Unresolved conflict is destructive of community, whereas successfully resolved conflict builds community. Successes with small conflicts build confidence in the process and prepare people both emotionally and experientially for dealing with larger issues. The community is strengthened as members improve their skills in conflict resolution, mediation, facilitation, and other community-building activities. Neither legislating numerical equality nor allowing the burden to fall on a small fraction of the group will build responsiveness to the community's needs, or a willingness in each member to freely contribute his or her share. There are also more subtle factors to consider, almost universal in human culture because of their powerful combination of practical and symbolic values.
Place can be very important in community identity and spirit.
Another is working together. Work demands cooperation, decision making, and trust. Working together reveals different facets of people's characters, personalities, and abilities that talking alone cannot. By giving the group a common goal, work gives meaning and expression to membership in the group. As goals are met, the group identifies with the success.