How to Create Community
Whether you're trying to start a club or simply meet new people, it can be difficult to build a
community. However, with time and patience you can build a community of your very own.
Start by establishing the basics. Figure out what people need and how to build a community
that fulfills that need. Gather members by introducing like-minded people and organizing
events. Keep your community strong by encouraging people to be kind to one another and
stay close.
Part
1
Establishing the Basics
1
Figure out what people need. People join a community for a reason. They
need something that's provided by the social support and network found in a
community. If you're trying to create a community, think about what people need
and how you can fulfill those needs.
Where are you trying to create a community? At work? At school? In your
neighborhood?
What do people need in these places that is lacking? Think about a niche
that's missing a community could provide.
Maybe people at your work tend to keep to themselves due to long hours.
People may need to feel more camaraderie with co-workers. You could create
a community based around a particular social event. For example, maybe you
could start a board game club to help people interact outside of work.
2
Look for shared connections. Emotional connections help bring people
together. In a community, it's important you share that connection with others.
Think about what you share with the people around you. What common emotions
or experiences do you have? Make these the focus as you work on forming a
community.
Think about what you have shared with those around you. People are often
brought together by an experience or feeling that is unique to them. Look to
people you're reaching out to and ask yourself, "What have we shared? What
do we have in common?"
For example, maybe you're trying to create a community in your dorm in
college. All of your fellow students are likely away from home for the first time.
You probably all experience feelings like loneliness, fear, and anxiety. Try to
encourage people to share these feelings. This can foster a sense of
community.
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3
Choose the right leaders. Good leaders are vital to a community. As you
gather members, or start forming a group or club, identify people who could
potentially lead. Opt to place those who display the qualities of a good leader in
power.
Leaders have to keep the group in check and let people know when they're
out of hand. Honesty, therefore, is important. You want someone who can
tactfully address bad behaviors.
Commutation skills are also key. Look for a leader who is easy to talk to and
conveys information well.
Leaders should be confidant. You want someone who is sure of themselves
and unafraid to speak up.
You should also look for someone who is committed. Choose someone who
can be counted on to reliably show up to meetings, day in and day out.
Inspires and motivates others.[1]
Builds relationships.[2]
Innovates and displays technical expertise.[3]
4
Establish symbols. A symbol seems simple, but community members often
bond over symbols that help them identify with the community. Look at how
people who love a certain sports team take pride in the team's logo and color. Try
to think of some kind of symbol, color, or inside joke to help your community bond.
For example, if you're doing a weekly trivia night at work, try having team
colors everyone should wear.
Part
2
Gaining Community Members
1
Have standards for membership. While standards sound exclusive, they're
actually a way to foster a sense of belonging. You want to gather people with
similar goals, opinions, and perspectives. Think about the kind of members your
community needs and how to establish rough standards.
What are the boundaries for your community? How to people become part of
the community and how do you keep the community somewhat exclusive?
Boundaries are often related to a feeling of emotional safety. For example, if
you're creating a community for college students, you may want to make it
only for college students. This way, people will not feel uncomfortable sharing
their feelings about issues unique to being a student.
You should also have requirements for personal investment. If a community is
going to thrive, people need to be dedicated. If you're, say, starting a book
club, have a rule that you can only miss a set number of meetings.
2
Gather like-minded people. Look for people with the same views and
opinions. You can create a loose community by identifying people with similar
wants, needs, and feelings and introducing them. Be on the lookout for people
who could fit in to your community and try to bring them into it.
For example, say you're trying to create a community of friends at work. If you
know someone from accounting with the same sense of humor as someone
from sales, ask them both to get a drink with you after work.
3
Organize events. Community members bond through shared experiences.
Bring people together to celebrate, socialize, and interact. This can help
foster a sense of community and help you find more members.[4]
For example, if it's someone in your dorm's birthday, have everyone go out to
celebrate that person's birthday.
4
Push for meaningful conversations. Strong social connections between
members is important to any community. When going out with others,
encourage meaningful connections. Try to forego small talk and have people open
up to one another.[5]
Oftentimes, certain activities can encourage meaningful conversations. Say
you're a teacher trying to create a strong community for a creative writing
class. Instead of a conventional ice breaking activity, have everyone share
something slightly more personal like their first memory.
Part
3
Keeping a Community Strong
1
Make decisions together. Every group will undergo changes. As you need to
make decisions, have meetings where everyone has a say. Have some kind
of system in place to make decisions together. For example, everyone can share
their opinion and you can then vote.
For example, if you're hosting a book club, let everyone share their ideas
about what book to read next.
2
Weed out bad people. Unfortunately, communities can sometimes attract
negative members. In order to keep a community strong, watch out for people
who rub others the wrong way or who simply do not fit in with the dynamic. If
someone is causing problems or drama, you can politely let that person know
they're no longer welcome in the community.
For example, if someone who attend your book club is regularly late and rude
to other members, it's okay to have that person stop coming.
Say something like, "I'm sorry, but people are not comfortable with you
attending because it seems like you can't prioritize this right now."
3
Allow equal participation. Communities should be a space where everyone
can share. In a community , it's important to encourage everyone to
participate equally. Make sure everyone has a say in decision making and that no
one feels shut out.[6]
For example, in a classroom setting do not call on the same students over and
over again. Encourage the students who are normally shy to raise their hands
and share.
4
Share your emotions. If you're the one trying to create a community, people
need to feel close to you. To help encourage feelings of closeness, be open
about your own feelings and emotions. As you encourage people to share things
about themselves, always be willing to share in return.
For example, if you ask someone how they're feeling about a new stressor at
work, be willing to share your own feeling as well. A new boss or change in
company policy can be stressful, so be willing to share your own personal
experiences with stress.
5
Be kind to your members. Make sure people in your community feel valued.
Doing small, kind things for members will keep your community strong over
time. It will also remind people of the benefits of being part of a community to
begin with.[7]
For example, if a community member is sick, stop by their place and help
them with some chores. If someone is having a rough week, have everyone
sign a card for that person.