The IdeaConnection Interviews: The place to go for insights into Open Innovation

Last week, I had the pleasure of conversation with Vern Burkhardt, a writer with IdeaConnection, a company that connects business to creative and innovative people, from around the world.  We met at a local coffee shop.  I’d been looking forward to our conversation for some time.  I wasn’t disappointed. Since late 2007, Vern has been […]

Self-organizing for stronger neighbourhoods and the world: Video book reviews

It’s almost Christmas.  Looking for a book to gift someone with? Maybe a little something on self-organization? Great! I’ve got a couple of suggestions.  I introduce them in this video (click here if you can’t see it), and have a bit more to say as well… The Abundant Community Authored by John McKnight and Peter […]

You are not alone

Before my parents passed away, I was a family caregiver, from a distance.  Mom and Dad lived half a country away, in southern Ontario.  They lived apart, although in the same city.  I would visit multiple times a year (as would my siblings, who also lived at a distance), usually a week or two at […]

Mountain Equipment Co-op: A story of community values and enterprise

I’ve been a member of Mountain Equipment Co-op (MEC), Canada’s largest retail co-operative, since the 1980s. I love their stuff.  Yet, MEC is more than stuff.  This week I met up the Stephanie Sketchley, Sustainability Coordinator for the MEC store in Victoria, and learned more about MEC’s place in the community. About MEC MEC was […]

10 Big Picture community collaborations in Victoria that support the family

In Victoria there are many examples of people working together, i.e., collaborating, with the big picture in mind. I have a soft spot for these collaborations.  My experience is they are usually community-oriented.  They bring diverse peoples and groups together, bridge multiple interests, and work for a healthier community, for all.  These collaborations are systems […]