Community

The life you create together in your House Community is a fractal of the larger society. How does the daily practice of living together inform the way you engage with others?

If you are drawn to focus on community as your next step, what is the question that holds the most energy for you? If it isn’t named here, what words or images arise for you? Talk to your housemates and Coordinator about what resources are available in your chosen area of focus!

  • Do you set clear expectations for sharing in the work of community?

    Do you have a good structure for making decisions?

    Have you set clear boundaries and talked about consent as a community?

    Your Coordinator has resources available to support you in these conversations.

  • When is it easiest to feel like your authentic self with your housemates? When is it hardest?

    Does your community need to talk about something uncomfortable?

    If you knew everyone was open to growth, what would you want to talk about?

    How do you and your housemates signal that you want a deeper connection?

    Your Coordinator has resources available to support you in these conversations.

  • What do you do for fun?

    Does anyone face barriers to participate in your fun activity of choice?

    What are the local events and attractions that you want to see this year?

    If you were going to invite your housemates to an activity you enjoy, what would it be?

    Your Coordinator has resources available to support you in these conversations.

  • Are you drawn to a wider circle of relationships?

    What do you notice about the relationship between your House community and local Friends?

    What do you notice about your relationship to neighbors or the neighborhood association?

    Are there specific ways you’d like to connect with other QVS Houses or other service year programs in your city?

    Your Coordinator has resources available to support you in these conversations.

  • Talking about community isn’t the same as doing community. But developing a conceptual framework can help you feel more confident in doing the work of community.

    Do you have questions about how communities come together?

    What distinguishes healthy communities from unhealthy ones?

    What would you like to know?

    Your Coordinator has resources available to support you in these conversations.

  • Because your background and experience are unique, you might have ideas or questions that haven’t occurred to us yet. What would it take for you to feel comfortable asking for something that hasn’t already been named?

    Your Coordinator would love to help you strategize about bringing a proposal to the group.