Get Together: How to build a community with your people

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. Though there may not be many of them, the first people you involve are consequential. They will set the to

Shareable assets allow Downtown Girls Basketball players to avoid starting from scratch every time they tell a story about the community or explain to a potential new member how to get involved. You can’t force people to spread the word. Instead, ask: How can I make it easier for them to do so on their own terms?

Stop thinking about your community as just an audience. Instead, treat these people as collaborators.

It’s scary to talk to strangers. Guide your members into discussions by modeling what good participation looks like. Craft regular prompts and make introductions for newbies.

With your first activity, you have an opportunity to make a statement about why your community comes together.