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Hey there, Georgia here - community lead at Active Locals 👋

I've put together some of my biggest learnings from eight years of building communities into this playbook. I hope it saves you some of the trial and error, and helps you to build a group that has a big, positive impact.

Whether you've spotted a gap in your local area or just want an excuse to get outside with like-minded people, this section will cover everything from defining your purpose to planning your first event.

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Why start?

Starting a group can be an extremely rewarding experience for a number of reasons. It’s a real, tangible way to:

• Get to know new, likeminded people who you might not have crossed paths with otherwise
• Have a positive impact in people’s lives through the power of connection and community
• Develop skills in community building, communication, event management, leadership & more
• And in many cases, solving a problem or filling a gap that existed - for example the need for a welcoming run club for non-runners in your neighbourhood

It’s great to get clear on why this group needs to exist in the world, and why you’re keen to make it happen. Your answers to these will help you to stay motivated, and will become the foundation of your group's value proposition.

Define your value proposition

Your value proposition is the answer to: "Why should someone join my group?”

Thinking this through will help you to clearly communicate your purpose across all communication channels, including your Active Locals profile, which will then be a magnet for future members.

A good formula: who it's for + what you do + what makes it different + what value do they receive and contribute

Some examples:

• "A welcoming Saturday morning run for complete beginners in Newtown. No pace pressure, followed by coffee."
• "A weekly swim squad in Manly for people who swam in school and want to get back into it."
• "A dog walking group in Marrickville for people who want to explore new routes and meet their neighbours."