My wish for our Lonehill community in 2007 is that our NEW LRA leadership recognises that the world of community and associated technologies - aka social networking - has changed markedly over the past 6 years since launching our community initiative. What was done in the past may very well not work in the future.
The change is akin to moving from the ox-wagon agricultural society of the early 1800's to Stevenson's 'Rocket' steam engine (1829) that ushered in new Industrial Revolution innovations of the time.
And that's my wish for us in 2007... innovative leadership & ideas in Lonehill.
We need leadership to recognise that communities are about conversations, collaborations, connections, communications. That communities must be OPEN... not 'closed'. That all comments and contributions (no matter how mature or immature) are to be welcomed for the input and insight that can be gathered from them. That there are no such things as community conversations that are 'negative' or 'anti' or 'slanging matches' unless leadership gets too sensitive or precious about themselves and cannot handle the criticism that comes with the position.
Here's some examples of how other 'communities' prepare for the above:
1. Building Blocks To Community Inclusion - a deliciously simple insight into stimulating community conversations. PDF
2. Vancouver Foundation: Community Conversations - Honest, open assessment feedback of internal/external challenges. PDF
3. Strengthening Community Collaborations - Simple layout of frameworks and processes for stimulating collaboration
4. ‘Conversation, Community, Connection, and Collaboration: Practical, New Technologies for User-Centered Services' - technical
5. The Attributes Of Community - Great piece on what makes a community buzz (see also ten tools for network building)
6. A Community Conversation - A professional assessment example format for stimulating feedback. PDF
7. The Cluetrain Manifesto - Markets Are Conversations - Elvis said it best: "We can't go on together with suspicious minds."
Here's what I'd like to see happening ASAP in Lonehill (preferably before end January - seem to recall that this is an LRA intention)... an intensive collaborative meeting of all interested and specifically-invited stakeholders to contribute their input into what will make Lonehill GREAT.
I'd like to see Malcolm Pike and his team from Crawford College there (with pupil representatives perhaps Grades 10's and 11's who can form a junior LRA council to add their inputs and innovations); local Church leaders and their teams; all complex and street leaders; business leaders (especially representing major business interests in and around our community); fire station and police/metro leaders, et al.
To my mind, we MUST have a community of some of the most talented individuals in society to have made it in life and business in and around Lonehill... why not tap into this source of immense innovation and ideas?
More than anything, wouldn't it be great to wrap up such a meeting with a social game of 20-over cricket - the community vs. the pupils and teachers of Crawford - to begin an annual tradition in Lonehill..? I can see braais burning and salads being eaten on the bank as the community wolf-whistles and cat-calls the heroes and fluffs of the day. If I can still see the ball I'd love to play - perhaps there can be a handicap advantage for over-50's... ;-)
Above picture found on link to Village Green Cricket.May your 2007 be everything you want it to be.
Regards
Trevor Nel - 705-2790
Lonehill Resident
