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Practical Hacks for Team Building and Community Unity

Beyond the abstract instructions for building community, like practicing equity and being fair, are some very concrete suggestions on building community that include:

  • Recognize contributions—Take the time to publicly recognize and acknowledge the contributions of all stakeholders.
  • Share food—Finding ways to share food builds a sense of trust and community.
  • Build Rituals and Traditions—Traditions and their attendant rituals are one of the hallmarks of communities. Building observances that acknowledge loss, and allowing people to tell their stories and celebrate their identities and their accomplishments, are especially important.
  • Go on Retreat—When and where possible, take time to bond away from your typical work-a-day space.
  • Do Activities as a Team—Consider other team building activities like happy hour, escape rooms, team sports, or collaborative games.

Featured Hacks

These featured hacks highlight creative, practical solutions from harm reduction leaders on the ground. From DIY tools to clever workarounds, each one reflects the ingenuity, care, and real-world experience that keeps this movement alive. 

One of the main goals of active listening with an agitated person is reaching affirmation and accord. You are looking to try and find ways to agree with the person who is agitated. Even if you don’t entirely agree with the person, try to find at least a small way in which they may be right, or in which you can be on the same page, or team, with them.
The most important first step when it comes to preventing escalated situations is having a good sense of personal and professional boundaries when doing the work.