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This paper presents ideas arising from several, practice based research projects looking at critical practice and accountability in community organisations. In particular it highlights tensions for community workers that arise from narrow representations of accountability in an outcomes dominated environment. It invokes the Kantian notions of price versus dignity, arguing that the latter is more applicable to many aspects of community development, notwithstanding the fact that much of that work is facilitated within an increasingly economic rationalist framework.

The paper argues that what counts as meaningful in everyday practice is often articulated in tacit forms, relational contexts and in processes rather than explicit, ends based outcomes. Using ideas from critical theory – and in particular a lifeworld/systems framework - the paper argues that these communicative (meaning making) aspects of practice need to inform strategic (outcomes oriented) action. The challenge for practitioners is how to make such meaningful things both relevant and visible in ways that ‘count’ in terms of systemic expectations derived largely from funding parameters. The paper concludes by highlighting the centrality of reflexive practice as a means to achieving these things.