Now that David Cameron is the new Prime Minister of Britain, it is worth taking a look at his views on civil society. Cameron campaigned on a Big Society agenda. He spoke about the need to restore the balance among … Read More
Blog posts by Al
A Mother’s Day Tip for Solution Based Advocacy (11)
This Mother's Day video will make you laugh, and smile. And appreciate an effective 'get your attention' strategy. You can put it in your tools for Solution Based Advocacy kit. Only 90 seconds! See below or click here. Happy Mother's … Read More
Getting ‘Their’ Attention – Tips for Solution Based Advocacy (10)
What do you do when the organization, government department or institution you want to influence completely ignores you, your organization and the cause, you represent? No matter how hard you try, your efforts are met with silence, inaction, and stalling. … Read More
Regrets – I Have a Few – Tips for Solution Based Advocacy (9)
While campaigning for the closure of institutions in British Columbia in the 1980's we created a team that was effective in getting media attention as a means to put pressure on our provincial government. Through trial and error we arrived … Read More
Happy Mother’s Day Annie Lennox
While in London a few weeks ago we had the pleasure of attending a dinner party with Annie Lennox. The main topic of conversation was the African organization Mothers2Mothers (M2M) which she actively supports. Annie Lennox rocks in more ways … Read More
Hybrids – a new revenue vehicle for the Community Sector
A major challenge facing community sector organizations is access to money – i.e. to financial capital. Capital to invest in staff, in new technologies, in infrastructure and perhaps most critical, to invest in creative solutions to stubborn social and environmental … Read More
The Original Community Organizer – Thomas Clarkson – Tips for Solution Based Advocacy (8)
On my last day in London I came away with a portrait of one of my heroes, Thomas Clarkson, one of the most successful community organizers and social entrepreneurs of all time. In 1787 he was the youngest among 12 … Read More
Nellie McClung, Sterilization and the return of Eugenics
Saturday April 24th's Globe and Mail references a controversy brewing in Winnipeg around Nellie McClung. There is opposition to erecting a statue honouring her role in securing the vote for women because of her prominent support of the sterilization of … Read More
England Swings
Reflections on our extended stay in England: Look east, way way east: Canadians tend to look southward for new ideas, trends and perspectives. More and more of us are now looking eastward to the UK and continental Europe for inspiration … Read More
The ‘Liberation’ of Welfare
Smack in the middle of the UK election campaign comes a new book Liberation Welfare published by the progressive think tank Demos, focusing on the reform and transformation of our social support systems. You have to hand it to the … Read More