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Building Healthy, Connected & Sustainable Local Communities and
Economies
- Presentation Slides Emerald, QLD -
Peter Kenyon
Director Bank of IDEAS
(Initiatives for the Development of Enterprising Action and Strategies)
Friday 31st Dec, 2010
‘In times of change it is the learners who inherit the
future.
Those who have finished learning find themselves
equipped to live in a world that no longer exists.'
(Eric Hoffer)
‘You’ve got to be hungry- for ideas, to make things happen and see your vision made into reality’.
(Anita Roddick)
MY PASSION
Building healthy,
connected and sustainable
local communities and
economies
Seven Pillars Of A Healthy Community
Practices ongoing dialogue
Generates leadership Shapes its future Embraces diversity
Knows itself Connects people and resources Creates a sense of community
(Healthy Cities and Communities Coalition, USA)
STRONG COMMUNITIES
have strong leaders have strong networks with other communities can build on their existing assets and resources have a ‘can-do’ community spirit and are optimistic about the future can grasp the opportunities that come their way have a sense of ‘belonging’ to the community among it’s members embrace change and take responsibility
(Stronger Families, Stronger Communities at Department of Family and Community Services)
SUCCESSFUL COMMUNITIES Build on the strengths of local individuals, associations and institutions; Focus on specific actions and measurable results to improve community life; Promote participation by people of all races, genders, cultures and age groups; Ensure local decision making and ownership; Draw upon the resources of the whole community; Bridge all sectors to develop healthy children, families and communities,and Share experience and knowledge to promote continuous community learning. (ACCORDING TO PRIME MINISTERS YOUTH PATHWAYS ACTION PLAN
TASKFORCE 2001)
Healthy Unhealthy
Optimism, hope and 'we are in this together’ Cynicism "We can do it 'Nothing works' Value intangibles like vision and values Emphasis only on tangibles Consensus building Polarisation Collaboration Confrontation Focus on the future Debate the past Interdependence Parochialism Broad community participation Few do everything Leadership renewal Same old faces Think and act in long term Short term thinking Listening Attacking Reconciliation Hold grudges Win-win solutions Win-lose solutions Politics of substance Politics of personality Diversity and involvement Exclusion Challenge ideas Challenge people Problem solvers Blockers and blamers View challenges as opportunities See themselves as victims
CHARACTERISTICS OF A HEALTHY COMMUNITY
‘People, Planet, Prosperity and Preservation’
Economic viability
Environmental integrity
Community well being
Cultural enhancement
Sustainability
Critical Behaviours and Attitudes
A culture of hope, optimism, possibility and passion. Relationships, engagement, connections and collaboration. Idea and opportunity obsession Local leadership and its continual development.
1.A culture of hope, optimism, possibility and passion. A.cult of hope, optimism, possibility and passion.
"A positive attitude is the outward manifestation of a mind that dwells
primarily on positive matters. It is a mindset tipped in favour of
creative activity rather than boredom; joy over sadness; hope over futility; a positive attitude is that state of mind which can be
maintained through conscious effort".
(Elwood Chapman - Attitude "Your Most Precious Possession")
‘I think negative people should be taxed. They require
an incredible amount of energy. They're like corgis
nibbling at your ankles and I'm sure they exist to show us the
difference between heaven and hell.’
(Vicki Buck, Former Mayor, Christchurch City Council)
When facing a difficult task, act as if it is impossible to
fail. When going after Moby Dick, bring along the tartare
sauce.
‘There is little difference in
people, but that little
difference makes a big
difference. That little
difference is attitude. The big
difference is whether it is
positive or negative.’ (W Clement Stone)
2.Relationships, engagement, connection and collaboration.
of hope, optimism, possibility and passion.
‘Most communities can often be compared to a rugby game where 30,000 people who need the exercise, turn up to watch 30 players who don’t.’
(Peter Kenyon)
Social Capital
Features of social organisation like networks, the quality and intensity of civic involvement, the level of trust and norms
that exist between individuals and/or groups within a community, and which facilitate coordination and cooperation for mutual
benefit.
'the fabric that holds the community together‘
(Robert Putnam)
PUTNAM’S CHALLENGE
BEST REGION WORST REGION
1 day care centre for every 400 children
1 day care centre for every 12,560 children
1 family clinic for every 15,000 persons
1 family clinic for every 3,850,000 persons
Labour shortage
60% unemployed
‘Contrary to our expectations, we were unable to explain the differences on the basis of such obvious factors as party politics, affluence or population movements…the historical record
strongly suggests that the successful Communities become rich because they Were civic, not the other way round.
