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Happy New Years! And welcome to the first edition of our newsletter for the year. 2007 is shaping to be an exciting year for the Bank of I.D.E.A.S. I hope through this newsletter we can share many valuable lessons and resources and experiences we learn from interacting with communities and organisations dedicated to building healthy and positive futures.

2007 will also see a number of new initiatives for the Bank of I.D.E.A.S. as we seek to fulfil our three goals related to facilitating:

  • inclusive, sustainable and leaderful communities;
  • vibrant and resilient economies; and
  • empowered and enterprising young men and women.

For me, 2007 is beginning in a special part of the globe – Goa, India – it is truly a place where east meets west and a really wonderful place to recharge one’s energy levels.

It has been so exciting to see and participate with local residents develop their ‘Save Goa’ campaign – a campaign aimed at preserving the heritage and local values of their community and threats from develop due to mass scale international tourism, environmental degradation, complacent politicians and greed. It has been a wonderful to be reminded that ordinary concerned people, once mobilised can make a difference or in those wonderful words of Margaret Mead from so long ago – “Never doubt that a small group of committed citizens can change the world; indeed it is the only thing that ever has”.

Read about the Goa story on their website www.savegoa.com and subscribe to their electronic newsletter.

I do hope this edition of the newsletter provides you with some insights and resources. Please feel free to email me with any feedback, new discoveries or ideas that could be included in future editions.

If you think this newsletter would have value to a friend or colleague please forward it onto them.

Have a wonderful 2007, and may you see the fulfillment of many personal, community and professional aspirations.

Cheers Peter Kenyon

If you prefer, you can click on the links below to go direct to that topic. 

Quote

 Asset Based Community Development
Australian Visit by Canadian Community and Economic Development Practitioners Great Local Rotary Initiative
The 6th National Mainstreet Conference Global Warming Student Speakout
Daffodil Story Critical Horizons - Conference 14 - 15 February 2007
Congratulations Coolah (NSW) US Rural Entrepreneurship
Top 10 Reasons Rural Community Development is So Hard to Do! 2007 Business Retention and Expansion International (BREI) Conference
Indigenous Enterprise - Case Study Innovation Pathways – Tools for Rural and Northern Community Innovation
Walwa / Jingellic – Another Example of an Outstanding Australian ‘Can-Do’ Community 101 Quips, Quotes and Concepts for Sustainable Small Town Development
Visit of Jim Diers Effective Engagement Kit
'Planning for the People, By the People' Conference Two New Youth Resources
International Council on National Youth Policy (ICNYP) Contact Details
Photo Galleries - Town Entrances  

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Quote Top ^

'Powerful communities create a place for everyone's gifts - there are no strangers'

(Mary Nelson)
Australian Visit by Canadian Community and Economic Development Practitioners Top ^
During February, two outstanding community and economic development practitioners from Canada - Mike Stolte and Clare Wasteneys will be in Australia as guests of the Bank of I.D.E.A.S. they will take part in a series of national one day 'Community and Economic Development Tool' Workshops scheduled for:
 
Dubbo NSW Monday 19 February 2007
Wagga Wagga NSW Tuesday 20 February 2007
Melbourne Vic Thursday 22 February 2007
Adelaide SA Friday 23 February 2007
Perth WA Monday 26 February 2007

Click here for Workshop, venue and registration details.
Mike Stolte
 
Executive Director, Centre for Innovative and Entrepreneurial Leadership
President, Canadian Rural Revitalization Foundation
British Columbia, Canada
Clare Wasteneys
 
Program Lead
Community Economic Development, Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs
Ontario, Canada
The 6th National Mainstreet Conference Top ^

This bi annual event is planned for Melbourne and Geelong between March 18 – 21, 2007. It’s theme is ‘Creating Successful and Vibrant Places – solutions, best practice and innovation for vision, suburban and regional main streets’.

The organising committee has put together an incredible program. Click here to check out more details, speakers and workshops.

