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Greetings

One of the great discoveries for the Bank of I.D.E.A.S. during the last month has been the concept of Transition Towns . The Transition Town initiative is a model designed to harness collective genius at the grassroots level to address the most important question of the twenty first century – community sustainability and resilience in light of peak oil and global warming.

The Transition Town initiative has become an international movement now embraced by hundreds of communities. There is a great 12 step action model involved, which culminates in the formulation and implementation of an Energy Descent Action Plan.

The Bank of I.D.E.A.S. will join the Municipal Association of Victoria in a Workshop on 4 June 2009 in Melbourne to explore the role of local Government in Transition Towns initiative.

Click here for the notes prepared by David Wilson of Heritage Futures International and click here for the Action Plan of the first town to adopt such an approach, the Irish community of Kinsale.

If you prefer, you can click on the links below to go direct to that topic.
Quote Andee Davidson
Create a Youth Council in Your Community  ... in 10 Easy Steps National Youth Policy Formulation in Timor-Leste
Kalamunda Farmer's Market A Man with a Conscience
What the Easter Bunny Taught Me Two Great North American Quotes Regarding Sustainable Development
Nebraska - Happiest State of USA Youth Action Resources
Some Great Definitions on Professions Upcoming Events
Graffiti Statement on the Current Crisis Small Towns BIG IDEAS
KAPOW (Kids About Protecting Our World) Building Community Centred Economies Conference 2009
Small Town Conference - Kaiaipoi New Zealand - 16-18 September 2009 The Jobs Fund  - New Funding Initiative
Community Capitalism See young people as an asset, not a liability
Nambour Moonlight Markets Theme Social Enterprise World Forum
Some Interesting Global Statistics regarding Young Men and Women For the People, By the People Conference
The Power of Conversation Renewing the Countryside Newsletter
Never Judge a Book by its Cover Get Dotted from Central Otago
High Capacity Broadband: an Economic, Environmental and Social Imperative for 2009 Mailing List
Melton Men's Shed Questions for conversation at the dinner table, pub, church or coffee shop
New Report on Entrepreneurship Education Copyleft Policy
YOUTHink Contact Information

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Quote Top ^
This month’s newsletter captures well the asset focus approach to community development and belief in the wisdom of local people practiced by the Bank of I.D.E.A.S.:
“Go to the people, live among them, learn from them , start with what they know, build upon what they have, but of best leaders, when their task is accomplished, their work is done, the people remark ‘ we have done it ourselves’

(Lao Tse)
For more great quotes on the this theme, click here for a copy of the Bank of I.D.E.A.S. handout  “Words of Wisdom about Community Development” .
Create a Youth Council in Your Community  ... in 10 Easy Steps Top ^
Many thanks to Harold Flaming from The Ontario Rural Council (TORC) in Canada who has brought to our attention their Youth Council Tool Kit titled 'Create a Youth Council in Your Community  ... in 10 Easy Steps'.

The TORC Rural Youth Working Group prepared this resource for use by rural municipalities and community organisations involved in establishing a Youth Council.

Click here to download a copy and click here to visit the TORC website.
Kalamunda Farmer's Market Top ^
Great local initiative in the home community of the Bank of I.D.E.A.S, Kalamunda. Congratulations to local Chamber of Commerce and the driving input of Linda and John Stanley from John Stanley and Associates . Another wonderful example of localization.

Contact Market Manager Steve Harrap on 0425 890 146 or send an email to farmersmarket@kalamundachamber.com for further information. Click here to visit the Chamber's website.
What the Easter Bunny Taught Me Top ^

Dr Judy Esmond, from MTD - Making The Difference, who is an International Expert on Volunteering, sent us a copy of What the Easter Bunny Taught Me. It was part of a special request from many of her subscribers who had asked her for a quick message they could email  to their volunteers for Easter.  So she decided to make a fun one and has adapted the following for her subscribers to email to their volunteers (or others)  with a 'Happy Easter' message that finished with the words...'thanks for making the impossible happen...HAPPY EASTER'.

