The Latest

Engaging Change through Whole-self and Whole-systems Exploration

After attending Tamarack's Collective Impact 3.0 conference in May, as a systemic facilitator, coach and consultant, I began to wonder if there might be something I could offer that could be integrated into the processes already used by Tamarack? My answer is yes! I facilitate a process, tool and methodology called Systemic Constellation Work (SCW)¹ that offers a way for individuals, organizations, institutions, communities, and cities to experience and engage collectively in systems change. 

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Building 21st Century Communities

At the turn of this century, Robert Putnam wrote the most depressing book for those of us who believe that there is no substitute for community. Putnam cited all sorts of indicators of the breakdown of social capital over the previous fifty years – closed pubs, fewer voters, less families eating together, and declining membership in Rotary, League of Women Voters, NAACP and other associations. The book was titled Bowling Alone because Putnam documented a dramatic loss in the number of bowling leagues.

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4 Tool Kits To Help Get Your Neighbourhood Strategy Started

Are you looking to get your neighbourhood more engaged with each other? Other individuals across Canada have wanted the same. While this may seem like an intimidating task, it is possible!  Some of the biggest neighbourhood strategies in Canada started with one person and an idea. 

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A New Partner in Deepening Communities

Tamarack is thrilled that the Suncor Energy Foundation (SEF) has invested in the work of Deepening Community. In introducing our new partner, we want to give Kim Nordbye, Manager of Community Investment at SEF, the opportunity to tell us more about Suncor’s support for community engagement. Here’s our Q & A with Kim.

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Historical Moment for Unanimously Endorsed Neighbourhood Strategy

It's official. The City Council of Kitchener, Ontario unanimously endorsed an inspiring new neighbourhood strategy that allows residents to take the lead.

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Knowing, Naming & Trusting

“Here’s my promise: I will know your first and last name by the end of the week.” This didn’t sound like much of a promise really; until you consider that it was a promise I made to more than 100 youth, most of whom I was meeting for the first time.

Early in my career I was put in charge of a four-week summer youth camping program. I was barely aged out of the “youth” category myself. (Looking back at that period, I ask, “What in the world were they thinking?!?!” yet, it was a position I held for 11 summers.) Each week we would receive a new batch of campers and each week I tried very hard to get to know each of them by name. Sometimes I was successful; other times I was not. Occasionally, I’d stand before the whole group at the orientation and make that promise. Always, though, even unannounced, I would do my best to learn and remember each camper’s name so I could greet them by it…at least once by the end of the week. Read More