Peter Kenyon from Bank of I.D.E.A.S. will provide a keynote address entitled – ‘The Business Retention and Expansion Program – an invaluable tool for building both the local economy and community’

Daffodil Story Top ^
One of the favourite stories of the Bank of I.D.E.A.S. is the Daffodil Story. Thanks to Graham Chapman, the story is now illustrated with some great photos. Enjoy.

Click here to download a copy of the Daffodil Story.
Congratulations Coolah (NSW) Top ^
Coolah, NSW is one of those classic small town communities with a long history of positive community building. In November, Coolah was named the 'Community of the Year for NSW and the ACT'.

Click here to download the press clipping capturing the reasons.
Top 10 Reasons Rural Community Development is So Hard to Do! Top ^
In their December 2006 e-newsletter, the Center for Rural Affairs (CFRA), based in Lyon, Nebraska, had an interesting feature article entitled 'Top 10 Reasons Rural Community Development is So Hard to Do!'.

Click here to download a copy of the article. Click here to go to view the CFRA website or to subscribe to their e-newsletter.
Indigenous Enterprise - Case Study Top ^
The Parkes Forbes Business Enterprise Centre was commissioned by the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations (DEWR) to identify successful Indigenous entrepreneurs in the arts industry that have been supported in the last three years by the Centre and the Orana Regional BEC. From that identification, Case Studies of the successful businesses were written.

Click here to download An overview (1.3mb pdf) of eight Aboriginal Arts Industry Business Operators assisted by the Parkes Forbes Enterprise Development Centre Inc.
Walwa / Jingellic – Another Example of an Outstanding Australian ‘Can-Do’ Community Top ^
In 2002, the hospital in the small town of Walwa, North East Victoria (population – 250 people) was on the verge of being closed down. The hospital board recognised the need to embrace change and through the support of national entrepreneur Ron Walker, began the process of converting a traditional bed based hospital into a primary health centre.

Over a three year period, the Walwa / Jingellic community (twin towns on the Murray River), with the support of the Federal Government, Victorian Government, business and private individuals raised $2.1 million to not just save their health facility but to create an expanded and nationally acclaimed multi purpose health service that incorporates:

  • A Bush Nursing Centre - including general nursing services, accident and emergency support, home nursing, home and community care, palliative care, health promotion activities, equipment hire, meals on wheels, faculties for visiting health professionals etc
  • Medical centre including two doctors, bulk billing, pharmacy facility etc
  • Community Emergency Response Team – 18 trained volunteers
  • Community activity spaces (including a 24 hour gym facility, commercial kitchen, dining facility and meeting rooms)
  • Business support (credit society facility, technology centre, visiting professional space etc).

Given their success on the health front, the community is now keen to further enhance community and economic life. Community leadership has a strong vision for building a healthy community. The community invited Peter Kenyon from the Bank of I.D.E.A.S. to spend two days in the community in November 2006 to facilitate a variety of workshops, focus groups and community conversations to kick start the next phase in this community's revitalisation.

Click here to download a copy of Peter’s Discussion paper 'Some Thoughts Regarding Future Directions for the Community of Walwa / Jingellic' following his visit.

For more information on Walwa / Jingellic contact Tony Sullivan at the Walwa Bush Nursing Centre email tsullivan@walwabnc.com.au.
Visit of Jim Diers Top ^
During December, Jim Diers entertained and educated audiences in Sydney, Melbourne and Wollongong regarding community development in Seattle, USA. Seattle is considered one of the world’s most innovative local governments, and his work as Director of Neighbourhoods is legendary for their initiatives. Click here to download his bio-data (brief), or click here to view an extended bio-data on his Neighbor Power website.

Jim will return to Australia and New Zealand from mid June to mid July. If you would be interested in possibly utilising some of Jim’s time, please contact Peter Kenyon on pk@bankofideas.com.au.

Jim’s wonderful and very popular Publication ‘Neighbor Power’ is also available from the Bank of I.D.E.A.S. cost is $38.00 (incl postage). Click here to order.
'Planning for the People, By the People' Conference Top ^
The Bank of I.D.E.A.S. was thrilled to assist the Municipal Association of Victoria to run this incredible conference in Preston, Melbourne. Utilising a range of international and national keynote speakers and workshop facilitators, this conference used the following continuum as their motivation.

