Forum Activity for @abcd-in-action

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@abcd-in-action
07/01/22 03:49:19PM
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Global Gathering Key Ideas: Neighboring


ABCD and Community Organizing/Engagement


What If "Neighbor" Meant More Than Just the People Living Next Door?


Earlier this year (2022), Joel Zaslofsky co-hosted two Global Gatherings with me to explore an idea he's passionate about - "neighboring". What if the word "neighbor" meant more than just the person who lived next door? What if we thought of "neighboring" as a verb, actions that someone could take in their community? What might that look like?

Here are some of the ideas/stories that we shared:

* Neighboring is intentional. Find ways to be a neighbor in the best sense of the word. Start conversations. Remember names. 

* Consider the power of invitation and welcoming. What does this look like in your community?

* Find out what's already going on in your community. Find ways to let people know and celebrate together.

* Meal swap: a group of families take turns preparing meals for each other each week. 

* Potlucks, sharing garden produce and baking, block parties, "driveway" parties, sharing favorite recipes any opportunities to get together over food.

* Community gardening: Set up an area in the community for people to have garden plots; "Yard-in" - someone turns over part of their yard to the community for a garden; Plant your own garden in front of your house (instead of out back) and invite people to share the work/the produce.

* Connecting people who experience houselessness with opportunities to share their gifts with the community, especially with youth.

* Front Yard Living - sit out in front of your house and engage with neighbors and people passing by

* Organize neighborhood clean-ups

* Learn about the stories and history of your community. Find ways to celebrate together.

* Little Free Libraries, Little Free Art Galleries, Little Free Poetry Corners, Little Free Pantries.... the possibilities are endless!

* Organize a Community Creative Idea Generator. Create a neighborhood listening process. Ask people, "This neighborhood would be stronger, better when... " Ask them how they can help make that happen. Connect people who care about the same things.

* Create a community bulletin board (in person and/or on FaceBook)

Some resources mentioned during the Global Gathering:

* Bethel University, A pop-up university for the community, by the community! Bethel University is a unique community pop-up university in Bethel, Vermont. During the month of March each year, anyone can teach courses on any topic under the sun.

* Take a street and build a community, YouTube video

Quotes about neighboring:

We've been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbor. ~ Bob Moorehead

When strangers start acting like neighbors, communities are reinvigorated. ~ Ralph Nader

Nothing makes you more tolerant of a neighbor’s noisy party than being there. ~Franklin P. Jones

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@abcd-in-action
07/01/22 03:00:39PM
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Global Gathering Key Ideas: Older Adults


ABCD and Aging


How Can We Recognize And Unlock The Assets Of Older Adults, in Order to Build Stronger Communities?


John Migliaccio joined me to co-host our ABCD Global Gatherings this spring focusing on older adults in our communities. 

Some of the key ideas that were explored included:

* Every older adult is a unique person, with unique gifts and challenges.

* Relationships are the most valued things in an older person's life. Too often friends begin to pass away and younger family members may drift away and an older person may become isolated. At the same time, many older adults work hard to keep their relationships strong. There is power in relationships.

* Older adults can be taken for granted or their contributions discounted. In fact, in many communities, older retired people make things happen. 

* If you want to get the word out about something, tell an older adult. They often know many people in the community and can provide a way of getting out information to a wide network of people. 

* Listening is one of the most important things we can do to discover the gifts of older adults. They may not know what gifts they have or they may not think their gifts are anything special. 

* Older adults often posses an abundance of stories, about themselves, their families and neighbors, their communities. Stories are one of the most overlooked assets of a community. Find ways for people to share their stories, especially with the youth of the community.

* Older adults in a community have a history there. They can share their vision for their community, based on the long view.

* Check out pickleball! This sport is being embraced by older adults looking not only to keep fit, but to have a connection to other people in their community. 

* Intergenerational opportunities are valuable for all involved. Find ways to connect young people and older adults in ways that allow them to share and appreciate each other's gifts. 

* Pay attention to the "ringleaders" and the "busybodies". They are often looking for ways to be connected, to contribute. 

Some resources mentioned during the Global Gathering:

"Contrary to widespread beliefs that older populations consume resources that would otherwise go to youth, there is growing reason to think that older people may be just the resource children need." —Laura Carstensen

 “Aging is not 'lost youth' but a new stage of opportunity and strength.” ― Betty Friedan

Feel free to add your thoughts, resources, and questions related to this topic below.

Deb

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Deb Wisniewski

Lead Community Host, ABCD in Action

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@abcd-in-action
07/01/22 02:25:42PM
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Global Gathering Key Ideas: Disasters


ABCD and Disaster/Emergency Management


How Can ABCD Support Communities Before, During, And After Disasters?


Back in May 2022, we held two ABCD Global Gatherings that focused specifically on disasters, with Steve Kretzmann (USA) and Michelle Dunscombe (Australia). The main question we explored was How Can ABCD Support Communities Before, During, And After Disasters?

