Working Hypothesis: Social Capital

Community Based Organizations that build social capital are more effective at developing community competence.

Corollary 1: CBOs that have established multiple partnerships (financial, organizational, programmatic) experience significant increases in social capital.

Corollary 2: CBOs that expand participant, staff and community social networks increase social capital.

Physical Capacity

Questions for Clients

Research Question: As a result of their increased social networking at CTCs, do participants have increased physical opportunities?
Survey Questions: How much, if at all, has the CTC improved your ability to shop? Access to health care information? Your personal financial management? Connections to family members? Connections to friends? Your ability to learn about new things?

Questions for Staff/Executives/Organization

Research Question: Do staff understand their mission of the CTC and why it is in that particular community?
Survey Questions: What is the history of this neighborhood? What is the history of CTCs in this neighborhood? Overall, are you satisfied with the way Austin is developing? How many other CTCs in Austin do you know about?

Questions about Partnerships

Research Question: Are there physical partnerships between organizations?
Survey Question: Are there shared physical structures between organizations, such as space, equipment, materials, etc.?

Social Capacity

Questions for Clients

Research Question: As a result of participants increased social networking at CTCs, do participants have increased social opportunities?
Survey Questions: When you need help in your personal life, would you say that you can turn to many people for support, just a few people, or hardly any people at all? How long have you been coming to the center? What was your experience of community before and after you started coming to this center? When you go shopping are you likely to run in to friends and acquaintances? Do you know most of your neighbors' names? Get help from people in your neighborhood when your need it? Do you participate in community events or help organize community events? Would you recommend this CTC to others?

Questions for Staff/Executives/Organization

Research Question:Are there opportunities for institutional innovation?

Survey Questions: Does your boss listen to your ideas? How often do have staff meetings? Is there a method for you to evaluate your workplace? When you have ideas, how do you share them? Have your ideas been implemented? Where do you see the CTC in one year? Five years?

Questions about Partnerships

Research Question: Do organizations share or collaborate with other CTCs, communities and/or community leaders?
Survey Questions: Are you in partnership with other CTCs? Does the CTC have partnerships with the private sector, local or state government, federal government? Does your CTC collaborate/network with other CTCs or CBOs? Does your CTC barter with other CTCs for service (i.e. office support)? Do you attend networking meetings?