A Rendezvous is A Gathering Place where people meet to Celebrate, Learn, Exchange Ideas, Share and Relax. 

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That being said, the focus this week builds on the discussion started last week about Relationships.  We move on to the logical evolution to discuss the Nature of Community.  What does it mean to be in Community here on Active Rain or elsewhere for that matter?

In December of 2006, Barry Hurd  posted on Active Rain an intriguing blog entitled: On-Line Communities are Awesome  The focus of his article was the 2007 research by the University of Southern California's Annenburg Digital Future Project which revealed some fascinating points which Barry highlighted in his blog post.

Did You Know That...

43% of the Members of on-line communities feel as strongly about their on-line community as they do about the real world!

20.3% Take Actions off-line at least once a year that are related to their on-line community

70.4% say they sometimes or always interact with a member of the community while logged on!

Although 40 % indicate that they are communicating with more people since going on-line, there is also an indication that communication with close family members has gone down thus continuing to impact & rearrange our understanding of what it means to be in community in the 21st century.  What does community mean to You?  How do groups engage community in the Active Rain Network?  Has Community Shaped & Impacted Your Life?

The Fraiche Aire Reading Room

Diverging ever so slightly from our normal format, We'll be looking at community from the perspective of a "real good book" & some great posts .

Deep Economy, The Wealth of Communities and the Durable Future

by Bill McKibben. 

McKibben explores how to utilize the principles of interdependence and sustainable resources to create depth in community.  This is a startling book in many ways.  One of the quotes which cut deep to the core of many root issues was this: 

"We don't need each other for anything anymore.  If we have enough money, we're insulated from depending on those around us--which is at least as much a loss as a gain.  By some surveys, three-quarters of Americans confess they don't know their next-door neighbors.  That's a novel condition for primates; it will take a while to repair those networks."  McKibben goes on to make the point that our increased prosperity has undercut our basic sense of security, a primary & basic human need.

(Ref. pp 117  The Deep Economy).  What do you think about Mckibben's observation? Do you agree?

This is a powerful book, even if you're not into economics.  I had the sense that someone was decoding & deciphering our social networks & delving behind the stark social realities which we choose to ignore or look past in the rush & business of life.  The book is at once engaging, haunting, vulnerable & full of hope...

**Barry Hurd has written some other outstanding posts on Active Rain on the Subject of Groups & Communities:

• Community Etiquette from Good to Bad.  by Barry Hurd. This post featured in January is a gem; chock full of excellent material & wisdom about the nature of on-line communities & how to engage & interact within them.  If you're New to Active Rain...this is highly recommended reading.  If you've been here for awhile, & perhaps read it when it was first featured, it's a good refresher.
•  On-line Communities - What are They? Why are They? by Barry Hurd.  This post can be likened to a mini-encyclopedic entry describing what on-line communities are, with links to some communities that are important to business professionals.  The article also deals with 2 questions I hear posed which are: "Why do I Want to be in Community? & How Do I Build a Community?"
• Apples vs. Oranges by Barry Hurd.  Interesting take on the issue of "specialization" within the context of social networking.

New Member  Welcome

Fraiche Aire is delighted to Welcome the Following New Members this week.  Many of them are New to Active Rain & Blogging.  Please Stop by & Say Hello!

Debi Braulik, Valerie Edwards, Terri McFarland, Doreen McPherson,

Penny Nowakowski, Elizabeth & Justin Thayer,

Concluding in the Spirit of Community...

Several Groups debuted or marked Special Moments on Active Rain & Posted this to the Fraiche Aire Group. You will find their posts highlighted this week.  I once heard the author of The Purpose Driven Life  & pastor of Saddle Back Church in Lake Forest, California tell an interesting anecdote.  He was speaking about a unique tradition they have in their church.  Every year they encourage their members to visit other churches! 

According to Rick Warren, he feels that it is healthy to explore "what's out there".  When asked about if this would threaten the growth of his church, he said "No".  His philosophy being that you should explore & see what fits you best.  Having been "in church" most of life, I can attest that this is NOT normal thinking.  But then, Rich Warren is no ordinary pastor. 

So inspired by the example of Rick Warren,  Fraiche Aire Encourages you to Explore the Reaches of Community this week.  Posted below are the Group Logos of all the groups that I could find that were founded by Fraiche Aire Members.  I was impressed.  As your Moderator, I learned so much from visiting groups which many of you have started. It gave a window of insight into the thoughts and interests of the founders & group members.  It was a very worthwhile exercise. 

I purposely have left out who the group founder is so you can discover a New Side of Many of the Members of our Community.  A click on the picture will tell you the name of the group.  If I have left anyone out, please let me know & I'll be happy to update.  Meanwhile, Happy Visiting, Reading, Growing & Learning!

 Please Click On The RendezVous Logo at the Beginning of the post to View a Great Video about ....well, building community one touch at a time!

Come on...Get out there & Give a Free Hug!