Hi there,

We all have spent the past 14 months social distancing, with the vital components of what is at the heart of community shut down. As we all work together to flatten the curve, we find ourselves at a unique crossroads, and the effects are deep. The pandemic has affected our jobs, our families, and our communities. It is in that last word – communities – that we will find the strength to not only persevere, but to emerge stronger and more resilient than ever.

Though on a technical level we were able to isolate to reduce the spread of the virus, we failed to effectively address the social condition of people. We now see municipalities, organizations and groups looking for the right way to move into the recovery phase of the pandemic. Since these are unprecedented times there are no templates or formulas on how we can work through a recovery plan that will make community essential.

Dive in!

Calling all Community Changemakers

RECONNECT! Making Community Essential

You are invited to join us for a Deepening Community Conversation at our live gathering!

Join 800 community change-makers on October 6 and 7 as Tamarack’s Learning Community convenes to discuss how we are going to rebuild social connection after the COVID pandemic. We will learn together from communities across North America that have innovative responses to COVID recovery and have implemented effective social responses. We will learn about the unprecedented spontaneous uprising of everyday people taking action to support their neighbours.

Participants also have the opportunity to take part in Masterclass streams to deepen their learning experience and join their peers in conversation. Here are the masterclasses:

• A Community-Based COVID Recovery with Lisa Attygalle and Paul Born

• Innovative Municipalities Strengthening Community and Building Resilience with Jim Diers

• Asset-Based Community Development with Cormac Russell and John McKnight

• Building a Neighbourhood Strategy to Reconnect Community with Heather Keam

Meet the Event Keynotes

Throughout the workshop, we will learn from an unprecedented team of thought leaders from communities across North America that have innovative responses to COVID recovery and community building and have implemented effective social responses.

• Learn about Zita Cobb and watch a recent video highlighting Zita's recent induction to the Canadian Business Hall of Fame.
• Learn about John McKnight, and check out one of his recent learnings. 
• Learn about De'Amon Harges and watch his TED Talk about Making the Invisible Visible. 
• Learn about Melanie Goodchild, watch her webinar - Mushkiki (Medicine) Healing Self and Systems.
• Learn about Peter Block and check out his recent work with Tamarack, Creating Abundant Community in Neighbourhoods.

Other Learning Opportunities

Putting Community at the Center of Your Work: How to Assess Community-Led Development

Date: June 29, 2021

Speakers: Gunjan Veda, Diana Delgadillo and Janet Edmond

Crisis Communication In A COVID World: How to Prepare for and Communicate Through a Crisis

Date: June 30, 2021

Speakers: Jeff Sage, Lindsay Sage with Lisa Attygalle

Monitoring Happiness and Community Well-Being

Date: July 7, 2021

Speakers: Oksana Kishchuk and Richard Jenkins 

Socially Connected Communities: Solutions for Social Isolation

Date: August 18, 2021

Speakers: Risa Wilkerson and Amanda O'Rourke 

Join the Cities Deepening Community Membership

Looking to add community to your recovery plans?  Deepening Community has a membership of 30 groups, organizations and municipalities across Canada working in their communities to share, learn and support each other to deepen community. Reach out to Heather Keam to start the conversation.

Stay in touch with us: