1. Community and systems Change by Paul Born

2. Our work is important. Why? For People:For Our Community:

3. What is a community system? … Consider your partners, donors …Consider the interconnected relationships …Consider what makes for a great quality of life in your community

4. What is your role in this community system? What roles do we play? What other roles could we play?

5. Can a community system change? …. If so, how?... How has it (Traverse city) changed in the past several years? … What role can we play to help it change?

6. Our Work is Simple Technically Socially Like baking bread, if we follow the recipe we can replicate the outcome.

7. Our Work is Complicated Like sending a rocket to the moon, it is complicated but the more we do it the better we get at it.

8. Our Work is Complex Like raising a child – success with one does not necessarily mean success with the next one

9. Complex Community Issues Difficult to frame A lot of interconnected root causes require interconnected responses Many stakeholders need to be involved in addressing issues Dynamic and adaptive environment Unique to the local context

10. Think – Pair - Share How do we work differently on complex issues vs simple issues? What implications does this have for the Grand Vision?

11. The Opportunity Three Kinds of Outcomes People Outcomes (similar to working on a project basis) Increased knowledge about the issue Improved educational opportunities Improved services for people Reduced incidence of destructive behaviors More people giving to the work Stronger social networks between groups Organizational Outcomes Improved skills and knowledge of organizations More money Stronger commitment of organizations to work on the issue Increased partnerships New programs & services Community Outcomes Stronger collaboration in the community Adjusted policies Increased public awareness

12. Form a multi sector Leadership Team Form a multi sector Leadership Team Create A vision and community action plan Create A vision and community action plan Build A network of supporters Build A network of supporters Implement the plan Implement the plan Renewal Community Mobilization Approach Community Mobilization Approach Builds Engagement Builds Common Purpose Builds Momentum Acting like an Organization and Thinking like a Movement in a way that… …so that we become the communities we want to be.

13. Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world. Indeed it is the only thing that ever has. - Margaret Mead 1.Engage the right stakeholders (donors, professionals, clients) 2.Embrace diversity (all cultural groups, ages, etc) 3.Multisector representation is a must (gov., voluntary, business) 4.Organize around a common value (ending violence) - not tactics 5.Build relationships and trust by developing a common understanding Form a Multisector Leadership Team

14. The Top 100 Exercise Identify the top 20 people in your community. Ask, “If these people agreed, would things change?” Who?Why?Current Involvement Engage the right stakeholders (donors, professionals, clients) Embrace diversity (all cultural groups, ages, etc.) Multisector representation is a must (gov., voluntary, business)

15. Build a Network of Supporters “When we ask “who cares” we invite in others who are also passionate about an issue. And, when we ask “what’s possible?” it opens up to unprecedented creativity”. - Margaret Wheatley 1. Make every learning event a discovery – what's possible? 2. Make every fundraising event or call an opportunity to engage. 3. Document your discoveries – share these widely 4. Build a list of people who have attended (very important) 5. Be strategic about building momentum - consider a year of conversations in your community

16. Build a Network of Supporters Exercise: Engagement Strategies You Can Use EventsWhy?Who? Consider current events – learning and fundraising events you already do. Consider new events specifically designed to discuss issues, or engage specific populations.

17. Create a Vision and Community Plan Together “Cherish your visions and your dreams as they are the children of your soul, the blueprints of your ultimate achievements”. - Napoleon Hill 1. You will get tired of talking but…not too soon 2. Conversations are the emergent phase and provide the opportunity for engaging new people, for new donors to build common understanding and also create the “momentum of the possible.” 3. Use large organizational strategic plans as a guidepost and then develop your own for your community. People, when they are engaged, desire to create their own plans rather than adopt someone else's. 4. There is no right or wrong plan or vision – the only defining principle is that the people who are engaged in building it own it. 5. Doing and planning can happen at the same time.

18. Create a Vision and Community Plan Together Exercise: A Community Plan What is the key advantage to talking and engaging people for a year before you build a community plan or agree on a vision?

19. Collaborate to Implement the Plan as a Campaign “The collaborative premise says: If you bring the appropriate people together in constructive ways with good information, they will create authentic visions and strategies for addressing the shared concerns of the organization and community.” - David Chrislip Remember ALL Action – “a bias for doing” Leadership – “go first where there is leadership” Learning and change – As you enter the system things will change

20. Collaborate to Implement the Plan as a Campaign Exercise: Develop a Community Celebration Plan/Agenda of Your Success in Year One Consider five changes you might celebrate Consider the kinds of people you might recognize Consider the donors you want to recognize Consider any announcements you might be making

21. Renewal Consider developing your plan for a specific period of time A one-year plan is too short A seven-year plan feels too long A four-year plan feels just right We have a much more difficult time measuring outcomes, sustaining commitment, etc. if we keep a process open-ended Renewal can be part of the plan

22. Engagement, Common Purpose and Momentum Building 5 Good Ideas 1.Every meeting is an opportunity to engage. 2.Every person is a potential donor or supporter. 3.When people achieve “common purpose” the result is truly exponential. 4.Communicate those activities that show the change you hope to see. 5.Credibility attracts capacity which fuels results and, in turn, capital.

23. Keeping in Touch Engage! We will send you an email with notes and follow up learning. Visit our website: www.tamarackcommunity.ca