ABCD-Training-of-Trainers-Tools-July-2013

1.1.c. Variation on Introducing ABCD: Glass Half Full
(Source: Coady International Institute)
Session Title
Session Objectives
Duration of Session
Resources
Training Materials
Glass Half Full
To conceptually contrast a needs-based and an asset-based approach
10 minutes
Glass of water filled half way
None
Introduction
Using the analogy of the glass half full or half empty is an easy way for people to conceptualize what we
mean by Asset-Based Community-Driven Development.
Instructions
Fill a glass of water half-way and ask the participants what they see: Is the glass half-full or half-empty?
Some might say half-full (the optimists); some might say half-empty (the pessimists). As a joke,
facilitators can take a sip of the water and say ‘opportunists’ would simply drink the water☺.
Relate this to the two kinds of community development practice:
• One sees the community as half-empty. This is the needs-based or problem-focused approach
because our starting point is on what community members do not have.
• The other sees the community as half-full: This is an asset-based approach because it starts by
looking at what community members already have and builds on their strengths, abilities, and
assets: associations, small savings, market opportunities, and so on.
Clients have deficiencies and needs.
Citizens have capacities and gifts.
Figure 1: Is the glass half full or half empty?
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