Humans have always been a part of some kind of community, from the family to the tribe to teams at work to special interest groups. We are born into some communities, thrust into others and sometimes choose to be a part of a group in the hope that it will be a beautiful confluence of like- minded souls.
Communities where membership is voluntary are held together by some invisible glue that has bought disparate people together for some compelling reason. I have been and am a part of several communities- some are just Whatsapp or Facebook groups, a couple of book clubs and an online community of coaches and facilitators. My participation in the communities have varied from being a passive observer in some, an active or occasional contributor in others and on one occasion, an initiator.
Some communities thrive, some wither away and some grow to become a force for good in the world. The communities that survive the initial teething troubles and become a community in the true sense of the word have a few things in common. These may sound obvious but they are part of the secret sauce of successful communities.
Intentionality
The community and each of its members need to have a common intention and be purposive. ‘Lets meet for brunch and just chat’ is great for a group of friends but not enough for a community. A community sets out with a mission or has a strong common interest- food, motorcycles, books, crochet. This mission or interest has to be equally important for all members and all have to be aligned to it.
Ignition
Ignition for the community has to be initially provided by the founder or founders who start the community. Since membership is voluntary, the engagement can flag quickly and the initial spark of enthusiasm can easily be doused. If the founder or Admin does not put in the necessary effort and have an inexhaustible supply of energy, the community will flounder. Mature communities become organic and take a life of their own with members taking turns to provide the spark and verve needed to keep the group forging ahead. A small core group that is invested in the community needs to step up and reignite the group as and when required to ensure that it does not get extinguished.
Interdependency
Reciprocity is the lubricant of human relationships. Every community is sustained by the need for support and desire to contribute. We can move seamlessly between the roles of givers and takers but there has to be some kind of overall balance between the two. Networking groups helps members get new contacts and lead to business, others provide a safe space for sharing, food groups thrive on recipe exchanges, book clubs on the give and take of reviews and suggestions. Some communities put a structure to this interdependency- a group I am a part asked for volunteers to lead a learning session every month, a book club rotated the hosting of the meet and another community has an annual offsite for its members. Even in whatsapp groups, the asking and giving of recommendations for a mechanic or Maths tutor nudges the community forward.
Intimacy
While intentionality starts the group and interdependency and ignition moves it forward, what sustains the community together is the connection between its members. This connection cannot be the cold transactional exchange of an organized group or a familial bond that stems from compulsion. It is more than that- it tends to intimacy, a closeness that comes alive in that space created by choice. Even in large communities, there are small groups of people who are close to each other, who have a greater degree of trust, affection and loyalty towards each other. Without this connection, the community cannot grow and fulfil its purpose.
Alone we can do so little, Together we can do so much, said Helen Keller. It is this aspect that makes communities not only a compelling force for positive change but also a refuge from loneliness and heartache that is a part of the human condition. Keeping these four factors in mind can help founders and members of the community leverage its huge potential.
