Analysis of Community Structure

A great deal can be discovered by analysing the structure of a community. For this assignment each student will examine the structure of their placement agency, paying particular attention to the agencies organizational chart. Every position in the organizational chart should relate in some way to the fulfilment of the agency’s mission.

The organizational chart can reveal a lot of information about the agency: who sets policies, programs/services, areas of responsibility, formal lines of communication, and lines of authority. However, agencies also have informal lines of communication and authority that may differ from the formal ones shown on the chart. Use your observation and listening skills to discover where there might be differences. Use your analytical skills to figure out what impact these informal lines of communication and authority have on the work of the agency.

Obtain the organization chart from your placement. It should look similar to the one attached here. If your agency does not have a chart, they may have the structure written in a narrative form. If not, you will have to draw one, which means finding out all the positions at the agency, and how they relate. Attach the organization chart to your assignment.

Obtain the mission statement of the agency. Mission statements can be found on brochures, websites, letterhead. Attach the mission statement to your assignment.

Answer the following questions.

1. Choose 1 position from the chart and describe:
– an example of a formal line of communication (e.g. Social Worker ? Social Worker, Nurse ? Physiotherapist);
– an example of a formal line of authority (4 marks)
2. What informal lines of communication or authority have you observed? Explain using examples (Examples might be a staff person who always seeks advice from a peer rather than their supervisor or a secretary to whom everyone comes for information) What are the benefits or drawbacks of these informal lines of communication? What impact do they have on the work of the agency (achieving the mission)? (8 marks)
3. What conclusions can you make about the relationship of the informal lines of communication and authority to the formal ones shown in the organizational chart? (6 marks)
4. How would awareness of both the formal and informal structure help someone do his or her job? (4 marks)
5. Referring to page 98 of the text, explain who in your agency exercises each of the types of power, using examples to illustrate. Why is it important to understand how power functions in a community. (14 marks)

 

 

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