What the Easter Bunny Taught Me (All I Ever Needed to Know about Life I Learned from the Easter Bunny)

  • Don't put all of your eggs in one basket/li>
  • Hop softly and carry a big carrot
  • Everyone needs friends who are all ears
  • Some body parts should be floppy
  • All work and no play can make you a hopping mad
  • A cute little tail attracts a lot of attention
  • Everyone is entitled to a bad hare day
  • Your happy thoughts should always multiply like rabbits
  • Keep your paws off other people's chocolate
  • The grass isn't always greener in someone else's basket
  • Always have your Easter egg hunt in the cool of the morning
  • And finally, in life you just sometimes have to believe in the impossible!

If you would like a copy of a no cost e-book on volunteer recruitment and recognition and also get these weekly quick ideas click here to visit Judy's website.  

Nebraska - Happiest State of USA Top ^
The Bank of I.D.E.A.S. has always been a great fan of the initiatives of Nebraska believing that it has much to share, especially in terms rural revitalization and innovative community economic development.

Thanks to Gerry Osborn, Nebraska’s number one ambassador, we received a DVD from Mainstreet.com that shares the results of a national US survey of happiest indicators, and Nebraska came out on top in terms of having the happiest disposition in the gloomy economy. Linked to this result is their low unemployment level- half the national level.

Click here to view a video clip.
Some Great Definitions on Professions Top ^
‘A stockbroker is someone who takes all your money and invests it until it’s gone’. (Woody Allen)

‘A bank is the place where they lend you an umbrella in fair weather and ask for it back when it begins to rain.’ (Robert Frost)

‘A statistician is a person who draws a mathematically precise line from an unwarranted assumption to a foregone conclusion’. (Anon)

‘Accounting – a profession whose idea of excitement is sharpening a bundle of No 2 pencils’. (Anon)

‘Auditor – someone who bayonets the bodies after the battle’. (Anon)

‘A financer is a pawnbroker with imagination’. (Arthur Pinero)

‘A diplomat is a person who can tell you to go to hell in such a way that you actually look forward to the trip’. (Caskie Stinett)

‘Management consultants – people who borrow your watch to tell what time it is and then walk off with it’. (Robert Townsend)
Graffiti Statement on the Current Crisis Top ^
‘Due to the present financial situation, the light at the end of the tunnel will be turned off at the weekends’
KAPOW (Kids About Protecting Our World) Top ^
KAPOW is the wonderful name created by a group of primary school students in the Kalamunda area who are instigating initiatives that will build a sustainable environmental future. KAPOW is part of the Friends of the Environment – educators who are committed to educating for sustainability.

Click here to learn more. The Bank of I.D.E.A.S. has become a partner in this initiative through its Innovative Youth Fund.
Small Town Conference - Kaiaipoi New Zealand - 16-18 September 2009 Top ^
At the inaugural Small Town Conference in Bulls, New Zealand last year the goal was to empower people to “make a difference in communities and to create a small town legacy for generations to come.”

The 2009 Small Town Conference is being held in Kaiapoi and is aimed at people passionate about life in small town New Zealand. People with a commitment to help stimulate and sustain a vibrant New Zealand small town economy in the face of the 2009 global economic downturn. It's all about communities striving, inspiring, surviving, reviving and thriving.

Delegates will have the opportunity both formally and informally to share their stories about the challenges facing their small towns, the solutions which have worked and the ones that haven't.

Peter Kenyon from Bank of I.D.E.A.S. will be a keynote speaker at the Conference. Click here to download a Conference brochure and click here to view a recent newspaper article about the Conference.
Community Capitalism Top ^
Recently, Ron Kitchens, Chief Executive Officer of Southwest Michigan First – an Economic Development Agency based in Kalamazoo, USA – was in Australia sharing his community development experiences and the story of Kalamazoo – an amazing story. Strongly recommend reading his book – Community Capitalism – lessons from Kalamazoo and beyond. Click here to visit the Southwest Michigan First website. 
Nambour Moonlight Markets Theme Top ^
A great initiative of the Nambour Futures group in the Queensland town of Nambour is their imaginative set of evening markets focusing on food, wine, arts, music and entertainment which occur on a theme night:

