Get Together: How to build a community with your people

In his book Bowling Alone, Robert D. Putnam references

Pinpoint people you share a purpose with, do something together, and get them talking.

Nearly every challenge of building a community can be met by asking yourself, “How do I achieve this by working with my people, not doing it for them?”

true communities are simply groups of people who keep coming together over what they care about. The most vibrant communities offer members a chance to act on their passions with one another.

You can find your team of allies by asking yourself a series of more targeted questions: 1. Who do I care about? 2. Who do I share an interest, identity, or place with? 3. Who do I want to help?

In order to make sure that your community’s purpose is grounded in your people’s needs, and that it expresses what you can accomplish together, consider: 1. What do my people need more of? 2. What’s the change we desire? 3. What’s the problem only we can solve together?

Focus on two criteria: 1. Who brings the energy—who are the people who already engage, contribute, or attend? Don’t try to conjure motivation out of thin air. Start with keen participants. 2. Assuming that the community flourishes, who will you stick with? Cultivating a community is a long-term

Pinpoint people you share a purpose with, do something together, and get them talking.

If you want to spark your own community, you’ll need to first pinpoint your people. Find your kindling—those early allies who care about what you care about enough to manifest your idea for a community into an actual gathering of human beings.