Charity CHAMPS' mission is to get more people doing good in small ways by promoting microphilanthropy amongst youth, the most important, but least engaged demographic in philanthropy.You can help them by voting for them in the Aviva Community Fund Competition - the most popular ideas will get the opportunity to be funded with the $500,000 Aviva Community Fund.Vote here (you can vote every day) and help Charity CHAMPS boost Microphilanthropy! Read Full Story
Image by markusthorsen via FlickrIt would be a rare community that survived great change - or small change, or even no change at all - without conflict. Communities are hotbeds of intrigue, egos and differing personal agendas, so it stands to reason that somewhere along the line people are going to cross swords.As I see it, its not entirely a bad thing. If managed properly conflict provides opportunity for growth.Why is it then, that many community groups seek to impose consensus at all cos... Read Full Story
A simple way to bring your community together is to start a Community Newspaper. Its amazing the news you can dig up if you ask around.In my community we have gone from one side of an A5 page earlier this year to this latest masterpiece:November NL #5 Read Full Story
Mataura is in the planning and consultation stages of a makeover of our main street. If it all comes together it will be a hugely positive and exciting development for our town - and as a community we all stand to benefit immensly.Tonight Mataura was featured on TV3 News - I don't quite know why they did it, but what is essentially a positive story about a small town getting off its arse to do something fantastic, ended up coming across as a really negative story. I can't even begin to expr... Read Full Story
Image by United Nations Photo via FlickrThere's now only 53 days to go until Copenhagen and, despite it being one of the most important meetings in history, New Zealand Prime Minister, John Key reckons he might just stay home!What to do? Give him a helping hand of course!We're raising money to help him buy an airline ticket. Over the coming weeks, people all over NZ will be holding cake sales and sausage sizzles and raising money online to help John get where he needs to be.The NZ Greenpeace ... Read Full Story
Image via WikipediaBillionaire founder of Cirque de Soleil, Guy Laliberte, has spent US$35 million for a 12 day sojourn into space.He's not just going for kicks though - he has a serious mission: To raise awareness about water related issues (he's also President of ONE DROP Foundation).On October 9th, he will be Moving Stars and Earth for Water. A 2 hour online event in 14 cities around the world, involving the likes of Al Gore, Shakira, Dr. David Suzuki and Matthew McConaughey.Sounds like... Read Full Story
Image by .chourmo. via FlickrI discovered this great quote today at 'Big Adventure Calling'"Sometimes I'd like to ask God why He allows poverty, famine, and injustice in the world when He could do something about it, but I'm afraid God would ask me the same question."-AnonymousCertainly makes you think . . . Read Full Story
Image by a.prakharevich via FlickrI've just gotten back from the fantastic Small Towns Conference in Kaiapoi. One of the speakers was Peter Kenyon - a social capitalist and community enthusiast from Australia. He had some incredibly inspiring stories about successful small town development, I am so excited about helping to put some of his ideas into action in Mataura.If you are looking for some great projects to get your community humming take a look at this awesome list from Peter's Bank o... Read Full Story
Image by RaghuP via FlickrHere is the list of the most ethical companies in the world according to Ethisphere.Honeywell InternationalThe Aerospace CorporationHarris CorporationNikePatagoniaBMWCumminsJohnson ControlsToyota MotorHSBCRabobankStandard Chartered BankWestpac Banking CorporationAccenturePitney BowesDun & BradstreetEcolabDellHewlett-PackardRicoh CompanyXeroxOracle Corporationsalesforce.comSymantecHenkelKaoMattelSC Johnson & SonUnileverGeneral ElectricFreescale SemiconductorIn... Read Full Story
Image via WikipediaIf you've been following this blog lately, it is probably no surprise to you that I'm a sucker for all things cetacean.In Japan each year some 20,000 dolphins are brutally slaughtered each year. Its cruel and unnecessary and it shouldn't be allowed to continue. Please take a moment to help save Japan's dolphins. Read Full Story
