Community-based organizations (CBOs) are neighborhood-based groups committed to providing human services to poor and minority individuals. The charge that government ineptness generates a need for CBOs is supported by examination of the federal government's operation of the general revenue sharing program. A project set up by CBOs collected data on abuses concerning allocation and misuse of funds. CBOs also worked to press for monitoring activities for Comprehensive Employment and Training Act programs. Other examples of CBO achievements are: a CBO in Yakima Valley, Washington, which addressed energy and employment problems by manufacturing alcohol from sweet potatoes to sell to an oil company; the Woodlawn Organization (employment and training programs in Chicago); the Watts Labor Community Action Committee (training and employment services for chronically unemployed individuals); and BUILD in Buffalo, New York, as well as the South Arsenol Need for Development organization in Hartford, Connecticut (alternative school programs). Examination of the experiences of CBOs and their successes can provide vocational educators with approaches for more effective vocational education programs that incorporate business acumen, people-orientation, command of the content of a program area, flexible operations, commitment to follow-through (job placement), and accountability to the neighborhood. (Questions and answers are appended.) (YLB)