Who are you?

Me?  I’m a little bit of evolution in a bundle of skin and other things that make me thrive.  Born and raised in Vancouver I used to be homesick at summer camp, but now travel the world working on elections (either as an election analyst in observation missions or setting up portions of the elections with the administrations of “fledgling democracies”).  Yup, it’s true, I’m off to Vienna tomorrow… aghad!  I am a son, brother, nephew, cousin and uncle… and not just to my amazing niece and nephew.  Since I get a lot of time off in my world, I am a professional socializer… i just don’t understand how working people actually have time to do that stuff!!  I am a product of my community and the community I surround myself with is AMAZING!

What do you do for fun?

Fun?  Bah! First, I just like to meet up with people as at some point in my life I became a people person.  Really, you guys energize me, so thanks!  If we’re not just out for a walk or at the park or cafe, I’m a very happy boy (like so many other of these Vancouver folks it seems) to be out in the mountains ridge running, playing ultimate, biking.  I love the almost daily occurrence of having a good bump into some friends while on the streets, sidewalks and cafes in town.

What is your favourite community and why?

Favourite community?  Does it have to be in Vancouver?  Mine would be Kibbutz Lotan (http://www.kibbutzlotan.com/).  It’s a little planned socialist community in southern Israel which my uncle lives on.  It’s unlike anything we’ve got in our neck of the woods and this community truly works towards a more just world.  Organic farming, alternative buildings, an activist lifestyle, community living, give what you can, take what you need.  It’s also just an extremely beautiful place in the middle of the Negev desert nestled on the Asia/Africa rift with a sunrise over the Jordanian hills and set over the smaller Negev hills in the evening… delicious (not to mention the delicious dates..)

Ok, there is amazing community here as well, I just thought I’d highlight something unique outside town.

What is you super power?

Between Russia, China and the US?  With all it’s flaws, I still choose the US any day of the week!!  Me: a supernatural ability to wheel and deal.  Love to negotiate and find ways to make everybody happy!

How do you use it to build community?

The better the deal, the more time away from work, the more time in the community to build it up and enjoy…

My Three Favourite Things about Ron are…

1. He May or May not be working for Mossad. I long while ago (what seems like decades now) while Ron and I co-captained Vision Vancouver’s sign campaign to ultimate victory, he told me he had once been approached by Mossad to do some spying. He said it was sort of scary and he told them thanks, but know thanks. But that’s not how I like to think of the story. In my own mind, I’m pretty sure Ron Laufer said “sure, when do I get my Walter PP7” and for the past five years has been flying around the world fighting bad guys like Le Chivre, while wearing stylish tuxedos and bow ties.

2. Reliable Kindness. Ron’s just a really nice guy. He cares about the people around him and is a very good person. The reliable part comes from my work experience. During our work in the 2008 campaign, Ron and I would often work 12-14 hour days. We built signs like carpenters and organized their distribution like technocrats. It was long hours, but I always new the guy beside me playing the hilarious Israeli dance music would be there through thick and thin.

3. He knows everyone. Four months ago, Ron and I were sitting at a coffee shop in Kerrisdale. As we chatted for an hour during the day, five different random people walked by, saw Ron and came over to strike up a conversation. The same sort of thing has happened Downtown or on the Drive. His social network is both cool and all-encompassing.