Creating valuable communities requires intentional design and sustained effort.
Purpose-Driven Formation
The strongest communities unite around shared purpose beyond individual gain.
Andrew's purpose hierarchy: - Survival (basic mutual aid) - Success (business growth) - Significance (meaningful impact) - System change (transformation) - Legacy (lasting contribution)
Communities reaching higher purposes generated more value and commitment.
Curation vs. Open Access
Community value often requires curation—not exclusion for exclusion's sake, but alignment assurance.
Barbara's curation principles: - Values alignment verification - Contribution capacity assessment - Complementary skill evaluation - Cultural fit confirmation - Growth mindset requirement
Careful curation created high-trust, high-value communities.
Governance for Growth
Communities need governance structures balancing member agency with collective direction.
Charles implemented dynamic governance: - Rotating leadership roles - Consent-based decisions - Working group autonomy - Clear conflict resolution - Evolution mechanisms
This structure enabled growth without bureaucracy or chaos.