Circulation: 3769 with subscribers in 39 countries

Greetings

Welcome to the November 2006 edition of the Bank of I.D.E.A.S. Newsletter. Since our August Newsletter, the organisation has been involved in a wide range of initiatives within our three core program areas namely:

  • healthy community development;
  • community and economic development; and
  • youth empowerment and participation.

We hope this newsletter gives you a flavour of our involvement, and some links to some wonderful stories, resources and tools that we have discovered and learned from.

Whatever our field of involvement we attempt to base our work on seven foundation beliefs, 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.

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

Quote Top ^

“The wisdom of the local residents always exceeds the knowledge of the experts”.

(Harold Flaming)

Asset Based Community Development (ABCD) - National Conference Top ^
The Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV), with support of the Bank of I.D.E.A.S. is holding a National ABCD Conference on 4-5th December 2006 at the Rydges on Bell in Preston Victoria.

The Conference title is 'Planning By and For the People - A National Conference on Community Engagement in the Community Planning Process' and features International guest speakers / facilitators:

  • Professor Jody Kretzmann (Asset Based Community Development Institute, Northwestern University, Chicago USA);
  • Jim Diers (Former Director, Department of Neighborhoods, City of Seattle USA); Joseph Goldman (Senior Associate, AmericaSpeaks USA);
  • Mary Nelson (President and CEO Emeritus of Bethel New Life, Chicago USA)
  • Betty Knighton (Director, West Virginia Center for Civic Life, USA).

 and from Australia:

  • Janette Hartz–Karp (Associate Professor, Murdoch University & Advisor to WA Government on Community Planning); and
  • Peter Kenyon from the Bank of I.D.E.A.S.

A great set of practical and interactive workshops are being offered, so if you have an interest in community development, this is a ‘must attend’ event!

Click here for more details.

Ecovillage Land Hunt Launch - Sunday 19th November 2006 Top ^
This coming Sunday is the launch of an amazing project in Sydney – the Ecovillage Land Hunt in Greenwich.

If in NSW, consider going – a fascinating initiative.

Click here to download details, click here to visit their website or contact Lyndall Paris on 0419 279 711.

Asset Based Community Development (ABCD) - National Facilitator Training Workshops Top ^
Due to overwhelming demand, places at the ABCD National Facilitator Training Workshops in Sydney and Melbourne were filled with in a few days of the Workshops being advertised. Further workshops are being planned for early next year and will be advertised once details have been finalised.
Lead On Kalamunda - Kalamunda Community Matters Top ^
Click here to enlarge imageSpurred on by the very positive feedback from its inaugural issue, the young people involved in producing the new community newspaper 'Kalamunda Community Matters' are proud to announce the arrival of their 2nd edition.

Lyndsey Jackson, who leads the ever growing team of enthusiastic young people who write and produce the newspaper, says that 'Lead On Kalamunda and this paper, Kalamunda Community Matters are a fantastic example of how the community can utilise the extraordinary talents and abilities of young people. This edition proudly sees even more young people involved in its production. Young people are involved in running every aspect of both Kalamunda Community Matters and Lead On Kalamunda. This paper is about their involvement in the community, and the communities support for their actions.'

The 2nd edition includes not to be missed articles about the recent launch of Lead On Kalamunda by David Templeman (Minister for Youth, Community Development, Seniors and Volunteering), the recently held Zig Zag festival and an interview with Australian Idol Final 12 contestant Reigan Derry who is a former Kalamunda Senior High School student.

The Bank of I.D.E.A.S. is proud to be a financial supporter of Lead On Kalamunda and Kalamunda Community Matters which is an outcome of its Federal Department of Science, Education and Training sponsored C.R.E.A.T.E. Initiative.

Contact Lyndsey Jackson on 08 9293 1626 or LeadOnKalamunda@bigbond.com for more information about Lead On Kalamunda or Kalamunda Community Matters.

