How we work
Is your regional community ready?
Tired of chasing down problems?
There are always plenty of problems to go around. But regional communities are so much more than that. Regional communities are rich in their produce, culture, stories, aspirations and ability to innovate.
So why do we waste so much time talking about what isn’t working.
Ready Communities applies an appreciative inquiry (positive) approach to draw out what is working, what is aspired to, not what is dragging everyone down. We draw upon local wisdom and build from what matters locally, not what ‘should’ be a priority.
"They mean what they say and they're genuinely there to help. It's very refreshing." Pam Hata Original Sound Lounge
we understand what matters
Understanding communities are complex systems spanning factions, silos, cultures, priorities and complexities we sit with communities to understand what really matters. In this phase we:
- Spend time in your community observing how things work
- Host a series of community conversations to hear from a broad range of stakeholders
- Map related policies, programs, funding, stakeholders and resources providing an evidence base
- Sit in your town and find ways to hear from quiet stakeholders
We bring people together
It’s one thing to come together for a robust conversation, but another to actually do something in the process. We seek out ways to bring people together to create opportunities which amplify the things that matter in your community. This could mean finding ways to:
- Activate your community strategic plan or other relevant local action strategies
- Engage and support active and emerging leaders in your community
- Engage local impact investors and angel investors
- Identify and build capability in local doers
- Link local social impact projects and enterprises with support
- Connect what is working with support and investment
- Activate spaces in your community
We play with possibility
Want your community to feel empowered to create change so that you can continue long after we’ve left the table. The only way to do this is to remove the barriers that keep you stuck – we need to play with possibilities.
This could mean anything from activating a new space to hosting a music night to hula-hooping on the main street. The sky is the limit, the secret sauce is actually getting it done.