Community

            Community is any kind of group with common interests, beliefs, goals or values. Communities can vary in size from family to neighborhood to races. Some communities are organized and planned while others are formed naturally by people drawn together. For example, students interested in being active in politics can join the young republicans club. On the other hand naturally formed communities such as friends come together due to personality traits such as types of humor. Joining a community can be a way of finding your comfort zone. People surround themselves with groups that are supportive and that they enjoy being with. In addition, certain communities are formed based on situational factors like going to the same school, being on the same team, or living in the same neighborhood. These communities can be more temporary and are in some ways based on convenience.

            Communities are more complex than a simple common interest.  Much more is needed to have a well running, sustainable community.  Sturdy leaders, active participation, well defined structure, equality, and clear goals all play a strong part in community.  Most religion groups on campus have survived decades, because they have a very solid list of common interests and shared action. In order for many organized goal driven communities to be sustainable they need proper funding.

            Some examples of communities that have been around for a very long time are the Catholic Church, Colleges, the Greek System, the National Rifle association, Farms, successful businesses such as Sears and Disney. One thing that makes many of these communities sustainable for such a long time is a long history of tradition. 

~Da Fancy Pants 

(Alex, Lindsay, Steve, Caroline)