Welcome to ABCD in Action News!

This is the first edition of our newsletter since we've moved to a new platform for ABCD in Action. We hope it will be the first of many and will continue to improve as we move forward. The first thing we want to do is rename it. "ABCD in Action News" is pretty boring and we know you all are a creative group of people. Enter your suggestions for a new name here and your suggestion might earn you a prize.

ABCD Institute Partners with DePaul University, Chicago Illinois USA

Drawing upon 30 years of experience and accomplished community engagement, the internationally recognized Asset-Based Community Development Institute has relocated to DePaul's Irwin W. Steans Center for Community-Based Service Learning and Community Service Studies. Bringing the national headquarters to DePaul provides the ABCD Institute an opportunity to further its scholarship and work, and for the missions of both organizations to thrive. Learn more about this move.

Today's Tip: Posting on ABCD in Action

Once a month, we'll try to share some tips that will help you become more connected and engaged with ABCD in Action. Today's tip is about how to post in our online community.

There's a lot going on and many opportunities for you to get connected. Most of your posts can be done directly through your own personal profile. So if you want to post photos or videos, announce an event, or share your thoughts in a blog, log into the site and then click on your own name. Use the menu right below your name to post - just click on the type of item you want to post and then follow the directions. Experiment! You can't break anything here (and if something gets a little messed up, just email us at ABCDinAction@gmail.com to get it fixed).

One exception: You might want to join or start a conversation. All conversations take place in our Forum. Again we encourage you to try posting. It's a great way to make a new connection!

What's Happening?

Each newsletter, we'll highlight some of the newest items on ABCD in Action. Be sure to check them out!

Groups: We can help you start a group if you want a way for people in your local communities or geographic areas to get more connected, as we did with the ABCD Kenya group. If you are interested in what's happening in Kenya, be sure to join this group. Check out some of the other groups that are getting started.

Forum: The forum is where you can ask questions and engage in conversation. Here are some of the latest conversations. Note that, although some of these may have started a while ago, they have recent additions to the conversations. You can add to the forum by going here.

• ANYBODY HAVE ABCD RESOURCES IN FRENCH OR FOR AFRICAN CONTEXT?
• IS DEMONSTRATIONS AND BOYCOTTING PART OF ABCD ACTION?
• USING VISUAL ARTS AS A STARTING POINT FOR WRITING OUR STORIES - A STRENGTHS BASED APPROACH

Blogs: A great place to share your thoughts on a particular topic. Here are some of the latest blogs.

• Think Global, Act Local, by Hulula
• Jeder Co-Labs: The Internal Mechanics of Effective Collective Impact, by Dee Brooks.

Stories: Stories can be posted through the Blog menu on your profile page and then choosing "Stories" in the template. Here are some great stories.

• ABCD in Ngao Yetu, by Hulala
• If You Want to Build Community, Start Where the People Are, by Jim Diers
• Community Development Cliches to Avoid, by Ron Dwyer-Voss

We want to hear from you! What do you like about ABCD in Action? What ideas do you have for making it even better than it is? How might you contribute your gifts and talents in this online community? Share your thoughts here or email Deb at ABCDinAction@gmail.com.

Connect, Learn, Share!

Greetings!

It's been a while since we sent out a newsletter from ABCD in Action... so much has been happening! To start with, many of us (about 200 in fact) from about 20 countries attended the ABCD Festival in the United Kingdom back in June. What an exciting event that was! We want to welcome those new members here at ABCD in Action who joined after attending the Festival.

We are hoping that opportunities to learn, to share stories and to connect will continue to take place in various places around the world. If you're planning an event, either small or large, please feel free to post it on theEvents page here at ABCD in Action so we can share it with this entire community.

"Community Engagement"

Lookingaround ABCD in Action, you may notice the number of people using the term "community engagement." Someconversations that have been started include:

• Karenisinterested in any ideas or projects that have worked well, as well as how important is community engagement to enablement.
• Noreenis interested in activities and tools for a workshop on Community Engagement.
• Debjust wants to know what you mean when you say "community engagement."

Feel free to join or start your own conversations!

What's happening on ABCD in Action?

Join conversations, share your ideas and stories, ask questions, connect with each other....

