How can communities stay engaged during a global pandemic?

This week, I have been touching base with different communities and people about their experiences in their communities being engaged. I checked with Sandra (the first speaker in our cohort meeting) to see how her efforts to keep her community engaged have been evolving. She wrote to me, “The past weeks have been quite interesting. We have had some decent attendance from our families in some of the classes and not as much in others. It’s been a mixed bag which I understand is a result of the current situation. Prior to Covid-19, most of our students were walked or buses into the libraries to participate so it’s been quite difficult to get those students to attend the virtual classes Since they come from after school programs. But for the students that do attend with their parents, we’ve had some great participation. Most of our parents are really happy that we’re offering this. For the artists, they are also really happy to be connecting with their students. We are not at 100% for attendance but we have seen more and more students participate compared to week 1. Given the circumstances, I think it’s the best way for us to end the year. We are now working towards the virtual exhibitions for the summer. Again, this is really making us think outside the box and reimagine presenting art in new ways.” Sandra’s explanation confirmed my understanding that while organizations are coming up with really creative ways to connect with their communities, the attendance and participation hasn’t stayed the same. 

I also interviewed several of my friends about their experiences. Many of them shared that the communities and groups that they were a part of prior to the pandemic are either no longer running or they aren’t a part of because they’re seniors. Additionally, many of the groups they were a part of before are now mostly about maintaining the community and support, and less about it’s actual purpose. For example, a theater company is more about connection and less about putting on a show. Many of them also found that their own role in the group has changed slightly since going virtual. One friend explained that while she’s still involved in the track team, the ways she interacts with the team is different because we are no longer competing and doing daily practices. Everyone also agreed that the most successful types of virtual events were the interactive and social ones, and that lectures were not successful at all.