We are probably all members of several communities. I wonder if we can share what makes the good communities special for us.
For example, for me, when I think about the communities I’m a member of, some stick out as being really communities I engage with, am Involved in or sometimes just visit regularly etc… So for me, I would list them like this:
A professional community: As it was originally set up online, it uses online tools in a lot of interesting ways and creates inspiration for what can be done online. The members are also very conscious of creating a community that is egalitarian and based on consensus and participation.
From this community, I take a lot of inspiration about how online communities can be more than just forums/groups - and also about structure and the effects of consciously unleashing “grassroots” power and encourage people to contribute.
A forum for foreigners overseas, which I really value as a source of lots of practical information. I don’t think there is anything that the people there can’t answer - so it is my go-to source for information, but also I visit regularly to read what is happening. Compared to the above though, I’m quite passive there. I contribute once in a while, but rather sporadically.
A community that moved online because of the pandemic. It’s an interesting experience because we actually create online events together. It’s also interesting for me how we are establishing relationships with each other, not at least because we are seeing each other very often and interact a lot to organise the events.
Finally, the last one that comes to my mind is a community I was part of in the UK, which organised events. It was a gay organisation, though it was very different from a dating organisation/website. Rather, much was focused on the events and the website seemed to be a way to connect between the events.
Now… let’s see what example(s) you have of great online communities!