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For a community to influence the things that affect them,
I think you need some support
in identifying the issues that affect them
and then finding out which structures exist
in order to be able to influence that.
Just in communicating verbally, chairing meetings,
knowledge of how systems work, how to address yourselves with members, etc.
Those sorts of situations, there is so much learning
and I could never ever pay back what I've learned and been educated
through my community volunteer work.
Communities are like any business -
if you treat it as a business, I'd say we're the partners,
We're the biggest partners
and there's more community members than there is any other members.
And you do need support, you need financial support,
but you don't just need financial support,
you need education.
And it's so important, like any business,
that if you do not get yourselves support
you won't be able to move forward.
I suppose that's its strength, isn't it?
It's a community that's sure of itself,
that can rely on each other and challenge.
And not just kind of accept just what they're given or what they're told,
but can question and try and improve it for themselves.
It's about accessing services but also not relying on those services
to fix things for you.
It's about relying on each other,
using your wit, using your creativity,
working together, sharing skills.
That leads to a resilient community, I think. �