12th Dec – Christmas Moonlight
13th Feb – Valentines Moonlight
31st October – Halloween Moonlight
Some Interesting Global Statistics regarding Young Men and Women Top ^
  • 1.5 billion young people aged 15-24 in the world today (89% in developing countries)

  • The 50 poorest countries will double their population by 2050 (0.8 billion to 1.7 billion)

  • There are currently over 80 million unemployed young people. This is before the current economic crisis. Young people are three times more likely to be unemployed than adults

  • Estimated that about 100 million young people will enter the global workforce every year for the next 10 years i.e. 1 billion young people

  • Over the next 10 years, youth population grew 10.5% while youth unemployment grew only 0.2%

  • Young people make up 40.2% of the world’s unemployment, while making up only 24.7% of the total working age.
The Power of Conversation Top ^

Thanks to Ted Smeaton of Inspiring Communities for the below equation that shows the power of conversation.

The Power of Two:

  • If one person spent one day having a conversation to two people about what they could create (1+2)
  • If the next day, these two people each had a conversation with two different people (1+2+2+2) and so forth
  • Then in 10 days, 2047 people would be having a conversation
  • In 15 days, 65,535 people would be in a conversation
  • In 20 days, 21 million people would be in a conversation
Never Judge a Book by its Cover Top ^
Thanks to Theresa and Bernard Tan for this great true story by Malcolm Forbes.

 Click here to download.
High Capacity Broadband: an Economic, Environmental and Social Imperative for 2009 Top ^
Given that Broadband is very topical at present, many thanks to Mal Bryce for sharing with us his discussion paper 'High Capacity Broadband: an Economic, Environmental and Social Imperative for 2009'.

 Click here to download a copy.
Melton Men's Shed Top ^
Melton Shire Council is in the process of constructing the Melton Men's Shed. The Shed has been designed to address a number of health and wellbeing issues for men and is going to be unique in that it will be significant in size (21x12mtrs), will offer a wide range of programs and activities, and will be the first Men's Shed in Australia to be run as a service of Council.

If you have any queries about the Shed contact Maree Heaney on (03) 9747 7321.
New Report on Entrepreneurship Education Top ^
A new report from the World Economic Forum's Global Education Initiative analyses entrepreneurship education practices and offers specific recommendations for policymakers around the world on everything from youth, to higher education and social inclusion.

Click here to read the full report.
YOUTHink Top ^
Peter Kenyon from Bank of I.D.E.A.S. is facilitating an initiative under the auspices if the International Council of National Youth Policy (ICNYP) – an international think-tank of young people on the critical issues of concern to young people. It now involves 20 young people from diverse locations across the globe.

Click here for more information.
Andee Davidson Top ^
A great human resource in the person of Andee Davidson has returned back to Australia, after a long period of work in the fields of Community Based Natural Resource Management and Community Owned Tourism in Africa, especially Namibia.  Andee is keen on contractual work in Australia and the Asia - Pacific Region.

Click here to view Andee's Bio Summary .
National Youth Policy Formulation in Timor-Leste Top ^
Dr Richard Curtain has been involved in the formulation of the National Youth Policy of the world's youngest country - Timor-Leste.

Click here for an enlightening interview with Richard on the process. Great article for those interested in national youth policy formulation.
A Man with a Conscience Top ^
The 2008 Social Entrepreneur of the year, Adam Garone, is the founder and CEO of the not-for-profit organisation, The Movember Foundation.

Click here to read a recent article about Adam and the Foundation.
Two Great North American Native Indian Quotes Regarding Sustainable Development Top ^
 ‘In our every deliberation, we must consider the impact of our decisions on the next seven generations’.

 (Great Law of the Iroquois Indian Federation)

‘Only when the last tree is cut down; only when the last river is polluted; only when the last fish is caught; only then will they realise that you cannot eat money.’

