Troy Murphy’s Post

Highly recommended reading for all community development practitioners! 'Whose Reality Counts: Putting the First Last' by Robert Chambers is a thought-provoking book that challenges our perspectives. I encourage you to read, unlearn, relearn, and approach your work with humility - becoming a student, not the expert. This book triggered a mix of emotions in me - from feeling down and angry to encouraged and challenged. Chambers' insights on 'uppers' and 'lowers', 'triple uppers' and 'triple lowers' resonated deeply. 'Whose Reality Counts' presents a radical challenge to all concerned with development, whether practitioners, researchers or policy-makers, in all organizations and disciplines, and at all levels from fieldworkers to the heads of agencies. Key takeaways: - The importance of listening to marginalized voices - Challenging our own biases and assumptions - Embracing participatory approaches - Recognizing power dynamics Let's dive into this essential reading and transform our community development work! Share your thoughts and lessons learned in the comments! #whoserealitycounts #communitydevelopment #robertchambers #socialjustice #personalgrowth

If you're serious about nurturing meaningful communities, you should definitely take a look at the Community Weaving project from Fabian Pfortmüller and his collaborators. Among the elements of the Community Weaving framework that resonate with me are the following: - Community emerges from a shared purpose. - A community has a dynamic set of roles, including stewards (highly committed), members (actively participating), and friends (loosely connected). - Communities have a rhythm punctuated by rituals. - Engagement within a community is fractal. I'm particularly interested in the last point. How can we find ways to catalyze small-group conversations at scale within a larger community to cultivate deeper connections, increased trust, effective learning, and the benefits stemming from cognitive diversity? https://lnkd.in/gUtiHnmi

Community Powered Responses is holding an Unpacking Power workshop. Power is a very abstract idea, a big and complicated concept. Each of us understand it in our own way, within the context of the issues we work on, the people we work with, what we have read about it, or based on our own experiences of power.  The purpose of this workshop is to sort out the confusion and help us move to a shared understanding of power so that all of us who are committed to community development or social justice can build our strategies from a more comprehensive, shared definition and analysis of power as it operates in society, regardless of our specific issues, or socio-economic, political and cultural contexts.  In this workshop, we will unpack: ✅ What is it? ✅ Where is it? ✅ What does power look like?  ✅ What are its causes or sources?  ✅ How does it work? 📌For more information on the course itself, follow the link https://lnkd.in/gBQ4q_d2 👉🏾 When: Friday 24th May 2024 👉🏾 Time: 9.30 am to 4.30 pm AEST 👉🏾 Where: Ceres Environmental Centre Naarm/ Melbourne 👉🏾 Cost: $250.00 / $212.50 +BF 👉🏾 Venue Accessibility Guide: https://lnkd.in/gGFy7Ph3 👉🏾 Register: https://lnkd.in/g9wgsvhv #power #internationaldevelopment #humanitarian #communitydevelopment #GEDSI

When it comes to building a community creation was first in seeing the advantages of this. "Building community is essential to our well-being and growth. By connecting with others, we can thrive and become better versions of ourselves. Recognizing the value of community, we can foster meaningful relationships, support one another, and create a sense of belonging. Together, we can rise above challenges and become more compassionate, empathetic, and resilient human beings. #communitymatters #togetherwe-rise #growththroughconnection"

Power is a very abstract idea, a big and complicated concept. Each of us understands it in our own way, within the context of the issues we work on, the people we work with, what we have read about it, or based on our own experiences of power. The purpose of this workshop is to sort out the confusion and help us move to a shared understanding of power so that all of us who are committed to community development or social justice can build our strategies from a more comprehensive, shared definition and analysis of power as it operates in society, regardless of our specific issues, or socio-economic, political and cultural contexts. In this workshop, we will unpack: Where is it?  What does it look like?  What are its causes or sources?  How does it work? When: Tuesday 20th August 2024 Time: 9.30 am to 4.30 pm AEST Where: Ceres Environmental Park Melbourne / Naarm.  Cost: $250.00 / $212.50 + BF https://lnkd.in/gNEg5vwF

In the realm of community development and project implementation, there's a powerful truth that often gets overlooked -The significance of listening and collaborating with those directly impacted by our initiatives. Success isn't just about ticking off boxes or achieving predetermined goals; it's about fostering a sense of ownership and empowerment among the people we aim to serve. Every successful project I've been a part of has shared one common thread: a commitment to listening to the voices of the community and working hand in hand with them right from the start. It's not merely about swooping in with solutions; it's about honoring the wealth of wisdom and knowledge that resides within the community itself. It's about acknowledging that true change emerges when we recognize and uplift the insights and experiences of those whose lives we seek to impact. Attempting to "fix" lives without genuinely engaging with the people involved isn't just ineffective; it's also a form of epistemic injustice. It denies individuals the dignity of being active participants in shaping their own futures. So, let's recommit ourselves to the power of collaboration. Let's create spaces where every voice is heard, valued, and respected. Together, we can blend our efforts to help shape communities that are truly inclusive, sustainable, and transformative. #CommunityEmpowerment #CollaborativeDevelopment #ListenAndLearn #TogetherWeThrive 

Lots of wisdom from INSPIRE project partner, Burt Pusch, about the factors that contribute to a community engagement projects' ability, or inability, to make an impact. Check out his video and - if you're also a person with lived experience- contribute your own here: https://lnkd.in/e7AVgqR4

Why Community Involvement Matters? Community involvement isn't just about helping out; it's about building a stronger, connected society. Here's why it's crucial: ✔️Fosters Belonging: Engaging in community activities makes you feel part of something bigger, enhancing your sense of belonging. ✔️Drives Change: Your involvement can influence local policies, making your community better. ✔️Personal Growth: It teaches leadership, empathy, and responsibility, enriching your personal development. ➡️ Consistency Associationsare key players in this. They ensure community efforts are sustained, leading to lasting improvements. Become part of a Consistency Association today! Inquire about Constituency Association for your federal, provincial and even municipal riding. Your consistent involvement can lead to real, lasting change in your community. Let's build a future together where every voice matters.

Collective impact is a network of community members, organizations, and institutions that advance equity by learning together, aligning, and integrating their actions to achieve population and system-level change. What are the four phases of collective impact? 1) A clear, common purpose; 2) Community engagement and co-production; 3) Relationships and trust; and 4) Results and accountability.

Community strength isn't about size. It's the bonds between members. 🤝 Strengthen community by: ➡️ Organizing events that bring people together ➡️ Addressing community needs collaboratively ➡️ Creating platforms for open dialogue ➡️ Celebrating achievements as a group ➡️ Fostering culture of mutual support Small actions create far-reaching effects. Every interaction builds community strength. Your role is more significant than imagined. Strong communities adapt to challenges together. They're built on trust and vision. Resilient communities embrace diverse perspectives. They turn differences into collective strength. A strong community turns '𝘮𝘦' into '𝘸𝘦'. Be the change. Your community needs you. 🍃 #WeMakeImpact