Community Engagement Events

Why Small Developers Build Big Trust When people think about development, the image that comes to mind is usually big: big projects, big firms, big capital. But in many neighborhoods, especially legacy Black communities, bigger is not better. Because when trust has been broken by displacement, disinvestment, and decades of promises that never materialized, it’s often small developers who can begin to rebuild it. The Trust Gap Development is not just about financing and construction. It’s about relationships. In too many communities, “development” has meant: • Homes bulldozed in the name of urban renewal • Promises of jobs or amenities that never showed up • Rising property taxes that forced out long-time residents That history lingers. And when a new project comes in with glossy renderings but no real connection to the neighborhood, people feel the distance. Trust isn’t built with a slide deck. It’s built on the ground. Why Small Developers Matter Small-scale and emerging developers are uniquely positioned to bridge this gap. Here’s why: • Proximity. Small developers are more likely to live in or near the communities they build in. They share the same schools, grocery stores, and sidewalks. That proximity breeds accountability. • Flexibility. Without the pressure of 300-unit deals, small developers can pursue projects that fit the block, a duplex here, a corner store renovation there. These incremental moves feel less like disruption and more like repair. • Relationships. Trust is built face-to-face. Smaller developers often know the residents, listen to the stories, and design projects in conversation with the community instead of in isolation. In short: big developers might bring capital. But small developers bring credibility. What This Could Unlock If cities and institutions empowered small developers at scale, we could see: • More housing delivered in places that big developers overlook • Incremental, context-sensitive projects that blend into neighborhoods rather than erase them • Development led by people of color, women, and first-generation builders who reflect the communities they serve This isn’t about pitting big against small. Both are needed. But when it comes to repairing trust in legacy communities, the work starts small. The Call to Action If we want equitable development, we can’t just chase big numbers and big deals. We have to invest in the people doing the small, steady, relationship-driven work of building trust. Because in communities where trust has been broken, sometimes the most radical thing we can do is build small. What’s one way your city or institution could better support small-scale developers?

Stakeholder Engagement Map for Sustainability 🌎 Sustainability advances when companies move from speaking to stakeholders toward building solutions with them. Engagement becomes powerful when it shifts from information-sharing to participation and co-creation. Employees are not passive recipients of corporate policies. When positioned as innovators and ambassadors, they can drive cultural change that scales faster than top-down initiatives. Investors increasingly evaluate not only financial returns but also resilience and impact. Open dialogue and credible disclosures create the foundation for financing models that reward long-term value creation. Regulators and policymakers shape the boundaries of what is possible. Proactive collaboration ensures that emerging rules both protect society and enable business innovation. NGOs and civil society connect business with pressing social and environmental realities. Partnerships with them help translate global challenges into concrete, measurable corporate actions. Customers bring more than purchasing power. Through collaboration and product co-design, they accelerate the adoption of sustainable solutions and redefine what markets demand. Suppliers and partners extend responsibility beyond a single enterprise. Joint innovation in sourcing, standards, and technology transforms sustainability into a shared endeavor across the value chain. Communities ground sustainability in place. When businesses co-invest in local development, they secure trust and create ecosystems that benefit both society and the enterprise. Media and opinion leaders influence how actions are perceived. Transparent storytelling backed by evidence strengthens legitimacy and reinforces accountability. Academia and experts contribute the critical lens of science and independent validation. Engaging them ensures that strategies are rooted in knowledge, not convenience. Risk and resilience demand collective approaches. Working groups and cross-sector alliances elevate sustainability from individual commitments to systemic impact. True engagement means entering a space of shared design. It is in these interactions that sustainability moves from compliance to transformation, and from promises to outcomes. #sustainability #business #sustainable #esg

If you work with ethnocultural communities, and you want to explore sensitive topics, it is doable. I have talked about topics that range from what I would consider "comfortable" - such as resilience and healthier aging to "extremely uncomfortable" - such as mental health, violence, and abuse. One of the first and most important steps before you do that is to develop and gain their trust. There is no sustainability in what we do, no matter how important it is, without earning the trust of the people we serve and support. How do you do that? Well, this was my approach when I began my work on older adult mistreatment (elder abuse): 1. Identify and map out the community organisations in your area/city that meet the requirements of your services/support/project. 2. Reach out to community/cultural/spiritual leaders of those communities - ideally with an email and then a face-to-face meeting (introduce yourself and be transparent in what your ask is, but also suggest that you would like to know how you/your organisation can be of benefit to the community). 3. Ask to be invited to community events or gatherings as a gentle entry into the community, and so they can familiarise themselves with you. 4. Remember - it's about the community, their needs, and voices. 5. You may need to do these community event visits several times to earn and develop trust (trustworthiness is also a pillar of trauma-informed care). 6. Once trust is earned, and you have been able to engage the community in conversations around their needs, you can address your ask and adapt it to the community and the concerns they share with you. This sort of community engagement will also bring with it benefits and growth, plus, if you're in the field of social support and community engagement and advocacy, you know how important these steps are. Trust first. Your ask comes later.

