The first stage in designing an activity is to choose a mindset. Mindsets are considered as having a particular attitude or way of thinking when approaching an activity. These mindsets are provided to help frame your state of mind and will support you in identifying the main focus and goals for an activity. There are three mindsets, i.e., forming, sustaining, and exploring. The mindsets are meant to be embraced throughout the entire process of fostering a community of care, however, each mindset focuses on particular aspects of community building and therefore some moments might focus more on one mindset.
MINDSETS
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MINDSETS ·
FORMING
How can we form a community?
It takes time to build a strong sense of care in a collective community identity. It is an ongoing and never-ending process that requires solid foundations; therefore, the forming mindset seeks to find what connects people, what brings people together and how collective efforts can contribute to uplifting the community. Adopting this mindset involves thinking about setting the infrastructure for sustainable outcomes and exploring community identity together.
Examples of activities with a forming mindset are Visual Manifesto and Conversations in Collage.
SUSTAINING
How can we sustain a community?
As important as it is to form new community relationships, the process of building a community of care requires sustaining existing relationships. This means supporting community relationships through constant engagement and commitment from and within the community. Adopting this mindset means focusing on what keeps people engaged to create new activities; how have we changed to maintain coherence with who we are and our values; and how can we improve, adapt, and grow together in pursuit of the longevity of the community?
Examples of activities with a sustaining mindset are Reflecting On Past-Present-Future and Skill Share.
EXPLORING
How might we explore new and hidden dimensions of the community?
How do we go beyond the community boundaries?
Care is a nuanced and sensitive process that requires an active sense of empathy, curiosity, and perception. Hence, this mindset aims to reach out and discover what might not be evident at first sight. Exploration is about asking critical questions, discovering new possibilities, sparking curiosity, and challenging perceptions. It can be applied to create depth within an existing community or to go beyond its boundaries.
Examples of activities with an exploring mindset are Hidden Members and Placemaking.
