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• community based asset mapping practical tools;
• creative approaches to stimulating conversations;
• community enterprise;
• community building in post disaster circumstances;
• local food policies and strategies; and
• the creative rural economy.

• Facilitation and training approaches & skills related to ABCD and Appreciative Inquiry
• In-depth understanding of the philosophy and practice of ABCD
• Shifting the development mindset from needs & deficiencies to assets & capacities
• Mapping and connecting the diverse range of community assets
• Harnessing connected assets to build a hopeful future for community
• Identifying roles for all levels of government & community organisations in supporting local ABCD initiatives
• Fostering strong relationships between services and communities
• In-depth understanding of ABCD tools and resources

“There are credible scientists who doubt climate change, but they are far outnumbered. Wikipedia lists about 35 scientists who are skeptical that rising earth temperatures are caused by human activity. To put that number in perspective, a survey sent to over 10,000 earth scientists found that 88 percent of all climatologists, 90 percent of all scientists who publish research on climate change, and 98 percent of all climatologists who publish research on climate change agree that the climate is warming and human activity is a significant contributing factor. The results were published by the American Geophysical Union in its journal Eos. Could the minority be right? They could be, but how much are we willing to bet on the skeptical minority? By the time every doubt is erased it will be too late to take action to control the risks. And is it moral for us to refuse to sacrifice, knowing that our children and grandchildren will suffer the consequences if the overwhelming majority of scientists are proven right? Contact me, Chuck Hassebrook, at chuckh@cfra.org to exchange ideas.”

1. Too much to do, not enough time
2. Too many distractions and interruptions
3. You’re not measured for the quantity or quality of ideas you generate
4. It’s not in the strategic plan
5. You’ve got other projects, outside of work, and have no energy left to think about anything else
6. You’re not paid to think. You are paid to do
7. You’re too busy filling out forms, reading emails, writing reports
8. Every time you get a great idea, it’s time to go to another meeting
9. Your head is filled with a thousand things you need to do
10. You have to stay focused on the job at hand

• 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