Collection of People or a Community?

Reflecting upon the content and purpose of this online forum made me think further about the purpose of utilizing this medium to communicate. I started to think about what differentiates this collection of people from a community.

Let’s start with the definition of community:

A muti-generational group of people, at work or play, whose identities are defined in large part by the roles they play and relationships they share in that group activity. The community derives its cohesion from the joint construction of a culture of daily life built upon behavioral norms, routines, and rules and from a sense of shared purpose. Community activity also precipitates shared artifacts and ideas that support group activity and individual sense-making. A community is multi-generational, that is, it exists over time and individuals. In short, a community differs from a collection of people by the strength and depth of the culture it is able to establish (Polin & Reil, 2004).

Notice the key terms in the definition that are centered on a shared purpose. The shared purpose that we have collectively is to assure the soundness of our investments in Boyne Properties for not only this generation but for future generations. I would venture to say that although we may have coalesced together unintentionally we did invest purposefully. The reasons for investment may vary whether it is a financial investment or personal investment centered upon the growth and development of familial joy and memories.

To continue to assure the soundness of our investments is not an easy task. We are disbursed throughout the country and may at times feel that we are in isolation. While this may be the case I propose to you that this forum can become a true online community of Boyne Property owners. As with any new community, there will be concerns that revolve around codes of practice for communication, rules for moderation, issues of privacy and trust but together we can work through the ebb and flow of communication.

Investments opportunities in condotels are fairly recent. Together we can build knowledge that will inform our decisions and contributions that will ultimately assist Boyne with its developments. This will create a mutually beneficial relationship as we, the owners of Boyne properties, will prosper in the log run.

Finally, I pose to you the contention that this forum must be democracy based on free speech. At times this will means posing difficult questions to which we will together find a solution. I encourage you to share your thoughts as it is a guarantee that you may be saying something that someone else is thinking.

For more information on the novelty of this type of investment, please visit the National Association of Condo Hotel Owners. http://www.nacho.us/

Polin, L. and Reil, M. (2004). Communities as Places Where Learning Occurs. In S. Barab, R. Kling & J. Gray (Eds.), Designing for Virtual Communities in the Service of Learning, pp. 16-50. Cambridge, MA: Cambridge University Press.