For the first time in a Social Creator network event the discussion focused mostly on developments in neighbourhoods, on June 12, 2012.
The Toronto neighbourhood of Roncesvalles has become a great example of, "If the grassroots leads, then organizations will follow."
A simple thing, like dealing with cigarette butts left on the sidewalk outside of bars, can be too controversial for a local business organization to handle.
The Toronto neighbourhood of Roncesvalles has become a great example of, "If the grassroots leads, then organizations will follow."
A simple thing, like dealing with cigarette butts left on the sidewalk outside of bars, can be too controversial for a local business organization to handle.
Perhaps it is
the diverse membership of organizations that makes directors more
conservative, not wanting to do things that may conceivably upset the
membership. Sometimes directors have to get member consensus.
Hence we see little in the way of innovation coming from
organizations.
The subject of this post is not ciggy butts. It's about organizations holding up innovation. It's also about no-one's vision being too big or too small to be taken into account and acted on.
The subject of this post is not ciggy butts. It's about organizations holding up innovation. It's also about no-one's vision being too big or too small to be taken into account and acted on.
Don't think that big visions are all that count in this world.
If one person has a vision of a butt-free neighbourhood, then let's support them in that.
A grassroots group put in place a solution for the cigarette butts situation in Roncesvalles. Next they will be conducting a questionnaire about the solution, listening to the business owners in the area, anticipating a positive response. This grassroots action will 'make it safe' for the local business organizations in the area to act, without 'ruffling feathers'.
If one person has a vision of a butt-free neighbourhood, then let's support them in that.
A grassroots group put in place a solution for the cigarette butts situation in Roncesvalles. Next they will be conducting a questionnaire about the solution, listening to the business owners in the area, anticipating a positive response. This grassroots action will 'make it safe' for the local business organizations in the area to act, without 'ruffling feathers'.
Check out: Butting in to butt out
Often business owners do not live in the neighbourhoods where their stores are located. They worry about anything that may interfere with sales during the times when their stores are open. Once the store closes for the evening the owners can be in another part of town or another part of the world.
Local business organizations tend to focus on their main street. There is much less interest in residential side streets, or the rest of the neighbourhood.
We really need innovation in society. We need to respond to huge changes in the economy. I believe it probably won't come from existing institutions. It usually comes as a result of collaboration at the grassroots, and coordination with existing organizations.
As we look after the smaller changes, the bigger changes will also eventually come about.
