One of our recent interview questions aims to uncover the distinguishing characteristics of the Crossroads community. A year ago, our research revealed that it doesn't carry some of the indicators of being a community of practice. So we cleverly couched social dimension as a "practice community." Having postulated that aspect, we have been inquiring to see how our participants recognize the practice and the community. We continue to run into barriers.
The contentiousness over "practice" is harder to unpack. But "community" elicits a range of perspectives. Some assert that it is indeed a community with all the interrelationships and interpersonal supports. Others view its short duration as a reason it does not qualify as a community. Alternative have been suggested included that it is a family -- presumably a family with two daddies.
It was the suggestion that Crossroads is more like a fraternity or sorority (science pants or science dresses) that got me thinking. What would be the Greek letters on the outside our house? What would be emblazoned on our shirts -- and appear on the sides of our homecoming float? Three letters: XRD as in Chi Rho Delta. It sounds a little odd, as if it's a geography clue on Jeopardy: Cairo Delta. But think about how those three letters would like spraypainted against the side of the Orange County Hyatt next month. Tagged!
The contentiousness over "practice" is harder to unpack. But "community" elicits a range of perspectives. Some assert that it is indeed a community with all the interrelationships and interpersonal supports. Others view its short duration as a reason it does not qualify as a community. Alternative have been suggested included that it is a family -- presumably a family with two daddies.
It was the suggestion that Crossroads is more like a fraternity or sorority (science pants or science dresses) that got me thinking. What would be the Greek letters on the outside our house? What would be emblazoned on our shirts -- and appear on the sides of our homecoming float? Three letters: XRD as in Chi Rho Delta. It sounds a little odd, as if it's a geography clue on Jeopardy: Cairo Delta. But think about how those three letters would like spraypainted against the side of the Orange County Hyatt next month. Tagged!
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