Asset Based Community Development (ABCD) Workshops - with Mary Nelson Top ^
Mary Nelson from Bethel New Life, Chicago is visiting Australia as part of the National ABCD ‘Train the Trainer’ team (see above). In addition, Mary will be running several workshops in Western Australia and Victoria.

‘ABCD for Church Communities’

  • Friday 8th December - Coatesville Uniting Church, East Bentleigh, Vic
  • Monday 11th December -  Kalamunda Church of Christ, Kalamunda WA

Click here for details.

‘ABCD – Teaching Stories and Experiences' - Part of the Community Development Seminar Series in WA.

Date: Tuesday 12th December
Venue: City of Melville Civic Centre, Ardross WA
Time: 9.00 – 11.30am

Click here to download details

A Series of one Day Workshops for Community Economic Development Practitioners Top ^
During late February 2007, the Bank of I.D.E.A.S will be coordinating a series of one day workshops across five states of Australia that will expose participants to a range of new innovative community economic development tools.

The one day workshops will feature:

  • Mike Stolte, Executive Director of the Centre for Innovative and Entrepreneurial Leadership (CIEL) in Nelson, British Columbia, Canada - 'Business vitality Initiative and the Community Vitality Initiative';
     
  • Clare Wasteneys, Investment Development Officer with the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs in Ontario, Canada - 'First Impressions Community Exchange Program'; and
     
  • Peter Kenyon, Bank of I.D.E.A.S. - 'Business Retention and Expansion Program'.

The proposed Workshop series is as follows:

  • 19 February - Wagga Wagga , New South Wales
  • 20 February - Bendigo, Victoria
  • 21 February - Launceston , Tasmania
  • 23 February - Adelaide, South Australia
  • 26 February - Perth, Western Australia

Details of the Workshops will be posted on our website in the next week. For any enquiries contact Peter Kenyon at pk@bankofideas.com.au.

Somalia Top ^
Click here to enlarge imageOne of the most interesting, challenging and learning weeks in the work of Peter Kenyon was a recent visit to Somalia to help plan with UNICEF, Somalia the development of the country’s National Youth Policy. Despite being one of the worlds poorest and most dysfunctional countries, Peter was amazed at the passion, interest and commitment of young men and women, and of community organisations to work to engage in such an exercise. Currently operating as four separate countries, this process will operate over the next 18 months. Somalia is likely to be a regular feature of future newsletters.
International Council on National Youth Policy (ICNYP) Top ^
Peter Kenyon from Bank of I.D.E.A.S. is the incoming President of this organisation. Click here to go to the ICNYP website for details about the organisation and its coming events .

One of the major events for 2007 will be the convening of an International Conference on ‘Youth Participation and Empowerment’ in Goa, India – an opportunity for young people around the world to share their experiences in instigating and leading positive community action. Bank of I.D.E.A.S. will provide support for this interesting event.

Getting the Tills Ringing Top ^
Click here to enlarge image This popular presentation by Peter Kenyon of the Bank of I.D.E.A.S. was given recently at a variety of communities in Victoria and New Zealand. Response to the practical and entertaining presentation has been very well received.

Click here for the publicity used by Sue Lancaster of North Canterbury for the ‘Getting the Tills Ringing’ presentation in Rangiora NZ – illustrates content and use.

Contact Peter on 08 6293 1848 or email pk@bankofideas.com.au if interested in having such an event in your town.

Kenya Top ^
During September, Peter Kenyon participated in the Global Youth Employment Summit (YES) in Nairobi, Kenya. The aim of this Summit was to define strategies for building core capacity in each community to respond to the challenges of youth unemployment – currently 85 million young people (15-24 year olds) across the globe are unemployed – what a waste of human potential!

During the Summit, Peter presented on two themes ‘Building and Entrepreneurial Culture’ and ‘Community Based Development in the Field of Micro enterprise’.

For more information on YES click here to go to their website.
 

