Continue reading ONN Unconference – Strengthening Our Connections
Busy Bees
I have been so busy since the Global Service Jam, it has been amazing! I think it was all the creative juices that flowed through me that weekend has brought forward projects, ideas and opportunities have just sky rocketed.
Global Service Jam was a risky move that definitely paid off. We took a leap of faith when we decided to plan a 3 day conference on an unproven idea, but I feel like that is what we do most of the time and the reason I keep doing this stuff everyday. I will post a more indepth blog about GSJ shortly. (even though it is already WAY overdue, eek)
Shortly after GSJ, I co-facilitated a 2 day work retreat for Skills for Change. They asked that we talk to their interns about getting a job and networking. Well, this is an area that I really enjoy working in, this gives us a chance to talk about passion and purpose and why are we going to our jobs everyday, other than for the money. We spent the two days talking about ideal workplaces, everything from your commute to work, to your desk, to your staff, to your boss, to the way you get coffee or have breaks. This opened up a discussion about creativity and innovation and the way our company culture can dictate our moods and our perspectives. I also got to think about how much I love what I do and that I am truly lucky.
In addition, I am also co-creating 2 projects this upcoming year and doing volunteer management for 2 conferences. And all I can think about is, it is only April….keep the good stuff coming!
Exhibit Change Jammers!
Meet our wonderful team of Jammers! These are the people that are making this all possible.
Andrea Yip, Event Lead
Andrea is a health promoter, aspiring documentary filmmaker, and scientist at heart. She is interested in applying a designer’s lens in addressing social problems in order to promote better health and wellbeing for our communities. Andrea is particularly interested in using multimedia and the arts — including photography, social media, and film — to understand and tell stories around health issues. In her spare time, she enjoys good documentaries, dog walking, and eating strawberry jam.
Continue reading Exhibit Change Jammers!
2010 Wrap up
I have seen a few blogs outlining the year in a one word wrap up and I really like that idea.
So, my single word for 2010 is exploration.
Exploration of ideas, of networks, of knowledge, of market, of resources, of mentorship and of self.
So, what happened in 2010. Here is a breakdown of an amazing year. There were events, there were programs, there were conferences, there were coalitions, there were meetings. In the year, I attended 40 professional development events or course, I went to over 100 meetings, I hosted 4 events and 1 camp. Now there are tons of ideas and tons of excitement.
I got to design, create, facilitate, met, schmooze, learn, discover and ultimately grow.
Starting 2011, I am going to make a prediction that this year is going to be really busy and really foundational – according to the lunar calendar, it is the year of the rabbit and as a dog, I am told it means that there is good energy coming my way.
I wish I had a beautiful picture to capture this with…
Let it Snow!
Happy Holidays!
I am so inspired by everyone I have met this year and I am looking forward to drawing on your advice, kind words and friendly faces again in the coming year. Exhibit Change has grown this year and can only continue getting stronger and that will happen because of the amazing connections that have been made this year.
It is that time of year; take some time for reflection, inspiration and creativity. I recommend with a marker and sketch book if possible.
Much like snowflakes, I love the way we are beautiful and unique on our own but together we can prove our weight, we make the world seem brighter and change everything in an instant.
Jenn
“do what you love & success will follow” – behance
Global Service Jam
We are excited to announce that we will be hosting the Global Service Jam. It happens the weekend of March 11 2010. It is soon. We are ready for a few months of hard work and we are looking for dedicated volunteers to be part of the core team. Stay tuned for very amazing news.
Just 48 Hours
On 11 March, 2011, people interested in service and customer experience will meet at locations all over the globe.
They will be designers, students, academics, business people, and customers.
In a spirit of experimentation, innovation, co-operation and friendly competition, teams will have less than 48 hours to develop and prototype completely new services inspired by a shared theme. At the end of the weekend, their collection of brand new services will be published to the world.
Join us at the Global Service Jam 2010.
www.globalservicejam.com
Black Daddies Club – “How do you Exhibit Change?”
“How do you Exhibit Change?” is a mindset, a culture and a campaign. Exhibit Change is seeing something and making a decision to change it. Everyday we are surrounded by design and we are the ones that get to design our future.
The Black Daddies Club exemplifies “How do you Exhibit Change?” I had the pleasure of meeting Brandon Hay, the Founder and Executive Director of Black Daddies Club. Brandon is genuine and warm and is doing amazing work for his community and for his children.
