From the Invitation

Instructions From The Cook is an introduction to a powerful and simple model of building community. It is based on the observation that communities thrive when people intentionally engage each other in conversations that energize, engage, and empower them.

The model we present here is an introduction to the deeper and compelling model Peter Block presents in Community from his work with A Small Group. The model we present in ''Instructions From The Cook'' is a way to become familiar with the kinds of conversations Peter talks about that eliminate the fragmentation responsible for many things we call problems in communities. We invite you to learn and practice the model and unleash its power in your community.

An intentional model of conversations is built around questions that have power to engage people's gifts in ways that matter. They are conversations that connect people in new ways, so they can collaborate in co-creating a future that attracts them. The model is an introduction to the deeper work of Peter Block's "A Small Group" methodologies.

Conversations that build community have 4 qualities. They inspire dreams, initiate small acts, engage gifts, and create invitations.

In the old conversations that have no power, we mandate consensus, blame, problem-solve, give lip service, and talk about deficiencies. They keep the community isolated and fragmented in its efforts. In the new conversations that have power, we declare our dreams and gifts, we take and share ownership, we invite others to build community.