Stark reality about young people (15 – 24 year olds) and unemployment worldwide
  • 85 million young people are unemployed
  • 13.5% of young people are unemployed
  • Youth unemployment make up 44% of the world’s unemployment (only 25% of population)
  • 300 million young people live below the $2 per day poverty line
  • The ILO estimates that  at least 400 million decent and productive employment opportunities will need to be created in order to reach the full productive potential of today’s young people.
 Lead On Kalamunda - Official Launch Top ^

Click here to enlarge imageLast Monday 23 October, 150 people gathered at  Lead On Kalamunda's new premises to celebrate the official launch of Lead On Kalamunda. The guests included state and federal politicians, local business and community leaders and of course a strong contingent of young people from Kalamunda Lead On

Lead On Kalamunda was officially launched David Templeman (MLA) Minister for Youth, Community Development, and Seniors and Volunteering and included speeches of support and encouragement from Chris DeArougoClick here to enlarge image (CEO of Lead On Australia), Peter Kenyon (Bank of I.D.E.A.S.), Elizabeth Taylor (Kalamunda Shire President, Stuart Henry (Federal Member for Hasluck) and Ray Morgan (Bendigo Bank Forrestfield). Clinton Weaver, Lead On Kalamunda’s new young co-chair, was Master of Ceremonies and the young people who delivered short speeches about their involvement in the Kalamunda Lead On were the highlight of the evening and all left the gathered audience inspired.

The Bendigo Bank in Forrestfield also presented Lead On Kalamunda with a cheque for $10,000.00. Contact Lyndsey Jackson on 08 9293 1626 or LeadOnKalamunda@bigbond.com for more information.

Featured Resource - 52 Terrific Tips for Christmas Workbook Top ^
52 Terrific Tips for Christmas WorkbookThis is the latest great publication by Jurek Leon of Terrific Trading. It is a retail workbook that brings together the best ideas from retailers who have attended Jurek’s ‘How to Make this Your Best Christmas Ever’ seminars in Australia, New Zealand and Singapore.

The  Workbook is jam packed with ideas, examples and exercises to help you and your team make this Christmas the best ever for your business. Topics covered include motivation, preparing the team, spectacular service, promotion, display and special Christmas selling techniques. It is full of wonderful retail ideas.

Click here to order your copy.

Visit by Mike Stolte - Centre for Innovative and Entrepreneurial Leadership (Canada) Top ^
As mentioned in the section above, Mike will be participating in a set of community and economic development workshops in most states of Australia in early Feb 2007.

Mike is Executive Director of the Centre for Innovative and Entrepreneurial Leadership (CIEL) in Nelson, British Columbia, Canada. CIEL is a not for profit organisation that assists in creating vibrant, vital communities. CIEL does this by using unique assessments and community processes to bring communities to action. They develop innovative tools and services to help communities, organisations, and individuals become more dynamic and entrepreneurial and to foster strong, responsive leadership.

Mike would have time available for any group interested in utilising his expertise. If interested in exploring the use of  Mike's time for a presentation or workshop, contact Peter Kenyon on 08 6293 1848 or pk@bankofideas.com.au. Click here to download Mike's bio data.

Click here to download a great one pager by Mike entitled “10 Principles for a Vital Community’.

Click here to go to the CIEL website.

Dialogue Across Nebraska (DAN) – the Power of Youth Top ^

During September, Peter Kenyon of Bank of I.D.E.A.S. was a key note speaker at the annual Nebraska Rural Institute in Ainsworth, Nebraska USA. This event gave Peter an opportunity to learn about some new initiatives occurring in rural Nebraska. One such initiative was Dialogue Across Nebraska (DAN).

DAN is a project of the University of Nebraska’s Rural Initiative. It actively engages young people in facilitating meaningful dialogues on the futures of their rural communities.

Simply, the process has involved:

  • recruiting University students who are trained in the dialogue process

  • these students then promote the process and make contact with local communities who may be interested in running Dialogue programs in their community

  • interested communities then recruit local young people ( 5- 7) people to form a leadership team, with help from adult partners (2 -3 people)

  • the University students then train these teams in facilitation and dialogue techniques, community development processes, leadership and generational, personal and cultural knowledge (training is spread over 3 sessions)

  • local leadership teams then select a dialogue topic and organise a dialogue process (In 2005, and 2006 many communities selected the topic ‘how to retain and relocate young families to rural communities’)

  • local leadership teams then facilitate a Dialogue Day - usually involves 35 – 40 participants across as many generations as possible

  • following the dialogue, the local leadership team seeks the implementation of positive action that emerged from the dialogue.

