Victory Village Forum

Victory Village Forum

Nelson, 27 to 29 July 2011

The Victory Village Community
Victory is a low socio economic suburb in Nelson where the school decided that providing education was not enough. (At the beginning of the process the school was decile 2, now decile 3) The school now has a community centre and health centre on the school site as well as a community vegetable garden. It is widely used by the community and has had many positive spin offs for the community.

There is a kaupapa of making it better for children and families. The school believes that all people should be able to:
Belong
Thrive
Achieve

People commenting on negative aspects of the community have been mentored to become active citizens and become involved in action to encourage a better community. Reflection and learning have been encouraged.





For the community it has been important to create spaces for celebration and connection. Diverse funding streams have also been seen as very important.

Presentations

Chaordic was a new word. It is the space between order and chaos and it’s where learning and innovation can best take place. Too much order and there is no stimulation and too much chaos is just a big mess!
In the chaordic space we can learn by doing and reflecting with a range of stakeholders.






We can see communities as either complex or resilient. This leads to different responses

Complex Response: Issues are difficult to frame
Resilient Response: Good enough framing is a good place to start and we can refine as we go along.

Complex Response: There are multiple root causes
Resilient Response: Working across boundaries can help to understand the underlying issues through bringing multiple perspectives

Complex Response: Multiple stakeholders
Resilient Response: A collaborative response and flat “structure”

Complex Response: Emergent responses.
Resilient Response: We learn as we are doing from our reflections


Complex Response: Adaptive learning.
Resilient Response: We go with what we know has worked before and constantly re evaluate and adapt.

Complex Response: Unique situation. This community is unique and needs a unique way of solving issues.
Resilient Response: Customised responses. (See above)

Complex Response: Paradoxes and dilemmas. Finding ways to work in the face of paradox and dilemma can be difficult
Resilient Response: Transparent coping. We start where we are and are open about our uncertainties. We welcome feedback and suggestions.



3 Questions to ask about community

1. Who is in the room ? (And who is not in the room?)
2. Who is visible in the room? (And who is invisible in the room?)
3. Who defines the discourse (What is talked about)?

Connectedness and embededness are important in strong communities. That is people need to feel a part of their communities and constructive ways of working and problem solving need to be ingrained in the community.

Questions to think about.

1. How do we change intergenerational outcomes for families and whanau?
2. How do we take other people with us?
3. How do we increase community resilience?
4. How do we grow active citizenship?
5. Is community a verb that masquerades as a noun?
6. How can we encourage creative thinking?


Judith Timpany
Whanganui Community Foundation