Grassroots Associations

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David Horton Smith - Boston College, Chestnut Hill, USA

Other Titles in:
Social Policy (General) | Social Work Administration (General)

June 2000 | 360 pages | SAGE Publications, Inc

Grassroots Associations is a comprehensive review and critique of empirical and theoretical research on grassroots non profit-making and voluntary organizations.

David Horton Smith examines in depth the distinctive nature and characteristics of a previously under-studied area which includes such groups as Alchoholics Anonymous, community environmental action committees and church Bible study groups. He addresses: group formation, structure, process, leadership, and life cycle change; effectiveness; the influence such associations have on society; the future of grassroots associations, which he sees as integral to a postmodern society moving towards participatory democracy, self-determinism and individual choice.

PART ONE: TOWARD A ROUND-EARTH PARADIGM FOR THE VOLUNTARY NONPROFIT SECTOR

Definitions and Metaphors

Revising Flat-Earth Maps

The Rest of the Voluntary Nonprofit Sector

PART TWO: THE DISTINCTIVE NATURE OF GRASSROOTS ASSOCIATIONS

Formational Characteristics

Internal Guidance Systems

Internal Structure

Internal Processes

Leaders and Environments

Life Cycle Changes

Impact and Effectiveness

PART THREE: THEORETICAL PARADIGMS AND CONCLUSIONS

Flat-Earth Paradigms and the Round-Earth Paradigm in Outline

Some Conclusions and Forecasts

The Advent of Homo Voluntas

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