Strengths of the DAN process:

  • youth leadership and civic involvement

  • intergenerational dialogue – brings together 30 – 45 community members that reflect the diversity of community membership (usually 5 generations)

  • structure conversations around themes that matter

  • Key principles – respect, caring and cooperation

  • Manual – a step by step handbook on running a Dialogue including details on all activities

Click here for more information or contact Sandra Sattler Weber at ssattlerweber2@unl.edu

“There is no power greater than a community discovering what it cares about”
(Dialogues Across Nebraska)

Hometown Competitiveness (HTC) Top ^
Hometown Competitiveness (HTC) is an exciting community and economic development program that offers local communities frame worked tools aimed at reversing decades of decline in Nebraskan rural communities. It focuses on four strategies:
  • mobilise local leaders
  • energise entrepreneurship
  • capture wealth transfer through a local foundation
  • mobilise young people

HTC is a place–based, ground–up approach to community revitalisation.

Click here for more information.

Some Other Great Nebraskan Ideas Top ^
TARGET (Tourism Assessment Resource Growth Evaluation Team)

A free community tourism evaluation carried out by the Nebraskan Department of Economic Development’s Travel and Tourism Division. It involves forming a local Target Committee, undertaking self assessment and then having a detailed evaluation by the Target Program Coordinator.

For details, contact Michael Collins at mcollins@visitnebraska.org

Leadership Plenty

A national program developed and supported by the Pew Partnership for civic change. The program aims to identify, encourage and equip residents from all parts of the community to play a more visible role in community building. Program includes nine modules aimed at building local leadership while addressing local issues.

For more details contact Cheryl Buckhart-Kriesel at cburkhartkriesl1@unl.edu

Red Carpet Service

The University of Nebraska (USA) rural initiative 'Red Carpet Service' is an interesting customer service program aimed at helping businesses gain enthusiasm, confidence and commitment to meet travelers needs.

For more information, contact Connie Francis on cfrancis1@unl.edu or click here to visit their website.

Great Example of Building Social Capital at the Local Level Top ^
Each edition of the Bank of I.D.E.A.S. Newsletter will highlight best practice examples of building social capital. This time we want to share a great story from Taita, Hutt City in New Zealand where a group of Taita women have decided it is time to stand up and be counted in terms of reversing some of the negative trends at their shopping centre – the continual vandalism of windows at the local bakery was the catalyst.

Click here and read the great story from the Hutt City News.

Stories from the Bush - Video Conference Top ^
Click here to down load information about the latest CD Seminar Series videoconference "Stories from the Bush" featuring 3 inspirational rural women who are involved in a range of community development projects. The session will take place on Thursday 30 November 2006 between 9.30 and 11 am.

For general enquiries please contact Lesley Gilroy at the City of Melville on 9364 0663 or email lgilroy@melville.wa.gov.au.

Chatham Islands (New Zealand) Top ^
In the last edition of the newsletter, we reported on the visit of Peter Kenyon of  the Bank of I.D.E.A.S. to this wonderful location – a place with interesting community and economic challenges, but amazing ‘windows of possibility’. A brief report on such windows was prepared for the sponsoring group – Chatham Community Focus. Click here for a copy.

One outcome of the relationship between Chatham Community Focus and Bank of I.D.E.A.S. is a proposed conference on ‘Island Futures’ planned for 2007. More details on this interesting event for community builders on islands will occur in our next newsletter.

