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Grassroots Associations
- David Horton Smith - Boston College, Chestnut Hill, USA, University of California, Irvine, USA
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
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