Lessons in Culinary Community Building
Picture a long festive table decked with candles and lined with a dozen smiling faces. Surely, all the ingredients for sharing of food, laughter and good conversation? Well, not so much. As I sat down excited to spend the evening…
The Britannia Homework Club
Who are you? We are a non-profit society that draws its students from Vancouver’s 3 poorest neighbourhoods – Strathcona, Grandview-Woodlands and the Downtown East Side.  Our mission is to support the academic, social/emotional and financial needs of youth at Britannia Secondary, struggling…
Community Decision Making
Last night I had a beer and a chat with a man who is is wise beyond his years. He shared with me some great ideas about decision making in organizational environments, such as charities, social enterprises, businesses, the government,…
99 Ways to Leverage Our Humanity – Part 3
[Editor’s note: I must start by saying that what unfolds below is a team effort – thanks to everyone who has contributed to this list! So, for better or worse, many parts of the world have been recently occupied –…
99 Ways to Leverage our Humanity – Part 2
[Editor’s note: I must start by saying that what unfolds below is a team effort – thanks to everyone who has contributed to this list! So, for better or worse, many parts of the world have been recently occupied –…
Trusting Community
Last Thursday I was playing in my weekly Tier 2 Men’s Basketball League game. We won, but that’s not what this story is about. This story is about trust. As I sat on the bench during the game (I get…
Overhearing Community
And my point is this. Listen to the people around you. In addition to all of the hilarious stuff that we spout-off, there are also a lot of interesting, meaningful and touching snapshots of creative concepts that we might overhear that might be world-change-worthy that might inspire the best idea you’ve ever had. So listen to your community. Trust me – and trust Dave and Graham – it’ll be pretty great.
Horn in the World: Plugged-In and Un-Plugged
A few weeks ago – back when he wrote for this blog and before he abandoned it to gallivant around “Europe” – my main man Steve Sloot wrote a column/article/post/whitepaper about traveling socializers who put it out there. Particularly ones…
Failing Builds Community
When you fail at something, what’s your next step? How do you deal with it? Do you humbly admit your mistake and troubleshoot a solution with those affected? Or do you hide and/or massage the results to spin it as success?
Communities of Practice Make Perfect
It is through open and intentioned collaboration that human beings realize the potential – the best version – of their communities. After all, we’re social creatures hardwired to work together. I got to thinking about super-collaboration because of my pre-class…