For more information on Chathams - incidentally a great alternative and environmental tourist destination - contact Toni Day at Chatham Community Focus chathamcommunityfocus@xtra.co.nz

Canadian Community Economic Development Study Tour 2007 Top ^
Planned for the period 30 May – 14 June 2007, this Study Tour will involve visits to an amazing range of community economic projects and interaction with a most interesting collection of community practitioners in both urban and rural locations in the Canadian Provinces of British Columbia , Saskatchewan, Ontario and New Brunswick. A key event within the itinerary will be participation in the three day International Conference of Business Retention and Expansion International in Regina , Saskatchewan. Click here to download Conference brochure or click here to go to the BREI website.

Cost of Tour will be approximately AUD $6900 depending on departure location. Cost includes all airfares, accommodation , some meals and Conference registration.

If interested in further information , contact Peter Palmer on 08 9451 6173 or email pp@bankofideas.com.au.

C.R.E.A.T.E (Creating Rural Enterprising Attitudes Through Education) Top ^
This Project continues to be a major part of the work of the Bank of I.D.E.A.S. Currently over 35 schools across the country are involved in this initiative.

Funding for this initiative has been provided by the Department of Education, Science and Training. As part of the sustainability of this initiative, C.R.E.A.T.E. is currently placing the project tools on the web so they can be easily downloaded by any teacher or community facilitator.

Click here for details on C.R.E.A.T.E.

Ethiopian Youth Impact Library Top ^
Amazing the difference the arrival of 5000 books from Australia has made to this great initiative in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. This week another 5000 books are being dispatched due to the generosity of many individuals and groups across Australia.

If interested in contributing books or money towards the 3rd transfer of books in March 2007 please contact Pamela Kenyon at pk@bankofideas.com.au.

This library is the result of young woman’s dreams, commitment and energy, namely Konjit Berhanu. Konjit has given up her profession as a lawyer to work on a range of initiatives to support homeless young people in Addis Ababa.

Click here to view the Library's collection of images in our photo gallery.

Needed – any old unwanted laptop computers Top ^
The Bank of I.D.E.A.S. is in touch with a range of youth initiatives in Ethiopia, Kenya and India who could benefit from the gift of any unwanted but usable laptops. Projects are youth initiated and include library, sport, newspaper and community action projects.

If you can help, contact Maria D’Souza at pk@bankofideas.com.au.

Business Retention + Expansion International (BREI) - 2007 Annual Conference Top ^
The Business Retention + Expansion International (BREI) 2007 Annual Conference is being held in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada on June 4th - 8th. Peter Kenyon from Bank of I.D.E.A.S. is a keynote presenter.

Click here to go to the BREI website for more information.

As mentioned above, the Bank of I.D.E.A.S. is organising a community and economic development Study Tour around this event. Expressions of interest can be emailed to Peter Palmer at pp@bankofideas.com.au.

Thanks – Tom O’Toole Top ^
Tom O’Toole, the famous Beechworth Baker and Australia’s most popular business motivation speaker, has been a generous supporter of the C.R.E.A.T.E. Initiative since its launch, both in term of providing his videos and books and speaking at several of our C.R.E.A.T.E. schools. This week, Tom and Christine O’Toole will take time out from their busy life and will visit the Kellerberrin District High School in the Wheatbelt of Western Australia speaking to both C.R.E.A.T.E. students, and at a student organised community / business event.

Thanks Tom for your time and commitment to rural young people.

PS. Tom’s book Breadwinner and his three amazing DVD’s – Making Dough, Dare to Dream and Drop Everything for the Customer are key ingredients of the C.R.E.A.T.E. Tool Box. Click here for details on these DVD's and how to purchase them.

What A Great Idea Top ^

In the Nebraskan town of Ord, a local Community Investment Group has been formed – 15 local people put in $1000 each and contribute $100 per month.  The group then utilise the money to instigate positive developments in their town, and also use the fund to attract dollars for grants. 

Another great example of people caring about their community and its future!!

Town Centre Management – opportunities and challenges for Australia Top ^
Stephen Sully of ‘Planning by Design’ has just produced an excellent Report and Tool Kit on this subject the project has confirmed the fundamental economic, social and environmental importance of our traditional business / civic centres and provides a range of processes and strategies that can be pursued to facilitate their future planning, design, development, operation and management in an effective manner.