• ABCD applied to conservation/natural resource management, a conversation with Nicole
• The Light House of Hill, bySuman Chowdhury Mony
  
• Make Serious Change by Having Fun, by Jim Diers
• Therelevance of ABCD Ontology in integrating emerging farmers in the mainstream South African economy, by Moshe Molefe
• The ABCDs of including caregivers in community, by Donna Thomson
• Meet our newest membersand say hello!

Events

There are several ABCD-relatedlearningopportunitiesand events coming up. Be sure to check these out and feel free to post your own.

• AConversationwithJohn McKnight and Peter Block(no cost to participate), Oct. 6, 2015
• ABCD Meetup in Madison, with Deb Wisniewski and Steve Kretzmann, Oct. 30, 2015

Questions or Comments about ABCD in Action?

Feel free to contact any of the members of the Stewardship Team:Deb, Ron, Dan, Mary, Dee,MichelleandApril

Connect, Learn, Share!

ABCD Festival 2015

The ABCD Festival starts a month from today! Are you signed up to go? You can learn more about the Festival and book your place by going to the ABCD Festival 2015 website.

What are your hopes for the Festival? What would you like to talk about at the Festival? What questions do you have? Share your thoughts in this conversationon ABCD in Action.

"Working in the Gap"

This month we're continuing our conversations about "Working in the Gap" by asking this question: Can people learn to do gap work? Or do you need to be a "natural'?What kind of learning supports gappers (either trained gappers or natural gappers)? Share you perspective.

You can also listen to a recording of the conversation about "working in the gap" between John McKnight, Peter Block and Tom Mosgaller (with comments from other ABCD Faculty) on TalkShoe. Simply go to the TalkShoe websiteand scroll down to Episode 28 from April 7, 2015.

We have otherconversations, blogs and eventstaking place around this topic. Feel free to join or respond to any of these. You are also welcome to start your own conversation or to share your thoughts on this topic in a blog.

What else is happening on ABCD in Action?

Join conversations, share your ideas and stories, ask questions, connect with each other....

• Grassroots Organizing, a conversation with Matt Grantham
• Job Posting: Director of Community Development and Social Networks, from Building Caring Communities.
• Meet our newest membersand say hello!

Events

There are several ABCD-relatedlearningopportunitiesand events coming up. Be sure to check these out and feel free to post your own.

• Creating Sustainable Community, May 20-21
• Neighbors: Policies and Programs, June 8-10
• Become a Metanoia Fellow, Deadline June 15

Questions or Comments about ABCD in Action?

Feel free to contact any of the members of the Stewardship Team:Deb, Ron, Dan, Mary, DeeandApril

Connect, Learn, Share!

If you're interested in connecting, learning and sharing about ABCD, there's a lot happening around the world and here on ABCD in Action. Here are some things you may want to know about.

ABCD Festival 2015

In June 2015, to mark the 20th Anniversary of the ABCD Institute, people from around the world will be gathering in the village of Ribby Hall, in Blackpool in England for the The ABCD Festival. This festival will gather together people who have fostered place-based, citizen-led, and asset-based social movements. Learn more about this amazing festivaland how you can attend.

If you'reinterested in attending the festival, but are concerned about registration costs, there are some scholarships available for a limited time. Check out thisannouncementto learn more.

"Working in the Gap"

In our last newsletter, we introduced the concept of "Working in the Gap." While this name may not be familiar to you, many ABCD folks instantly recognize the ideas behind the label - that there is a transformation taking place as institutions work to become asset-focused and community-driven.

We now have conversations, blogs and eventstaking place around this topic. Feel free to join or respond to any of these. You are also welcome to start your own conversation or to share your thoughts on this topic in a blog.

What else is happening on ABCD in Action?

Join conversations, share your ideas and stories, ask questions, connect with each other....

• When the Internet generation thinks ABCD is a dinosaur?- a conversation with Magdalena Valderrama Hurwitz
• Anyone have ABCD resources in French or for African context?- a conversation with Lynn Hutchinson
• What do Gappers actually "do"? What are their functions?- a conversation with Deb Wisniewski
• Seize the Opportunity of Crisis to Rebuild Communityby Jim Diers
• Village Transformed by Kissing Frogby Jim Diers
• My Neon Cathedralby Dee Brooks
• Meet our newest membersand say hello!

Questions or Comments about ABCD in Action?

Feel free to contact any of the members of the Stewardship Team:Deb, Ron, Dan, Mary, DeeandApril

Greetings from ABCD inAction!

