Recently I have been ruminating on the difference between community engagement and community mobilization. "Ruminate" is a great word for a Leap Day because the extra day gives us more time to really think on something, right? In the United States, where I do much of my work, we seem to prefer the term mobilization more than engagement, though we sometimes refer to mobilization as engagement and vice versa.
Read More
"All failure is failure to adapt. All success is successful adaptation" - Max Mckeown
In today's world everything appears to change at hyper-speed: schools are moving online, cheques can be deposited via mobile apps, text messages are the new phone calls, and Instagram has replaced photo albums. So much of our world is online -- the way that people connect and communicate has changed drastically and if we want to successfully engage the next generation, we must be willing to adapt to the lifestyle of the Millennials.
Read More
"Working in complexity can surface some tough challenges, but they are not insurmountable. Transformational change is possible." - Liz Weaver
Read More
I was in a board meeting in the Operation Friendship drop in centre. I was positioned so I could see out of the windows into the courtyard. During the meeting I noticed Louie walking slowly toward the rooming house door. Louie was a short, slender man, about 65 years of age. I turned my attention back to the meeting but it was soon again diverted when I heard a hoarse voice shouting profanity.
Louie had stopped and turned and he was angry, yelling at someone that was out of my line of sight. I stood up as Louie reached into his pocket and pulled out a blade. I said nothing to my colleagues as I headed toward the door. I wasn’t really thinking to be honest.
Read More
Do you ever wonder what attendees from your latest community event enjoyed most? Or what they would like to see done differently next year? Are you trying to find out what your community's greatest needs are, or whether your programs are meeting those needs? Want to know how you can better engage, acknowledge and celebrate your volunteers? Or maybe you're interested in finding out how you can increase your funders support and dedication to your cause?
Read More
I recently met a new friend in Guelph, Ontario who shared her story of how she helped nurture an amazing neighbourhood. Mary-Kate Gilbertson is well known in Guelph as a community leader, who has a passion for her community and the environment. She and her partner Mike Craig are at the helm of numerous exciting projects in Guelph; all working to support their community and spreading goodness far beyond their own backyard.
Read More