Leadership and Community Engagement | A Pilot Study of NC Black Elected Officials | Authors:
Forrest D. Toms, PhD, NC A&T State University
Daniel Miller, PhD, NC A&T State University
Sharon Glover, MHR, Glover & Associates
Monica Kerr, MA, Doctoral Student, NC A&T State University
Alexander Erwin, Ed.D., NC A&T State University | This pilot study was conducted in cooperation and partnership with the NC Alliance of Black Elected Officials
Introduction
Leadership requires a greater understanding of self and the core values that determine individual actions. Therefore, leadership for community engagement require a focus on how leaders of communities perceive their role in building capacity within the church and communities, to address the health, educational and economic challenges (1). Leadership and community engagement are the cornerstones of community capacity building. Successful and impactful capacity building requires effective organizing, planning, developing and implementing policies, programs and processes to improve the quality of life of communities through intentional and consistent participation in community engagement activities. The results of this pilot study suggest that the need for capacity building in African American communities has never been greater (1).
Community engagement is the process of working collaboratively with and through groups of people affiliated by geographic proximity, special interest or similar situations to address issues affecting the well-being of those people (2). The “with” of community engagement suggest that elected officials, community leaders and other stakeholders must seek to include community representation in all aspects of civic and political engagement. The “through” of community engagement implies working relationships and partnerships with communities to ensure participation and engagement of issues and policies affecting their well being.
Leadership is acknowledged as a key element in improving the participation of people of color and low-income individuals in policy development (3). Black Elected Officials and people of color, in general, who wish to take on broader, more mainstream leadership responsibilities face an array of obstacles, such as: lack of access to professional development; limited funding resources; cultural differences; racism and isolation from power. Often missing, too, are strong supportive organizations to back these leaders and the means to build politically viable constituencies (3). The expressed need for strong supportive organizations reinforces the need for capacity building at local levels to inform and educate community leaders about the need for civic and political engagement.
Purpose of Pilot Study
This pilot study provides a baseline descriptive analysis of a select group of North Carolina Black Elected Official’s perceptions, beliefs and actions regarding leadership and community engagement. The pilot study is a first step in the process of gaining a more in-depth understanding of how, in what ways and to what degree black elected officials view and participate in community capacity building around civic and political engagement.
Methods
The survey of elected officials included quantitative measures using a five point Likert scale in the following areas: 1) effectiveness of service agencies, 2) program and service needs, 3) perception of community participation in civic meetings, 4) attendance of African American in civic meetings and 5) meetings officials organized to inform, plan and implement critical issues impacting the community. In addition, survey respondents were asked to provide written responses to open-ended questions in the following areas: 1) What can elected officials do to enhance the engagement of faith-based and community leaders in the civic and political process, locally and statewide? 2) Challenges facing African American citizens in NC that a more engaged faith-based and community could positively impact and 3) Opportunities for African American citizens that a more engaged community can positively impact.
Data Collection Procedure A total of 150 surveys were printed and distributed to participants attending the NC Black Elected Officials Conference. Surveys were distributed as participants registered for the conference. Participants were instructed to complete the surveys and return them to the registration desk at the end of the day. A total of 52 elected officials responded to the survey, which represents a 35% response rate. Of those that responded, all but two indicated that they are African-American. Analysis of Data Quantitative Analysis
Survey participants represent 27 different counties in North Carolina, with Edgecombe representing 11%, Wake 9% and Pitt, Rowan and Warren with 6%. In our sample of 52 Black Elected Officials (BEO’s) 56% of the respondents were male and 41% female. In terms of age, 4 (5.7%) were between the age of 25-40 years of age, 6 (11.5%) were between 41 and 50 years of age, 19 (37%) were between 51 and 60 years of age, and 23 (44%) were 60 years and older. Nearly 81% of respondents were 51 years or older. Types of Offices Held and Number of Years in Public Office - In terms of offices held by respondents to the survey, school board members represented the largest group with 31%; city council members were next with 25%, county commissioners 17%, mayors 7% and sheriff 1.9%.
- Twenty five percent of survey respondents reported being in their positions less than five years. Approximately 30% reported being in public office between 5-10 years, 25% between 11-20 years and 5% serving more than 20 years.
Gender Difference in Offices Held by Black Elected Officials - Among the BEO’s who responded to the survey, men and women are fairly evenly distributed in terms of service on school boards and city councils. However, local and county executive offices are disproportionately represented by men.
Perceptions of Effective Services in African American Communities: - According to the Black elected officials in this survey, mental health services, social services, and banking are the lowest ranked among the services to these officials’ communities. These services were ranked as being ineffective or marginally effective by their local officials.
Need for Programs and Services: - Across the board, nearly all survey respondents indicate a need for more programs and services for their communities. These include programs in the areas of: Job Skill Training, Senior Programs and Service, Housing, Children and Youth Services, Civic Education, Leadership Development, Small Business Development, Community Revitalization, Financial Services, Healthcare, and Mental Health Services.
Perceptions of Community Participation in Civic Meetings In examining the levels of engagement by elected officials, we asked the questions listed below. Following each question a brief overview of findings is described. Questions: Importance of Engagement - 100% of the respondents agreed that there is a significant need for African-Americans citizens/community members to attend and participate in public meetings. Approximately 99% of the respondents also believe there is a need to develop strategies to increase African-American attendance and participation in public meetings.
Elected officials are effective in their efforts to engage citizens in the civic process. - 30% disagreed or strongly disagreed that elected officials were effective in engaging citizens in the civic process; 38% felt they were somewhat effective, and 31% felt elected officials were effective.
Elected officials are effective in their efforts to engage citizens in the political process. - 25% felt that elected officials were ineffective in getting citizens involved in the political process; with 48% somewhat agreeing that elected officials were effective, and 23% perceiving the group to be effective.
Elected officials are effective in their efforts to engage youth and young adults in the political process. - 50% of respondents felt that elected officials were not effective in their efforts to engage youth and young adults in the civic process, 22% felt officials were effective, and 27% noting that officials w
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