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Circulation: 4680 with subscribers in 59 countries |
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Greetings WOW, how the world has changed in the last four months as we encounter the largest global recession for 70 years. The Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd was not being overdramatic when he stated – “This is the single greatest threat to our economic security in a generation and the most significant upheaval in the global financial system in our lifetime . . . it will be ugly and it will be tough”. Initiated by financial mismanagement and greed in the international financial system, this will be a crisis that will reach into every main street across the globe. It certainly is a time to reflect on that old adage ‘the future ain’t what it used to be’. It is time for new thinking and a reconsideration of old community values. It is a time where local communities will need to support those most negatively affected, and focus on how we strengthen local economies, businesses and jobs. To begin the thinking, can we suggest reading two interesting articles: Firstly, an article by Cheryl Kernot in the Sydney Morning Herald entitled ‘Time to put the heart back into the economy’. Click here to view. Secondly, check the suggestions of our good friend Gilbert Rochecouste of Village Well who in his Christmas newsletter calls for us to invest in the wealth of our local communities. His plea is for us to:
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| Thought Provoking Quote for 2009 | Top ^ |
 Many thanks to Mal Bryce for this amazing quote given the circumstances we begin 2009.
'I believe that banking institutions are more dangerous to our liberties than standing armies. If the American people ever allow private banks to control the issue of their currency, first by inflation, then by deflation, the banks and corporations that will grow up around the banks will deprive the people of all property until their children wake-up homeless on the continent their fathers conquered.' Thomas Jefferson (1802) |
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| Presenter / Workshop Facilitator | Top ^ |
 Peter Kenyon of the Bank of I.D.E.A.S. is a popular speaker and workshop facilitator within the fields of community and economic development and youth development.For groups in Canada and USA who may be interested in using Peter to present or workshop facilitate, Peter is planning to be in North America from 28 June to 12 July 2009. Click here for a summary of speaking and workshop themes down. |
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| Halls Creek Community Strategy Provides Plan for the Future | Top ^ |
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Initiated by the Shire of Halls Creek and authored by Bank of I.D.E.A.S., the Halls Creek Community Strategy is a 10-year plan intended to create a prosperous, caring, safe, inclusive and proactive community with a strong sense of civic participation, responsibility and pride; a vibrant and diverse economy and employment base and a healthy quality of life for all residents. The project was supported by the Halls Creek Better Life Project as a means of planning future strategies beyond the term of the Better Life Project, and received generous funding support from Kimberley Development Commission and Kununurra Indigenous Coordination Centre. Click here to download a recent media release and click here to visit the Shire of Halls Creek website for a copy of the Strategy. |
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| Humorous Business Signs | Top ^ |
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Thanks to Tim Hadingham from the Local Economic Development Programme in Pretoria, South Africa for sending in the pictures of the “Great Toronto Pun Hunt” – a collection of 60 classic business signs using pun humour. Click here to view collection. The source of the collection is from Torontoist, a group that is all about Toronto and everything that happens within it. |
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| Kalamunda Business Excellence Awards | Top ^ |
 The Bank of I.D.E.A.S has been privileged to win a number of national and international awards. However, most important is gaining local recognition, especially that of one’s business peers. At the 2008 Kalamunda Chamber of Commerce Annual Awards, the Bank of I.D.E.A.S. was awarded the 2008 Community Involvement Award. |
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| Somali Youth Policies | Top ^ |
 One of the most challenging assignments of 2008 was helping to formulate national youth policies for both the Republic of Somaliland and the Somali state of Puntland working closely with the staff of UNICEF Somalia and young Somali research teams. The passion and commitment of young Somali’s and UNICEF staff was amazing given the difficult security and economic circumstances of the countries.Click here to download a copy of the Puntland policy. |
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| Naenae, New Zealand – ABCD in Action | Top ^ |