Feedback to this event has been very positive, and already plans are underway for a bigger and better event in November this year.
International Council on National Youth Policy (ICNYP) Top ^
At ICNYP’s biennial conference in Vienna, Austria during December 2006, Peter Kenyon was elected Chairperson of the Acting Board of this organisation. ICNYP was created in 2002 to assist with promotion and development of national youth policies, concepts and processes. The Bank of I.D.E.A.S. has worked in this field in over 20 countries, and thus has a strong commitment to the development of ICNYP.

For more details on ICNYP click here to view their website.
Photo Galleries - Town Entrances Top ^

Since the November edition we have added a collection of 'Town Entrance' images to the  Photo Gallery section of our website. Below are three examples from WA that are in the gallery and more will be added as time goes by.

There are currently five collections:

  • Bulls NZ
  • Tirau NZ
  • Ethiopian Youth Impact Library
  • Lead On Kalamunda launch
  • Town Entrances

If you have an interesting Town Entrance that you would like to share or would like your town featured contact Peter Palmer at pp@bankofideas.com.au.

Click here to view the photo gallery section of our website.

 

Dumbleyung WA Kulin WA Yalgoo WA
Asset Based Community Development Top ^
The Bank of I.D.E.A.S. philosophical base has seven elements, namely:
  • Meaningful and lasting community change always originates from within, and local residents in that community are the best experts on how to activate that change.
  • Building and nourishing relationships is at the core of building healthy and inclusive communities.
  • Communities have never been built by dwelling on their deficiencies. The focus needs to be on the resources, capacities, strengths and aspirations of a community and its residents, instead of dwelling on the needs, deficiencies and problems.
  • Every single person has capacities, abilities, gifts and ideas, and living a good life depends on whether those capacities can be used, abilities expressed, gifts given and ideas shared.
  • The strength of a community is directly proportional to the level that the diversity of its residents desire, and are able to contribute their abilities and assets to the well being of their community.
  • In every community something works. Change can be achieved best by identifying what works and focusing on doing more of what works.
  • Creating positive change begins simply with conversation.

From that set, it is clear that Bank of I.D.E.A.S. is strongly committed to operating from an asset based perspective – focussing on strengths, capacities and gifts, rather than weaknesses, limitations and disabilities.

During November – December, 2006, the Bank of I.D.E.A.S. partnered with the Family Action Centre, University of Newcastle, to bring Jody Kretzmann, Mary Nelson and Jim Diers from the Asset Based Community Development Institute in Chicago, USA.

The key element of their visits was three ‘Train the Trainer’ workshops on ABCD held in Melbourne and Sydney. These events have certainly reinforced the notion of an assets approach to community development in Australia. One outcome of the workshops is the creation of an ABCD network – Judi Geggie (Family Action Centre), Linda Beilhartz (St Luke’s), Ted Smeaton (Benevolent Society), David Wilson (Heritage Futures International) and Peter Kenyon will initially draft a proposed structure and possible activities. Certainly there will be the development of Australian ABCD case study material and future events to assist people facilitate ABCD approaches.

In terms of ABCD, there are 5 critical resources available.

Building Communities from the Inside Out

Cost - $59.00 (incl. postage)

Click here to order
     

Asset Based Community Development for Faith Communities

Cost - $35.00 (incl. postage)

Click here to order
     

Organisation of Hope

Cost - $35.00 (incl. postage)

Click here to order
Great Local Rotary Initiative Top ^

While in Nairobi, Kenya for the Global Youth Employment Summit, Peter Kenyon had the privilege of meeting Henry Migoya, a young unemployed man with a passion to improve the quality of life for his community. His story is yet another example of youth led community action.

Henry lives in Mathare, a densely populated suburb of Nairobi. Nearly all the residents live below the poverty line (earning less that a dollar a day) and living in sub standard shacks.

With the support of the Rotary Club of Mathare (one of oldest Rotary Clubs in Africa). Henry has mobilised 25 other young people to form a community self help group. They are currently involved in developing a wide range of projects including a children’s day care centre, toilet construction and a tailoring skills development project.

