Learning doesn’t only happen in classrooms, courses, or webinars.
Some of the most valuable learning happens when professionals come together to share experiences, solve problems, and learn from each other in real time.
That’s the idea behind a community of practice — a group of people who share a common interest or role and learn through ongoing interaction.
For associations, communities of practice are a powerful way to deepen engagement, strengthen learning, and turn membership into a living, breathing professional network.
TLDR
- Communities of practice enable peer learning through shared experience and collaboration.
- They create continuous learning beyond formal courses.
- Structure matters, but flexibility keeps participation high.
- Strong facilitation is more important than technology.
- Communities of practice build belonging, confidence, and long-term member value.
What is a community of practice
A community of practice is not a course and not a social group — it sits somewhere in between.
It’s defined by three elements:
- A shared domain: a common role, challenge, or area of expertise
- A community: people who interact regularly and build relationships
- A practice: shared tools, stories, frameworks, and solutions
Examples inside associations include:
- New professionals navigating their first leadership roles
- Membership managers sharing retention strategies
- L&D leaders exchanging learning design ideas
- Event professionals solving delivery challenges together
These groups thrive on relevance and trust.
Why communities of practice matter now
Today’s professionals face rapid change, isolation, and constant pressure to keep up.
Formal learning helps — but it often lacks:
- Real-world context
- Ongoing support
- Space for honest conversation
Communities of practice fill this gap by offering:
- Peer advice grounded in experience
- Safe spaces to ask “basic” or sensitive questions
- Continuous learning rather than one-off events
- A sense of belonging to a professional tribe
For associations, they strengthen both learning and retention.
The biggest mistakes associations make
Many communities of practice fail for predictable reasons:
- Too much structure too early
- No clear purpose
- Over-reliance on platforms instead of facilitation
- Expecting members to self-organise without support
- Measuring success only by activity metrics
Communities are not content libraries.
They’re living systems — and they need care.
How to design a community of practice that works
1. Start with a clear purpose
Why does this community exist?
Good purposes sound like:
- “Help new managers navigate their first year”
- “Share practical tools for member engagement”
- “Explore how AI is actually being used in associations”
If the purpose isn’t clear, participation will fade.
2. Define who it’s for — and who it’s not
Communities work best when members feel the conversations are relevant.
A group that’s too broad struggles to go deep.
A focused group creates trust quickly.
Clarity reduces friction and improves engagement.
3. Choose facilitation over features
The most important role in any community of practice is the facilitator.
Facilitators:
- Seed discussion topics
- Welcome new members
- Encourage quieter voices
- Keep conversations respectful and focused
- Summarise insights and next steps
Technology supports the community — it doesn’t run it.
4. Create a rhythm, not a rigid structure
Successful communities have a predictable rhythm:
- Monthly discussion themes
- Regular prompts or questions
- Occasional live sessions
- Shared reflections or case discussions
This creates momentum without pressure.
5. Encourage sharing over perfection
Members hesitate when they think they need the “right” answer.
Set the tone early:
- Experience matters
- Partial solutions are welcome
- Honest questions are valued
Psychological safety is the foundation of peer learning.
6. Capture and reuse insights
Communities generate powerful knowledge.
Associations can:
- Summarise key discussions
- Turn insights into blogs or resources
- Feed learning back into courses and events
- Recognise contributors
This shows members that their participation matters.
Case insight: From quiet forum to trusted space
One association launched a community of practice for mid-career professionals.
Early engagement was low.
They shifted focus:
- Introduced a dedicated facilitator
- Asked one practical question each week
- Hosted short monthly live discussions
- Highlighted member contributions publicly
Within months:
- Participation increased
- Members began supporting each other organically
- The community became a go-to space for advice
The turning point wasn’t technology — it was intentional facilitation.
How communities of practice support career growth
Communities of practice help members:
- Learn faster through peer insight
- Gain confidence by sharing experiences
- Build professional identity
- Expand networks in meaningful ways
- Develop leadership skills informally
They complement formal learning and make development continuous.
Final thoughts
Communities of practice remind us that learning is social.
They turn associations from content providers into living professional ecosystems.
When done well, these communities become the heartbeat of membership — places where members don’t just consume value, but co-create it together.💬 What communities of practice exist in your association — or where could one make the biggest difference?
