We all belong to many communities—that is, groups of people with common interests—depending on where we live, the work we do, how we spend our leisure time, political and religious beliefs, and so on. In some communities, finding agreement is easy; in others, especially those that represent many different experiences and points of view, members must work harder to find commonality.

It may be easier to find a location for your next book-club meeting than to achieve consensus about a road project at your neighborhood association. In such contexts, are we “doing” community wrong? Are we celebrating diverse points of view and our common effort to find solutions together? If not, why not? What stops us from engaging in more diverse communities?

JOIN our reflective conversation, where listening becomes knowing, and we create the space for meaningful discussion, and curious learners to create positive change in the world.

Facilitator Kerry Driver has been producing community-building and cross-cultural activities in the US and Asia for more than twenty-five years. After twenty-two years working and starting a family in Taiwan, China, and Singapore, she repatriated with her teen sons to Portland in 2021 and started producing bespoke programs for groups with special interests and special needs. Kerry loves Oregon’s colorful communities of passionate people doing amazing things and believes that it's incredibly important to constantly seek understanding and engagement with people coexisting in our worlds.

Contact the host of Community Conversation Project