Archive from Al Etmanski
The Splendour and Isolation of Martin Luther King Jr.
I remember the shock of seeing Martin Luther King Jr’s tomb for the first time. I had just emerged from the King Center on Auburn Avenue in Atlanta not too far from where he …
Read MoreFlight of the “Ordinaries”
My regular walk takes me along a dyke beside a fen that should not be there. It exists because one neighbour called another. She happened to be a Mom with a new baby and …
Read MoreThe New Underground Railroad
I’ve written previously about a world class innovation by Canadian citizens that inspired a new approach to refugee sponsorship. This social innovation emerged in the 1970’s because the Canadian government couldn’t keep pace with …
Read MorePercolators
Behind successful change-makers are people: who bubble with enthusiasm for the idea you want to explore who say, “Why not?” and offer another dozen reasons why you should try it who see the majesty …
Read MoreIf It Ain’t Broke Don’t Fix It
“My name is Liz and I have Down syndrome.” She strode onto the stage without notes, without preparation, and seemingly without a care. A hundred pairs of eyes were anticipating her spoken word poetry …
Read MoreArtist in Residence
I’ve had the pleasure of seeing what happens when non-profit and social change-oriented groups hook up with artists on specific projects. The results include: New perspectives on challenges that have resisted previous efforts Solutions …
Read MoreThe Social Finance Deal that Keeps on Giving
Take two geniuses. The one, Bob Williams, who many consider to be the “social, environmental and economic architect” of modern British Columbia. The other, internationally renowned architect, Bing Thom. Present them with a high-rise …
Read MoreMeditations for Mindful Impact
What worked in the past won’t necessarily work in the present. What works in the present won’t necessarily work in the future. What will work in the future depends on the past. EH! An obsession …
Read MoreI See Your Margaret Mead and Raise you Ten.
That’s a quote from a recent Margaret Atwood interview. She then went on to propose a qualifier to that famous Margaret Mead quote. You know the one “Never doubt that a small group of …
Read MoreImpact – Ability
The desire of most people I’ve met in the disability community is to make the world a better place for people with disability. As a corollary most also realize that […]
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