Unlocking Community Conversation

Cantors Assembly 2014

Connections that change our lives

The changing definition of

community

The “Power of Personal”

Unlocking the community

conversation

wdydwyd?*

*why do you do what you do?(Tweet your answer using #cantorsconvention)

@askdebra

http://www.flickr.com/photos/40351092@N00/3844938856

The Science of Connecting

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/04/26/opinion/sunday/hello-stranger.html?

http://www.touchingstrangers.org/

The Changing Definition of

Community

*From Who Moved My Cheese? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Who_Moved_My_Cheese%3F

It’s a Pivot

Well-placed time spent, not 24/6

Let go of control…but still retain control

No one is a stranger, everyone is a

potential community member

The technical piece is the easy part

Community = Connecting

Data: Power of Personal

What makes Temple Israel a

kehila? (a community)

Community Is Personal

Unlocking the Conversation

diagram courtesy of Darim Online

Org Stakeholders

It’s Not Really What You Want

to Talk About…

http://www.flickr.com/photos/47390431@N08/5549926350/

It’s What They Want To Talk About

http://www.flickr.com/photos/32454422@N00/4074805374/

Figuring this out is a commitment

Stronger community

It’s a process that takes time

You Do This Already

Create the Opportunity

Cultivate a Community Space

Knowing the Conversation:

Temple Emunah

diagram courtesy of Darim Online

Living Jewishly in Lexington,

MA

Finding a Jewish

community

What is the intersection here?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b64K-t_VXrA

Meets missionFulfills what congregants want to talk about

Offers opportunity to be heardIs valued

Conversation

Offline Online

• It’s one way, it’s two-way

• It’s virtual and real

• Your online conversation supports the offline

conversation, and vice-versa

whwtic?*

*what happens when there is conversation?

The Mussar Institute’s Generosity

Week

What Does Your Community Want to

Talk About?

Use #cantorsconvention

http://www.flickr.com/photos/88133570@N00/2945003307

Reflections…

Religious life is inherently personal: How have we

let it become broadcast?

Let’s take back the personal elements of what

makes a synagogue a kehila.

No one is a stranger, and strangers like

connecting.

The definition of “community” has changed, and

everyone wants one.

…and a Prescription

Commit to “finding the conversation”’

Think about what you want to learn from the

congregation over the next two weeks

Talk about this with staff and board leadership

Spread the work: Make it a community-wide

endeavor

Hold a “lunch and learn” one Shabbat

p.s. Don’t be surprised if your social strategy begins to reveal itself!

What Is The Potential?

THANK YOU!!

Debra Askanase

Digital Engagement Strategist

http://communityorganizer20.com

Twitter: @askdebra

Slideshare: http://slideshare.net/debask

(617) 682-2977

debra@communityorganizer20.com