(Cree Indian Proverb)
Youth Action Resources Top ^
 There are a number of excellent resources for those wanting to genuinely engage young people in meaningful community action. The following are the best that the Bank of I.D.E.A.S. have discovered:
  1. Student Action Teams

    A practical resource resulting from a set of projects undertaken by primary and secondary students in Melbourne’s northern suburbs. It captures principles, approaches and tools around projects relating to the environment and traffic safety. Available from connect, 12 Brooke St Northcote 3070, Victoria, Australia or t.holdsworth@unimelb.edu.au Cost - $33.00

  2. R u MAD?

    (Are you making a difference?) -  great framework and toolkit developed by the Education Foundation. Not just a funky name, it’s five levels of ‘madness’ provide great opportunities for young people to lead social change and become active citizens.

    Click here to check out their website.

  3. Changemakers

    Developed by Anglicare in Western Australia, Changemakers is a five phase structured program of community based learning that enables young people to develop their key competencies and enterprise skills, sense of social and personal responsibility and their understanding of the world of work. Changemakers utilises a team approach to work and learn together. Teams design and manage projects that will help shape the society they want to live in. Changemakers has a wonderful resource kit available for $110.00

    Click here to check out their website or ph: ++61 8 9325 7033.

  4. Y Challenge

    Another program that supports groups of young people to make positive social change through formulating and implementing community projects. Y challenges is a program of the Australian Red Cross.

    Click here to check out their website for a survey of their manuals, online modules and support services.
Upcoming Events Top ^
Below are some key community and economic conferences which we recommend that you consider attending:

Click on the links for further information.
Small Towns BIG IDEAS Top ^
This is the name of an economic development webinar event being moderated by Eric Canada of Blane, Canada Ltd in USA. For any small town community builders it could be a novel event despite being in the middle of the night for those who live in Australia and New Zealand.

Click here to download the main findings of the Small Towns, BIG IDEAS study. The seven learnt lessons which are elaborated are:
  • In small towns, community development is economic development.
    Small towns with the most dramatic outcomes tend to be proactive and future orientated; they embrace change and assume risk.
  • Successful community development strategies are guided by a broadly held local vision.

  • Defining assets and opportunities broadly can yield innovative strategies that capitalize on a community’s competitive advantages.

  • Innovative local governance, partnerships and organizations significantly enhance the capacity for community economic development.

  • Effective communities identify, measure and celebrate short-term successes to sustain support for long-term community economic development.

  • Viable community economic development involves the use of a comprehensive package of strategies and tools, rather than a piecemeal approach.
Shares much in common with the Bank of I.D.E.A.S. 20 Clues to Creating and Maintaining a Vibrant Community, click here to download a copy.

Click here to visit the Small Town BIG IDEAS website.
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.
The Jobs Fund  - New Funding Initiative Top ^
The Australian Government is seeking proposals for innovative community, environmental and heritage projects that will create jobs and build skills for the future.

The Jobs Fund is a $650 million Australian Government Initiative to support and create jobs and skills development through projects that build community and social infrastructure. The Jobs Fund forms part of the Australian Government’s Jobs and Training Compact and has been established to support families and communities most affected by the Global Economic Recession.

The Jobs Fund will also invest in one-off capital projects to improve community infrastructure and will provide seed funding for social enterprises.

$100 million is available in this first call for proposals under the Local Jobs and the Get Communities Working streams. Funding will be in the form of one-off grants for projects up to $2 million, ready to commence from July 2009. Eligible organisations include non-profit and community organisations, employment services providers and local, state and territory governments.

Priority will be given to projects in regions experiencing high levels of disadvantage and most affected by job losses.

The closing time and date for proposals is 4.30pm EST Friday 22nd May 2009.

Organisations should read the Jobs Fund Guidelines to obtain further information on the streams and criteria for funding prior to developing and submitting proposals.

Click here for more information.
See young people as an asset, not a liability Top ^
For those who needed anymore proof about the contribution of young people, click here download the article ‘Sorry Kid – from 27 it’s all downhill’. It reveals old age begins at 27 as mental powers start to decline! Mental abilities peak at 22. Sober reading for those of us ageing!
Social Enterprise World Forum Top ^
Social Ventures Australia (SVA) and Social Traders are co-hosting the 2009 Social Enterprise World Forum (SEWF) in Melbourne from 6-8 October at which Peter Kenyon of Bank of I.D.E.A.S. will be a presenter. SEWF aims to support the emerging Australian social enterprise movement, showcase successful enterprises and raise the profile of social enterprise in the region and around the world.

