Four Genuine Pillars of Community Building: GOLD

?? Hello, Community Lens readers!

I’m constantly learning about (and sometimes leading and joining) new networks, collectives, fellowships, associations, groups, group chats, leagues, clubs, and more—some of these communities are just getting started, and some have been around for generations.

I’m also always hearing about (and sometimes hosting and attending) new events and gatherings—meals, happy hours, Zooms, writing sessions, pop-ups, panels, conferences, hackathons, demo days, and more. An event can be intentionally ephemeral or part of a series of events where people continually come together. Not every event or event series is community-centered, but I think it’s awesome that a singular event can spawn a community if there is a vision and momentum for it.

When I examine new and existing communities, I consider what makes them genuine and what enables them to thrive over the long term. Communities pop up and shut down all the time based on who the leaders are and whether they can avoid burnout. Communities can ebb and flow, and some are barely surviving, and that’s OK. I’ve been stunned to see communities re-invent themselves to thrive!

Communities with a legacy of at least a decade exemplify endurance, resilience, and care. There are likely GOLD pillars that motivate a genuine, sustainable culture. Below is my framework.

Four Genuine Pillars of Community Building

Acronym: GOLD

G is for Grow

• People grow when they experience change, and communities help them adapt.
• When people can clearly identify with and understand a community's purpose and culture, community members will grow individually, and the community will grow, too.
• Community growth does not always reveal itself in numbers or scale. Even small, niche communities experience exponential growth (from a depth perspective) when they stay small.

O is for Offer

• People want to be in spaces that offer ideas, people, and resources in one place. Emphasizing reciprocity and offering the expectation of giving and receiving creates expansive energy, which is beneficial, motivating, and contagious.
• People do not want to be in obnoxious, sales-y environments. It doesn't feel genuine and feels like a waste of time.

L is for Learn

• People want to learn about different versions of themselves, but introspection is difficult in our always-on day-to-day schedule.
• Engaged communities help people learn how they are part of something greater than themselves in our large world, in our limited lifetimes.
• Learning with a beginner’s mindset is humbling.

D is for Draw

• High-quality communities are adept at drawing boundaries. Boundaries that support trust, respect, and presence allow for meaningful memories. What is the community about, and what is it NOT about? Do people remember?

As a community builder for over 20 years, I reflected on community longevity and value. I developed this GOLD framework to assess genuine merit. Sometimes, it feels like you’re comparing apples to oranges, and it can be overwhelming to decide: should I commit to this community or that one, and why? Is a one-time event that I signed up for actually part of a community? How can I look across in-person and virtual communities to figure out what matters to me if I want to build a community or join one? I offer the GOLD framework for discerning why a community might be significant in your life.

Sincerely,

Amy

PS - I brought up the beginner's mindset in this issue. ???? Cultivating a beginner's mindset relates to asking yourself, what are you eager to experience without focusing on perfectionism, comparison, and ranking? What are you curious about without focusing on any goals? There are so many communities out there that welcome absolute beginners and total newbies. You may enjoy a community where everyone feels somewhat afraid or nervous, while wanting to grow. The first few months of the new year present a great time to reflect on what a beginner's mindset can mean for you as you participate in a community that is new to you or start a new one!