Topic Tuesday // Finding community: Feeling belonging and connection // Tuesday 7th December, 7:00- 8:30PM AEDT

What qualities make up “community” for you? What do you look for?

I personally look for diversity, mutual respect, openness to learn & where mistakes can be made. Having some shared values can also help build a good foundation for a community group.

Some of you have already touched on a few things around this but I’m keen to hear more about your own take on this is?

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@Former-Member wrote:

Question 1: What does Community mean to you?

I guess for me in it’s essence; it’s a group of people (big or small) coming together for a common purpose / theme / cause or activity.
It’s a space where ideas or opinions can be shared, or a coming together to take part in a shared activity.

I also feel that it’s also about recognising that everyone has a valued part to play in a group and that each has an opportunity to be able to find that part & contribute in some way.

In short - Somewhere people can be seen, heard and valued.

What does it mean to you, who are here with us tonight?

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TBH, I don't think I could add much to that. That sums the concept up excellantly!

Hi @CapnWannabe
Thank you for coming tonight, it sounds like you are sitting with some big thoughts tonight

We are chatting about community, connection and belonging here tonight and invite you to join 🙂

We also have lots of members online in other areas of the forums too if you would like to tell us a bit more about what is going on for you today. I've just included the link here to start a discussion in Our Stories if you would like to share what's been happening for you- we are all here to listen

Very true @Former-Member , @Daisydreamer

Also listening, respect, understanding, knowing someone is sitting with us

@Daisydreamer @Former-Member

Question 2. Um openness, acceptance, unconditional support. Hugs freely given.

Oh so true @Shaz51 having someone just 'be' with through listening & understanding is such a beautiful thing.

My community involves immediate neighbours, singing group, RSL, small town, so most people are, at some level, a part of community for me. Then there are friends, some of whom I have to travel a distance to see. The counsellor with whom I speak, I consider to be a part of my community. and the more obvious are the members of the SANE forum with whom I correspond

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@Daisydreamer wrote:

2. What qualities make up “community” for you? What do you look for?

@Former-Member @CapnWannabe @Shaz51 @chibam @Dimity @HenryX @Bunniekins @still_bookish @nony

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A shared commitment to making one another happy. Loyalty. Common values. Common aspirations. Mutual respect, and genuine, wholehearted support when it is needed.

I agree @Former-Member shared values is important for community. For me I look for respect, understanding, empathy, fun and openness to learning 🙂

Sometimes I will look for different values in different communities too. For example, in my sporting communities, I really value fun, team work and respect. And in other communities, I value honesty, empathy and learning.

I don’t really feel part of a community (I used to here—I’m hoping to build that back up, and I’m sort of part of the disability and writing communities via social media) but what I’d look for … I guess kindness, acceptance, understanding, respect, and as @Former-Member mentioned, shared values.