In the Spotlight: Roger Balson

From Isolation to Connection: Lessons on Patience, Persistence, and the Art of Fostering Community

Roger Balson, 67, has spent decades weaving connections and cultivating community. Living in Drexel Hill, just outside Philadelphia, he draws on personal experience to tackle the challenges of bringing people together. He has created, facilitated and sustained many online and in-person communities, always with the intention of creating spaces where people can connect with and support each other.

How it Began

Roger recounts growing up in a disconnected suburban neighbourhood where relationships with his neighbours were fleeting and superficial, “growing up in an environment like that was very alienating”. College became a transformative time, living in a dorm with others in close-quarters ignited his interest in community building. It’s a spark further fuelled by visiting a commune in the 1960s. “It wasn’t perfect; there were conflicts but it was a great experience living with them and opening up.”

Now, Roger works tirelessly helping people overcome fears and hesitations about connecting with others. As a facilitator with Weave (a project by the Aspen Institute) and as a dedicated Village Builder, he champions proactive approaches to creating supportive networks where everyone has a voice. “What drew me to Village was its collaborative model,” he explains, comparing it favorably to hierarchical structures he’s encountered in other projects.

The Challenges of Starting a Community

In Roger’s article “The Lure of Isolation”, he explores the self-imposed prison that limits personal growth and meaningful connections. He acknowledges the challenge that sometimes it feels safer and easier to not interact and emphasizes the importance of facing fears and seeking support from others, something he reminds and encourages the members of his communities.

Roger shared the story of a woman in his group who was dedicated to creating a community in her neighborhood. She constantly sent out invitations, but could never get a group started. Until one point she finally confessed “Sometimes, I don’t think people like me” to which Roger responded with “I like you! You’re a great person!”

“Just because you aren’t seeing any engagement doesn’t mean that you aren’t likeable or there isn’t anyone out there who is like-minded. You just have to find those people who care just as much as you do. The real challenge is finding those people.” His advice is to just keep planting the seeds. Be persistent. Be patient. And you’ll soon find your core group.

How Does a Core Group Form?

A core group is the backbone of a budding community and Roger found his when he started a Meetup. He met one man who came regularly to his weekly meetings, and soon their consistency strengthened their connection and commitment to the cause, attracting more core members. After a few years, their core group grew from 2 to 5. Each member contributes a strength - whether it's being well-connected, resourceful or being the “idea guy”, they all play a role in sustaining engagement and activating the community.

What are the Ingredients of a Sustainable and Supportive Community?

Roger believes that building sustainable communities depends on 3 key ingredients : commitment, communication, and patience. All of which build respect and collaboration.

Commitment drives the mission. “Without it, people don’t stick around long enough to experience it happen.” By “it”, he means the long term benefits of belonging to a supportive and deeply connected community.

Supporting a space for welcoming and inclusive communication between members is important. One of Roger’s proudest achievements is facilitating Weave’s Community Hour, when people come together to share struggles and offer mutual support. These gatherings, he says, are about creating an environment where everyone feels heard and respected.

As Roger describes, it’s about recognizing individuals as essential contributors and ensuring they feel that they can see themselves be reflected in others- that others are relating to them. “You are there to help the entire experience grow through the recognition of the individuals that become part of it. It’s not just about meeting people but about giving them space to come forth and present their point of view.” This approach not only strengthens bonds but also empowers people to open up and engage deeply.

Patience, he advises, is the third most important ingredient. One acquaintance of his had a lot of resources and ideas for communal projects. but because he didn’t immediately see results, he ended up abandoning a lot of them. “The thing about this work is that you don’t see immediate results - you’re making incremental changes. It’s not spectacular or earth shattering, but you feel like it’s taking you a little further along”. While the impact of his efforts isn’t always immediate or dramatic, Roger believes in the power of incremental change. “You’re educating yourself and others, and hopefully, that ripples outward.”

Through his work, Roger Balson reminds us that building community is not about grand gestures but the steady, thoughtful cultivation of relationships. He likened it to a garden - slow, deliberate, and rewarding over time. It’s a labor of love that blossoms into something beautiful.

Food for Thought:

1) What are some challenges that you face when engaging people to come together?

2) How have you approached these challenges?

3) What was your experience with communities when you were younger?

You can also follow Roger Balson on Substack