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A wonderful story from Joanna van Walraven, the retail coordinator from Hutt City Council – frustrated at the shabby run down appearance of the Naenae Shopping Centre, Joanna focused on the resources and assets of the local community. She organised a ‘Paint-a-thon’ with the aim of painting 20 (roughly half of the shops) using community volunteers and donated paint and resources. The result was an incredible turnout from the community, who achieved a quality job. The shopping centre now looks fantastic. Click here to download an article and photos from the local newspaper. |
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| Action for Market Towns (AMT) | Top ^ |
 Some people will remember our good friend Gordon Morris from
his visit to Australia in 2002 and the UK Study Tour that Bank
of I.D.E.A.S. conducted in 2004. Gordon is a trustee of Action
for Market Towns (AMT) and Peter Kenyon was the principal
speaker at AMT's 2003 Convention held in Caernarfon, Wales. AMT
is a membership organisation dedicated to promoting the vitality
and viability of small country (market) towns in the United
Kingdom. It does this by:
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| Jaaning Tree | Top ^ |
| Click here to visit the Jaaning Tree Restaurant website for an insight into one of Australia’s amazing Indigenous restaurants . Thanks to Roxanne Smith for the info. | |
| Place Making Master Class: the art of creating great places | Top ^ |
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Village Well and Project for Public Spaces are combining to showcase some of the best Place Making tools, processes and philosophies in the creation of great places in workshops being held in February 2009 in Melbourne, Sydney, Sunshine Coast, Perth and Auckland (NZ). You will be inspired by a new world view of holistic planning by two of the world’s most respected Place Makers:
For more information click here to download a Workshop brochure. |
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| Building Community Centred Economies Conference 2009 | Top ^ |
 In June 2009 the International Association for Community Development and Community Development Queensland are holding a conference in Brisbane (QLD) entitled Building Community Centred Economies: Dialogue for Action.The Conference is on June 17 – 20th 2009 and is being held at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre. You are invited to be part of this conference with a difference – a think, talk and do conference focused on how to build strong, creative and sustainable local economies into the future. Peter Kenyon of Bank of I.D.E.A.S. will be a keynote presenter. For more information click here to visit the Conference website. |
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| 6th Annual Global Forum at University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) | Top ^ |
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The 6th annual Global Forum at UCLA provides a platform for 200 selected young people across the globe to learn and advance their causes toward achieving environmental sustainability in the context of the UN Millennium Development Goal (MDG) 7. The event will bring together influential government representatives, scientists, diplomats, experts and corporate executives into an arena with promising young people to showcase their successful sustainability practices and highlight innovations and new ground-breaking business models and financing methods that effectively address the development of renewable energy sources. The forum is set to encourage young people to get engaged in, develop, and propose new sustainability and renewable energy initiatives in creative and cordial environment. Each participant will have an opportunity to engage corporate and public decision-makers and his/her peers while drafting group and individual innovative solutions to address global environmental and alternative energy challenges. The forum will conclude with young participants presenting their plans on group innovation panels. The proposals will be evaluated by leaders in government, the private sector, and civil society, and will be showcased at the conference closing ceremonies. The individuals with best results, with the support of Athgo, will continue the development of the business models. Click here for more information and to apply. Thanks to Karthikeyan Vaitheeswaran from Chennai, India for bringing this event tour attention. |
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| Great Read | Top ^ |
 Thanks Mal Bryce for introducing us to an amazing book on social entrepreneurs entitled “The Power of Unreasonable People” by John Elkington and Pamela Hartigan. (Harvard Business Press 2008) Sub titled - “ How social entrepreneurs create markets that change the world.”The book’s description of the key features of Social Entrepreneurs are people who:
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Benella’s Top 10 Book | Top ^ |
