North Sydney

July 19th  2000

"In what ways can we as individuals make a difference in our community?"

This was the second of our 'Workshops' around 'Creating Change' in the community.

As with last month we were asked to write down what were the issues, resources, challenges and actions that ought to be addressed if we are to make a difference, our participants came up with a wide range of suggestions.  Last month the groupings were  titled;  Active Awareness,  Values, Issues and The Way Forward.

This month we added to the store by coming up with the following: Relating rather than getting.  Local citizenship, Walking the talk, Amplifying the voices of dissent, Equality, Values and Attitudes, Empowering our young.

Here's how the issues showed up.

Local Citzenship.
Reconnecting People in Communities
Coordination network
Attend Precinct meetings to be on guard re development.
Be active in P & C groups.
Equality.
Intentional Projects
Take responsibiltiy of state of Aboriginal Australians.
Address making victims into criminals.
Treaty Now.
Walking the Talk
Sense of Place
Lifting quality of Life
(US Standard of living)
Traffic Pollution
Reducing car use.
Empowering our Young
Give, don't grab.
Education
Mothers effective as change agents.
Demonisation of the young.
Teach children mediation techniques.
Child poverty
Better future for children
Lousy or non existant hand washing and drying. (From a disaffected mother I think)
Relating rather than Getting
More equitable society
Globalisation is wrong
Stoop to conquer. (Practise humility)
Cooperation
People's energy.  (Whole)
Competitive economy.
Values and Attitudes.
Age change futility
Fear, alienation, hostility.
Dislocation of Community
Rewards and recognition
(For community effort)
Survival vs selfishness
Experience Community
(Random acts of kindness.)
Amplify Voices of Dissent
Democracy under threat in Aust.
Inertia
Howardisation of Australians
(Small  smaller  smallest.)
Abandon Political Correctness
(More resources??)
Hold community conversations
Write letters to pollies
Advocate funds for ABC

Some of these items may not appear obvious to you the reader but they were all discussed and were offered as a point of action to create change in our society.

Of course this is but a first step and is by no means exhaustive yet but we are on the track to understanding some of the really serious issues that dwell on us on a day to day basis. in July and you are invited to come along and add your suggestions.

If attendance is not possible, why don't you email your issue to us here and we'll pop it in the mill for you.  Remember, just 3 to 5 words as a working title and you can add your understanding of the other implications as a separate submission.

 

The next meeting at this venue in North Sydney will be on August  20th