About 60 people struggled through a traffic nightmare to arrive at the Chamber of Commerce ballroom for an 8AM start to a well planned meeting. After introductions and background, participants were asked to select one of three areas - Funding, community engagement, or affordable housing opportunities. Each group had about 20-25 people join the discussion. Results of the discussions will be posted at Calgary Committee to End Homelessness and will be distributed to committee and subcommittee members. I won't get into the details of the discussions but I did leave feeling that our comments/concerns personal, mundane, provocative) were heard and will be considered as part of the plan. On a personal note, I suggested my longstanding idea about micro community based solutions through city community associations and there was significant uptake and consensus. The subcommittee chair guaranteed that they would produce a communication plan that could be used to get this information and encouragement out to the 191 associations in Calgary.
I don't often anticipate committees to move forward - but I left encouraged.
Showing posts with label respect. Show all posts
Showing posts with label respect. Show all posts
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
Saturday, July 7, 2007
Use Your Skills and Develop New Ones
Tuesday, August 22nd, 2006
Now that you have found a cause/issue that you are passionate about and spent some time raising your awareness of the issue and gained understanding and respect for the impacted population. You are ready to act.
There are two possibile approaches. You can take immediate , relevant, and concrete action using existing skills, possibly the same skills that you use everyday in your job, or you can take a completely different role and learn new skills.. If you do a lot of public speaking at work then maybe you can become a vocal proponant for change. If you do artwork or design find a way to be creative. If you are in sales, raise funds or pitch change. Managers could organize group action, tradespeople can paint,wire or plumb an at-risk families home. An IRC action can be very effective and efficient if you are using familiar skills, strategies and tactics.
However, on your way to becoming an Everday Action Hero you can try new tasks, take on new responsibilites, and develop new skills. The action may not come as quickly but your new skills can make future opportunites easier. You may also acquire new skills and then decide to change jobs to utilize your learning.
Don’t let a lack of experience deter you from making a difference. Use your skills and gifts or take on new challenges and learnings to make a difference,. The key is - You can make a difference.
Now that you have found a cause/issue that you are passionate about and spent some time raising your awareness of the issue and gained understanding and respect for the impacted population. You are ready to act.
There are two possibile approaches. You can take immediate , relevant, and concrete action using existing skills, possibly the same skills that you use everyday in your job, or you can take a completely different role and learn new skills.. If you do a lot of public speaking at work then maybe you can become a vocal proponant for change. If you do artwork or design find a way to be creative. If you are in sales, raise funds or pitch change. Managers could organize group action, tradespeople can paint,wire or plumb an at-risk families home. An IRC action can be very effective and efficient if you are using familiar skills, strategies and tactics.
However, on your way to becoming an Everday Action Hero you can try new tasks, take on new responsibilites, and develop new skills. The action may not come as quickly but your new skills can make future opportunites easier. You may also acquire new skills and then decide to change jobs to utilize your learning.
Don’t let a lack of experience deter you from making a difference. Use your skills and gifts or take on new challenges and learnings to make a difference,. The key is - You can make a difference.
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