- My friend Toke Moeller: "Purpose is the invisible leader." That's a nice way to start the week. Remember that one. #
- RE: http://bit.ly/cNn7Aq @technoshaman what can I do to help? #
- Uploaded a paper outlining some of my current practice on participatory community engagement, esp. with First Nations: http://bit.ly/bRwkFa #
- Formalizing hitch hiking on Bowen Island, BC : http://bit.ly/dtljKB #bowenLIFT #
- Working at the Nanaimo Convention Centre. Very nice rooms, high ceilings, big windows, good food, friendly service. Nice surprise! #
- Autumn breaks clear and calm, a dawn of orange light and crisp air. Our island's ours again! #
- Soft rain, cool air, invitation to warmth. #
- When the forecast says "Rain, heavy at times" it significantly understates what is happening outside right now. Deafening at times, perhaps. #
- Dark calm after the rain. A lone cricket in the very early morning stillness. #
- Soccer victories all round. Last night Team Black 5-2 (Caitlin and Chris both scored), today Bowen Bears 3-1 (Finn kept a clean sheet!) #
Was reading an article about the US’s options for discussing peace in Afghanistan, and was struck by this quote:
Endless war reinforces the political power of leaders who make war. Negotiations reinforce the power of political actors. Negotiations surface issues: you have to say what you want, and what you are willing to accept. Right now, no-one, not even a U.S. government official, can clearly articulate what the U.S. really wants in Afghanistan, and what the U.S. is willing to accept. What exactly the Taliban want, or are willing to accept, besides driving out foreign forces, has also been the subject of fierce debate. Negotiations smoke people out. You have to say what you want, and what you are willing to accept
Conversation, especially in the context of complex situations, helps us to introduce nuance. It takes us beyond yes/no options and invites multifaceted positions to be revealed. When we are faced with intractable problems, complex scenarios or mysterious situations, conversations open us to edges that would otherwise remain invisible, and therefore increase the possibility of finding a new and usefaul way through. Talk IS action.
I recently wrote a white paper for a First Nations organization on participatory community engagement. The paper outlines several models, principles and processes that I am mcurrently working with as I help groups design and implement longer term community engagement processes.
Here is the most recent version of the paper for your reading, in .pdf format. The paper talks about mental models and comes from a perspective of decolonization. I’d love to have your thoughts in the comments so I can refine it further.
What it’s like to fly with Peregrine Falcons & Gos Hawks:
Lovely report here on the use of the Art of Hosting apaproach, Theory U and others of our social technologies in health care renewal in Nova Scotia.
Within the report is a lovely little quote from My dear friend Toke Moeller: “Purpose is the invisible leader.”
Given some of the work I’m doing in the next couple of weeks, that is a very good motto for me.