Connect and lead, how we create community | Kathy Coffey | TEDxSnoIsleLibraries

Summary

The speaker reflects on the transformative power of community, drawing from personal experiences of loss and isolation. They define community through four connections: mind, spirit, citizen, and people, emphasizing how these bonds foster a sense of belonging and purpose. The narrative highlights the importance of recognizing one's own community and the potential for leadership in building a more connected and caring world. The speaker's journey from victimhood to empowerment serves as a testament to the healing and uplifting nature of community involvement.

Takeaways

• 🌟 The speaker emphasizes the transformative power of community and its ability to deeply connect and fulfill individuals.
• 🌱 The concept of 'common unity' is introduced as the essence of community, suggesting a shared sense of belonging and purpose.
• 🌐 The speaker shares personal experiences of feeling disconnected and the journey towards valuing community as a result.
• 🏡 The importance of community is highlighted through four types of connections: minds, spirit, citizen, and people.
• 🤔 The speaker reflects on the primal need for belonging and purpose, and how community can fulfill this need.
• 💔 A personal narrative of loss and hardship is shared to illustrate the role of community in overcoming life's challenges.
• 🔍 The realization that community support is crucial in times of grief, loss, and loneliness is a key takeaway.
• 🌈 The speaker's shift from self-pity to recognizing the potential of community is a pivotal moment in the narrative.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 The idea that community can be created and is not limited to traditional family structures is explored.
• 🌱 The speaker encourages recognizing one's existing community and taking on leadership roles to build and expand community connections.
• 💬 The necessity of dialogue, participation, and trust in community building is underscored as a pathway to making a difference.

Q & A

What does the speaker believe is the key to creating a deeply connected and fulfilling future?

The speaker believes that the key to creating a deeply connected and fulfilling future is community.

How does the speaker define 'common unity'?

The speaker defines 'common unity' as something that encompasses the root and suffix of the word 'community', which are 'common' and 'unity', suggesting a shared sense of belonging and connection.

In what four ways does the speaker experience common unity in their life?

The speaker experiences common unity through a connection of minds, spirit, citizen, and people, which include dialogue, discussion, broadening sense of place and self, joining with others to increase impact, and being reminded of not being alone.

How did the absence of community influence the speaker's values?

The absence of community led the speaker to value it more deeply, as they always had a desire for deeper connection and a sense of belonging.

What significant life events shaped the speaker's perspective on community?

The speaker's early life experiences, including being adopted, losing their parents at a young age, and becoming their mother's primary caregiver, shaped their perspective on community.

What was the speaker's turning point in realizing the importance of community?

The speaker's turning point was a moment of self-reflection while floating in a pool, where they realized that they had always overcome loss, grief, or loneliness with the support of others.

Why did the speaker decide to build a community and how did they start?

The speaker decided to build a community because they realized that being a victim was a choice they did not want to make, and they saw the greater good in the world. They started by joining groups that aligned with their values and needs, such as a church, a 12-step meeting, or a support group.

How does the speaker incorporate community into their family life?

The speaker makes community a core family value, even expanding their definition of family to include exchange students and creating intergenerational programs.

What role does community play in the speaker's view of family, especially for those with dysfunctional or unhealthy families?

For the speaker, community can be a form of family, and for those with dysfunctional or unhealthy families, creating community can be a better way to experience family and connection.

What advice does the speaker give on how to start building a community?

The speaker suggests recognizing that one is already part of various communities and, if in a leadership role, taking a transformative step to build community. They emphasize the importance of knowing oneself, having a purpose, and participating actively.

How does the speaker encourage the audience to engage with their community?

The speaker encourages the audience to embrace community by joining groups that align with their identity, building trust, having a purpose, and participating in conversations that lead to action.