If you haven't visited ABCD in Action recently, it may be time for you to stop by and see what's happening. With over 1300 members from more than 50 countries, this unique online community about Asset-Based Community Development is a great place to share ideas, ask questions, and make connections. Here is just a sampling of what's been happening lately on ABCD in Action:

• Inspiration Software- this conversation started last summer, but continues now. about technology that people use to think about possibilities.
• Job Announcementfor an Organizing Coordinator at the Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities

• ABCD and the Church- an Interview With John McKnight

• Asset-Mapping Steps- by Ron Dwyer-Voss

• Finding Opportunities in Conflict- by John Hamerlinck

"Working in the Gap"

Over the last several years, a new concept has been evolving within ABCD practice. Known as "working in the gap," it attempts to capture the work of individuals and organizations that are trying to bridge the "gap" between community and institutions. A group of ABCD practitioners and leaders are trying to understand this concept in practice and we are inviting you to join the conversation.

We are starting with a blog that attempts to describe what "working in the gap" means to us. We also have posted a initial conversation asking what it means to be a "gapper." We're hoping you will read, ponder, converse and contribute your thoughts about what working in the gap means to you.

• Working in the Gap(blog)
• Working in the Gap: What does it mean to you?(conversation)

Questions or Comments about ABCD in Action?

Feel free to contact any of the members of the Stewardship Team:Deb, Ron, Dan, Mary, DeeandApril

Greetings from ABCD inAction!

ABCD in Action is your community. It's the easiest way to connect with people who are putting ABCD into practice around the world. Because we are more than just an online resource page, we depend on the more than 1100 members from around the world to ask each other questions, engage in discussions, share ideas, and support each other. Members come from all walks of life and range from "newbies" (just heard about ABCD today!) to the people who live and breathe ABCD principles.

In the upcoming months, we'll be sharing information with you about how you can participate more on ABCD in Action. If you have any questions, feel free to contact a member of the ABCD in Action Stewardship Team - They're listed in the right-hand column of the website.

Have you visited ABCD in Action lately? Don't you think it's time you did?

Where Can I Post?

Members have lots of options for sharing questions, ideas, news, and resources with each other. If you're wondering where to post, here are some basic guidelines:

• If you want toconnect and interact with other members and/or have something you want to discuss (example: asking a question, getting suggestions or ideas), start or join aConversation.

• If your primary goal is totell or share something with the other members of ABCD in Action (example: sharing a resource or tool; telling a story; contribute your experiences or thoughts), post it in the Blog. (People who post a blog usually welcome comments from other members).

• If you want to invite people to join you for an event (either face-to-face, online, or through other technology), post it inEvents.

Conversations

Conversationsare a great way to connect and support each other. Here are some conversations that you can join - feel free to start a new conversation as well:

• Charles is interested in knowing what it takes to be an ABCD practitioner. What do you think?
• Magdalena is so interested in training volunteer interviewers that she's posted two conversations to ask what you all think... This oneand this one.... Feel free to ask her questions and/or give her some ideas.
• Caleb has been pondering what "abundance" means- share your thoughts with him.

Blogs

ABCD Members are a thoughtful and generous group of people. Just check out some of the great ideas, stories and resources that have been shared with this community through the Blogs- consider adding your own blog post and/or commenting on someone else's:

• Healthy People and Communities Takes a Relay Race, by Dan Duncan
• Four Strategies for Finding and Working with Associations, by John Hamerlinck

• Landfill Communities Fund, by Andy Hodgkinson

Upcoming Events

Do you have an event you'd like to share with the members of ABCD inAction? All members are invited toshare your trainings, community gatherings, etc. on the Events page. Whether you're meeting face-to-face, online, or through other technology (example: phone, Skype and Google Hangout), you're welcome to post your event. Here are some upcoming events you may want to check out:

• ABCD Newcastle, Australia practitioner Gathering(Callaghan, Newcastle, Australia)- Dee is inviting anyone who's in her area to get together to share ideas and support each other.
• Investing in Gifts & Stories(Audioconference) - Bruce would like you to join a great group for a conversation about how investing in gifts and stories can transform communities
• Unconference: A Participant-Driven Gathering(Kurri Kurri, NSW Australia) - This upcoming event promises to focus on the topics that are important to you as people gather to explore new and innovative practices.

Thank You for Your Support!