Thank you Brandon for sharing this with me. “The New Generation of Fathers who were Raised by Single Mothers”
This is the beginning of the “How do you Exhibit Change?” series.
Movember!
Movember challenges men to change their appearance and the face of men’s health by growing a moustache. The rules are simple, start Movember 1st clean-shaven and then grow a moustache for the entire month. The moustache becomes the ribbon for men’s health, the means by which awareness and funds are raised for prostate cancer. Much like the commitment to run or walk for charity, the men of Movember commit to growing a moustache for 30 days.
As many men work up the courage to go to the doctor and get their prostate exams, this month many men worked up the courage to grow a mustache. It is an honorable task and I found it quite humourous the conversations that I have had this month about mustaches and mustache care. I want to take the time to give a high five to all the men who ventured to try something new, to look a little silly and to speak out about change. I especially appreciate the guys who have gone out to “exhibit change” this month on their face!
Here is a quote from my wonderful husband, that has made me really love this whole Movember experience.
“So as we come to the end of Movember, I would like to share my experience. As most Asian’s may think that it is unpossible to grow any type of facial hair, I would hope that we all try our best to help to encourage awareness for this great cause! As the month passes by I notice so many awesome ‘staches that makes me think that everyone should try. Even us Asian’s that only are able to grow only a small patch of hair should help with the cause. Prostate cancer affect’s all of us guys so do your duty and grow that facial hair!” ~ Ed
John Street Square Design Competition Super Party!
OK OK OK! So that might have been THE longest title for an event….but it was still super fun! We came up with 3 extremely unique designs out of dozens of ideas.
The Toronto Entertainment District BIA hosted an open call for design for the John Street Square, I saw the Design Competition as a way to bring people together to talk about what we envision for a piece of downtown Toronto. What do we see and feel are the true assets of Toronto and what do we want to see more of? What is missing and what is an opportunity waiting for action?
Exhibit Change hosted the John Street Square Design Competition Super Party on October 21, 2010. We brainstormed and put all our ideas on post-it notes as individual concepts. After 10 minutes we had well over 100 ideas that each could have flourished into an amazing downtown experience. We collected and sorted our ideas and come up with several innovative designs. And of course we played with markers, pipe cleaners, play-doh, pom poms and glitter paper because connecting to our playful side is so important and really changes perspectives.
I worked on a design, that we didn’t name. It had a fashion runway, a giant gumball machine and several photobooths scattered throughout the site. I like to think of this as a downtown carnival and amusement destination, it is purely about having fun and really incorporating the energy of the King and John intersection. The marvelous thing about this design and this event is that we are beginning to talk about how citizens can animate the city.
Here are a few quotes from the event:
“Imagine a square that represents the arts and culture found inside the surrounding buildings made public for all to see. The idea behind my ideal square is to create a public space that functions as an outdoor theatre and meeting area. Ideally, during the evening and weekends, community theatre companies can present in the space and during off hours, people in the surrounding area can enjoy a quiet area to sit, eat and relax. To create an oasis in Toronto, the square would be full of trees and the seating area would be limestone boulders arranged like theatre benches. ” ~ Melissa Loomans
I absolutely love when events are inspired by the energy in the room and the ideas people bring.
Greening Ward 27
Greening Ward 27 was simply amazing. I was so happy with the turnout of participants, even though it was rainy afternoon and I would understand if everyone had wanted to stay in bed.
As participants arrived they were asked to pick up a name tag with a combination of live, work, play, eat or learn. The name tag code was revealed later. The goal of the day was to not think too hard and to have fun, this was the best way to come up with innovative ideas. A hands-on community design charrette works best when all the participants are open to new processes, mindful of other people’s ideas and positive about making changes.
To start the day, we had design thinking oreos. Oreos are the perfect way to explain the process of design thinking. Design thinking is something we all do; it is a process of intending, discovering, collaborating, creating and communicating – this is something we do when we eat oreos. Oreos are great icebreakers, idea generators and free thinking catalysts.
Everyone literally put their ideas on the table, based on themes of “Live”, “Work”, “Play”, “Eat” & “Learn”. We got lots of amazing ideas and lots of great energy.
Lastly, the best part is the post-it note action mapping activity that helps to have participants take action in the projects moving forward.
This event was made possible by my awesome sponsors and volunteers. I could never have done it without you all! Thank you forever to Emily, Matt, Mojan, Johnny, Vince, Hitoshi and of course Ed!
All photography credits go to Hello-Foto