Co-Creating a Definition of Community at the Midwest Energy Solutions Conference
Quinn, Patrice, and Rachel had a wonderful time connecting with so many of you at the Midwest Energy Solutions Conference (MES) hosted by the Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (MEEA). Thank you to everyone who stopped by our shared Encolor-Shared Space Project table to share your reflections on what community means to you.
When reading the answers you shared, I couldn’t help but think about how this was the start of a definition of community built in community.
Here’s what you told us:
Sharing a commonality with a group of individuals which fosters a sense of belonging and creativity to connect us at a human level
A group of people with similar goals, aspirations, or a common focus
A network of people with shared interests and/or goals
Uplifting each other by sharing resources, time, and care
Family — people I can call on who will come to help (I call them my tribe)
Shared comfort, understanding, and support
Having accountability and trust in a supportive environment
People sharing interests, proximity, and/or work who invest in one another's past, present, and future
Support that shows up: a friend offering soup when you’re sick, a colleague connecting you to your passions through their network, a mutual desire to rise
Belonging and united goals
Everything. It’s the cure to the ills of hyper-individualization our society suffers from. It’s the North Star.
Being together with people who are not people you would choose on your own
Supporting people and going out of your way for others
A group of people that makes you feel seen and heard — and knows how to get things done
People who care for one another working together
A group that promotes the best in each other
Relying on each other in times of need
Reading through these reflections, one thing is clear: community isn’t abstract. It’s active. It shows up. It carries weight. It holds us up when we need it most.
Right before our team headed to this conference, I had to unexpectedly rush to Florida for a family emergency.
If you’ve ever tabled at a conference, you know there are a hundred small details that go into it. These include printing, materials, signage, giveaways, and so much more. As the Executive Assistant, it is usually my role to help organize and help make these things happen.
But this time, I couldn’t.
And without hesitation, my coworkers, who had a million other things to do, stepped in and took over. They did this with no drama, no dropped balls, and no stress passed along. They just handled it.
That’s community.
Community can be found in personal spaces, social circles, and work environments. I’m especially grateful for my work community. They step in when life happens and make you feel supported without having to ask twice.
Because at the end of the day, community isn’t just something we talk about at conferences.
It’s something we live.