Community: The Structure of Belonging: The Structure of Belonging (AGENCY/DISTRIBUTED) - Softcover

Block, Peter

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1605092770 ISBN 13: 9781605092775

Publisher: Berrett-Koehler Publishers, 2009

Synopsis

Modern society is plagued by fragmentation. The various sectors of our communities--businesses, schools, social service organizations, churches, government--do not work together. They exist in their own worlds. As do so many individual citizens, who long for connection but end up marginalized, their gifts overlooked, their potential contributions lost. This disconnection and detachment makes it hard if not impossible to envision a common future and work towards it together. We know what healthy communities look like--there are many success stories out there, and they've been described in detail. What Block provides in this inspiring new book is an exploration of the exact way community can emerge from fragmentation: How is community built? How does the transformation occur? What fundamental shifts are involved? He explores a way of thinking about our places that creates an opening for authentic communities to exist and details what each of us can do to make that happen.

About this title

Review

"This book challenges the conventional wisdom about what you and I can do as citizens to shape our future. It offers concrete examples of what citizens can do and have done by drawing on resources in their families and communities."
--David Mathews, President, Kettering Foundation

"This book is the basis for health and happiness in any society. A must-read."
--Quentin Young, Chairman, Health and Medicine Policy Research Group, and former President, American Public Health Association

"'What we need is here.' That line from a Wendell Berry poem sums up the theme that runs through this vital and timely book. This book is a treasure. And it can help us recover the treasures hidden in plain sight within and among us, renewing ourselves and our democracy as we go."
--Parker J. Palmer, founder of the Center for Courage and Renewal and author of A Hidden Wholeness, Let Your Life Speak, and The Courage to Teach

"Don't wait for a politician, scientist, infomercial, or lottery ticket to come to the rescue. Read this powerful book and help yourself, your neighbors, and your planet to satisfying and sustainable solutions found only in community."
--Jim Diers, former Director, Seattle Department of Neighborhoods, and author of Neighbor Power

About the Author

Peter Block is a citizen of Cincinnati, Ohio. He is a partner in Designed Learning, a training company that offers workshops designed by Block to build the skills outlined in his books. He is the author of Flawless Consulting, Stewardship, The Empowered Manager, and The Answer to How Is Yes. He is the recipient of the American Society for Training and Development Award for Distinguished Contribution to Workplace Learning and Performance and the Association for Quality and Participation President's Award. He is also a member of Training magazine's HRD Hall of Fame.

Edition details

• Publisher: Berrett-Koehler Publishers
• Publication date: 2009
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1605092770
• ISBN 13: 9781605092775
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 264