The aim of this exercise is to get the group to reflect on the elements that constitute community, at its best.

Procedure

1. Each person is asked to remember an experience of community they once had, when they said: “Yes, that is what community is really about”. They should be encouraged to remember as many details as possible, as to what made it a positive experience:
   • Who were the people/group involved?
   • Where did it happen?
   • When did it happen?
   • What was it about it that made you say it was a good community?
   • Was there anything else interesting about the situation?
2. Divide the group randomly, into small groups of five people, and ask each person to share their community experience. Allow about half an hour for this, asking groups to make sure that each person gets at least five minutes to share.
3. Then when everyone has shared, ask each group to draw up a list of what they, from their experience, consider to be the five or six essential elements of a good community.
4. Return to large group and invite each small group to present their list. Note what is common, and open the floor for a general discussion.

Time 1 - 1 1⁄4 hours
Materials Pens, paper, markers, newsprint, blu-tac.