Last Saturday, I had the privilege of being invited to an event where I was to be a “human book” for a day.
The inaugural community exchange event, organised by SGPO (Singapore Government Partnership Office) in partnership with culture change consultancy and venue provider Common Ground Singapore, brought together some 100 different ground-up community initiators, leaders and enquirers. To network and talk about the joys and challenges of starting, building, growing, as well as maintaining, communities.
I was approached by SGPO to be one of several guests. We were invited to spend an hour or so sharing with the event participants our story of building communities.
And to share it in the form of a “human book”!
Look Ma! I Am A Book!!
If, like me, you are wondering what a “human book” is, let’s just say it’s a fancier ‘dress-up’ name for a fireside chat with a few friends.
These “friends” were folks who signed up for the event. Folks who checked the write-up of invited speakers (see image above for mine) at allocated event stations. Then decide to sit for half an hour with chosen speaker to “open” us up like a book! To learn about our “stories”. (There was a second half-hour session, where new “friends” drop by and speakers like me re-shared our stories)
For me, it was of course all about how I got started building a community of dads. And the lessons I’ve learned along the way.
I’m always grateful for opportunities to share my journey of community building. Over the past three years since my community was formed, I’ve done so via
– write-ups
– a guest podcast episode
– an evening conversation on communities of practice
– an upcoming radio interview early next month
As well as this event I’m now writing about.
Each time, I’m amazed by how far I’ve come in my own journey to discover the hidden power of nurturing communities. How much I’ve learned, and am still learning.
And to have a chance to share it all again last week as a living “human book”!
A Gathering Of “Books And Readers” Of Communities
One of the things that striuck me about this event is the diversity of causes that birth all kinds of communities.
There were nearly 100 folks from all walks of life who showed up. Nearly every single one of them had built all manner of communities with an almost-bizarre array of causes. Some of which I’ve never heard of!
In the first half of the event, I was in a breakout group where I met a young lady who started a community that brought gifts to kids in the hospital. Another similar ground-up offers birthday cakes to kids, bringing them moments of joyful mirth.
Then there was the co-founder in his late 60’s who offered cancer survivors dignity through his community that used opportunities for these survivors to strut fashion runways as a confidence booster!
I also met someone who connects volunteers to social causes of all kinds. To build a community of folks who care about and wish to give back to society. (Actually he wasn’t the only one! Another guy’s targeted help for others, thanks to Covid six years ago, has since morphed his pandemic community into a major volunteering network that went far beyond healthcare.)
There was even a young girl, barely 17, who was part of a group of youths that helped bridge youth volunteers with various volunteering opportunities across the country! (My eldest son’s 17 too, so you can guess what I’m thinking after meeting this girl?!)
But not all communities had altruistic motivations. Many were also formed simply for the pure joy of a shared interest.
Like a couple of young men I met that day who came together to start a music movement. Called musiccornersg, their goal was to have open music and mike performances. Performances that celebrate the love of music in all forms and genres. Opened to the public, their weekend events are a way of making music accessible and enjoyable for everyone.
Novices and season musicians alike.
How cool is that?!
Book Or Not, It’s About Finding Purpose And Meaning
At my “human book” station, co-founders of a community dropped by to hear my story. As much as they were fascinated with my story, I thought theirs far more fascinating. Called PEASE (or Preparing to EASE your life transitions), their purpose is to help professionals in their 40s, 50s or 60s navigate career and life transitions.
Exactly where I am now in my own life transition! Finding purpose and meaning.
I could go on and on about what other wonderful selfless community builders I met taught me that day as they shared their stories.
Instead, I will say this.
If you’ve been wondering, like me, how to make your life more purposeful and meaningful, start with putting yourself out there. In your immediate community, or circles and networks. Listen, observe and note what resonates with you in deep and profound ways. Ways that keep you up at night with the possibilities and potential for an exciting future of value and meaning. As opposed to the mundanity of your current work or vocation that drags your feet daily to the same old tiresome, soul-sapping grind!
And when you embrace the former and unchain yourself from the latter, then maybe you too will have the same season of life I’m now privileged to be in.
Building and growing a community with purpose and meaning.
Good luck!
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