It is amazing the projects they are undertaking, and the difference that small financial support has contributed. If there are any Australian Rotary Clubs interested in partnering with the Mathare Rotary Club in this initiative, contact Peter Kenyon on pk@bankofideas.com.au.

Global Warming Student Speakout Top ^
Google recently partnered with Global SchoolNet to invite teachers to take part in a project to brainstorm strategies for combating global warming. Students from more than 80 schools around the world participated.

Click here to check out the top 50 ideas they came up with.
Critical Horizons - Conference 14 - 15 February 2007 Top ^
The South West Development Commission is hosting the inaugural Critical Horizons 07 – Regional Futures Conference in Bunbury, Western Australia in February 2007.

Critical Horizons 07 – Regional Futures Conference will bring together a team of highly respected world class speakers with presentations on the emerging mega trends of the Knowledge Economies and Education, emerging Nano, Medical and Bio Technology. Other presentations will include an overview of Changes in Society and the key area of Environmental Sustainability. The forum will conclude with an evaluation by a student group who will be attending as part of a conference scholarship.

Click here to download the Conference brochure. Click here for the Conference website.
US Rural Entrepreneurship Top ^
The Rural Entrepreneurship Newsletter put out by the RUPRI Center for Rural Entrepreneurship in Lincoln, Nebraska is a great resource that keeps up to date with the latest rural entrepreneurship tools. The November 2006 edition features an article about an excellent resource to assess regional innovation and entrepreneurship assets which was recently unveiled by The , Kansas, USA.

Click here to go to the Centre for Rural Entrepreneurship's website. Click here to go to the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City's 'Regional Asset Indicators' web page.
2007 Business Retention and Expansion International (BREI) Conference Top ^
Growing From Within "Thinking Regionally - Succeeding Globally" is the theme of this years BREI Annual Conference at which Peter Kenyon from the Bank of I.D.E.A.S. will be a keynote speaker. This year's  Conference is being held in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada on June 6 -8th.

Click here to go to the Conference webpage. Click here to download a Conference flyer that highlights the keynotes and sessions.
Innovation Pathways – Tools for Rural and Northern Community Innovation Top ^
Innovation Pathways – Tools for Rural and Northern Community Innovation is a 118-page book filled with exercises, tips, ideas and strategies for creating an innovation culture. It can be found online free of charge at Innovative Rural Communities Project website  The Framework for the project research reports, upon which the tools are based, are also available on the website.

The Innovation Pathways tools are designed for use by rural innovation champions and leaders, who are interested in building innovation capacity within their organization or community. The tools provide detailed materials for local innovation planning.

Rural innovators and innovation champions were integral to the development of these tools. They contributed to the research, told their stories and tested the tools. The final version reflects their experience, comments and suggestions.

Click here for an interactive tour of the materials which can also be accessed free in partnership with the Community Futures Development Institute.

Click here to go to down load a free copy of the book from the Innovative Rural Communities website.
101 Quips, Quotes and Concepts for Sustainable Small Town Development Top ^
Laura Girty from the Oklahoma Department of Commerce sent this wonderful resource by Allan Hooper for Rural Partners of Michigan. Besides some amazing quotes, there is excellent ‘sources and differences’ section for rural small town revitalisation.

Click here to download a copy of this wonderful document from the Rural Partners of Michigan website.
Effective Engagement Kit Top ^
Effective engagement: building relationships with community and other stakeholders, also known as the 'Effective Engagement' Kit, has been produced by the Community Engagement Network of the Victorian Government's Department of Sustainability and Environment.

The kit is a valuable tool for all practitioners committed to engaging the community and other stakeholders. It offers an exploration of the theory of engagement, guidance in planning and a number of tools that may be useful. Now in its third edition, the kit comprises three books and a CD-ROM.

Click here to view the 'Effective Management' Kit web page and to download a free electronic version.
Two New Youth Resources Top ^
  • Click here to download 'New youth Employment Strategy' by Mission Australia.
     
  • Click here to download 'Youth Poll' by the Australian Democrats
Top ^

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Bank of I.D.E.A.S.

(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