Obviously this is a broad and controversial topic (especially since I’m asking about both on and offline) but as individualism and isolationism seems to be increasing in the western world, I’m wondering what can be done and what others have done to counteract this trend.
Edit: Obviously, there’s broad things like participating in hobby groups or being nice to neighbours, but I’m especially interested in discussion of specifics, such as ways to set up these groups, organisational structures, or ways to expand connections from a hobby group beyond just the hobby.
More the specifics that can be controversial - for example, moderation policies, broad appeal versus exclusivity/specificity, which forms of outreach work or don’t, how power structures should be organized, ect. Obviously its not all heated debate, but there often are strongly held opinions for or against different methods.
I am intentionally leaving it broad, but generally looking for more specific answers. For example forming/participating in interest groups is a good start, but also: How do you structure them? How do you fund them? How do you expand it beyond the limited scope of the hobby? I’m hoping to get meaningful discussion on not just broad suggestions, but also specifics.
The last community I created spawned off Reddit before the final nail in my permaban coffin.
Local subreddit had left leaning counter culture folks wanting a safe space to learn and train in firearms. We’re spread out in smaller suburban communities, small city nearby…bigger cities 150-200 miles away.
I’m an organizer and planner and saw that they needed me to put it all together build our community. We opted to be non-affiliated directly with the SRA/Pink Pistols and have contacts, people in those orgs we’ve collaborated with.
I created signal group, we joined one of the local gun clubs. We talk, we plan, train and collaborate. I’ve organized multiple Stop the Bleed trauma response trainings and opened the community other folks of mutual interest.
The foundation of community building is from training martial arts most of my life.
Start somewhere, look at you list of goals, pick one and start doing it. Connect with those around you. Be open, receptive and compassionate…you will meet your people as you walk through life.