The document discusses how online communities called "tribes" allow students to communicate, connect, and collaborate through a website called StudentTribes.com. It explains that tribes serve similar functions today as in the past by allowing members to share ideas, celebrate together, and help each other. StudentTribes.com modernizes these functions through online forums, messaging, event organization and more. The site also helps tribe leaders, called "chiefs", manage their tribes, engage members, fundraise and inspire leadership.