ABCD inActionrelies on our members to support this online community through your participation and your financial contributions. We recently began accepting financial donations to help us with the expenses associated with this network. If you haven't donated yet,please consider making a donation today.

If you have any questions about making a donation, feel free to contact Deb Wisniewski atabcdinaction@gmail.com.

Greetings from ABCD in Action!

It's been a busy year at ABCD in Action. Since Jan. 1st, we've added over 100 people, bringing our total membership to over 800 members from 43 countries! I hope you'll join me in welcoming our new members, as well as getting to know some of our "older" members.

As always, there are great questions, questions, conversations, videos & more on ABCD in Action. Why don't you take a few minutes and check these out?

Connect & Share

Members are sharing questions, ideas, and news with each other. Won't you take a few moments to join some conversationsand share ideaswith each other?

• Heather would like some advice about introducing ABCD to a group that is issue-based(not geographically connected).
• Steve is looking for stories about communities supporting literacy.
• Lauren is interested in talking about ABCD in Technology/Infrastructure.
• Logan shared a story about gang violence in Chicago- what do you think?
• Conner has started a holistic learning community, focusing on ABCD, in Columbus, Georgia.
• Rex is thinking aboutthe power of connectors.

Groups

• ABCD:DC- This new group was recently begun by Logan. Do you live and/or work in the Washington, DC area? Would you like to connect with others to think about how ABCD can be practiced in their DC neighborhoods? Then ABCD:DC is the group for you! ContactLogan directly if you have questions.

Videos

• Ram Shrestha discussesCommunity Health Systems
• Deb shared a video about inviting neighbors to participate in community development(from Communities First Association).
• And manymore videos that inform, inspire and make us laugh out loud.

Upcoming Events

Do you have an event you'd like to share with the members of ABCD in Action? All members are invited to share your trainings, community gatherings, etc. on our Events page. If you have questions about this, please feel free to contact Deb Wisniewski.

• Effective Community Partnerships (Webinar). Join Dan Duncan & Mike Green (ABCD faculty members) to learn abouthow neighborhood residents and organizations can work together. Sept. 12, 2013.

Thank You for Your Support!

ABCD in Action relies on our members to support this online community through your participation and your financial contributions. We recently began accepting financial donations to help us with the expenses associated with this network. If you haven't donated yet, please consider making a donation today.

If you have any questions about making a donation, feel free to contact Deb Wisniewski at abcdinaction@gmail.com.

Greetings from ABCD in Action!

Welcome to all the new members who have joined us recently. We've added almost 50 new people since the beginning of the year, bringing our current membership to 762 people from around the world. Be sure to check out the newest membersof this community and say hello to them. You can also look around at the "old-timers"and see the wealth of talent they bring to this community.

A lot has been happening at ABCD in Action. We hope you'll check out these interesting questions, conversations, videos & more!

Conversations

Members are sharing questions, ideas, and news with each other. Won't you take a few moments to join these conversations?

• Jenny would like to know about any resources that showdifferent types of community involvement.
• Rodney shared an article aboutan ABCD-inspired gathering place in his community.
• Alistair is interested inhow ABCD and appreciative inquiry can be used to engage people who are homeless.
• Maria Teresa would like to ideas and advice about a skills inventory for a Latino community.
• Conner is interested in startingan asset-based, grassroots, holistic initiativein his neighborhood community and would love to hear your ideas.
• Ron shared Rev. Damon Lynch's call to action to address violencein neighborhoods.

And many more conversationshappening that you can join!

Videos

• John McKnight recently shared some new videoswith us. Be sure to check them out!
• A video guaranteed to get you up on your feet...Dancing!
• A story about a community:Richland Together Let's Connect
• And manymore videos that inform, inspire and make us laugh out loud.

Thank You for Your Support!

ABCD in Action relies on our members to support this online community through your participation and your financial contributions. We recently began accepting financial donations to help us with the expenses associated with this network. If you haven't donated yet, please consider doing so by going to ABCD in Action and clicking on the Donate button in the right-hand column. If you have any questions about making a donation, feel free to contact Deb Wisniewski at abcdinaction@gmail.com.

A special thank you to these individuals who recently made a financial donation to ABCD in Action:

• Lisa Owens
• Allison Hammond
• James Conn
• John McKnight
• Jay Van Groningen
• Susan Rans
• Bruce Anderson
• Andy Gordon