One of the great joys of being part of a community organisation is the shared sense of purpose. That warm fuzzy feeling that we’re all pulling in the same direction, building something bigger than ourselves. But there’s a hidden ingredient that makes it all work, one that too often gets overlooked until it’s too late: communication.
It’s no coincidence that community and communication share so many of the same letters — you could almost say it’s built right in! (I’m not saying that’s the whole reason, but it’s a handy mnemonic and a good excuse for a small joke.)
When words don’t flow, rumours will
In any group of people, whether volunteers, members, or contributors, information is like oxygen. When it flows freely, people feel connected, informed, and trusted. But when it’s missing or unclear, something else fills the gap: rumours.
Rumours are what happens when silence tries to answer a question it doesn’t know.
And once rumours take hold, they’re almost impossible to stamp out. People start second-guessing decisions, questioning motives, or even losing faith in leadership. The irony is that most of this comes not from malice but from silence. When communication stops, imagination and guesswork move in to fill the void.
Honest and regular communication builds trust
Clear, honest, and regular communication is more than just good practice. It’s an act of respect. It tells your community, “We value you enough to keep you in the loop.” Even if the news isn’t always good, people appreciate honesty far more than a vacuum.
A short message that says, “We’re still figuring this out, but here’s what we know so far,” is infinitely better than nothing at all. It shows transparency and humility and it reduces the space where rumours can grow.
Communication is everyone’s job
It’s tempting to think communication is just for the leadership team, but in a healthy community, everyone plays a part:
- Leaders: share decisions, context, and next steps.
- Organisers: keep channels open and visible (meetings, newsletters, forums).
- Members: ask questions, offer updates, and flag misunderstandings early.
When communication becomes part of the culture, it stops being a chore and starts being the glue that holds everything together.
Practical tips
- Be regular: schedule updates even when there’s nothing dramatic to report.
- Be brief: people read short, clear messages more often than long essays.
- Be honest: admit uncertainty and share the plan for finding answers.
- Use multiple channels: not everyone reads the same feed — combine email, a forum, social posts, and announcements in meetings.
- Encourage two-way communication: create easy ways for people to ask questions and give feedback.
Closing thought
Without good communication, even the best ideas can falter. With it, a community can thrive. It becomes connected by more than just shared goals, but by shared understanding.
After all, if there’s one thing we should all be talking about in our communities, it’s how we talk to each other. And if you're still wondering how important communication is then remember: community and communication share so many letters they might as well be cousins.