Click here for more information and to register.
For the People , By the People Conference Top ^
Once again , the Bank of I.D.E.A.S. is partnering with the Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) to organize this national conference. Dates are 10-11 December 2009, and the location is Melbourne, Victoria.

This year the Conference will have three themes , namely:
  • Planning with the People
  • Involving the People in local economic development
  • Facilitating Young People to lead and teach in community and economic development
More details in next newsletter.
Renewing the Countryside Newsletter Top ^
If you're looking for another source of interesting stories and insights, you might want to sign up for Renewing the Countryside's (RTC) electronic newsletter. RTC "strengthens rural areas by championing and supporting rural communities, farmers, artists, entrepreneurs, educators, activists and other people who are renewing the countryside through sustainable and innovative initiatives, businesses, and projects.

 Click here to sign up for the newsletter and learn more about their good work.
Get Dotted from Central Otago Top ^
Peter Kenyon had the pleasure and privilege of spending a day in a workshop with the Amy Scott from Ranfurly in the Central Otago Region of New Zealand. This young woman introduced Peter to the concept of a community "getting dotted".

"Get Dotted!" or "Dickson's Dots" is an effective communication tool that helps people to understand why they feel think and act the way that they do. People discover their natural strengths and potential. Whilst this is used in corporates, organisations and businesses around NZ, nobody had ever thought to deliver this awesome training to an entire community!

Benefits at conferences are:
  • Communication will be clearer, more concise, and more natural
  •  It sets a dynamic scene for conferences – workshops, brainstorming sessions and networking become far more effective because people can’t help but communicate more effectively
  • Everyone at the conference shares this interactive, entertaining and educational experience
  • Beyond the conference “Get Dotted!” results in huge reduction of stress in the workplace (and at home)
"Getting dotted" is an entertaining seminar where people learn about the 4 different communication styles. It is usually used in corporate environments. The unique approach of making this a fun night out for entire communities is proving to be such a success, that Amy  is having a job to balance the community shows with her corporate work.

The idea was born in Ranfurly 2 years ago after the community had experienced a tragic period where there was a disproportionately high number of youth suicides and youth related tragedies. Amy formerly a lawyer was home in Ranfurly from the UK supporting her injured father and after attending a community meeting hosted by Victim Support, offered to work with the local teenagers and raise money for a youth centre. She then came up with the idea of involving the entire community. Young and old, truck drivers, rugby players, shearers, accountants from Dunedin, farmers, parents, teenagers, police, fire brigade, bank manager, grandparents, nurses, teachers, some unemployed, Central Otago Mayor Malcolm MacPherson all turned up for a hilarious night out. The "dots" are still being talked about and used in Ranfurly 2 years on. Committee meetings have never been the same!

Amy will be working the concept at the "For the People, By the People" Conference in December (see separate article above).

For more information on "Get Dotted" contact Amy on amy@redgumboot.com. Click here for evaluation of the town of Ranfurly "getting dotted".
Mailing List Top ^
Since our last Newsletter, Bank of I.D.E.A.S. welcomes new subscribers from Canada, China, East Timor, India, Namibia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Pakistan, Romania, South Africa, Switzerland, Thailand, Turkey and United States of America and from all Australian states and territories. In total, the Newsletter is now read by people in 72 different countries.
Questions for conversation at the dinner table, pub, church or coffee shop Top ^
  • What do you value most about your neighbourhood / community?
  • Reminisce and share about a time when you felt very proud of living in this neighbourhood / community?
  • What are you most concerned about in your neighbourhood / community?
  •  What excites you about your neighbourhood / community?
  • What skills, experiences and knowledge do you have that could be useful to your neighbourhood / community?
  • What would you like to learn?
  • What would you like to teach?
  • What do other people say your good at?
Copyleft Policy Top ^
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.

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