RAFF IT UP! - Ideas for May, 2000.

Planting Perennial Seeds--- Sustainabilty

Sustainability seems to be an overused buzz word right now. What does it mean? How does it happen? To CBR it means moving ahead without the need for outsiders and government funding.

Sustainability is like planting a perennial (for you non-gardeners - that means a plant that appears every year). To start, a plant must have nourishment… good soil, lots of water, lots of sun, and helping human hands. The plant will last a long time with regular water, sun, and good soil, and needs to be spread out by splitting it and replanting; otherwise it will smother itself and die. Sustainability for a program, an organization or an initiative is similar. At first the group has a seed of an idea that is nourished by people, their passion, perhaps some money and certainly their creativity all of which assist in the development and growth of the idea. Once the seed/idea takes hold the amount and kind of nourishment changes and along with the people, passion, money, and creativity. The group must grow and engage more people, have more organization, communication and enthusiasm, otherwise the weeds and poorly nourished soil (the negative) will cause the plant/the group to die. In Community Building we must always be searching for ways to ensure the Community Building soil is healthy (the R.A.F.F. environment - what about a RAFF'er position on your board!).

Healthy soil for the plants may be brought in to start (like some of us have done in Community Building, with outsiders and funders) after that we must find ways to be nourished and maintained locally (by those who have a vested interest and care) or the group will die.

What can we find and do that will sustain us? What do we need to do to keep the Community Building soil healthy and the Community Building plant thriving…?

When Community Builders were asked what were their challenges in their work they said "being true to the asset focus and R.A.F.F.", the very essence of what is and will sustain Community Building is the challenge. Do you always look at the assets that people have or do you tend to let the other stuff, the differences get in the way? Are your meetings and gatherings fun? Is there good food? Do you ensure the environment you create finds common ground and nurtures relationships and friendship? Are you happy, enthusiastic and motivated after the meetings or gatherings? If yes you have R.A.F.F. in action. It really is not a question of money, it is a question of each of us doing our part to keep the Community Building environment rich and healthy. If your answers were no to many of the questions then try some of these R.A.F.F. soil enriching ideas:

• Before every meeting or gathering invite someone to add to the group by presenting idea/s of what they hope for the group and how they can make it happen (as a drawing or as a presentation).
• Have a different person each week contact the media and the town councilors with a good news story from your group. Have a sign-up sheet at the gathering for this.
• Have a different person each week contact two people who have not been seen for a while and invite them to the next gathering. Have a sign-up sheet at the gathering for this.
• Have a R.A.F.F. representative on your board or committee who shares at every gathering - about transportation, food and greeters in place, and the R.A.F.F. activity which will help people to get to know each other.
• Enjoy a challenge in your group - find "Third Places" (Ray Oldenburg's The Great Good Place, see June RAFF idea for the month), visit them, invite the owners/managers, and share the discoveries at the next gathering/meeting. JPGF in Edmonton is doing this.
• Have Community History quiz at your gatherings.
• Start a community calendar (with dates of birthdays, anniversaries, special occasions etc. many rural communities (Parkland County) are using this as a very effective fundraiser.

What do you think are key ingredients for the Sustainability soil? People, places, food, fun, action, relationships, games, laughter, sharing, money, shared goals, understanding, listening, talking, friends, good planning, good organization, follow-up, communication? How do get these and keep making them happen? Is there a magic formula? What has worked for you? Is sustainability economic viability? Is it long term solutions? If the organization or group ends is that okay? Where does evaluation fit? How can we make evaluation assist us in finding answers to the sustainability question?

Send us your thoughts and ideas. We will share them through our newsletter and the CBR web site.

Riddle… What is the favourite snack of R.A.F.F.'ers?

• R.A.F.F.LES.. a snack that motivates anyone to action.. and ensures you will have more fun, more food and more friends.

There are all sorts of recipes for R.A.F.F.LES. - Try:

• the pecan buns from BonTon Bakery
• the caramel surprise (the official cookie of Red Deer)
• cheese buns from the MIS
• Victoria Pizza Pizza
• Mama Tony's community soup
• food from the Humpty's in Nanton
• Johanna's cherry jam
• suppers made by the Redwater Seniors
• lunches from the Old Fashioned Bread Bakery in Smoky Lake.
• Try any local community caterer, they usually have the recipe.

What is the favourite R.A.F.F. toy?

See June R.A.F.F. idea page for the answer.

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