Paul Born - Deepening Community: Finding Joy Together in Chaotic Times

More Praise for Deepening Community

Deepening community is essential to building healthy societies. Paul Born understands this principle and knows how to put it into practice. His book is an essential resource for everyone who wants to contribute to bringing forth better futures.

Adam Kahane, Partner, Reos Partners, and author of Solving Tough Problems, Power and Love, and Transformative Scenario Planning

There is no one writing today who understands more about community: what we miss when we dont have it, why we long for it, how to build it, and the rewards that it brings. Paul Born speaks to all of us in this book, at once touching our hearts and giving us the encouragement and the tools we need to change how we live in relation to those around us.

Dr. Frances Westley, cofounder of SiG (Social Innovation Generation), University of Waterloo, and coauthor of Getting to Maybe: How the World Is Changed

Community has the power to change everything. No amount of innovation, individual brilliance, or money can transform our broken society as effectively and sustainably as building community. Deepening Community provides useful and inspiring guidance for leaders everywhere who seek to create better outcomes in their work.

John Kania, Managing Director, FSG; founder of the Collective Impact Movement; and coauthor of Do More Than Give

Paul Born is a bright light. His commitment to community and celebration of life are infectious. If world leaders were to really embrace the principles of this book, we might be able to divert the social chaos and natural disasters of climate change. Put a copy of this book into the hands of an elected official or government leader near you!

Nicole Rycroft, founder and Executive Director of the global environmental organization Canopy

Paul Born doesnt just study community; he lives it. In Deepening Community, he shares practical advice on how to reweave the social fabric that we have neglected for too long. This book exudes the joy he experiences in community, and his stories provide hope that, in this time of social, economic, and environmental crises, more of us will find ways to care deeply for one another and the place we share.

Jim Diers, faculty member, Asset-Based Community Development Institute, and author of Neighbor Power

Paul Borns call to deepen community in the face of fear and superficiality is steeped in the wisdom and insights of a remarkable life dedicated to helping people out of poverty. In a time of growing income disparity and social isolation, this timely book reminds us that there is a better way and that the joy to be found in taking it is there for everyone.

Stephen Huddart, President and CEO, J. W. McConnell Family Foundation

Paul Born has worked in community all his life with a watchful eye and an open heart, and he provides insights from what he has learned in Deepening Communitya must-read for anyone interested in strong communities.

Alan Broadbent, Chairman and CEO, Avana Capital Corporation; founder and Chairman, Maytree; and author of Urban Nation

Deepening Community exudes joy. The joy of each others company. The joy of belonging. The joy of taking care, of being cared for. Pauls book is also a joy to read. That is to be expected given Pauls life and work. He reminds us in print and in practice that joy is enduring, abundant, and beautiful.

Al Etmanski, social innovator, blogger, and author of A Good Life

No one has helped me understand and value the essence of community like Paul Born. Paul has an amazing storytelling ability that excites, challenges, and demystifies and helps us all appreciate the simplicity of moving community from ideal to living reality. This book is a community builders gem.

Peter Kenyon, Director, Bank of I.D.E.A.S. (Australia)

We need deep community to tackle issues such as environmental resiliency, a fair economy, and a safe and caring society. Paul confirms that we need enduring and trustful relationships for an even more fundamental reason: to be fully human. Deepening Community is an engaging and practical contribution to what may be the most important work of our times.

Mark Cabaj, social innovator and cofounder of Vibrant Communities Canada

This book is a testament to Paul Borns love of the hard work of building relationships and the joy it brings to us.

Ratna Omidvar, Preisdent Maytree, and named most influential leader of the decade by the Globe and Mail

Deepening Community

FINDING JOY TOGETHER IN CHAOTIC TIMES

Paul Born

FOREWORD BY Peter Block

Deepening Community

Copyright 2014 by Paul Born
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law. For permission requests, write to the publisher, addressed Attention: Permissions Coordinator, at the address below.

Ordering information for print editions

Quantity sales. Special discounts are available on quantity purchases by corporations, associations, and others. For details, contact the Special Sales Department at the Berrett-Koehler address above.
Individual sales. Berrett-Koehler publications are available through most bookstores. They can also be ordered directly from Berrett-Koehler: Tel: (800) 929-2929; Fax: (802) 864-7626; www.bkconnection.com
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Orders by U.S. trade bookstores and wholesalers. Please contact Ingram Publisher Services, Tel: (800) 509-4887; Fax: (800) 838-1149; E-mail: for details about electronic ordering.

Berrett-Koehler and the BK logo are registered trademarks of Berrett-Koehler Publishers, Inc.

First Edition
Paperback print edition ISBN 978-1-62656-097-0
PDF e-book ISBN 978-1-62656-098-7
IDPF e-book ISBN 978-1-62656-099-4

2014-1

Cover design: M80 Design LLC / Wes Youssi

Interior design and composition: Leigh McLellan Design

Copyeditor: Elissa Rabellino

To Jake Tilitzky, for building a community
that turned the pain of chaotic times into joy

AND

To Mom, Dad, my family,
and all the people at Eben Ezer,
for showing me that if we stay together,
look after each other, and work together
for a better world, we can thrive.

by Peter Block

THE IDEA OF COMMUNITY is all around us and increasingly on our lips. It sells real estate, markets social technology, and appears in the mission statements of most institutions. There are community recreation centers, community health movements, communities of practice, and community organizers. Unfortunately, the idea of community is more on our lips than in our experience. The speaking about community is always genuine, but it so goes against the individualism and fear embedded in our modern culture that it represents longing more than reality. It is more an adjective than a statement of central purpose.