These are notes taken from the YES Alexandria meeting with inputs from participants (Aug 2007)


• Unconditional love, belonging, home, tolerance, respect, being there for one another, you can find your roots, identity, confidence, learning
• some say ‘blood’
• some say if they do not support your objectives – it’s just a relation
• embodies solidarity, social-cultural, responsibilities
• group of people living together, working on a shared interest
• accepts you as you are who may or may not have the same objectives
• with whom you share things/feelings, they know what you need
• people closest to you – a bond
• people who you trust and who trust you
• people who help you grow
• group of people having common interests, mutual respect and concern, sharing same ideas
• having something in common like language, food, religion
• people who care for each other
• people who we feel comfortable with or feel open with
• deep innate connection to
• deep sense of care
• support and believe in you unconditionally
• instill core values
• organism
• empathy
• support
• where you can be yourself, who you want to be
• where people appreciate you completely for who you are
• element of forgiveness for flaws
• acceptance
• space for resolution
• place for trust, partnership, warmth, love commitment, acceptance, mentors, constructive criticism, common values and aims among diverse group
• compassion
• guidance
• history and legacy
• essence of life, comfort and balance, support and partnership, private space of person, love and teamwork, sharing values, not alone, where you feel at home, solidarity and network
• group of people sharing common culture, vision in a respectful and friendly way
• community is mutual understanding and acceptance
• respecting different cultures, ethnicities
• fastest/biggest changes happen, patience, teambuilding
• Place you live, who you live with, interactive circles (i.e. social)
• Beyond immediate family, interaction, sense of belonging, defines who we are, people who assist each other, gives a sense of comfort through something shared, common unit, support, social interactions that determine our social/political thinking, shared norms/values/interests