Community Building in brief

Community, as defined by the Foundation for Community Encouragement (FCE), is a group of two or more people who, regardless of the diversity of their backgrounds, have been able to accept and transcend their differences, enabling them to communicate openly and effectively and to work together towards common goals, while having a sense of unusual safety with one another. Community Building workshops endeavor to create this safe place. Experiential in nature, the workshops are based on a set of guidelines and principles rather than an agenda or particular procedure. They are gently guided by trained facilitators who take the group through a process that shows how to look beyond the cultural, political and religious differences that prevent us from embracing our common humanity. Living, learning and teaching the principles of community, we serve as a catalyst for individuals, groups and organizations to:

Communicate with authenticity;
Deal with difficult issues;
Welcome and affirm diversity;
Bridge differences with integrity;
Relate with compassion and respect.

While working toward a common goal, our approach encourages tolerance of ambiguity, the experience of discovery and the tension between holding on and letting go. In our work to empower others, we remember our reliance upon a spirit within and beyond ourselves.

Purpose of a Community Building workshop

The purpose of a Community Building workshop is to strengthen the bonds among the members, build long-lasting unity and ensure that the community's direction, values, beliefs and vision are equally shared and understood by all. When this process is underway, a group can evolve smoothly and rapidly toward its purpose.

Community Building applies to 'young' groups (in their forming stages), but also to those which are more mature and sometimes divided or torn by mistrust, hypocrisy and conflict. The training allows its members to take a step back and ask themselves: why are we here together? Why are we interested in this venture, in this project? Are we all here for the same reasons? What are our individual and collective talents and what can we offer to and gain from each other?

By reflecting, verbalizing and defining those elements together, a group becomes more cohesive and, as a result, can accomplish more in a shorter time frame. Besides the benefits described above, a Community Building workshop can save the human and financial costs of a conflict among members and avoid devastating consequences, such as declining morale, paralysis and members leaving the community.

Phases of the Community Building training

A Community Building training is a client- and people-centered process. The phases of the training are:

Needs assessment - interview and/or questionnaire with members of the community
Design and planning - based on the outcome of the needs assessment and the situation of the group
Workshop (two to three days)
Evaluation - can be carried out at the end of the training and later
Follow-up - at regular intervals, allowing community maintenance
Individual coaching to enhance the process

Community Building Workshop

Gilles Asselin leading a Community Building session during an Empowerment Weekend Workshop

Community Building Workshop under way
- Sharing and Listening

Participants' comments

Participants' comments demonstrate the value of Community Building:

"Dear Gilles,

I am deeply convinced that the board wouldn't be what it is now, without the CB workshop. We are much more cohesive and feel closer to each other than ever. It is great fun, too!

Thank you very much! If you need a letter of recommendation for your community building workshops, I will be happy to write one.

Maria Jicheva
President of SIETAR Europa"

"Dear Gilles,

Last weekend the SIETAR Europa board met in Paris. It was our first meeting after your CB workshop and in terms of atmosphere, team spirit and course of discussion, it was the most pleasant board meeting I've ever been to.

Even though some participants made ironic comments about your workshop, I'm convinced that we now reap the fruits of your workshop.

Once again: Thank you!

Alex Scheitza
Board Member"

Community Building links

Foundation for Community Encouragement (www.fce-community.org)
Community Building Foundation (http://communitybuildingfoundation.org)
Community Cross-Roads (http://communityx-roads.org/)

For more information about our customized Community Building services, please contact us: community@sococo.com