The Communication of Community Collaboration: When Rhetorical Visions Collide

Abstract

Recently, community coalitions have grown in size, scope, and popularity in response to increasing demands for community-based involvement. Despite this trend, little is known about the ubiquitous role communication plays in the creation of community coalition missions, goals, and enactment practices. In addition, few studies have focused on the symbolic discourse of vital, active community groups. This study examines how coalition members have symbolically converged around a shared vision, which has unintentionally affected group sustenance. Fantasy theme analysis identifies two distinct visions in competition with one another, highlighting possible group dysfunction and decline. This communicative analysis of the group's symbolic life, coupled with a practical look into group effectiveness, bridges the gap between functionalist and interpretive approaches to studying organizational groups.

Keywords:

• Community Coalitions
• Fantasy Theme Analysis
• Prosocial And Antisocial Rhetorical Visions
• Symbolic Convergence Theory

A previous version of this article was presented at the annual meeting of the International Communication Association, San Francisco, CA in May 2007. This study is based on Cheryl Broom's masters' thesis, completed at California State University–Chico, 2005.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Cheryl Broom

Cheryl Broom (Kyle) (M.A., California State University–Chico, 2005) is an associate faculty member in the Department of Communication Studies and Interim Director of Marketing and Communications at MiraCosta College.

Susan Avanzino

Susan Avanzino (Ph.D., University of Southern California, 1997) is an assistant professor in the Department of Communication Studies at California State University–Chico.