 The response to this book in our last newsletter was great so we taking the opportunity to remind people that they can obtain a free electronic copy from our website.The book was a direct outcome of the Business Expansion and Retention (B.E.A.R.) Program conducted in Benalla under the leadership of the local Council and Business Network.br> The publication is intended for local businesses and their staff to ensure they are effective ambassadors for the town, and practice best practice customer service. Click here to download a free copy of this publication, and for queries contact Jennie Hall, Economic Development Officer at the Rural city of Benalla Jeanie.hall@benalla.vic.gov.au. | |
| Interesting Rural Entrepreneurial Development Training Courses Offered in USA | Top ^ |
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Below are two training courses worth exploring now or next year: |
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| Return Visit to Australia by Jim Diers | Top ^ |
 Responding to popular demand, community builder Jim Diers will be touring Australia for his fourth annual visit from 20th August to 2 September 2009. In past visits, Jim has used his experience as director of Seattle’s pioneering Department of Neighborhoods to help local councils, large and small, develop their own programs of bottom-up planning and matching grants to support community self-help projects. Jim has also worked with community associations to share the lessons he learned as a community organizer about building broad and inclusive community engagement. As a faculty member of the Asset Based Community Development Institute, Jim has conducted practical, full day workshops on how to map and mobilize a community’s strengths.In addition, Jim has delivered inspiring speeches full of stories from his travels around the world about how communities have organized to revitalize downtowns, prevent crime, preserve the environment, create art, demand justice, and care for one another. He would be happy to work with you to tailor a presentation or workshop to best meet your needs. Jim currently teaches at the University of Washington and directs a program through which faculty and students assist community associations with their projects. Jim launched a community development certificate program this year. His book, or Power, is being translated into Chinese. Jim recently authored a paper for the Canada West Foundation on the community’s role in addressing street level social issues. Click here to download possible workshop themes and click here for more information on Jim, his work and his book. |
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| Schoolies Timor-Leste | Top ^ |
 The Bank of I.D.E.A.S. was a major sponsor of an alternative Schoolies Week initiative – an opportunity for Year 12 students in our home community to opt to work in community development projects in Timor-Leste. Truly an amazing project.Click here to download for a copy of Peter Kenyon’s Team Leader’s Report to the local Rotary Club of Kalamunda who stepped up as a partner in the process. If you would like a copy of the Resource Kit currently being prepared for such activities including 2 DVDs, please contact Peter at pk@bankofideas.com.au. | |
| Micro Enterprise Development | Top ^ |
| If you are interested in developing microenterprise development programs, then click here and see the interesting set of 10 Training Manuals offered by the US group Association for Enterprise Opportunity. | |
| Creating Negativity When You Do Not Mean To | Top ^ |
 A most welcome monthly electronic newsletter is Terrific Trading by Jurek Leon. His Christmas edition had some wonderful articles. One of the best is about negativity and the inspiring story of Paul Cave who introduced climbing on Sydney Harbour Bridge.Click here to visit Jurek’s website. If you are not a subscriber to his free newsletter, click here to register. |
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| Another Great Retail Electronic Newsletter – The Retail Guru Newsletter | Top ^ |
 Another business that is a continuous source of inspiration and knowledge to the Bank of I.D.E.A.S. in the business development field is John Stanley and Associates. Besides the source of a number of incredible retailing publications, this group produce a fabulous free monthly electronic newsletter.Click here to visit John’s website and click here to preview their January edition, and consider subscribing. |
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| Two Choices | Top ^ |
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Thanks Jordan Purcell for great story about two choices. A great reminder of what values and choices really matter. Click here to download |
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| ourcommunity.com.au | Top ^ |
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Our Community is a world-leading social enterprise that provides advice and tools for Australia’s 700,000 community groups and schools, and practical linkages between the community sector and the general public, business and government. Click here to visit their new website and keep an eye out for details of the 2009 Communities in Control Conference to be held in Melbourne 14-16 June. |
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| An Invitation to Gathering for Success | Top ^ |
