Community

A community is a social unit of any size that shares common values, or that is situated in a given geographical area (e.g. a village or town). It is a group of people who are connected by durable relations that extend beyond immediate genealogical ties, and who mutually define that relationship as important to their social identity and practice. Although communities are usually small, community may also refer to large groups, such as national communities, international communities, and virtual communities.

The word "community" is derived from the Old French comuneté which comes from the Latin communitas (from Latin communis, things held in common).

In human communities, intent, belief, resources, preferences, needs, and risks, may be shared in common, affecting the identity of the participants, and their degree of cohesiveness.

Perspectives from various disciplines

Community studies

Community studies is an academic field drawing on both sociology and anthropology and the social research methods of ethnography and participant observation in the study of community. In academic settings around the world, community studies is variously a sub-discipline of anthropology or sociology, or an independent discipline. It is often interdisciplinary and geared toward practical applications rather than purely theoretical perspectives. Community studies is sometimes combined with other fields, i.e., "Urban and Community Studies," "Health and Community Studies," or "Family and Community studies."

Communities (magazine)

Communities: Life in Cooperative Culture is a quarterly magazine. It is a primary resource for information, issues, and ideas about intentional communities in North America - from urban co-ops to cohousing groups to ecovillages to rural communes. Articles and columns cover practical "how-to" issues of community living as well as personal stories about forming new communities, decision-making, conflict resolution, raising children in community, and sustainability.

History and profile

The magazine was started in 1972, first under the name Communitas and then (after two issues) as Communities. A variety of editing and publishing collectives, based in several different intentional communities, managed the magazine through its next 78 issues, until the end of 1990, when financial difficulties led to a hiatus in publication. The Fellowship for Intentional Community, based in Rutledge, Missouri, became publisher and resumed publication of Communities two years later. The magazine then returned to a consistent quarterly schedule, with the first issue of 2016 being issue #170. Its editor during 1993-2007 was Diana Leafe Christian; following two issues produced by interim editor Alyson Ewald, Chris Roth then became editor in 2008. Other current staff members include Yulia Zarubina (Art Director) and Christopher Kindig (Business Manager). Articles are written by a wide range of communitarians and people interested in community and/or cooperation, and submissions are welcome from anyone inspired to write. Each quarterly issue focuses on a specific theme.

360 Communities

360 Communities is a non-profit agency founded in 1970 by a group of volunteers. Administrative offices are located in Burnsville, Minnesota, USA.

Its aim is "changing lives and strengthening communities to a new degree.

History

360 Communities, formerly known as Community Action Council, has been helping people since 1970. Local church volunteers, who wished to combine their community service efforts, formed 360 Communities as a nonprofit human services agency serving the south suburban metropolitan area of Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota. Community Engagement defines 360 Communities.

By the mid-1970s, both Minneapolis and St. Paul United Ways had recognized the value of 360 Communities' services to surrounding communities and provided funding assistance. 360 Communities has become the chief vehicle for social services and community organizing in northern Dakota County.

Strategy

360 Communities approaches building a healthier future by empowering individuals to own the future of their communities.360 Communities partners with individuals, businesses, civic organizations, schools, faith communities, the justice system, and local government to develop plans to help the community.