Diversity is a hallmark of innovative teams. One of the best ways to expand your own problem-solving capabilities is to diversify; apply a different lens, different perspective, to the problem. Traditional pathways If you’re a facilitator, you know how to build bridges between people’s differences, find common ground, as a stepping stone to joint solutions […]
Diversity: A pathway to connection, common ground and innovation
October 1, 2011 by · Leave a Comment
Neighbourhood Gifts
September 24, 2011 by · 4 Comments
It was my neighbourhood association‘s annual Streetfest last weekend. Excellent turnout. People connecting. Conversation. Having fun. No rain! And, gifts galore… locals sharing their time, talents, and community spirit. Many of those things that make for a healthy neighbourhood were there, all orchestrated by neighbours, volunteering, including: Food; donated, baked, cornucopia Music; DJ, musicians, musical […]
Janis La Couvee: Community Connector
September 21, 2011 by · Leave a Comment
I always enjoy a conversation with Janis La Couv’e. She is involved in many diverse communities, online and offline, here in Victoria. And, I get the feeling she brings all of her communities, all of her connections, to each conversation, a good thing. Making connections is what Janis does. Although, I’ve only known her for […]
Face To Face: New movie tackles workplace bullying with community conferencing
September 15, 2011 by · 2 Comments
It’ s always nice when others take hold of concepts that one holds dear. Following on the restorative justice theme over the last week on this blog (and its not even restorative justice week yet!), a new movie was released in Australia last week, “Face To Face“. It is framed around a centerpiece of restorative […]
The Good News: Restorative Justice
September 13, 2011 by · 2 Comments
Two recent news items about restorative justice caught my intention. Which one should I let “take the day”? The first was what I consider a bad news story. Alberta pulls restorative justice funding, read the CBC news article headline. The Province of Alberta will stop funding restorative justice programs. This is hard one for me […]
Gillian Lindquist: Community Connector
September 10, 2011 by · Leave a Comment
Gillian Lindquist knows how to bring people together, and get them talking, openly and honestly, about difficult situations. In her role as Program Coordinator, Victoria Restorative Justice Society (VRJS), I’ve observed her (I’m a VRJS member and ex-Board member) consistently reach out and connect people, and organizations, in the community. The context is always challenging; […]
5 Reasons Why Change Happens Through Conversations
September 5, 2011 by · 2 Comments
Want to change how your family, group, organization, collaboration is working? Have conversations. It’s through conversations that change happens, and we are transformed. Here’s why: Conversations bring us together. And when we are together, we are much more comfortable with change, personal change, organization change, community change… We can handle anything, as long as we […]
Steven Baileys: Community Connector
September 1, 2011 by · Leave a Comment
Steven Baileys knows how to make people feel welcome, welcome in the room, welcome in the community, welcome in the country. I first met Steven in late 2010. He was facilitating a workshop on Culturally Welcoming Businesses. I was an attendee. My initial impression, of someone who is genuine, sees the upside in others, and […]