The social capital embodied in norms and networks of civic engagement seems to be a precondition for economic development as well as for effective government. Civics matters’
(Robert Putnam: Making Democracy Work: Civic Tradition In Modern Italy)
‘Much hard evidence has accumulated that civic engagement and social
connectedness are practical preconditions for better
schools, safer streets and even healthier and longer
lives’
(Robert Putnam)
‘The more people know each other’s first
name, the lower the crime rate in the neighbourhood’.
(Robert Putnam)
Being Social and Involved is Good for Personal Health
‘Being involved with community groups and having strong
social networks are as good for health as healthy food and
exercise’.
(Department of Public Health, University of Flinders)
BERKMAN AND SYME (CALIFORNIA) FINDINGS
People who lacked social and community ties were more likely to die than people with more extensive contacts Joining a community group cuts in half your odds of dying next year
Joining a community organization for fun was better for health than giving up smoking
‘As a rule of thumb, if you belong to no group, but decide
to join one, you cut your risk of dying over the next year in
half. If you smoke and belong to no group, it’s a toss – up
statistically whether you should stop smoking or start joining’
(Robert Putnam)
‘Isolation kills more people each
year than tobacco related
diseases.’
(Tim Costello)
Proven Benefits Of Building Social Capital
Improved health, economic and social well – being of the community and therefore its constituents Stronger network development within and across communities Increased confidence in community Improved community resilience Lowering of transaction costs associated with community economy Improved conflict resolution processes Increased sense of belonging Increased knowledge and understanding
(According to ABS Info Paper: Measuring Social Capital, 2004)
Putnam’s work based on nearly
500,000 interviews shows -
we are meeting less in organisations
hang out less at the bar
know our neighbours less
meet with friends less
socialise with the family less
‘Only 35% of people
trust their
neighbours’
(Curtin University Research)
WA Local Government Elections October, 2011
1028 persons nominated 244 positions were uncontested (36%) 74 local governments had at least one vacancy to which a candidate was elected unopposed (53%) 42 local governments had all candidates for all vacancies elected unopposed (30%) 9 local governments were required to run an extraordinary election after elections to fill positions that did not attract enough nominations Average voter turnout was 30.3% Actual election - 784 candidates for 419 contested vacancies in 95 councils
‘Social Capital simply accumulates when people
interact with each other in families, workplaces,
neighbourhoods, interest groups, community organisations and a range of formal and informal
meeting places.’
(Tim Costello)
‘Social Capital is all about conversation, trust and doing things together. To nourish
social capital begin with conversation. Bring people together to look at issues
affecting them. Give people opportunities so they
know that they matter.’ (Tim Costello)
‘If I were asked what to do about the level of insecurity and anxiety in
contemporary Australian society, I wouldn’t start with politics and I
wouldn’t say too much about terrorism.
I’d suggest, as the first step, that you invite the neighbours over for a drink this weekend. Today a drink, tomorrow a barbeque, pretty soon, a
community.’
(Hugh Mackay)
Individual Social Capital Actions organise a social gathering to welcome a new
neighbour support local businesses volunteer your skills to a local group invite the neighbours over for a favourite meal avoid gossip get to know your children’s teachers attend P & C meetings use public transport and start talking to other
commuters tell friends about social capital and why it is
important
(see Bank of I.D.E.A.S. 99 things you can do to build social capital)
Community Social Capital Actions
‘Adopt a Grandparent Program’ Community Cafe` Learning Centres / Neighbourhood Centres Intergenerational School Breakfast Club Community Gardens Community welcome groups and kits
(See Bank of I.D.E.A.S. 132 Community Projects that Build Social Capital)
Collaboration, networking and cross promotion
‘If you want to go faster,
go alone. If you want to
go further, go together.’
(African Proverb)
‘I can’t save the world on my own…it will take at least three
of us’.