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The Government of Alberta, through the Ministry of Aboriginal Relations, is presenting Gathering for Success, a three-day international symposium sharing Indigenous economic development practices. Set against the majestic backdrop of the rocky mountains, this unique event will be held June 28 - 30, 2009 in world-famous Banff, Alberta, Canada at the Fairmont Banff Springs Conference Centre. Join over 500 delegates to hear world-class speakers and international leaders sharing insights and successful practices in Indigenous economic and community development from around the world. This conference is ideal for Aboriginal leaders, economic development organizations, policy makers, community planners, educators, program developers and others who want practical examples, expert advice and first-hand, relevant information. Peter Kenyon from Bank of I.D.E.A.S. has been asked to present a workshop at this event. Click here to visit their website for more information. |
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| Business Expansion and Retention (B.E.A.R.) Program | Top ^ |
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Over the next six months certified B.E.A.R. Facilitation Training Courses will be conducted by Bank of I.D.E.A.S. in Auckland (New Zealand), Melbourne (Victoria), Brisbane (Queensland), Adelaide (South Australia) and Perth (Western Australia). Click here to download for details of the B.E.A.R. Program and click here for details of the Facilitators Training Workshop. This training will be certified by the new MAV Knowledge Centre (see below). If interested in registering contact Peter Kenyon email: pk@bankofideas.com.au. |
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| MAV Knowledge Centre | Top ^ |
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AA very exciting initiative is planned for 2009 by the Municipal Association of Victoria, namely, the creation of a national ‘Knowledge Centre’, based in Melbourne to support excellence and leadership development across local governments in Australia. Modelled on the LGA Leadership Academy of the UK, the Knowledge Centre will offer a range of intensive one and two day modules, designed to focus on the needs of local government personnel. The Bank of I.D.E.A.S. has been asked to organise a series of courses in the discipline of community and economic development. For more details on the MAV Knowledge Centre, contact John Hennessey at jhennessey@mav.asn.au. |
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| ‘Engaging Creativity with Young Men and Women’ Workshop | Top ^ |
In early March, Peter Kenyon of the Bank of I.D.E.A.S. will be facilitating this workshop for workers with youth in the Burnett / Wide Bay Region on behalf of the Local Area Consultative Committee. The Workshop has two goals, namely:
If interested in a similar workshop being facilitated in your country / region email Peter Kenyon at pk@bankofideas.com.au and click here for a outline of the workshop. | |
| Global Conference on Local Economic Development (October, 2008) | Top ^ |
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Peter Kenyon had the privilege and pleasure of being a resource person at an ILO (International Labour Organisation) Conference in Turin, Italy entitled Inter Agency Conference on Local Economic Development. It was attended by 120 participants from very different backgrounds. Click here for more on the outcome of this event visit. |
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| Mainstreet Conference – Fremantle WA , 15 – 18 March 2009 | Top ^ |
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The City of Fremantle in Western Australia has been chosen as the venue for the Mainstreet Conference 2009 in March. The Conference theme, Rediscovering the Heart, invites speakers and attendees to explore why main streets are again becoming the heart and soul of city and town centres across Australia. This rediscovery is having a major influence on the direction cities and town centres are heading in and whether they are responding positively to change and embracing future trends. Delegates will hear from policymakers, practitioners and researchers as well as having the opportunity to see first-hand some of the exciting developments across the Perth metropolitan area, many of which build on the renewal and extension of the Perth passenger rail system over the past 20 years. For more information click here to visit the Conference website. |
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| Slow Food | Top ^ |
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One of the benefits of participating in the ILO event in Turin in October was the opportunity to also experience Terra Madre and Salone del Gusto – the incredible bi annual event to celebrate ‘Slow Food’. Click here for more details on what is one of the world’s greatest food events. |
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| Request from South Africa | Top ^ |
Below is some feedback we received from the last newsletter. Maybe you are aware of someone who would be interested in Derek’s opportunity.
