Building community means bringing people together for a common cause or mission (doesn't have to be political or partisan) and opening doors of opportunity for them to help or contribute, in ways large or small, to suit their bandwidth or capabilities. I'd say I belong to quite a few, from my workplace to my temple community to my advocacy community. Community is about that common cause, and friendship is about trust. They can absolutely lead to one another, because good people attract good people!
The best action- oriented community I’ve been involved in is Moms Demand Action, created by the magnificent Shannon! It was, and still is, a group of fired up and empowered women who are on a mission! Having the privilege to start the Marin Moms Demand Action local Chapter fired up something in me. The satisfaction of being in service for an important cause, being brave and owning my strengths, and being deeply routed in a culture of women supporting women. It’s how I’ve lived my life, but Shannon set the table for this to happen in warp speed and wonderfully viral.
I see community as a place where people with similar core values and beliefs feel safe engaging together as their fully authentic selves. It can take on an infinite number of forms and I don't think there's any limit to how many you should belong to - whatever you have the bandwidth for, so long as you're not feeling burned out.
Over the last few years, I've been creating small communities of women who want to be in safe, inclusive environments where we talk about breaking free of the expectations placed on us and defining what we really want and how we might go about speaking up for it. Most of these communities have been online with women (and some men) around the world, and now I'm focusing on trying to bring together people locally too.
I am SO excited to be a part of the Firestarter community so I can meet other brave, interesting, fun, creative, intelligent women!
For a long time as a new mom (of 2 under 2 -- ugh!) I was without community. It was the most isolating time I've ever experienced. Actually, it felt longer than it really was because by the time the kids got mobile around 12-18 months, a community started to form around kids with common ages. It was happenstance -- running into each other at parks and story times -- but it was special and important because we bonded over the intensity of that time.
I've had communities at work, in the arts, and now in the ones I choose or build intentionally around my personal and professional fires. It's true -- they really do keep those fires going!
Always lead with how you can be helpful to others - always been my motto :)
👏👏👏
Building community means bringing people together for a common cause or mission (doesn't have to be political or partisan) and opening doors of opportunity for them to help or contribute, in ways large or small, to suit their bandwidth or capabilities. I'd say I belong to quite a few, from my workplace to my temple community to my advocacy community. Community is about that common cause, and friendship is about trust. They can absolutely lead to one another, because good people attract good people!
Love your definition of building community
Thanks again for having me for the substack live! I loved talking about why everyone needs community!
❤️❤️
The best action- oriented community I’ve been involved in is Moms Demand Action, created by the magnificent Shannon! It was, and still is, a group of fired up and empowered women who are on a mission! Having the privilege to start the Marin Moms Demand Action local Chapter fired up something in me. The satisfaction of being in service for an important cause, being brave and owning my strengths, and being deeply routed in a culture of women supporting women. It’s how I’ve lived my life, but Shannon set the table for this to happen in warp speed and wonderfully viral.
I appreciate you, Jen.
I see community as a place where people with similar core values and beliefs feel safe engaging together as their fully authentic selves. It can take on an infinite number of forms and I don't think there's any limit to how many you should belong to - whatever you have the bandwidth for, so long as you're not feeling burned out.
Over the last few years, I've been creating small communities of women who want to be in safe, inclusive environments where we talk about breaking free of the expectations placed on us and defining what we really want and how we might go about speaking up for it. Most of these communities have been online with women (and some men) around the world, and now I'm focusing on trying to bring together people locally too.
I am SO excited to be a part of the Firestarter community so I can meet other brave, interesting, fun, creative, intelligent women!
I'm so glad that you're here, Lisa. And love your definition of community.
For a long time as a new mom (of 2 under 2 -- ugh!) I was without community. It was the most isolating time I've ever experienced. Actually, it felt longer than it really was because by the time the kids got mobile around 12-18 months, a community started to form around kids with common ages. It was happenstance -- running into each other at parks and story times -- but it was special and important because we bonded over the intensity of that time.
I've had communities at work, in the arts, and now in the ones I choose or build intentionally around my personal and professional fires. It's true -- they really do keep those fires going!
Young motherhood is such an important time to find community.
Communities consistently show up for one another. They invest time toward their shared interest or goal. They give us identity and belonging.
Love this.