WANTED: Your stories

Hi everyone,

I'm on a mission, and I know it's late, so I apologise in advance for being so audacious as to ask for something on 5 days notice, but here goes... What I am looking for....

Your stories

Between 200 and 600 words, with the basic framework being that it tells the story of the project and the people behind it.

A focus on vision, targets and past milestones would be great. The human side of the story helps other people identify with it, so dont be afraid of describing some of the stickiness of it, and any struggles.

Of course the positives are what will inspire others, so tell it like it is from your perspective, and why you believe in it, and speak to the possibilities that can come from it.

A few pictures

If you have between 1 and 3 good pics that support some of the above story, that would be awesome. File size for pics: Ideally about 3-500kb and if that's gobbledygook, I'll take what you send me. And if you have a short video clip (ideally on Youtube or some similar service, or as an MP4 file), doubly awesome!

Why

1. I'm going to Christchurch next week (see below) and will be meeting with rather a lot of groups, and engaging in conversation about transition and building community resilience. I would like to speak about your project with people there.

I have been engaging with communities in South Auckland, through their Towards 2060 team, and would love more current and diverse projects to speak about and celebrate. 

I will be going to Wellington between April 30th and May 4th, so I will use your stories during that visit too.

I would like to include this information on the following websites...

• • www.tt.org.nz - Transition Towns NZ
  • www.jamessamuel.co.nz - My new website, focused on dialogue
  • The Bank of Real Solutions - A new site that is being developed as we speak (not live yet), to celebrate and inform people of the many amazing projects that people are engaged in. This came out of the National Transition Towns Aotearoa shared leadership gathering last year. Expect this to be live and being promoted by the end of May.
  • I hope that someone with a passion for www.transitionaotearoa.org.nz can copy stories over to the social networking site.
  • Plus more as appropriate. eg www.ooooby.org

By WHEN!?  -  Monday morning, Mar 15th

I know, it's rude, but I suspect there will be a few of you who can help. Don't stress with this 5-day dealine, because there will be many opportunities to tell your stories, and send something when you can.

I first stepped up to support the Transition Towns work (October 2007 at the first workshops at the Eco Show in Taupo). I did it because I have some relevant skills and could see that of all the things I could do, helping ensure the stories get told was one of the best. Well things haven't changed, except I have gained even more skills and there are more stories to be told! In gratitude, James

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09 372 8737

021 25 20 653 * new cell number

james.samuel@transitiontowns.org.nz

www.jamessamuel.co.nz

Schedule for Christchurch

Arrive Tuesday (16th) at 5pm (yes, I'm flying)

Wed morning (breakfast) meeting with Susan Krumdieck and her students. Wed lunch (noon) with Rhys Taylor and Sue Jarvis (5/83 Huxley Street, Sydenham) Wed afternoon (3pm) Transition Town Diamond Harbour & Port Lyttelton Project gathering. Wed night (7:30) Screening In Transition Movie - Sumner Union Church Hall

Thu morning (11:00-1:30) workshop hosted by ECAN Thu night (7:30) In Transition Movie St Albans Community Centre

Fri morning (9:00-11:30 TBC) Workshop hosted by CCOSS Fri afternoon (3:10) head back to Waiheke