(Bill Mollison, a founder of the Permaculture Movement)
Midlands Meander, South Africa ”a spectacle of nature,arts and crafts, just
waiting to be explored”
• Africa’s largest and most popular arts and crafts trail- 80 kms , 216 businesses on 4 routes
• 26 year history
‘I will market my neighbour as well as I market myself’
(Wall Pledge of participating businesses in the Midland Meander
Arts Marketing trail)
Idea and opportunity obsession Local leadership and its continual development
‘The future of every
community lies in capturing the
passion, imagination, and resources of its
people’. (Ernesto Sirolli)
Critical Behaviours and Attitudes
A culture of hope, optimism, possibility and passion. Relationships, engagement, connections and collaboration. Idea and opportunity obsession Local leadership and its continual development.
3.Idea and opportunity obsession.of
hope, optimism, possibility and passion.
Kaikoura (New Zealand)
Kaikoura (New Zealand) Population - 4000 A traditional farming and fishing community
1987 - 3600 international visitors 2002 - 350 000 international visitors 2010 - 650,000 international visitors Tourism sector contributes $67 million to the local economy.
1/3 of the town’s full time jobs are in tourism, and another 1/3 rely on a proportion of the tourism income to make their job sustainable.
Comparison - Kaikoura 1987 – 2004
Accommodation Complexes
23 96 + 317%
Guest Beds 386 1860 + 382%
Coach Services 2 each week 112 weekly + 5,500%
Licensed Premises
4 43 + 975%
Restaurants / Cafés
10 35 + 250%
Tour Operators 5 58 + 1060%
Taxi Services 0 1 New Service
Building Permits Issued
41 221 + 439%
1987 2004 Variance %
Kaikoura Whale Watch Established in late 1980’s by five Maori families desperate to create and build a future for their children. A catalyst for social and economic renewal in a poor, neglected community. Local Maori (over 90% unemployment rate) borrowed $100,000 to initiate – used their homes as collateral. Only grant in their history - $5000 for a feasibility plan.
Kaikoura Whale Watch Today:
Biggest employer in Kaikoura with over 250 staff- 77 fulltime staff Custom built marina and a fleet of 6 custom built boats Annual turnover of NZ$10 million 100,000 customers per year Winner of- - New Zealand Tourism Operator of the of Decade - British Airlines Best Global Eco Tourism Award - International Virgin Responsible Tourism Award .
Kaikoura Whale Watch
Besides Whale Watch, the company has a wide range of businesses:
- biggest Day Tour company operating operating on the South Island - chain of 9 coffee shops throughout New Zealand - Clifford Bay Marine Farm - technology investments.
‘Need to create a community and business culture
that feeds on innovation and the desire
to do things better.’
(Wally Stone, CEO, Whale Watch)
places where the capacities of all residents are identified,
valued and harnessed
Healthy, Sustainable & Connected Communities
'Every living person has some gift or capacity of value to
others. A strong community is a place that recognises these gifts and ensures they are
given. A weak community is a place where lots of people
can't or don't give their gifts'
(John McKnight And Jody Kretzmann)
Story of the New Prospect Baptist
Church
(Cincinnati USA)
Introduction My name is ___________. 1. What is your name? 2. Did someone talk to you about what the ‘Gift Exchange’ is all about? 3. What do you understand it to be? Basically, we believe that everyone has God-given talents and gifts that can be used to benefit
the community. I’d like to spend a few minutes talking to you about your gifts and skills. Gifts Gifts are abilities that we are born with. We may develop them, but no one has to teach them to us. 1. What positive qualities do people say you have? 2. Who are the people in your life that you give to? How do you give to them? 3. When was the last time you shared with someone else? What was it? 4. What do you give that makes you feel good? Skills Sometimes we have talents that we’ve acquired in everyday life such as cooking and fixing things. 1. What do you enjoy doing? 2. If you could start a business what would it be? 3. What do you like to do that people would pay you to do? 4. Have you ever made anything? Have you ever fixed anything? Dreams Before you go, I want to take a minute and hear about your dreams – those goals you hope to
accomplish. 1. What are your dreams? 2. If you could snap your fingers and be doing anything, what would it be?
New Prospect Baptist Church Cincinnati, OH
Survey Guidelines
‘We were feeding folks, but we
were not getting to know them.’
(New Prospect Baptist Church Pastor)
Discovering Connecting Doing Celebrating Identifying and mapping the incredible assets and passions of the community – the people, groups, places, and things.
Forging and promoting practical and meaningful relationships between these assets.
Sharing and working together to make the most of what we’ve got.
