The recent death of Lois Lillenstein of Sharon Lois and Bram reminds me of the revolution in children’s music that beloved trio was part of in the late 1970’s. It started with Raffi who was both musical innovator and social … Read More
Author Archives: Al Etmanski
Impact 6 is Ready to Make a Dent in the Conversation
My new book Impact: Six Patterns to Spread Your Social Innovation is now available in print and electronic formats. Impact explores the difference between short term success and lasting impact. It will be of interest to anyone who has ever … Read More
Beautifying Social Change
Too much of the conversation about social change is wrapped in the language of policy and finance. While these are important considerations they are limited in describing and realizing the world we want. We need a different language. I propose … Read More
Social Innovation – a Definition of Opportunity
When asked recently to define social innovation I replied rather off handedly it’s a combination of the old, the new and the surprising. It’s not much of a definition but then again the ambiguity might be useful. Definitions all too … Read More
The Spark That Ignites the Social Innovator’s Journey
Then, when he had flown a while longer, Something brightened toward the north, It caught his eye, they say. And then he flew right up against it. He pushed his mind through And pulled his body after. … Read More
US Embargo on Intellectual Property Shakes Up Canadian Change-Makers
The Canadian social change community is slowly reacting to the latest American border restrictions. It’s hard to believe but the Americans intend to restrict the free use of US intellectual property (including social change concepts and practices) outside their borders. … Read More
Cherry Blossoms & the Social Innovation ‘Terroir’ of Canada
Have you ever wondered what cherry blossoms in Vancouver taste like? I didn’t have the imagination to even conceive of such a question let alone answer it until I attended a dinner hosted by Elementa a collective of young culinary … Read More
Steve Nash and Acting Your Age
Steve Nash’s decision to retire from basketball is a reminder that boomers like me also have a hard time letting go of our roles and responsibilities. The professional sports world is full of stories of athletes who stayed on past … Read More
Setting the Heather on Fire – The Antigonish Movement
I fell in love with Nova Scotia in the 1970’s. It started in Antigonish – green rolling hills, sea bound coast, hundreds of fiddlers performing under the summer stars, John Allen Cameron singing at a local club, caber tossing, and … Read More
Dating Concepts
I fall a little in love with new ideas, methods and concepts. It happens all the time. We date. Everything is rosy. They are perfect. There is nothing they can’t do. I’ve found the one. This has happened with social … Read More