Some of the key ideas that were explored included:

* When an emergency occurs, it's too late to start building community. Don't wait for a disaster or emergency to build community. Community building comes before an emergency. 

* Having said that, it's important to just start now with what you have. Find the assets in the community, connect and mobilize them. If you have strong community and strong relationships, you don't necessarily need an emergency management plan. Without a strong community and strong relationships, the most elaborate emergency management plan won't help.

* With all that in mind, it's important to build trust, deal with issues of systemic oppression and inequity. Work to remove stigma, such as home owners are treated differently than renters. Have conversations about gifts. Help people identify what it values as a community. 

* When disaster strikes, remember to hold people in their trauma. 

* Focus on relationships. They are the most important ingredient before, during, and after disasters.

Some resources mentioned during the Global Gathering:

“But it is not bureaucrats who will be the first-responders when the next disaster, whether brought by terrorists or some other agent, comes. It won’t even be the police or firefighters. It will be our neighbors, it will be the strangers in the next car, it will be our family members.” ~ Lee Clarke, disaster sociologist

Whether you attended the ABCD Global Gatherings on this question or not, feel free to share your thoughts, questions, and resources on this topic below.

Deb 

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Deb Wisniewski

Lead Community Host, ABCD in Action


updated by @abcd-in-action: 07/01/22 02:30:05PM
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@abcd-in-action
03/24/22 12:51:36PM
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Think Globally, Act Locally


ABCD - New topics


As we witness what's happening with the war in Ukraine, I'm often overwhelmed by a feeling of helplessness to do anything about it. I've heard stories of people flying from all parts of the world to Poland and Ukraine to offer assistance in a wide variety of ways. Others are opening their pocketbook to offer financial resources to deal with the war, support refugees, and more. 

For those of us that cannot leave our homes to help in person and who don't have the financial resources to offer, I'm struck by the simple phrase, "Think Globally, Act Locally". What can we do locally to help with the current situation? What can we do locally that will strengthen our local communities and how does that help the situation in another part of the world? 

I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Deb 

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Deb Wisniewski

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@abcd-in-action
10/25/21 02:03:28PM
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Ideas, Comments, Questions, etc. for ABCD in Action


About ABCD in Action & How do I....?

Fasoranti Damilola: Has anyone created the intro online course? If not..I am interested in collaborating with the team eager and ready to do this. If it has been created, can you please share how to access it? Then, @jean-smith and @deb-wisniewski, did you get an lead to a curriculum to use for youth leadership? Thank you.

You might want to reach out to Kim Hopes at the ABCD Institute - abcd@depaul.edu. They have offered online training for ABCD in the past and may again. I don't see anything currently on their website, but they also post their trainings here on ABCD in Action and we try to announce them through our newsletter. 

As for youth leadership, you might want to check out and join this conversation: https://abcdinaction.org/community/forum/abcd-and-youth/1145/looking-for-a-curriculum-or-model-based-on-abcd-to-use-with-youth-leadershipthanks

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@abcd-in-action
08/05/21 01:11:12PM
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CV and ABCD - How to structure a resume based on ABCD


Open Discussions



Hello - I am familiar with the traditional shape of a resume or curriculum vitae that I would create to help with job hunting. ABCD teaches us to value contributions beyond economic participation and to focus on diverse gifts. So what headings do you use to structure your resume for ABCD?


Question submitted by Peter Bates


updated by @abcd-in-action: 02/14/23 06:54:28PM
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@abcd-in-action
01/19/21 03:24:36PM
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Building Community during a Pandemic


Coronavirus and Communities

Great question, Tracey. I'll be including your question in the newsletter we send out at the beginning of Feb. 

Deb

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Deb Wisniewski 

ABCD in Action

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@abcd-in-action
01/07/21 04:06:15PM
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Aging and Villages


ABCD and Aging

Hi Michael - Can you say more about this idea of aging services, village and ABCD? 

Thanks!

Deb

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@abcd-in-action
12/03/20 05:41:36PM
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ABCD Underpinning Campus Experiential Learning Initiative


ABCD and Higher Education

Hi Alan - such a wonderful place to be....starting with such a wonderful challenge. I'm the admin/moderator/facilitator for ABCD in Action and I think we need a separate category for discussions about higher ed. So I'm going to move your conversation there and then include it in the newsletter I'm working on right now. I think there are other folks that would be interested in chatting with you.

Deb Wisniewski

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@abcd-in-action
11/18/20 04:25:25PM
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Can people learn to do gap work? Or do you need to be a "natural" gapper?


Working in the Gap

Hi Martin - 

There are a couple of places on the site, The Abundant Community, (John McKnight & Peter Block's site) where you can find resources around working in the gap. One is a recording of a conversation with John McKnight and several guests about working in the gap. The other is a blog post on their site written by Tom Mosgaller, Dan Duncan, and yours truly. These might be the most recent pieces available. Maybe other folks here on ABCD in Action have some thoughts to share as well. 

Deb

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Deb Wisniewski

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