Communities must know if a member will make available the time, energy, and financial commitment necessary to be a supportive, effective member.
Commitment, meaning a promise with no
expectation of reward, comes from a place of honesty and ownership. Taking part in genuine community requires stepping outside of entitlement found within a scarcity mentality with the question, “what’s in it for me?” With this expansion of awareness, comes an expansion of self, along with trust where each individual supports the group and knows they will be supported as needed. Before every program each participant reviews and accepts a carefully crafted Letter of Commitment. The letter provides an explanation of what being part of their community will entail and the sacrifices and challenges it requires. The letter is heavily framed within the idea that being part of a community means thinking more than individually.
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There is a distinct and meaningful difference between being invited and being welcomed. I compare this difference to the difference between accepting diversity and embracing it. Both are positive, yet the latter increases the level of connection between the individuals or amongst the group more than the former. With this in mind, I design invitations to each of the programs. Within the invitation I capture the 6 ideas of creating community by Peter Block: Members of communities must be active, as opposed to passive. Individuals within the community should not feel obligated, but rather show up by choice. Therefore, the decision to show up means something more.
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AuthorVrindy Spencer is constantly seeking inspiration on topics of personal and human development, leadership, community, connection, and intimacy (with self and others). Archives
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