A community needs to align on its common values, which should be clearly defined:
Why you are all coming together: Establish the purpose and shared motivation that unite the members.
Who your community includes: Identify and include the diverse individuals who make up the community.
What change you are seeking by joining this community: Clarify the collective goals and the impact you aim to achieve together.
These values serve as a constant reminder of the larger objectives, helping to maintain focus and accountability among members.
What a community does together shapes how its members experience and live within it. Whether it's cooking, fundraising, or networking, these shared activities and the way they are carried out foster strong bonds and a sense of belonging. The experiences and stories that emerge from these interactions create a rich tapestry of shared memories and values. This collective journey and mutual support are crucial in determining whether the community will achieve long-lasting success.
These experiences also strive to foster respectful communication, behaviours that facilitate positive conflict resolution, and the enhancement of emotional connections, thus need to be designed, guided and practised effectively.
Individuals need to agree on a set of rules and organising principles to ensure everyone understands how to behave in a way that fosters mutual growth.
This organisational structure includes:
Frequency of gatherings
Communication channels
Code of conduct / Norms
Participation fees
Activities and more …
Without strong organizing principles, a community cannot be resilient to change. These guidelines provide a foundation for stability and adaptability, helping the community thrive even in challenging times.