What a community is, and who yours is for
A community is like a table at lunch where people talk to each other, not only to the person who invited them. You start by deciding who sits at your table and why.
- An audience mostly watches you. A community is a group where members talk to each other and feel they belong.
- A good community has a clear purpose that names the people and what they do together, for example "beginner tennis players in Hamilton practising together".
- Start with a small group of people you already know who share the interest. A small group that talks beats a big group that is silent.
- You do not need followers first. You need a few people and a reason to meet.
- Purpose, people and place are the three starting choices. This lesson covers purpose; Lesson 2 covers place.
- Write: "A place where [who] can [do what] together."
- Replace vague words like "everyone" or "my fans" with real people (for example "new Canadians learning to cook").
- List 10 people you know who might want this.
- Write one reason a member would come back each week (a tip, a friend, a challenge).
- Read your sentence aloud to a friend and ask "Would you join?"
- Check: your sentence names a group of people and one shared activity.
Videos by other creators on YouTube, for reference. They are not made by or affiliated with The Future Market.
Read the video script
[Host] "A community is not an audience. In a community, members talk to each other."
[Text on screen: A place where WHO can DO WHAT together] "Start with one sentence: a place where who can do what together."
[Screen: list of 10 names] "Then write down ten people you know who might join."
[Host] "Small and friendly beats big and silent."
Write your purpose sentence and your list of 10 people.
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For a grown-up: Claude is for adults (18+). Copy this, paste it into Claude, and use the answer to explain the lesson to your child.
I'm learning "Community Basics: start a small group" on The Future Market. Lesson 1: "What a community is, and who yours is for". What the lesson teaches: - An audience mostly watches you. A community is a group where members talk to each other and feel they belong. - A good community has a clear purpose that names the people and what they do together, for example "beginner tennis players in Hamilton practising together". - Start with a small group of people you already know who share the interest. A small group that talks beats a big group that is silent. - You do not need followers first. You need a few people and a reason to meet. - Purpose, people and place are the three starting choices. This lesson covers purpose; Lesson 2 covers place. The exercise I'm working on: Write your purpose sentence and your list of 10 people. I'm stuck. Please: 1. Explain the main idea in plain, simple words with one everyday example. 2. Walk me through the exercise one small step at a time. Ask me what I've done so far before giving the next step. 3. Don't just give me the final answer. Help me do it myself, and check my work when I share it.
I'm a parent helping my child (about 8 years old) with a lesson called "What a community is, and who yours is for" from the course "Community Basics: start a small group". Here's what the lesson says: A community is like a table at lunch where people talk to each other, not only to the person who invited them. You start by deciding who sits at your table and why. The activity: Write your purpose sentence and your list of 10 people. Please explain this so an 8-year-old understands: short sentences, a fun everyday example, and no hard words. Then give me 3 simple questions I can ask my child to check they understood, and a way to do the activity together, one tiny step at a time.
Sources
- McMillan, D. W. & Chavis, D. M. (1986). Sense of community: A definition and theory. Journal of Community Psychology, 14(1), 6-23.
Choose a simple place and set the privacy
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Welcome message and short rules
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The first two weeks of activities
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Keep everyone safe and respect privacy
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Keep it going and know when to grow
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Final project
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Quiz
What is the main difference between an audience and a community?
In a community, members talk to each other.
What should a purpose sentence name?
The people and what they do together.
In a private Facebook group, who can see what is shared?
Only current members.
What is the minimum age for Discord?
13, or higher where local law requires.
How many rules are enough to start?
Three to five short rules.
Why post the first questions yourself?
Early groups are quiet; starting conversations helps others join.
What does the 90-9-1 pattern say?
In many online communities about 90% read, 9% contribute sometimes and 1% create most content.
Which kind of law applies when you collect personal information?
Your country's privacy law (in Canada, PIPEDA, or provincial laws in Alberta, B.C. and Quebec).
How do you work out active rate?
Active members divided by total members, times 100.
When is it time to look at the next level (course 3.11)?
When the small group is active and you want more structure.
Final exam
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Certificate
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