Communities

What is a community?

A simple question that is often overlooked in dealing with communities.

At its basic level a community can be defined as a group of people with something in common. This is remarkably similar to the definition of a group: two or more people engagaged in a common purpose - so are all groups also communities? Well, like most other things in this world, the answer is - it depends.

Communities tend to be longer lived than most groups. For instance, two or more people waiting for the same bus could clearly be defined as a group - they are the group of people waiting for the bus.

Whereas a group of people who make use of a bus service (and can be identified as such) could be described as the community that the bus serves, a community of bus users.

So is the definition of a community linked to time? I believe it is. I think it is wrong to define a community unless there is a clear indication of that community extending into the future. Sure, it will metamorphose and change; of course, it will develop and grow (maybe) and it will be noticed and interact with other communities and groups.

So, a group may be a community but is not neccessarily a community. A community is at the very least, a group, and at its best it is an involved and extensive supportive network of like minded people.

My definition of a Community

A group of people with something in common AND an intrinsic ability to BENEFIT in common.

This to me is essential - if the community has no way of benefitting in a common way, then how can they be defined as a community?

Benefits to a community could come from many disparate sources: local councils, housing associations, local businesses are just a few, but the most important source of benefit to ANY community is the members of the community themselves.

More coming ............ Still thinking this through.  :-)