Building a Better Neighbourhood: Tips for Being a Community Builder

In my element - at Cultivate Community Festival, an event and organization I co-founder with two dear friends. (Photography credit: Jeannette Breward Photography)

I spent the better part of this past weekend at a festival on a farm in the rolling hills in an idyllic part of Ontario near my hometown. It was a grounding few days and an experience that took me back to my community-building roots. Perhaps it was the nostalgia of it all or the pride of seeing a festival that I co-founded back in 2015 evolve into such a special organization that melds arts, culture, diversity, inclusivity, people, music, animals, accessibility, and sustainability all into one sweet, beautiful bundle of an event.

As I wandered throughout the weekend, my thoughts kept me wondering what being a community builder meant. Here are some ideas I jotted down, and as I commit to sharing my knowledge, experience, and passion with the sector and my small part of the world, I wanted to transcribe them into a blog. Hope you find some of this helpful or at least relatable. Thanks for what you're doing out there to help build better neighbourhoods.

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In a world where division and discord often make headlines, the importance of community builders cannot be overstated. We work tirelessly to foster unity, empathy, and positive change within our communities. I can only speak for myself and my own actions. Still, I try to aspire to be the good I want to see in the world, whether that be through my role as an elected official, my professional work as a consultant to the nonprofit sector, my volunteerism, and, quite frankly, my commitment to being a kind human. Here are some guiding principles I reflect on regularly to help keep me motivated and centered as a community builder:

Leading by example

Leading by example is the cornerstone of effective community building. Our actions and words should align with the values and principles we wish to instill in our community. Whether it's kindness, inclusivity, or environmental stewardship, let's aim to be the living embodiment of the change we seek.

Active listening

Active listening is a superpower for community builders. Let's be sure to take the time to genuinely understand our community's needs, concerns, and aspirations. Make them feel heard and valued, as this lays the foundation for trust and collaboration.

Leading with empathy

Empathy is our compass in building solid relationships. I always try to put myself in others' shoes to better understand their perspectives and feelings. This not only fosters compassion but also helps in resolving conflicts and bridging divides.

Do I always get it right or say the right things? No. In fact, I get it wrong quite often, but I always try to find a resolve and move forward to a solution.

Explore curiosity through open communication

Effective communication is the lifeblood of any thriving community. In an era of echo chambers and misinformation, I strive to keep the channels of communication open and transparent. Share information, updates, and progress regularly to keep everyone engaged. And remember that a question is a simple request for more information. Let's discover where one another comes from through dialogue rather than always being on the defense. We can move the dial on change by opening ourselves up to exploring ideas through conversation.

Embrace collaboration

Collaboration is the catalyst for collective success. Let's encourage community members to work together on common goals and projects. This amplifies our impact and builds a sense of ownership and belonging.

Passion is grounded in patience and persistence

I'm an empath, and there are days when I just want to give up and retreat to a treehouse with my library of books, never to return. However, I love people and the community too much. Building a strong community takes time. I often must be patient and persistent in my efforts, especially when faced with challenges. Dedication inspires others, and passion cultivated with mutual respect can mobilize a movement of compassion and care.

Promote positivity and adaptability.

As a community leader and consultant, I am committed to maintaining a positive and constructive atmosphere within my community and those I serve. I was raised and trained to address conflicts and disagreements with a solution-oriented approach, emphasizing the common goals that unite us – not divide us. In addition to being positive, I realize that as I get older, I must be flexible and not dig my heels into my convictions or approach. The world constantly evolves, and our community's needs may change. By being adaptable, I'm willing to adjust my strategies and initiatives to effectively meet these changing needs.

Continuous learning and knowledge-seeking

I'm a knowledge-seeking nerd, so I never stop learning about community building, leadership, and related topics. Knowledge is a powerful tool that will help us refine our skills and strategies while broadening our worldview and perspective. 

Prioritizing self-care

I carry a lot throughout the day; no doubt you do too. I became a more productive leader, practitioner, and partner when prioritizing self-care. I've endured a few chapters of compassion fatigue. Burnout can hinder our ability to make a positive impact. Prioritize self-care to ensure you can continue being the good you want to see in the world. Self-care comes in many forms. For me, self-care is scheduling time in my days to process information and recover from heavy meetings, making sure I stand and stretch from sitting at my desk, having walking meetings, bringing my dog Chevy to the office with me, drinking water, journaling daily, reading a few pages of a book that escapes me from reality and trying to get a good night's sleep so I'm re-energized to do my best the next day.

In closing, I want to reiterate that these are my thoughts, and I intend to share – not project. Community organizing is a way of life for me. We're all members of a village. We're all architects and designers of our communities. We're all neighbours. And we can all be the change we want to see.