October 2011

Kiwi delegates’ reflections Tamarack’s Communities Collaborating Institute 2011

“ Leadership that transforms communities” 

This week-long event was full of learning for four Kiwis who travelled across the Pacific.  They joined two hundred and fifty people from all over Canada to share experiences and successes from collaborative effort around complex issues such as poverty, homelessness, addictions, violence and the wellbeing of First Nations people.

The delegation included Roku Mihinui from Te Arawa Lakes Trust, Rebecca Harrington from Lifewise, Terri Eggleton from BayTrust and Barbara MacLennan from Inspiring Communities. They have compiled their reflections, and many links, in order to share the learning with others who are interested.

“It was a delight to meet and hear first hand from people whose books we have read,” Barbara commented. One such highlight was listening to Peter Block reflect on the importance of our everyday language, and how insidiously it perpetuates the status quo and existing power structures, and ‘ the empire’  upon which Western capitalism is founded. He queried the value of effort focussed on changing ‘the empire’  and advocated instead for approaches which build and strengthen local communities, and connections between people. “ The alternative to empire is neighbourliness.”

We met stunning leaders from many walks of life in Canada, both at the Institute and during visits which followed. Resounding messages focussed on the ability to work with, and lead alongside, others.  Shifting power to create transformation is the focus Getting to Maybe , and three sets of work are involved:

• Connection between those who want change to happen
• Confrontation with the power in others and in ourselves, and
• Collaboration with powerful allies

“ The future is created with others, even with those with whom we differ”
(John Ott and others, Collective Wisdom).

Another memorable (and smile producing) piece of advice from Peter was that...

“When, despite all efforts and the best possible planning, everything turns to s…, just think 'This is a festival design' and embrace and enjoy the colour and chaos!"  

Click to download the PDF Kiwi Reflections from Tamarack Communities Collaborating Institute 2011 and visits to Alberta and British Columbia.

September 2011

Early in October four Kiwis will participate in the week long Communities Collaborating Institute learning event in Alberta with Tamarack, an Institute for Community Engagement.  The event is themed “leadership that transforms communities” and will bring 250 practitioners and thought leaders together, all with a focus on collaborative practice that produces results around complex issues.

Our delegation from Aotearoa New Zealand spans a wide range of interests in collaboration and community-led development including funders, Iwi, community and social development and service, and local and central government. The group are delighted to also have visits with a range of community leaders in Alberta and in Vancouver following the event, thanks to great organisation by Mark Cabaj.

To learn more about the event, and find links to speakers and resources, see  (http://tamarackcommunity.ca/cci.html)

See our website for more about the Aotearoa New Zealand delegation and their programme.

Aotearoa New Zealand Delegation to the Tamarack Communities Collaborating Institute event, Calgary, and arranged visits in Alberta and British Columbia

October 2011

A four strong delegation with close Inspiring Communities connections is travelling to Canada in October 2011. Three are from the Bay of Plenty, and one is from Auckland, and their collaborative interests span neighbourhoods, funders, Iwi, community agencies and charitable trusts, and local and central government.

Our programme in Canada

We will attend the week long Communities Collaborating Institute event.

Mark Cabaj, who has visited New Zealand three times over recent years, has been very helpful arranging visits in days following the event – including with: