Forum Activity for @deb-wisniewski

A great resource: Rural Assembly & Center for Rural Strategies

ABCD and Rural Communities

I came across interesting rural resources recently. You might want to check them out....

Rural Assembly This group posts on FaceBook and they have a great newsletter. Check them out!

Here's how they describe themselves: We are on a path toward building a rural movement that empowers leaders, and connects them to each other, helps urban-based institutions engage with rural communities effectively, and offers the country a reliable network of rural problem solvers

Center for Rural Strategies

The Rural Assembly is a project of the Center for Rural Strategies. The Center's mission is:

At the Center for Rural Strategies, we seek to improve economic and social conditions for communities in the countryside and around the world through the creative and innovative use of media and communications. We strive to create better opportunities for small towns and rural communities by building coalitions, developing partnerships, leading public information campaigns, and advancing strategies that strengthen connections between rural and urban places.

 

updated by @deb-wisniewski: 05/21/20 04:18:14PM

How are you taking care of yourself during this difficult time?

Coronavirus and Communities

One thing I really appreciate about where I live is the beautiful natural world right outside my door. I have many places where I can walk and still keep appropriate physical distancing from people. This picture is of a swamp near our home. It's one of my favorite places to walk, especially now that spring is coming. It's really beautiful and full of life.

 

updated by @deb-wisniewski: 03/27/20 02:01:35PM

How has your community responded to the coronavirus pandemic?

Coronavirus and Communities

From an article in the Independent:

As life in Italy grinds to a halt amid a nationwide lockdown to control the spread of the coronavirus outbreak, one street was filled with song as the community banded their voices together in solidarity.

A video of people singing out of their windows on a neighbourhood street in Siena, Tuscany, went viral on social media, with many calling it a “beautiful” act of humanity.

“People of my hometown Siena sing a popular song from their houses along an empty street to warm their heart during the Italian Covid-19 lockdown,” wrote a Twitter user who posted the video.

Watch the video here:

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/coronavirus-italy-siena-song-canto-della-verbena-video-lockdown-a9399176.html?jwsource=cl

Data About the Effective Use of ABCD by Cities and Non-Profits in the US

Data, Evaluation, and Research

I’m going to jump into this conversation because it’s just so interesting! Eddy, it seems to me that what you’re describing is something like this community... ABCD in Action.... but for the members you work with. As one of the leads on ABCD in Action, I’m always thinking about how do we build community in a virtual space. If you’d like to have a conversation about this, feel free to contact me at abcdinaction@gmail.com and we’ll see if we can find a time to talk.

Who Are You? Why are you here?

ABCD and Inclusive Communities/People with Disabilities

Hi Louie - Welcome to ABCD in Action. So great to have you join this community. I agree that ABCD approaches are essential in thinking about human rights at a localized level. It sounds like you are involved in some interesting stuff in Leeds! I’m interested in hearing more from you about how you are using ABCD to increase the sense of belonging in a neighborhood.

Experiences with training and articulating the value to community?

Training

Hi Mac - Interesting discussion. I’m interested in this Mentor Mom program. Can you tell me how the low-income moms were able to contribute their own gifts to the program/community? Was it just the middle income, suburban moms who were able to contribute their gifts? If so, it seems a bit one-directional, with the middle income moms giving their time/expertise/support/etc to the low-income moms.... A great start and I’d would like to find ways for the low-income moms to be contributing as well. I may be missing something here though. I wasn’t sure how the appreciative inquiry piece fit in. 

Matt - the training you mentioned is through the ABCD Institute located at DePaul. It’s only over the last year that they’ve started offered get a sort of regular series of learning opportunities. I don’t have experience with the specific upcoming training although I’m familiar with the trainers and they’re great.

 

Ideas, Comments, Questions, etc. for ABCD in Action

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

Thanks for your suggestion! I know there are a couple of ABCD faculty members (including me!) who are thinking about developing an introductory online course for ABCD sometime this year. Keep an eye on our newsletter for any announcements about that. If you don't mind, I may contact you directly for your ideas about what would be most helpful to you.

Deb

What's the difference between stakeholders and community engagement?

ABCD and Community Organizing/Engagement

What's the difference between stakeholders and community engagement? Someone asked me this question today... I'd love to know what you all think! Share your thoughts here please!

updated by @deb-wisniewski: 12/11/17 11:05:50AM

Frameworks for capturing impacts of ABCD

Tips, Tools, Strategies, and Technology

[quote="Graeme Stuart"]

I was going to suggest the one by Brianne Peters and co, but see you linked to it already.

Here's a couple of resources that might be of help. (The first isn't available on the net for free, so if you have trouble getting it contact me.)

Ennis, G., & West, D. (2010). Exploring the potential of social network analysis in asset-based community development practice and research. Australian Social Work, 63(4), 404 - 417.

Potter, R. (2015). An impact assessment of the Great Yarmouth family connectors project. Cambridge: AnalyticsCambridge. Available from http://www.analyticscambridge.co.uk/FamilyConnectors.php

Nor sure they are really what you are looking for but they might help.

I've also created a list of over 100 resources on ABCD that might be of interest available from https://sustainingcommunity.wordpress.com/2016/04/11/abcd-reading-list/

Good luck with it

Graeme

[/quote]

Thanks, Graeme for sharing these!

Deb

Frameworks for capturing impacts of ABCD

Tips, Tools, Strategies, and Technology

Ian, I'm involved, along with several other ABCD Faculty as an "ABCD Eval Team" with a project that works with museums and libraries. We're using Developmental Evaluation as the core of our work. I'm finding it very compatible with an ABCD perspective. There are lots of resources online about DE... Here's one resource that you might want to check out if you are unfamiliar with DE.

http://www.betterevaluation.org/en/plan/approach/developmental_evaluation

Deb