As the owner of a rustic, remote and humble lodge in the Maluti mountains of Lesotho, I do what little I can to alleviate poverty in the neighbouring community of about 30 baSotho households. For context, the GPRS co-ords are S 29 21’26.2” E 29 00’23.7” at 2 430 metres above sea level, about 60 km west of Sani Pass, it’s a region of our distinct seasons, Molumong operates from a former trading post, and we’ve been growing the business ethically and sustainably for the past eight years. Thanks to the modest success of Molumong Lodge – in no small measure due to the friendly disposition of the gentle community – I’m keen to ignite small projects to improve the quality of life of people in the community. For these initiatives to work, they need to be managed with a set of unusual skills - patience, humour, fortitude, and inventiveness. There’s no great need for technical skills as the technology is of the simple, affordable and appropriate kind. Equally, there is no budget for a salary and we would need a really special person - or couple – to take up residence for reasons beyond remuneration. Yes, it may be lonely at times, but then again, there’s plenty of time to do the things one may not have time for now! We’re flexible on the duration of tenure, but doing a stint of say three months would be preferable. To make the enterprise self-sustaining, we’d request the person(s) to welcome guests to the lodge upon arrival, help them settle, and generally maintain a good relationship with the staff who carry out all the other lodge-associated tasks. In return, we can offer a small, private and cosy thatch cottage comprising bedroom, lounge/kitchen, toilet/shower, a wonderful community, friendly staff, clean air, pristine spring water, views for Africa, and an enduring love for the mountains. The outline above contains the key elements, and interested people are welcome to approach us to discuss any specifics. Hope you can help? Regards Derek Alberts |
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| Food and Small Town Revitalisation/td> | Top ^ |
For amazing examples of how food businesses have revitalised small towns check out the following:
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| Other Great Food Initiatives | Top ^ |
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A Tasty Little Pocket Guide: Produced by the Daylesford and Macedon Ranges Produce Group (Victoria, Australia) this publication focuses its unique growers, vignerons, provedores, restaurateurs and chefs.
Free and available by phoning 132842.
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| Loxton Christmas Lights | Top ^ |
 This is truly one of the great long term community festivals. This four week festival contains a series of family-friendly events beginning with the ‘Lights-Up’ event which traditionally attracts 10,000 people each year. Loxton Christmas Lights is not just good for building social capital, but also has huge local economic benefits.
Click here to check out the website. |
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| Another Quote | Top ^ |
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Thanks to Maggie White for this inspirational quote. “If you want to go faster, go alone. If you want to go further, go together”. (African Proverb) |
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| Economies in Transition: Leveraging Cultural Assets for Prosperity Conference | Top ^ |
Peter Kenyon had the privilege of being invited to be the keynote speaker at this event in Brockville, Ontario, Canada in November 2008. Organised by the Ontario Rural Council and the Municipal Cultural Planning Partnerships, this event had the following objectives:
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Mailing List | Top ^ |
| Since our last Newsletter, Bank of I.D.E.A.S. welcomes new subscribers from Turkey, Canada, Botswana, United States of America, Chile, New Zealand, France, Somalia and from all Australian states and territories. In total, the Newsletter is now read by people in different 60 countries. | |
| Copyleft Policy | Top ^ |
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Below is the copyleft statement regarding the use of Bank of I.D.E.A.S. resources. Copyleft Policy Resources of the Bank of I.D.E.A.S., either in full or in part, can be copied, quoted, reprinted, given away or circulated. Parts may be torn out, extracted and enhanced. In short, all resources are public property. Please use in any way to build the skills and knowledge of citizens in building healthier communities and more vibrant local economies. |
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Click here to subscribe to our mailing list, or to stop receiving this newsletter. |
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Bank of I.D.E.A.S. |
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(Initiatives for the Development of Enterprising Actions & Strategies) 14 Bird Rd, Kalamunda WA 6076 Ph: 08 6293 1848 Fax: 08 6293 1137 E: pp@bankofideas.com.au |
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