What is a community? A location, like a city, town or neighbourhood? Or people who share something fundamental, like language, heritage, religion, culture or interests? Sure. But a community isn’t just a place or a group — it’s also a way of being.
The word “community” comes from the Latin “communitas” and “communitatem,” which refer to joint use or a fellowship. An early meaning, from the 14th century, centred on common possessions or enjoyment. More than being what we are, a community is what we do. It’s about building and growing together, making the changes that recognize the needs of us all.
Stuart Foxman, Strength in Numbers
I think communities first and foremost are about a way of being. And from that common sense of being arises a common sense of doing.
And from my experiences, it doesn’t really matter if these communities are online or offline. They inhabit the same characteristics of being and doing.