Informative Webpages
Definitions and Frequently Asked Questions About Community Advocacy
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I really make a difference?
People often say it is difficult to support local businesses because there are not enough of them. As few people support them few can exist. But every little bit helps. As others become conscious of their local economies, there will be increased support for local ownership and more consumer choices of local arts and businesses will be avaialble.
Is Texas Community Advocate a political campaign?
No, it is a nonpartisan community advocacy service.
TCA does not serve the interests of any specific or single political party. All politicians, regardless of party affiliation, who care about the communities they represent should encourage their constituents to support greater local ownership.
Although many political candidates receive campaign support from large businesses, no parties advocate against small businesses. The need for increased small business (which generally supports broad ownership on the local level) is often the subject of presidential speeches.
Who sponsors Texas Community Advocate?
TCA is a community advocacy service of Houston Institute for Culture. Its function is under the Center for Localism, a center for broad interests and local solutions. Houston Institute for Culture's website is found at: www.houstonculture.org
What government programs promote small businesses?
Local, state and federal governments recognize the importance of local small business ownership. The main program that supports small business is the federal governments' Small Business Administration and the Small Business Development Centers that work on the local level in many communities.
Consumer education, however, is critical to the success of small businesses. Unfortunately, there is little support for this necessary aspect of making local small businesses viable.
Additionally, important federal legislation to address issues of narrow ownership includes the Community Reinvestment Act.
The State of Texas promotes the use of HUB (Historically Underutilized Business) programs by its state agencies.
What benefits do small businesses offer government agencies?
Community support for small local businesses increases financial transactions within the community, circulating money more effectively. Greater circulation of money in communities results in higher employment, larger incomes and increased sales of goods and services, therefore resulting in higher revenues for government agencies. In theory, this may alleviate the difficulties some levels of government experience finding revenue sources (which cause some government agencies to raise taxes and penalties on citizens). They may be able to reduce taxes and penalties.
Wider circulation of money in a community will improve the local government's ability to provide greater services and reduce its dependency on higher tax rates that are based on fewer transactions that result when ownership is limited.
Definitions
Localism
Localism requires understanding and emphasis on the condition of a person's surroundings, particularly their community - neighborhood, school or workplace - and a focused effort on processes to improve the community, or achieve greater representation in the community.
Localism
1 a: a local idiom (such as a form of artistic expression) b: a local peculiarity of speaking or acting
2: affection or partiality for a particular place
Localize
1: to make local: orient locally
2: to assign to or keep within a definite locality
intransitive verb: to accumulate in or be restricted to a specific or limited area
Community Advocacy
Community
1 : a unified body of individuals: as a: STATE, COMMONWEALTH b: the people with common interests living in a particular area; broadly : the area itself c: an interacting population of various kinds of individuals (as species) in a common location d: a group of people with a common characteristic or interest living together within a larger society e: a group linked by a common policy f: a body of persons or nations having a common history or common social, economic, and political interests g: a body of persons of common and especially professional interests scattered through a larger society
Advocate
1: one that pleads the cause of another; specifically : one that pleads the cause of another before a tribunal or judicial court
2: one that defends or maintains a cause or proposal
3: one that supports or promotes the interests of another
Function: transitive verb: to plead in favor of
Pluralism
4a: a state of society in which members of diverse ethnic, racial, religious, or social groups maintain an autonomous participation in and development of their traditional culture or special interest within the confines of a common civilization b: a concept, doctrine, or policy advocating this state
Source: Merriam Webster Dictionary
Articles
-Money Goes Around the Community, Not Just In and Out of the Account
-Protecting Your Local Economy Without Being Labeled a "Protectionist"
-Globalization: Its Positive and Negative Effects on the Local Community
More information to be provided as the website is developed.
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Community Gift Giving
A Model Program for Holiday Initiatives to Support Local Artists, Authors, Organizations and Businesses
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Resource Downloads
Weblinks and Printable Posters to Inform Community Members About the Benefits of Local Ownership
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Sol Communities
Resources to Preserve the Distinctive Cultures and Identities of Texas Communities
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Informative Webpages
Definitions and Frequently Asked Questions About Community Advocacy
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Additional Resources
Successful Community Principles, Diverse Cultural Histories, Community Forums, and More
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