Saturday, June 29, 2013, 03:43 PM - The Solidarity Economy & Microfinance
It is the 85th year anniversary of the Antigonish movement. Over 150 community organizers, policy makers and entrepreneurs met at the Coady Institute to share some of the most promising initiatives in North America.
Examples: Cross-cultural neighbourhood revitalization in San Diego, reclamation of land and heritage in the Deep South, green retrofitting in Buffalo, conservation-based enterprises in the West Coast, land trusts using permaculture in Tennessee, Inuit self-determination in the Arctic.
I was excited to be part of some of the early research and case-study identification. Inspiring stories of a new public and new economic models where community members are the drivers. There were examples of community investors, housing trusts, cooperatives, neighbourhood associations, a coastal loan fund. The key was starting small and local, building energy and trust. Passion capital someone called it. Also financial contributions from the community tied to ownership and decision-making. Then external support and finance was leveraged.
This is so possible in our neighbourhoods in Halifax, especially in the North End where we have passion capital to spare! Urban Roots Farm and Hope Blooms are some inspiring examples. The St. Patrick's Alexander school site is another opportunity.
Check out the site below for details of the cases featured.
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Monday, May 13, 2013, 12:08 AM - Adult and Popular Education
I coordinated and facilitated the Global Change Leaders program at the Coady Institute this past April for seven weeks. Women working against human trafficking, violence against women, bonded labour, for economic security, education. Such a privilege to work with and learn from such an inspiring and dedicated group of women!
This is Kodwa from South Africa explaining the path of women's rights and struggles in Africa as we collectively build Herstory globally. Like her counterparts- powerful.
Sunday, March 17, 2013, 09:33 PM - Outdoor adventure
Mar 17, 2013. At our AGM, I happily became Co-Chair with the incomparable Rich Campbell. We welcomed four new members to the board- Linda, Jessie, Lynn and Diana (gender equity and youth!) and had a stimulating discussion about our future.
Appreciative Inquiry is a collaborative, constructivist, strength-based philosophy and approach to both personal and organizational development. AI uses shared leadership and assets to leverage what is already working well in the organization. It is inquiry and dialogue based.
At the AGM, we asked members:
DISCOVER. What are our strengths? What have we accomplished? What role does the broader community look to WRWEO to play?
DREAM. What does the world ask WRWEO to be? What do we dream WRWEO to be? Where are we best positioned to act?
Later in May, based on this meeting the Board continued the AI process and came to four strategic priorities: Bluff Trail and wilderness area maintenance and stewardship; youth engagement and education; greater focus on watershed and water issues; key contributing stakeholder in community-based governance structures for wilderness protection
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Sunday, November 25, 2012, 10:43 PM - Outdoor adventure
photo credit: Karen Mckendry
I led a walk with the Young Naturalists on the Bluff Wilderness Trail about lichen. Lichen is a symbiotic relationship between fungi and algae. We simulated a symbiotic relationship by clasping arms with someone behind our backs and walking for awhile. The young naturalists also identified old man's beard and reindeer lichen on the trail.
Sunday, October 14, 2012, 03:11 AM - Outdoor adventure
This is one of the reasons why I work part-time
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