A Definition of Community
James A. Kent / Kevin Preister

A community is a geographic place that is characterized by natural systems such as watersheds, cultural attachment and human geographic boundaries.  Physical, biological, social, cultural, and economic forces create natural boundaries that distinguish one community from another.  The importance is in recognizing the unique beliefs, traditions, and stories that tie people to a specific place, to land and to social/kinship networks.  It is a naturally defined human geographic area within which humans and nature rely on shared resources.  People from outside this place can effectively contribute to its stewardship by providing relevant information and/or participating through relating their own values associated with geographic place.

Community is defined by the informal systems and to the degree the formal systems are tied to the informal it becomes part of a community definition.  Both have a distinct function.  Informal systems are horizontal.  They maintain culture, take care of people and are concerned with survival.  They thrive on openness, honesty, and the idea that people want to do what is right for each other and the broader society.  Formal systems are vertical and they serve centralized political, ideological, and economic functions.  They contribute resources and legal structure to community change.  Formal meetings alone do not constitute community communication or decision making functions.