A SENZ Conference Wellington: September 2009

1. ASENZ ConferenceWellington: September 2009 (We need to) harness the internal productive capacities, both money and people, that already exist in communities Barak Obama “Despite the deep insecurity of our times, community is more important than ever. …. We have the power to create a new story and ignite a new movement for community”. Eric Young, Canadian Social Change leader, President of EYE

2. Covering today… • Conversations, connection, intention • The ‘Great Start’ Taita story…. • … and others • About Inspiring Communities • Community-led development

3. Setting the Scene… • Where do you live now? • When is your community at it’s best? • What makes ‘the best’ possible?

4. Great Start Taita

5. Taita Taita A “supported” community 6,000 population A “supported” community Taita, Lower Hutt, North Island NZ

6. Barnardos NZ Beyond Silos to Integrated Services

7. The Old Nunnery A building from which to base services 30% of Taita’s population under 14 (Hutt City 23%)

8. Knocking on 1000 doors And ending up on front lawns, around kitchen tables, on doorsteps, in lounges, at front gates, on street corners and in offices. Those houses: 70% (49%) rental; 60% government rental (29%); median income $36,000 ($56,000)

9. It’s all about connecting and re-connecting Person by person, opportunity by opportunity

10. From the kitchen table to the community table Larger conversations – getting to know you events, public meetings, open homes, celebratory gatherings, learning forums, planning days.

11. Learning Learning how to notice – what happens, patterns, the unexpected, the familiar, strengths, the spaces in between .. building intention and possibility.

12. Presencing Staying with the “not knowing” until something new emerges

13. Having faith that what you have done is enough, rather than simply doing more and more. This leaves others space to come and stand beside you.

14. Developing the local economy Small steps to start • Market Days • 1st market, 30 stalls • Small businesses • Two men and their toys • Roopu harakeke flax weaving, language art and business

15. The story of the children and the council Inspiring new energy and new perspectives .

16. The world has changed for expectant parents A community that notices . Access to midwifery, pre and post-natal care almost impossible 2 years ago... then • Because of energetic midwife and Great Start a pregnant mum, partner and children can visit midwife and get all support locally • Connect with other families • Be linked to support once baby born While at Great Start: • create ‘memory box ‘ for new baby • Local mum taken another step – baby packs for each new baby to celebrate and welcome to the community

17. More than Taita Communities that notice, act and build change together Neat Streets, Massey www.waitakere.govt.nz/ OurPar/masseycommunity.asp Community rat trap making Stewart Island/Rakiura 20% community involved 35,000 visitors– for 1/3rd bird life is key attraction

18. What is Inspiring Communities? • NZ as a network of strong, interdependent communities who connect, collaborate and thrive .. To be authors of their own destiny • We support local communities to achieve their goals by: • Promoting the power of working together • Supporting leadership and learning in community-led development • Linking people, projects and place with resources, tools and new knowledge through the Inspiring Communities Exchange

19. What drove us? • Connecting with the • ‘wish for community’ in place • Understanding the magic? • Stop re-inventing the wheel – connecting and learning • Three levels of collaboration • Across the country- between communities • Across organisations and institutions • At resident/street level

20. What is Community-Led Development? People In Communities Funders Central Govt Local Govt Academic Business Iwi Maori Community groups • Outcome:thriving and resilient communities • Intentional focus on communities of ‘place’ • Local residents at the heart: actors not clients • Intersection with communities of interest • Co-creating a shared way forward • Collaborative multi-sector tables • Look for commonalities • Celebrate diversity & difference “You need champions willing to step off the kerb”

21. What is Community-Led Development? • Building from strengths and assets • Unleashing creative solutions • Supporting catalytic leaders • Increasing connections and participation • Learning and adapting • Celebrating tangible results and changes • Whole systems change People In Communities Central Govt Local Govt Funders Academic Business Iwi Maori Community groups

22. Core Learning Cluster Gaining focus - Strengthening local leadership- Building collaboration Tamaki, Auckland Massey Matters, Waitakere Opotiki Good Cents, Porirua Great Start Taita, Lower Hutt • Stewart Island/ • Rakiura Mataura, Southland

23. Inspiring Communities Exchange, Guiding Group – business, Maori, funders, community organisations, government National Network Auckland Network The Exchange Core Learning Cluster Wellington Network Experience from core learning cluster of 8 initiatives spiraling out to regional networks and a growing national network supported by the Exchange

24. What we are learning…. • The Cathedral within… • “Small steps not giant leaps” • “It takes as long as it takes” • No ‘one size fits all’ model • But transferable principles and tools • Relationships and trust • Go to people where they are • Active and deep listening • Add value to others first • Mentor, inspire, support and resource • Invest in passion, energy and opportunity

25. What we are learning…. • Understanding the ‘unknowing space’ • Innovation and new knowledge found at the ‘edge’ • Be prepared to take risks • Emergent • Be prepared for living with uncertainty • Quick runs to show change is possible • Seeing is believing • A learning journey… • Expecting and accepting failure • Growing our evidence base • Telling and Valuing stories • Developmental evaluation • What are we seeing and learning? How could it change what we do? “There will be failures along the way – we need to make them smart failures” Mark Cabaj

26. What we are learning…. • Social capital - often missing… • Bonding • Bridging • Leveraging • The what and the HOW • Growing movements for change • Egos at the door • Expect and manage the ‘tango’ • Tension healthy and normal! • Top-down meets bottom- up • Analytical vs intuitive styles • Empowering resident voice and action • Door knocking • Local events “We can do it ourselves, but we can’t do it on our own” “Faster alone, further together”

27. Funding True partnership based on agreed purpose, trust, shared learning and joint responsibility.