Community Elements
Event
F3 Community Planning SummitDate April 8 & 9, 1999 Last Updated April 28, 1999
Source/Contact
F3 Community Planning SummitAggregator Tara Sanders, 404-249-3028,
sanders.tara@bsc.bellsouth.netKey Community Topic Elements of Community
Synopsis The many elements of community that identify or set apart specific communities are defined by the many different characteristics that make an individual group unique. The uniqueness of the group is directly related to the individuals of the group. The elements that the group members bring to the table such as ethnicity, willingness to learn, commitment to the group, and desire to contribute all play an important role in the effectiveness of the community.
Executive Summary The individuals that make up the body of a community come to the community with different ethnic backgrounds, beliefs, values/morals, goals, and abilities. The abilities that people posses are related to willingness to trust, willingness to participate, and willingness to teach and be taught. Community can help sustain individuals as well as build skills. The level of trust and commitment are indicative of the effectiveness of the organization/unit. The members of the unit must "buy in" to the objective of the community. Individuals are nurtured through other members being willing and able to share common bonds, and foster the ideals of the group effectively. Participation in the community lends to increased knowledge and opportunity for those associated with the group.
At A Glance
Focus Question: "What are the characteristics that make a strong community?"
| Fueling the Community Through Passion and Commitment | Sharing Common Purpose | Fostering Strong & Diverse Relation-ships | Inventing the Future | Recreating Individual & Group Energy | Living In A Safe Environment |
| Alternative: (Achieving Exponential Energy Through Synergy) |
Accomplish-ment | Inter-connectedness of members | Sense of something greater | Sensuality | Appreciating Differences |
| Synergy/Energy e=mc2 |
A Crusade or Goal | Regular and Frequent Contact | Future Focused | Rest and Play (Fun) | Environment of Trust |
| Abundance mentality | Shared Purpose | Physical Environment (Makes It easy to come together | Wonderment | Fun and Laughter | Freedom to Challenge |
| Passion/Heart | Something at Stake Price of Admission |
A group | Celebration | Civility | |
| Recognize and Minimize Energy Drains | Growth and Progress | Global Relations & One-on-one Relations | Sense of Beauty -- Expression |
Openness and Acceptance | |
| Creativity | Homogeneity & Diversity | Humor | Trust | ||
| Bill Price | Common Denominator | Wellness Valued | Honesty | ||
| Willingness to learn from inside and outside | Climate for Forgiveness | ||||
| Food and nurturing | |||||
| Taking Care of Individuals | Bonding through shared experience, language & stories | Balancing Structure and Flexibility | Building on a Foundation of Values | Connecting through authentic exchange | Involving Everyone though Authentic Participation |
| Development and Education of Members | Shared experience | Flexibility | Belief System Values Dogma | Open communication--non-judgmental | Equity: Everyone Important |
| Collective Efficacy | Common "language" | Knowing when to break the rules | High Standards | Mechanisms for disputes resolution | Sharing of Ideas and Leadership |
| Take care of each other | Common adversity or trial | Ritual and Tradition | Common Values | Effective Facilitation | Dedication and Zeal |
| Mutual Support (Ask for and offer Help) | Adversity | Accepted practices | Dialogue | Investment | |
| Optimistic Focus on Assets and Strengths of Community | Common language | Choice: Not Mandatory | Listening with Big Ears | Recognizing Value of individual | |
| Self (self-esteem) | Stories narrative | Boundaries | Able to Laugh at Self- Light- Humility | Various Roles | |
| Norms | Conversations (Making Time to Be Together) | Leadership | |||
| Freedom | Can Count on Each other to keep your word (follow-thru) | ||||
| Accountability | |||||
| Roles assumed based on natural abilities | |||||
| Sled-Dog Leadership | |||||
| Commitment and Participation | |||||
| Contribution and Sharing | |||||
| Participation and accountability Individual Level | |||||
| Pulse Takers |
Unprecedented, informative, inspiring
Important Notes "Celestration by Participation"
& Quotes Intelligent Use of Resources
We're all in this Together
Resources
www.vision-nest.com/cbw/ReadingList.htmlGeralyn Sheenan (Head of Community Building Division at United Way)
Marilyn Oyler (602)955-4811 Technology of Participation
Book: Syncronicity, Joseph Jaworsky
Book: Serveant Leadership, Robert Greenleaf
Book: The Art of Jamming
H/Intelligence Resource Group/Tara/KM/Community Elements.doc