Workshop builds communities

Houses are properly built from the ground up. Successful communities are built the same way by people who are committed to the place and all that goes on there. But active, planned community building doesn’t always happen on its own. It might take a little inspiration and insight.

To that end, Community Futures Westman is hosting Australia’s Peter Kenyon on May 9, as he facilitates the one-day Positive Pathways workshop on community building. The evidence-based workshop aims to help local community builders and leaders develop the tools and capacity to initiate change and growth from within their rural community. Kenyon will bring his stories, practical experience and humour to provide the inspiration and insight.

Kenyon, a self-described “community enthusiast and social capitalist,” is the director of the Bank of I.D.E.A.S (Initiatives for the Development of Enterprising Action and Strategies) (bankofideas.com.au). He says he is happy to be visiting Canada once again, with this being his 17th visit in 25 years. And he has some familial roots right here in Canada.

“My Grandfather migrated from Ottawa to Australia in the 1860s,” Kenyon says.

“I learn so much every time I am in Canada. I love being in Canada! Australian and Canadian small towns share so much in common. I am a storyteller primarily, and I love the opportunity to share stories and Australian humour.”

This is Kenyon’s second visit to Brandon, Manitoba.

“The biggest theme I’ve taken away from Peter’s workshops is that real growth comes from inside the community,” says Bill Hogan, executive director at Community Futures Westman (cfmanitoba.ca/westman), a local organization tasked with increasing employment opportunity in the region through economic development projects, small business loans, advisory services and training.

Hogan says the Positive Pathways workshop will cover real-life examples of projects that have worked in communities in Canada, Australia, and the United States.

“Peter gives the examples and the reasons behind why these initiatives have worked in other places: the buy-in from the community, the low cost,” says Hogan.

“He’s worked with Indigenous people in Canada, the U.S. and in Australia, so he also has some of those examples as to how they were able to bring some content to their communities.”

For the last 40 years, Kenyon has worked all over the world and helped over 2,500 communities to find their own pathways to sustainable, local economic development with guidance in developing a build-from-within mind set.

Closer to home, he’s testified before the Canadian Senate on rural economic development. Kenyon was enthusiastically received in Brandon last year, sparking an invitation to return.

The workshop is designed for community leaders, both formal and informal.

“Peter stresses when bringing in community leaders that they may not have a title, but they’re well respected in their communities,” says Hogan.

“They are the go-to people when you’re trying to get something off the ground. They don’t have an official title, but they are invested in making their community a nicer place to live, a more investment-ready place.”

These are community members who commit.

“One of Peter’s quotes is: if you give me the chance for $1 million or 20 committed volunteers, I will take the 20 committed volunteers every time,” says Hogan.

Now, more than ever, local development is crucial.

“We’re seeing that the factories aren’t here anymore, for example. It’s really the grassroots businesses, the small businesses that are driving the local economies,” he says.

Hogan says the impetus comes from the people.

“It’s the directives of the people, what they would like to see, how they would like to see their community change or — if they think everything is working fine — then how to remain the same. How do you keep that culture?” Hogan says.

Kenyon says he is inspired by the desire to create more caring, connected and enterprising communities.

“I have lived most of my life in small rural communities and believe in their ability to offer a quality of life that no city can do. But their ability to survive and thrive depends on their willingness to invest themselves and their assets in creating community and economy, and not waiting for the cavalry to turn up! It’s a self-help job,” Kenyon says.

“Communities must build from the inside out, bottom up and not top down. My mission is to promote that motivation by sharing stories of inspiration and providing tools.

“I have simply learnt that whatever the issue, community is the answer!”

Bill Hogan says there is value in rural communities sharing their experiences through workshops such as Positive Pathways.

“It’s important to see that you know you’re no different than any other community. You have the same challenges, you have the same celebrations. One of the quotes Peter uses is, ‘Whether you’re in New York or you’re in a small community, the sun goes down the same on all of you, and it rises the next morning,’” says Hogan.

“You know your community is just as valuable as any other community.”

The Positive Pathways workshop takes place at the Shamrock Centre on May 13. Registration cutoff is May 9. For further details go to Community Futures Westman (cfmanitoba.ca/westman).

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