"We want to create a way of working as a whole community, agencies and us together, that creates hope and optimism"
Georgie Thompson, Ruapotaka Marae, Tamaki
Leadership
Puamiria Maaka: A time for Maui?

It is not often that you take time out to reflect "on" community leadership rather than being "in" the practice of it. Like many other Kiwi's we share the work ethic of "head down – bum up", so here are some leadership reflections.

The character of courage and optimism are synonymous with Maui [1] and Sir Hirini Moko Mead [2] observed that "We need a Maui-like plan to help guide us into the 21st century, and we need to begin the search for that plan now ......... It is worth pointing out however, that many of our present leaders are not at all like Maui and would prefer more of the same, rather than change. This is an easy way out for them, a way of avoiding unpleasant decisions, a way of not becoming responsible for our future."
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Leadership NZ partnership

Inspiring Communities is proud to be a partner with Leadership NZ on fostering the growth of "leaderful communities" in New Zealand.

Read more about this partnership and Leadership NZ at their website
 
Judith Timpany on community development pathways for grantmakers

In April 2010, Mary-Jane Rivers interviewed Judith Timpany.

JudithTimpanyphoto-smlAt the end of this article are links to Judith's workshop presentations from the

Community Trusts Conference held in Napier, NZ, in February 2010

Judith Timpany is Chief Executive of the Whanganui Community Foundation Inc. She has 20 years experience in the charitable sector in a broad range of community focused activities, including three years as a Whanganui City Councillor, Chair of Philanthropy New Zealand (currently a board member), and membership of WINGS CF (an international grant maker's body). She has also held several corporate directorships.
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Access Theory U: Leading from the Future as it Emerges by Otto altScharmer

In the  spirit of Albert Einstein, Otto Scharmer suggests that a new collective leadership capacity is needed to meet the complex social, environmental and economic challenges we face today. According to Scharmer, "we know a great deal about what leaders do and how they do it. But we know very little about the inner place, the source from which they operate."

This inner place is of pivotal importance, as it can have powerful effects on the outcome of any action or decision of a leader's, and it is explored in Scharmer's 'Theory U' model, and its Five Movements.
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An interiew with two leaders

"If we are serious about social change in New Zealand, it is the communities and neighbourhoods that have the capability, and this needs nurturing."

Murray Edridge

The article that follows is the summary of an interview by Jenny Blagdon with David Hanna, Director of Wesley Community Action and Murray Edridge, Chief Executive of Barnardos. In this conversation, Jenny, David and Murray discussed:

  • Why community-led development is important
  • Why community of place in particular is important
  • The challenges this raises for Wesley Community Action and BarnadosDavid Hanna
  • The points of 'liftoff' being employed
  • Approaches being used to get people to where they're happy to 'let go'
  • Handbrakes
  • Whether it is time to dive deeper, or pull back, and
  • The indicators of whether CLD has become embedded
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