Community
If you read my blog on Boards That Matter, you will realize I mistakenly read that book and so was planning on just the first chapter of Community...my bad. After realizing my mistake and admitting my oversight I started reading and tried to skim read and get the basic concepts so I can form a credible response to "What are your takeaways?"
I have spent a good portion of my career searching for community, not A community, but instead the thought of community. The concept that you belong in a group of individual people, families, businesses, and various groups with the understanding that you belong, and they belong. In the chapter on Community Restoration the author talks about "Community as a Conversation." During that piece there is the story of Portland Oregon, and how "Portlanders Love Portland" as a conversation. When people talk about something, or some place, they can create reality. My mother always said, "You're a good boy," even when I was not. She insisted that while I may be a little bugger I would be a good boy if I was told I was a good boy. The same holds true in a community, if people say it is a good community, it is, or will become a good community. It it that thought from the first chapter that communities focus on the good. In my current school we have a sizable open-enrollment close to 30% of our total student population. I often ask people why they want to come to our school and very often the reply is, "I have heard such good things about the school," yet when I ask for specifics they can not come up with any. The power of positive words never ceases to amaze me.
Working towards an authentic community is a pleasant thought. Too much finding blame these days. I am one that has never found it hard to identify my faults and work on improvement. It seems these days some people can make a career on blaming others. I never want to be in that role and an authentic community is one of truly respect and responsibility. I found Block's works on this topic to be very encouraging.
I have spent a good portion of my career searching for community, not A community, but instead the thought of community. The concept that you belong in a group of individual people, families, businesses, and various groups with the understanding that you belong, and they belong. In the chapter on Community Restoration the author talks about "Community as a Conversation." During that piece there is the story of Portland Oregon, and how "Portlanders Love Portland" as a conversation. When people talk about something, or some place, they can create reality. My mother always said, "You're a good boy," even when I was not. She insisted that while I may be a little bugger I would be a good boy if I was told I was a good boy. The same holds true in a community, if people say it is a good community, it is, or will become a good community. It it that thought from the first chapter that communities focus on the good. In my current school we have a sizable open-enrollment close to 30% of our total student population. I often ask people why they want to come to our school and very often the reply is, "I have heard such good things about the school," yet when I ask for specifics they can not come up with any. The power of positive words never ceases to amaze me.
Working towards an authentic community is a pleasant thought. Too much finding blame these days. I am one that has never found it hard to identify my faults and work on improvement. It seems these days some people can make a career on blaming others. I never want to be in that role and an authentic community is one of truly respect and responsibility. I found Block's works on this topic to be very encouraging.
In my current role I am trying to do just want you have spoken of. Building those positive conversations in your community will impact your school. I believe if we as a community commit to discussing our school in a positive manner it will be infections and the negativity will be stifled. Thank you for sharing your thoughts it helps me to see I am leading in the right direction.
ReplyDeleteI also enjoyed the section on Portlanders love Portland. Your response that if people say it is a good community, then it is a good community is powerful. When you are only given the bad then that is your opinion. We need to create a state of positivity regarding our schools and our communities. When we promote positivity it will breed more positive outcomes. When the community is brought for a conversation on the future they will build upon the positive parts that exist.
ReplyDeleteThe quality of relationships and sense of belonging is what captured my attention when reading this section of the book. I agree with you that words have great power, and, as the author points out, so does the act of invitation. The "gifts, generosity, and accountability of its citizens" is what creates an identity in the community. See you soon!
ReplyDelete30% is really an amazing number and speaks volumes to the "sense of belonging" students and eventually their families must feel as the enter into your school community!! Those types of numbers do not happen by accident, and it is a testament to the relationships students have formed with staff and with other students!
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