. Know what your personal boundaries are. Be honest about what they are with people in the community

From experience …

I always say to people, "this is your place. I'm the outsider. You tell me what's right to do." We take our direction from the community members - as well as using common sense, courtesy and always aiming to respect community values and beliefs. If we're given conflicting directions or information, we always clarify it. One time someone passed away. Some people down one end of the community said "You mob might as well pack up and go home, because of sorry business and you won't be able to do anything anyway". We checked with the Council and they said "Oh no, this time it's not an issue for you. You can work but just keep a low profile at the time of the funeral."

Gwen Walley, Living with Alcohol,
Alcohol and Other Drugs Program


		For information on how to get a broader view and understanding of the community with which you work read: 'Community Profiles' in 'Planning and Evaluating a Health Promotion Project' Chapter 'Community Mapping' in the 'Environmental Health' Chapter

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