Over the past 18 months I have been directly involved in community change projects in some 50 Canadian Communities . As I worked with these communities to help them mobilize the change required for them to be more active, creative and engaged, there have been many things I have learned. Over the coming weeks I would like to share those learning’s that I have gleaned and the observations I have made (and the bumps and bruises) and what they have taught along the way.( Side-note- I would like to thank Brenda Herchmer for helping to organize my thoughts and getting them to paper… or huh, web or whatever).
First a quick overview to set the stage… Over the coming weeks, I will “unpack” these in more detail.
Despite the complexity of what is required and the variety of stakeholders that need to be involved, the change itself is shaped by only a few key principles.
The first is that for communities to embrace change, I’ve learned that the change must be grounded in authenticity and be grassroots driven if it is to speak to those who will ultimately be responsible for its implementation. Additionally, the change must be shaped by clearly defined outcomes that capture both the heads and the hearts of the community, the issue needs to be real and the approach needs to be solution focused.
For people within the community to step up to the plate and accept the challenge of getting involved in solutions, their invitation must clearly definite the length of their involvement as generally there are many who are leery about never-ending commitments. In other words, there must be a sunrise and sunset to the activity. As well, what we are asking of them must be clearly defined…managing expectations is key as is fulfilling their needs.
The change must begin with a clear, defining moment that conveys the idea that something different and special is about to happen. In the case of ACE Communities, rather than waiting for the crisis that is often the impetus for uniting and mobilizing the community, it begins instead with something that will ignite the community. From that defining moment, the change must be supported but also be allowed to grow organically as the relationships and trust grow within the community and they take projects and initiatives where they need to go.
Locally the change must have at minimum, one passionate leader with a burning fire in their belly who believes that things in their community can and will be better.
Lastly, it’s important to ensure each initiative is celebrated as it is completed within the community. Those involved in driving the initiative to completion must be the same ones to identify and value the feeling of community that is the result of working together. It will be up to them to ask, “What’s next”? And so the circle of change will continue.
