Peter Block -- Community

COMMUNITY TAKEAWAYS 

"The Structure of Belonging"

Community written by Peter Block provides support for leaders who are willing to take on the task of building a stronger community and connections within the community.  Everyone of us "belongs" to a community, however as Block explains there are two meaning of belonging to a community.  One "as to be related to and part of something" the second is to "act as a creator or owner."  I really like how he also refers to the "structure" as a way of "building" and "constructing" these communities to create a better place to live and work.  

Take Away #1

"The Stuck Community"

In order to make a real difference we need to look at doing things differently.  We need to look at ways to lead others to create new solutions and not lay blame on someone for what has happened.  Our communities become "stuck"  because of fear and fault.  We need to look at ways to identify the problems, fix them and create an environment that citizens are able to change the community.  I am a firm believer in are you part of the "problem" or "solution?"  If you are not part of the solution it is my belief you are part of the problem because you are not working towards the solution.  Moving forward and growing.  I see this thought process happening in a "stuck community."  One that doesn't look at finding a solution. 

Take Away #2
"Questions are more Transforming than Answers"
Asking the right questions is more important than the answers we provide is something that stuck out in my mind while reading this chapter.  Questions provide in depth conversations that keep the dialog going and more meaning.  One portion of this chapter stuck out the most to me is when Block mentioned that people become "impatient with questions and hungry for answers" because the questions have "no meaning."  We often get wrapped up in "argument, explanation, analysis and defensive conversations which takes away from communities coming together.  I have witnessed many staff exhibit this type of behavior when they are presented opportunities to change and asked various questions.  They provide quick answers to questions and not really look at the big picture.  Another aspect of this chapter that I enjoyed was the list of questions that have little power when trying to bring communities together.  They carry little power.  In order to engage people of the community it is important to have questions that come with power.  These type of questions "confront their freedom," "engage them in their freedom and co-create a future possibility."  Also creating an "advice free zone" is critical in this process because advice weakens the process and stops the conversation.

As I reflect upon this book and my experiences in a leadership role I realized there are many positive and negative hings I can reflect upon to help me in the process of building a stronger community.  It is imperative to connect with the entire community or the majority to enhance the opportunity to create a stronger community and build relationships that will ultimately help our school grow.  It is important to get involved in some community organizations that will strengthen the relationship between the school and entire community.