Nurturing Communities – Characteristics and Questions

Steven W. Gilbert

President, The TLT Group

October 14, 2002  [Revised March 14, 2003]

 

What are the differences between smaller more well-contained “nurturing communities” and more porously bounded “learning communities?”  To what extent do any of us want to be part of a more narrowly defined group or to engage a more diverse constituency?  What do we want from professional organizations and conferences?

 

Nurturing Communities are those in which we:

 

• Have a stake in each others’ lives.

 

• Expect and enable everyone to contribute – to be useful.

 

• Learn by leading and teaching;  Grow by serving and giving.

 

• Help each other; Appreciate each other;  and Thank each other.

 

• Address conflicts openly.

 

• Balance structure and stability with variety and change.
  
  
• Balance individuals' different needs (including their needs for solitude and their needs for connectedness) with the needs of the community

 

• Take the time we need (minutes to reflect, years to master).

 

• Have fun, love.

 

Questions for Reflection & Discussion -- Technology, Boundaries, Spirituality

How can we improve our list of characteristics of “Nurturing Communities”?

 

In what ways could information technology be used to subvert the development or advancement of Nurturing Communities in higher education?  In what ways could information technology be used to advance Nurturing Communities in higher education?

 

How can we set the boundaries of a Nurturing Community?  Educators, especially, want to be inclusive.  What are the challenges to being inclusive while recognizing, respecting, and responding to different strengths and weaknesses?  Different needs, skills, beliefs, and wisdom?  Can we both achieve unity and cherish our differences?

 

Does a “Nurturing Community” need to have clear, preferably explicit, guidelines about how people treat each other?  In what ways is a shared spiritual grounding among the members useful or necessary as a foundation for these guidelines?  How can it be achieved and sustained?  To what extent can a “Nurturing Community” be secular or non-sectarian?

 

How can we welcome and integrate as many newcomers as possible without stretching our boundaries too far?  Without weakening the heart of the community?  Can we sustain a “nurturing community” so large that we cannot all know each other well?  So large that we cannot know each other by sight?  By name?

 

How can we encourage everyone to stay, but support those who need to leave?  And encourage them to return when they’re ready.