Strengthening Human Relations through Interpersonal Communication Training for Members of the Karang Taruna “Dwi Mulya” Pucangro Village

Abstrak

Karang Taruna, as a youth development organization, plays a strategic role in village community empowerment, yet its effectiveness largely depends on the quality of human relations among its members. Growing dependence on technology-mediated communication has weakened face-to-face interaction among youth, including members of Karang Taruna Dwi Mulya in Pucangro Village, Kalitengah District, Lamongan Regency, resulting in low openness, empathy, and coordination within the organization. This community service activity aims to strengthen human relations among Karang Taruna members through interpersonal communication training grounded in DeVito's concept of communication effectiveness, namely openness, empathy, supportiveness, positiveness, and equality. The service method employed a descriptive qualitative approach through a participatory action research (PAR) model, carried out through preparation (needs assessment and focus group discussion), implementation (interactive lectures, group discussions, and role-play simulations), and evaluation using participatory observation, semi-structured interviews, and documentation, with data analyzed through the Miles and Huberman interactive model and source-and-technique triangulation. The results show an improved understanding among participants of effective interpersonal communication components, growing awareness of active listening and nonverbal communication, and more dialogical interaction and conflict-resolution patterns within the organization. The activity has implications for strengthening solidarity, mutual trust, and the collective performance of Karang Taruna as a driving force for village development, while also opening directions for longitudinal and cross-regional comparative research.