Fire-Starters– Ask Well Crafted Questions!

There are different theories, considerations and approaches to how to light a fire; how much kindling, how to pile the wood, when to add certain sized wood, how many matches to use... the many factors all depend on the purpose of the fire. Is it a low burning campfire, a rip roaring bonfire, or a 100 year old birthday cake?

The purpose of the fire, determines the crafting.

The same could be said when crafting questions. Questions are a key component in working together inivitatives.

When crafting questions there are many things to consider including emotion, tone, expected outcome, participants, how open/closed they need to be, the number of questions and what type of questions are really needed.


Let's simplify that by taking a look at the three village raising steps from last weeks blog and consider them through questions.


1. Gathering Questions (exploring awareness)
What are we talking about?
What meaning does that hold for us? What does it mean for our work?
What are we learning? From whom do we want/need to hear?

2. Sorting/Decision Making Questions: (exploring priorities and choices)
Why does this matter?
What’s most important?
What do we value? How will this impact our outcome?

3. Getting to Action Questions: (exploring ideas, goals and strengths)
What are we going to do about it?
What might happen if we...? What’s possible?
What are the next steps?

Be intentional with inquires, in order to inspire the kind of thought you aim to.
Flame on Village Fire-starters!

Village Raising Question: What's one of your favourite Gathering, Decision Making or Action question?

A Year of Raising the Village

Photo copyright - T.Dewar

Happy New Year! We have something exciting to launch in 2011 - 52 community building ideas coming your way! There are many different ways to Raise a Village so we are taking some of the innovative and timeless ideas we have researched and will be sharing them with you. Yes, a year of ideas that in and of themselves might not sound like a sustainable village effort, but pieced together they sure are impressive! Our post ideas will speak to the simple things, or the deep impressions, or a collective experience, or an event, or system changes, as we believe it takes all of this (and more)! We ask you to consider the year of ideas as a united tapestry – by taking these seemingly separate patchwork activity ideas and weaving them together into an integrated and coordinated strategy that aims at reducing child vulnerability and increasing community engagement and awareness. We encourage you to take your own grass roots approach and adapt and create what works for you and your community.

As the year of village raising ideas unfold...

• Be open to new ideas that spark a fresh initiative




• Watch for ideas that add to or strengthen an existing initiative




• Consider the “who” – who might be inspired by this idea. Is there something children, families or grandparents may want to take on?




• Might there be an idea that is the very bridge to services you have been looking for?




• What about ideas that will create new partnerships or new shared leadership opportunities?

Challenge yourself and take the ideas that get you bubbling and talk about them with people to see what develops. We ask you to enjoy the flavour of each individual idea and remember that they are part of a bigger, village raising picture!

We’d love to hear your ideas...please comment on any posts or email us through our website (http://www.raisingthevillage.ca/ )

Tracy & Tammy

Village Raising Questions (for the year)

· What activities add value to your existing community plans? (i.e. ECD strategic plan, governance structures, visions).
· What ideas are most “alive” and capable of continued growth?
· What activities will leave a legacy?
· Which ones speak most to “working together”? Engagement? Partnerships?
· Which activities give a voice to children, youth and families?

Book Club (should be on Oprah!)

A diverse collection of women, great food, fantastic conversation - a successful book club event.

Interested in hosting a book club of your own?

Get our book club guide filled with tips and questions to keep the discussion flowing when you sign up for our newsletter.

www.raisingthevillage.ca

Port Alberni & Ladysmith Book Launches

Thank you to all our colleagues, friends and family who came out to one of our book launch parties to celebrate with us.

Writing and publishing this book (Raising the Village) has been a wonderful journey and the support of people who are just as passionate about making positive community change is what keeps us going.

The photo is of Tammy signing a book for Nicki who we are a BIG fan of. When you read the book, you will follow a delightful group of children and an early childhood educator who teach us many things about building community. Nicki is the real, live early childhood educator in the story. Thanks again, Nicki!

Also ...a big thank you to Salamander Books in Ladysmith - as hosts for our launch, they provided a relaxed and delightfully literary setting.