Jeff DeCagna, FASAE, and Executive Adviser at Foresight First, has been in the association profession for 27 years, and recently rebranded and refocused his work in Foresight First to concentrate on nurturing a more generative integration of stewardship, governing, and foresight to build high performing boards through the work of foresight. The focus on community is strong in connection with the work of innovation. Community can be synonymous with a sense of belonging and he focuses on building networks of relationships. “A genuine community is vibrant because it is diverse and inclusive,” Jeff says. It deeply values the experiences of all involved and expects people to contribute. We as a society are fairly splintered today, but if we can move past that toward a new reunification in our society, associations have an important role to play in rebuilding trust and collaborating with a focus on the future. Associations can adversely affect community by creating barriers to membership and collaboration, and he feels it is important to reach out to other stakeholders. He notes that the word “division” to segment members with different interests, as is common with many associations is itself a divisive term and language really matters. Even terms we use for younger professionals can be demeaning.    If we really want to be serious about building communities, Jeff says, we have to focus on our language because the way we talk about it reflects the way we think about it. To build community, first look at the purpose for doing it, determine what is the purpose and outcome expected for the stakeholders. Stewardship is also a critical concept to consider, and how associations can lead and guide the community effort while keeping a focus on the future. Jeff also believes boards have a duty of foresight, looking ahead and asking how the association will deal with the future. Community can be important in helping boards build a consistent practice of foresight as a moral and ethical obligation to the members and stakeholders. It is important not to have an attitude that “we know better.” Clarity of purpose in building community is really critical for associations; focus on why we are doing this.