“Every single person has capabilities, abilities and gifts. Living a good life depends on whether those capabilities can be used, abilities expressed and gifts given. If they are, the person will be valued, feel powerful and well-connected to the people around them. And the community around the person will be more powerful because of the…
“All we have to do to create the future is to change the nature of our conversations to go from blame to ownership, and from bargaining to commitment, and from problem solving to possibility.” —Peter Block Studies show that there are two major determinants of our local safety. One is how many neighbors we know…
“Determination, energy, and courage appear spontaneously when we care deeply about something. We take risks that are imaginable in any other context.” —Margaret Wheatley “The economy” is the sum total of transactions between people. And people’s lives and experiences are about much more than just dollars, profit and growth. As the conventional economy continues to…
“Circles create soothing space where even reticent people can realize that their voice is welcome.” —Margaret Wheatley We are responsible for each other. This is the meaning of community. We take seriously the idealistic notion that our future is dependent on each of us and if one of us is not free, or valued, or…
“Whatever life we have experienced, if we can tell our story to someone who listens, we find it easier to deal with our circumstances.” —Margaret Wheatley Children become effective adults by being connected with community adults in their productive roles. The most effective local communities claim their youth and assume primary responsibility for their upbringing.…
“Everyone in a complex system has a slightly different interpretation. The more interpretations we gather, the easier it becomes to gain a sense of the whole.” —Margaret Wheatley The environmental movement has taught us a great deal about how everyday lifestyles and behaviors can have an impact on the quality of life on our planet.…
“In these… times we don’t need more command and control; we need better means to engage everyone’s intelligence in solving challenges and crises as they arise.” —Margaret Wheatley Take time to learn the ways in which different cultures give expression to the human spirit—engagement and identity, performance and creativity, culture and art. Circles currently forming…
Save the Date for Engaging Community, Narrating Change Phase 2! Wednesday, November 20, 9 a.m.–2 p.m. Tens of thousands of people build community, not because it is their job, but because of who they are! The hope of all who engage associational life is to bring into conversation the collective wisdom present within each and…