Project was sponsored by the Victorian Government Streetlife Project, City of Darebin and Surf Coast Shire.

For further information and access to the kit contact Stephen Sully on 03 5229 6451 or pbyd@pipeline.com.au.

Photo Galleries Top ^

The Photo Gallery section of our website has now gone live. There are currently four collections:

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

In the coming weeks a collection of some of the best town entrance statements will be added to the Photo Gallery section.

If you would like your town featured contact Peter Palmer at pp@bankofideas.com.au.

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

Great Leadership Quote Top ^

‘If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more and become more, you are a leader’

(John Quincey Adams)

New CSIRO - Sustainable Communities Initiative (SCI) Top ^
CSIRO has established a new type of partnership to draw expertise and resources from the public, private and civil sectors to assist communities to realise sustainable social, economic and environmental vitality.

Led by newly appointed Director, Sean Rooney, the SCI has evolved through discussion with organisations from across the public, private and civil sectors to explore how they might work together more effectively to support regions address sustainability challenges and opportunities.

The SCI will harness the knowledge, expertise and resources of partners and work with communities to develop knowledge-based solutions that tackle community-specific sustainability challenges and opportunities.

If you would like further information or would like to subscribe to their newsletter contact Sean Rooney – sean.rooney@csiro.au.

Place Planning in our Communities - Professional Development Event (Perth) Top ^
The Local Government Community Services Association of Western Australia (LGCSAWA) will be presenting the 1st session in their Professional Development Series entitled "Place Planning in our Communities" on 22 November 2006 at the Town of Vincent in Leederville WA.

For more information contact Maryka Mensink (LGCSAWA) on 08 9481 6531 or maryka@lgmawa.org.au.

Children and Young People are Key Stakeholders - 2007 Top ^
This is an exciting conference being planned in Perth, Western Australia for the 23 – 25th July, 2007. Currently organisers are calling for papers from both young and ‘not’ so young presenters.

For more details click here to go to the conference website. 

Raising Awareness of FAIRTRADE in Schools Top ^
Paul Kearney of Enterprise Design brought to our attention a great website that is raising awareness of FAIRTRADE in schools and other sections of the community.

The FAIRTRADE Mark is an independent consumer label which appears on products as an independent guarantee that disadvantaged producers in the developing world are getting a better deal. Producer organisations that supply FAIRTRADE products receive a minimum price that covers the cost of sustainable production and an extra premium that is invested in social or economic development projects.

Click here to go the FAIRTRADE website.

World Development Report. 2007: ‘Development and the Next Generation’ Top ^
Probably one of the most significant publications on youth development, this publication has been recently issues by the World Bank.

Today we have the largest youth cohort in history, and this Report encourages countries and communities to seize the window of opportunity to invest in their future before the aging process closes it.

This Report encourages action in five critical youth transitions that shape young people’s human capital – learning, working, staying healthy, forming families and exercising citizenship.

 

For a copy (cost $US 26.00) contact World Bank Publications. Fax: # # 1 – 703 – 661 – 1501.

Bulls (New Zealand) - Postscript Top ^
In the August Edition of this Newsletter, we featured the New Zealand town of Bulls which has instigated some unique marketing of their town through the use of the name Bulls. For example the Police Station is called 'Const-A-Bull', the Toilet is called Reliev-A-Bull and the Bank is called Bank-A-Bull etc. Following that edition, Bulls Mainstreet Co-ordinator Bronwyn Mead sent us the following neat story connected to the 'Bank-A-Bull' sign.

"A few years ago, a fork lift drove in and rammed into the wall and took the ATM and all the cash and then drove off down the road. The publican across the road at the Rathole rung the cops, and they thought he must have been drinking. Anyway, the next day it was all cordoned off as it would be, and that night someone tagged it with orange spray paint 'Rob-A-Bull'."

Click here to view the Bulls NZ collection of images in our photo gallery.

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