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Community as Organization Written by Ron Willett    Sunday, 05 August 2007 Community as Organization:  A Technical View of Community For most of us, most of the time, the concept of community triggers images from a Norman Rockwell painting, or of tree-lined streets and neat traditional houses; mid-America at its original finest.  Lift the lid on that community, and all of the regulars pop up:  A strong (but local) “sense of place,” the K-12 school and signs celebrating its sports titles, small government that hasn’t yet hardened into professional politics and multi-tentacle bureaucracy, many churches, a sprinkling of Optimists or Rotarians along with the ubiquitous chamber of commerce, and a competent local newspaper if the community is fortunate. Last Updated ( Tuesday, 07 August 2007 ) Read more...   Reclaiming Community Written by Paula Bartholome    Sunday, 05 August 2007 Community:  Reclaiming Common Ground According to the Merriam Webster’s online dictionary, a community is “a unified body of individuals” with “common interests” who are “living in a particular area.” A “particular area” may also now be in the ether because of the Internet, and although it may not be obvious that the residents of my homeowner’s association (let alone the world) are “a unified body of individuals” with “common interests,” I think the world is the largest community we have. And I believe we very much need to learn how to be better community members. Last Updated ( Friday, 02 May 2008 ) Read more...   Our Pleasantvilles Written by Ron Willett    Sunday, 05 August 2007 On Community:  Our “Pleasantvilles” Welcome to TNBJ’s August posts on “community.”  Some of the views may challenge your perspectives.  But few of these views are new, and their challenges have been on the table but poorly addressed for decades.  They raise questions that America must start asking more seriously in light of the decay of multiple traditional American values that have footed our freedoms and our perception as a caring and educated nation.   Last Updated ( Friday, 02 May 2008 ) Read more...   Truth in Humor, or is it Humor in Truth... Written by Dr. Ron Willett    Thursday, 22 February 2007 The Wisdom of Ashleigh Brilliant* A delightful discovery that was a byproduct of co-designing and co-facilitating a university course on organization design was the humor of Dr. Ashleigh Brilliant.  His “fewer than seventeen word” depictions of our human challenges to communicate, to collaborate and to make choices, among other things, are a commentary on our society.  And they create laughter and introspective awareness.  Last Updated ( Friday, 02 May 2008 ) Read more...