Network Membership & Education

In addition to our core services, Community that Works provides clients and members with support on some other key fronts.

One of the things about new and existing community projects that consistently surprises us is just how many groups there are out there doing awesome stuff with hardly any contact with one another, even when they are right down the street from each other. We believe in creating stronger networks that foster more co-creative opportunities.

 

It’s also incredible and a little heartbreaking how many of these groups are completely going it alone without much training or hands-on experience. We believe the right training and resources can avoid years of fumbling in the dark.

We offer DIY training solutions for all community types with deep dive programs in four key areas:

Exploring Community Living

Whether you are new to living in community or have been on the path for decades, it can be hard to find what you are looking for. We’ve designed our modules with a combination of content and action steps that will bring your gifts, needs, and next steps into focus so that you can keep moving forward and bring your full self to your people.

Nurturing Cooperative Culture

According to a model designed by M. Scott Peck, there is a first stage of community building that most groups move through that can be called pseudocommunity. This is where everyone shares how happy they are to have come together and generally enjoying the show without any clear agreements or tools in place. We’re sure you’ve been there and know what comes next.

Learn how to navigate the challenges that inevitably arise and transform conflict into chances to heal by understanding how the tools and processes used by people who have been through it actually work. A large body of our course is dedicated to the nuts and bolts of these elements of community building.

Relational Tools

In addition to building your community’s culture, we also explore a virtual toolbox of relational tools in our course that are designed essential accelerate the process of building. From intentional circles to relational games to experiential exercises, we’ll set you up for success with building the 1-on-1 relationships that are at the core of healthy communities that work.

Community Development Process

While a healthy community can evolve on its own over time, you’d better be up for a lot of lunches and coffees together with a lot of trial in error in order to get there. Learn about the step by step process that we’ve proven can build a community that works in the action steps of our course materials.

The specific courses included our Community that Works DIY curriculum are outlined below:

Curriculum Outline

  • Cultivating the Relational Environment

  • Developing the Built Environment

  • Pillars of Sustainable Community

  • Finding Your People

  • Shared Housing design

  • Pocket neighborhoods / Cohousing design

  • Neighborhood Retrofit

  • Getting Started – schematic design / vision

  • Ownership Options

  • Collaborative Agreements / Documents

  • Best Practices / Tools

Members of Community that Works are part of a network that brings all sorts for people together, each with their own gifts and needs, with the intention of collaborating and supporting us in our own and shared visions.

In addition to our DIY training, our members network and collaborate in our Community that Works forum, have access to our voluntary community roster, and receive our email newsletter.

Some of the diverse types of members of our community include:

 

  • Seekers / Explorers

  • Organizers

  • Developers

  • Communities

  • Service Providers

Community Explorers

New to community? Maybe you're looking for the right one of you. Find the resources, tools, and direction you need.

Explore!

Community Organizers

Do you have something of your own that you are building? Whether you're doing it on your own or with a group, the process can be daunting.

Get Organized!

Community Developers

For developing residential properties into thriving, stable communities, get advice, resources, and coaching from people who have been there before.

Develop & Grow

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