The Writing Center Staff as a Community: Conceptual Limits

As a professional community with a common objective the WC staff functions very well. Our weekly meetings—however focused or unfocused they may seem—contribute greatly to each staff members’ ability to function as an effective tutor; facilitating each individual’s negotiation of his or her role within and relationship to the community. I would go so far as to say that even when we convene without a particular objective in mind, merely gathering, seeing each other, and listening to each others' ideas and anecdotes is a useful and beneficial routine.


Regarding the limitations one might discern when considering the WC staff as a communal entity, I believe these to be consistent with those of any other community. Individuals differ in their opinions, understandings, practices, and attitudes, but these differences are, ironically, essential in terms of a community’s health and ability to thrive. It is only when unwillingness on the part of community members to articulate their apprehensions or listen to those of others emerges that a community breaks down. When factions begin to form they inevitably do so with progressively isolationist momentum and the result is often disregard for concerns over what might be accomplished and how, in deference to what is problematic and why. Answers for the latter of these concerns is, of course, ready-made.


In order to conceive of the WC staff as a community I believe it is important for individuals to recognize themselves as such—in possession of unique attributes and goals that distinguish them from others—but perhaps more importantly, to remain mindful of others’ individuality, and to bear in mind that we needn’t be unanimous in our opinions in order to be a community; rather, we need to communicate our differences.