Reveling in the successes of a healthy and strong community.
PlanBig.com.au – Bendigo and Adelaide Bank
“Every community has more potential
resources than any one person knows.”
(Mike Green)
4.Local leadership and its continual development. of
hope, optimism, possibility and passion.
‘The old style answer of throwing money at the problem is not the high
impact solution for regional development in Australia. Given the
task of rejuvenating a region and the choice of $50 million, or $2 million and 20 committed local leaders, we would choose the smaller amount of money and the committed leaders’.
(McKinsey and Company (1994) Lead Local Compete Global: Unlocking the Growth of Australia’s Regions)
Community Leadership Development Strategy?
Community Leadership
Development Fund?
‘Nowadays towns are really not so different from businesses, they need to keep
recreating themselves. Not so many years ago country towns were subject to general trends. They would all do well or all do badly. The picture is now very uneven.
The successful towns are likely to be driven by people who are passionate and creative, who see an opportunity and go for it. You need communities with a bit of get up and
go spirit. Some have it, some don't.‘
(Roy Powell, Centre for Agricultural and Regional Economics)
Historic View Of Young People…
Cause problems, have problems, are problems.
SOCRATES (500BC) - ‘Our youth today now love luxury; they have bad manners, contempt for authority, disrespect for older people. Children now days are tyrants, they no longer rise when elders enter the room, they contradict their parents, they chatter before company, gobble their food and tyrannise their teachers. They have execrable manners, flout authority, have no respect for their elders. What kind of awful creatures will they be when they grow up.’
ARISTOTLE (300 BC) - ‘When I look at the younger generation, I despair for the future of civilisation.’
TEONA
Latin word from which the word teenager
originates.
It means ‘grief, strife and misery’
Unique Contribution By Young Women and Men
Fresh perspectives Great collaborators Make the dollar stretch Passionate about issues, eg, environment / sustainability Impatience Attract the attention of the media Best know what other young people think and want
Problem Problem Solver
Client Change Maker
Recipient Co-Participant
At risk population Leadership asset to be dealt with to be cultivated Tomorrow’s Part of today’s Leaders Leadership team
Adult in the A citizen today making
Paradigm Change Regarding Young Men and Women
‘It is an important message to young people that they can do wondrous
things’ (Greg Darnieder)
The future is not a result of choices among
alternative paths offered by the present, but a
place that is created first in mind, next in will, then
in activity.
‘The future is not a place to which we are going; it is a place we are creating. The paths to the future are not found, but made, and the activity of making them
changes both the maker and the destination.’
(John Schaar)
Contact Details
Peter Kenyon
Website for bookshop & newsletter mailing list:
www.bankofideas.com.au
Importance of Relationships
‘Relationship building is the fundamental action
of community and economic building.’
(Libby Ozinga)
Case Study Beechworth Bakery
Employs 76 people Replicated the bakery in 5 other towns Turns over $8 million per year Took $30,000 over the counter on one day Attracts over 800,000 customers per year Offers 200 products Seats 300 customers Has won the most significant Regional Tourism Award in Victoria 3 times
‘I am just one of 76, and the most useless one they tell me. My business is about people.
we so often think it it is about product. If my place burnt
down tomorrow, and as long as the buggers
weren’t cooked, I could be operating down the
road within hours’ (Tom O’Toole)
‘I spend a lot of money training my staff. Some locals think
that I’m investing too much money in my
people and they say to me: “Tom, what if
you train them and they leave?”
To which I usually reply: “What if I don’t train them and they stay.’
(Tom O’Toole)
‘You educate people, especially young people, by stirring their passions, so you take every
opportunity to grab the imagination of your employees,
you get them to feel they are doing something important, that they are not a lone voice, that they are the most powerful and potent people on
the planet’
(Anita Roddick, The Body Shop)
TOM O’TOOLE VOUCHER
‘A community is not a
community without
conversation’
(Bret Christian, Founder/Editor of
‘Every community has a need, a desire for a “third place”,
distinct from home and work. Informal meeting places where
people can gather simply for the pleasure of company and lively conversation are very important
to our sense of community ’ (Claudia Becker)
‘You don’t get results by solving problems, but by exploiting opportunities’.
(John Naisbitt)
To be successful in business, one needs to be:
Bold
Different and
First
(Anita Roddick, Founder, The Body Shop)
