participatory evaluation hcst describes the framework that pursue capacity-builcling in an empowering appro,1ch. (Minkler 1. 997; Kellogg Foundntion 1998 in Anderson and Mc Farlane 2004) Bartle (2000) emphasized that Lht: task of cv;1l11ating the community 's strength or competenc e is nut the researcher's sole responsibility. It i. s as much as the community's responsibility lo ev. iluatc its m,11 strength within its own cultural and contexl. But how do we operationalize the participatory approach iu evaluating the level of community competence? There are two important issues a nurse ls faced with in planning evaluation_ of commu. nity competence_ What arc the outcomes to look for in measuring community changes and community competence? What are t Jie methods and tools to employ to maximize participation of the commu11ity in evaluating community changes and competence? Measuring Change Outcome s The ultimate goal of community l1ealth nursing interventions is community competence. \l'lhile achievement of program goals, objectives 11ml strategics can easily be quantified, measuring commun ity strengtl1 or competence is still an unfamiliar ground for the m1rsc. The concept of commu1Jity competence is firmly Jjnked lo empowerm ent where people achieve a consensus on their health needs and problems, possible solutions and unified actions to address these needs and problems. (Cottrell 1976; Minkler 1991: Wass 2000). Cottrell (1976) nnd Eng and Parker (1994) tlefine comrnunit-y competence iu te1111s uf eight di111ensiu11s. 111ese dimensions are used to qualitntivcly describe the extent the commun ity has ac;hieved competence. In the succeeding chapter, the eight dimensions are described exhaustively in the context of communit y health an<l development intervenlioni;. Similarly, Bartle (2007) in his model of community empowerment includes the sixteen clements tbat define community strength. Cottrcll's eight dimensions and Bartie's sixteen clements provide inclicators thul will help the people themselves un<lcrstau<l their status as u community and their capacity for self-reliance in terms of managing their own health problems. Furthermor e, using tl. lcse indicators,vill enahle the nurse to measure the response of the commun. ity to the programs t)1at are being implemented in lhe community as well as the efncieney of various sectors of the community to achieve a common goal. Cottreu-s Dimensions of Community Bartie's Elements to Measure Commu. i lty Competence (1976) Strength or Empowerment (2007) seir-otner awareness and clarltlf of Altruism situational definition Common values articulateness Communal services commitment Communications machinery forfacilltating participant. lnteraotion and decision-making Confidence Context Information 217 