Walk A Mile

Photo Credit: Richard Chicoine iCopyright 2009

Walk a Mile in My Footsteps
Where Does Our Journey Start?

This month, our leadership journey takes us to the core of community and the examination of sustainable livelihoods...vulnerability...resilience perhaps? What are the questions that emerge from this complex base of poverty, homelessness, gender issues and inclusiveness?

A. Let’s start with definitions:

1. Poverty: From the Canadian International Development Agency: “…the lack of human, physical, and financial capital needed to sustain livelihoods, and inequities in access to, and control of, and benefits from political, social, or economic resources.”

2. Poverty Reduction: The process of not only relieving, but actually reducing, the depth of people’s poverty by ensuring access to political, social or economic resources by building and engaging community.

Poverty Reduction attacks the root causes of poverty, not just the symptoms.

3. Community Engagement: people working collaboratively, through inspired action and learning, to create and realize bold visions for their common future.

4. Multisectoral collaboration strengthens a community’s capacity to address important issues by weaving together the skills, resources, networks and knowledge of the government, business, voluntary sectors and low-income leaders.

Multisectoral collaboration is based on 6 key principles:
i. Everyone is the solution and the problem.
ii. Together we can do more.
iii. We do not have answers - only a commitment to learn, change and grow.
iv. We take on issues that no one sector can take on alone.
v. Together we create increased Credibility, Capacity and Capital for the work.
vi. The synergy is magic!
Source: Tamarack Community



B. Quotes to Think About...or talk about with family and friends...

“The trouble with being poor is that it takes up all your time.” ~Willem de Kooning

“Affluence creates poverty.” ~Marshall McLuhan

“It would be nice if the poor were to get even half of the money that is spent in studying them.” ~Bill Vaughan

C. Read About... (your readings for this month)

Strategy 6, Build A Culture of Excellence in 7 Strategies for Master Leaders (sent by email)

Whole Brain Book: CEO’s, Chapters 15 & 18

Tamarack Community: Poverty at http://tamarackcommunity.ca/g3s3_35.html

• See the Canadian Council on Social Development report for a good overview of the different perspectives of poverty and the history of the ‘poverty definition’ debate.
• The Fraser Institute on measuring poverty in Canada
• Great stuff and links... what are you curious about?

D. Engage in a Teleconference on Thursday February 26:

The Caledon Institute for Social Policy and the Vibrant Communities movement bring practitioners and government policy makers together to reduce poverty and improve the prosperity of all Canadians. Learn what elements are key to any poverty policy, what roles communities and governments can play in policy development, and what tools are available to help place-based initiatives create lasting change.
Sign in at Tamarack events here: http://tamarackcommunity.ca/g1_events.html

Also: Wednesday March 4 at 1 pm: Partnering with Business to End Homelessness (sign in as above).


E. CAP TEAMS Presentations for March 12.09:

• The theme for your 12 minute presentation is: “What we’ve learned so far”.
• Discuss your team and individual learnings, challenges, observations and aha moments about your project, your host organization and leadership strategies.
• There’s theory, and then there’s reality!
• Your presentations will tie in with this month’s key leadership skill: Operational Excellence

As always, if you need help, just ask!

- Maggie