Glossary of Terms

action research: studios and diligent inquiry and examination; collecting of information.

action teams: associated together in work, group or activity set to accomplish a thing over a period of time, in stages, possible replication

advisory councils: having or exercising power to advise; central body uniting a group of organizations; members have equal power asset: a useful thing or quality; the skills and resources of a community

Census (dicennial): The census of population and housing, taken by the Census Bureau in years ending in 0 (zero). Article I of the Constitution requires that a census be taken every ten years for the purpose of reapportioning the U.S. House of Representatives http://factfinder.census.gov/home/en/epss/glossary_c.html

census tract zone: Census tracts are small, relatively permanent statistical subdivisions of a county delineated by local participants as part of the U.S. Census Bureau's Participant Statistical Areas Program…Census tract boundaries are delineated with the intention of being maintained over many decades so that statistical comparisons can be made from decennial census to decennial census. However, physical changes in street patterns caused by highway construction, new developments, and so forth, may require occasional boundary revisions. In addition, census tracts occasionally are split due to population growth or combined as a result of substantial population decline…Census tract numbers range from 1 to 9999 and are unique within a county or statistically equivalent entity.http://www.census.gov/geo/www/cob/tr_metadata.html

coach: one who instructions or trains and directs team strategy coalition: coalescing of originally distinct elements; temporary alliance of distinct parties for joint action

community canvassing: activities to carefully examine and get to know the community in which one is living and working (i.e. asset mapping, focus studies, Census data review, observing at third places)

community profile: a collection of data concerning a specific geographic area that includes demographics as well as information about the health, education, employment, social circumstances, etc. of its residents (a comprehensive community profile would represent this data geospatially and note assets, resource deficits, and spatial inequalities); all data is represented in charts and tables broken down into Census Tract Zones.

community resiliency: safety, productivity, responsibility, awareness, balance, pride, and a positive outlook that results from strong partnerships & alliances, clear & timely two-way communication, and social & educational events/programs present for all stakeholders: residents, businesses, and community organizations.

convener: to gather and assemble constituents and stakeholders donor: one that gives, donates, or presents something

experts: analyzing and or teaching methods & procedures for maximum efficiency

external webbing: within the FSCP structure, it refers to an Action Team(s) partnering with entities that are not a formal part of the FSCP organizational structure (e.g. they do not belong to any of the Action Teams) geo-data intelligence: information collected through the use of geospatial technology

Forum: open discussion and expression of ideas; judicial body or assembly.

geospatial technology: The utilization of four distinct technologies to gather, analyze, and present information for decision-making, tracking, and verification. These technologies consist of…

GIS (Geographic Information System): study of the earth through digital models that represent the real world,
GPS (Global Positioning System): use of a GPS receiver, a satellite constellation, and ground control stations to locate and direct,
RS (Remote Sensing): usually refers to viewing something from a distance (i.e. Doppler weather radar), and Surveying: measures distances, directions and angles between points and elevations of points, lines and contours on and above the earth’s surface. Users of geospatial technology show inter-related events, resources, and activities by spatial location; provide a scientific visualization of complex information via maps, charts, graphs, tables; display and track change; and guide resource allocation.

individual resiliency: the possession of certain characteristics (e.g. inner strength, energy, determination, connectedness, purpose, self-confidence, and a positive outlook) acquired through the existence of resilient assets/protective factors caring relationships, high expectation messages, and opportunities for participation and contribution and that these protective factors must be present in all significant environments: home, school/work, and community.

integrator: one that integrates, forms, coordinates, or blends into a functioning unified whole. internal webbing: within in the FSCP structure, it refers to Action Teams joining together in collaborative ventures (e.g. team to team collaborations)

internship: gaining supervised practical experience.

interoperability: the ability of two or more systems or components to exchange information and to use the information that has been exchanged

learning circle: knowledge or skill acquired by study

longitudinal data: Data continuously gathered on the same entity (i.e. student) from year to year mentors: trusted counselor or guide

participants: active participation in strategies and activities.

partnership: close cooperation between parties having specified and joint rights, responsibilities, and benefits resource deficit: the lacking of the proper amount of a resource to meet the needs of the

community resiliency: the ability to thrive amidst change; the ability to recover quickly from setbacks; the capacity to weather the storms of life and come out “with more power and more smarts”1

seminar: meeting for giving and discussing information

smaller learning community: a group of 100 or less students and teachers joining together to teach and learn rigorous academic standards to prepare for college and career.

spatial inequality: the existence of the proper amount of a resource but distributed throughout a community in such a manner that it leaves some areas lacking and others over “stocked.”

stakeholder: an individual or organization that has a stake (investment, risk, claim) in the undertaking as it will impact their situation in some manner either directly or indirectly.

steering committee: a committee that determines the order of business

symposium: formal meeting several specialist deliver short address of related topic

third place: coined by sociologist Ray Oldenburg and first appeared in his 1990 book The Great Good Place, a celebration of the places where people can regularly go to take it easy and commune with friends, family (i.e. park, restaurant, club)

volunteers: Providing service and/or contribution.

webbing (AKA. web of inclusion): [based on Sally Helgesen’s The Web of Inclusion (1995): A leadership structure defined by the architecture of a web in the sense that is built from the center out and is constantly spinning new “tendrils of connections.” Its design is for the purpose of being highly adaptive and providing an ease of reconfiguring with each new project while being held together by a tight focus on its mission. [http://www.kon.org/leadership/web_inclusion.html] The general characteristics of such a model are… Open communication--Freely flowing information is an essential component of webs. Information without regard for position and "right to know" adds a sense of security and destroys uncertainty, thereby building morale. Blurred distinction between conception and execution--Thinking and doing are inextricably linked in order to use feedback to modify the very nature of the task as it goes along. Lasting networks that redistribute power--Unlike traditional organizational models, webs are not disbanded at the end of each task. By maintaining the connections across levels, the teams are able to keep and expand those linkages to the benefit of the organization. [continued on next page] Constant reorganization--New ways of connecting people are needed in order for organizations to be adaptable to every-changing situations and to redefine the nature of its business. Continual reorganization is facilitated because webs are so permeable. Expansion to the world outside--The web, by its very nature, can expand to include collaborative efforts with other individuals and groups to expand its reach and scope. Acceptance of trial and error--The ability to try one approach and then another to discover what works and what doesn't provides an effective strategy for operating in a crisis when there is little time to prepare detailed plans. The web process is more than a team approach; although a web of inclusion often has a specific mission, it is not disbanded or reabsorbed upon achievement of the goals. Instead, it plays a more lasting role because it emphasizes process as well as structure, establishes "new ways of approaching problems, of thinking, of connecting people, of giving them information and motivating them" (Helgesen, 1995, p. 33).

Work: not only those task completed for pay but also constructive activities (i.e. toddler playing with blocks, stay-at-home parent planning a family outing, retiree caring for his garden).

Workshop: focus especially on techniques and skill of particular field.