This is an anonymous post from an Elpha member.

Community builders, any book recs?

Hello! Those of you who are community builders/managers, what are your favorite community building books?

I'm in the early stage of building an in-person community with some acquaintances and I'd love to learn more about best practices.

Thanks in advance!

teresaman·Aug 01

Get Together: How to Build a Community with Your People. There are many tactical advice through case studies here.Bowling Alone by Robert Putnam, for a more philosophical read on community and social capital.

Iynna·Aug 01

Bowling Alone was a required reading for my Politics classes specifically thinking about voter’s behaviour. So I find it fascinating that it’s a recommendation for community building related items!

Tajuana122·Aug 02

Taking note of both! Thank you.

Tajuana122·Aug 02

Taking note of both! Thank you.

michellejchang·Aug 02

Full disclosure - I haven't actually read this one yet (my TBR list is LONG), but I've heard Priya Parker on multiple podcasts and love some of the examples and recommendations she makes using guidelines from her book. The Art of Gathering - Priya Parker https://www.priyaparker.com/book-art-of-gathering

mxtinahess·Aug 05

+1 to The Art of Gathering!

Celsa199·Aug 08

I found The Art of Gathering had a lot of great insights - just be warned that the author's voice/tone is somewhat obnoxious New Yorker who thinks she's right and knows it all type (and BTW, I'm a New Yorker, so this isn't anything against New Yorkers, just that type)

Tajuana122·Aug 02

Yes! I loved The Art of Gathering – highly recommend it :)

KQ·Aug 05

I know a gal who has a business all around building communities. Lmk if you’d like an intro.

rebmagee·Aug 05

I recommend talking to other community builders and asking them your Q’s!In a lot of my own community building work, what’s been most helpful has been:- being in other communities and observing how they do things (and noticing what I like and don’t like)- mentorship in facilitation. But also I did Tara Mohr’s Playing Big program for facilitators and definitely learned a lot there.- asking for feedback from the community of people I wanted to bring together - when and where do they want to meet? What do they need? What would they want from a community? wishing you good luck with your new community!