Relationships first. The revenue will come. As the founder of a grassroots organization, I spend about 90% of my time focusing on building relationships—learning who people are, not just what they can do for me. I’ve learned the best way to build long-term partnerships isn’t by focusing on the partnership, it's about focusing on the PERSON. 💡 My approach to building authentic, long-term partnerships: ✔ Give first. I never enter a conversation thinking about what I can gain. Instead, I ask: How can I give? ✔ Understand their ‘why.’ What captivates them? What is their mission? What do they desire to accomplish? ✔ Build for the long-term. How do we go beyond short term wins, and focus on long term impact? The biggest funding opportunities don’t typically come from chasing currency. They come from building lasting community. #Fundraising #CorporatePartnerships #CommunityBuilding 

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐇𝐢𝐝𝐝𝐞𝐧 𝐑𝐎𝐈 𝐨𝐟 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐁𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠: 𝟓 𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐋𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐨𝐧𝐬 👨🏼💻 Why I Keep Showing Up When Others See No Value Have you ever been asked, Why waste time on communities when there's no immediate return? After 5 years of community building, I've discovered the secret most people miss... "जैसे दीपक से दीपक जलता है, वैसे ही एक समुदाय दूसरे को प्रकाशित करता है।" 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐔𝐧𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐓𝐫𝐮𝐭𝐡 𝐀𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐑𝐎𝐈 💰 • Immediate benefits are rare – and that's exactly the point • The most valuable connections often appear years after planting the seeds • Those seeking instant gratification miss the profound transformation happening beneath the surface • Community impact compounds like interest – small, consistent investments create exponential returns 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐀𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐖𝐢𝐬𝐝𝐨𝐦 𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐝 𝐌𝐲 𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐚𝐜𝐡 👀 The story of 𝐄𝐦𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐨𝐫 𝐀𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐤𝐚 provides a powerful parallel to community building. Initially driven by conquest and immediate power, he transformed after witnessing the devastation of war. His greatest legacy came not from quick victories but from the patient cultivation of a compassionate society – a journey that required years of consistent effort without immediate validation. "धैर्य रखने वाला व्यक्ति अंततः महान बनता है, जैसे पानी की बूंद पत्थर में छेद कर देती है।" 𝟓 𝐐𝐮𝐢𝐜𝐤 𝐓𝐢𝐩𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐁𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐋𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐆𝐚𝐦𝐞 🎯 • 𝐃𝐨𝐜𝐮𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐣𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐲 – Create content from your experiences to multiply your impact • 𝐏𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 – Choose quality engagements over quantity • 𝐁𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐜𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐜𝐢𝐫𝐜𝐥𝐞 – Identify 5-7 key relationships to nurture deeply • 𝐌𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐝𝐢𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐬 – Track lives impacted, not just immediate business gains • 𝐂𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐬𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐬, 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 – Design frameworks that scale your community impact 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐨𝐱 😎 The most effective community leaders aren't those constantly in the spotlight. They're the ones creating spaces for others to shine – often without recognition. This path isn't for everyone. There are easier routes to professional advancement. But true community architects understand what others miss 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐕𝐚𝐥𝐮𝐞 𝐌𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐏𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐌𝐢𝐬𝐬 🤔 • You develop rare leadership skills impossible to learn elsewhere • You build an authentic network that supports you through any crisis • You gain perspective that makes you invaluable in any organization • You create impact that outlasts any career achievement Are you building communities for quick wins, or are you cultivating a legacy that will flourish long after you've moved on?

Why build a community, and who is it for? These days every company is jumping on the community bandwagon, but many without clear goals, they’re just spinning wheels. Knowing why you want a community and who it's for is important. Without this clarity, efforts can fall flat. → Define Your Community’s Core Purpose Understand whether your product serves new developers, seasoned professionals, teams, or solo engineers, and tailor your approach accordingly. Develop a code of conduct to maintain a supportive and respectful environment. → Align Community Segments with Goals Outline your primary goals such as: - Gathering periodic feedback - Establishing thought leadership - Tracking industry trends → Cater to Both Free and Paid Customers: - For free users, focus on offering value and building relationships to earn their trust. - For paid users, ensure premium support & exclusive content to enhance their experience and retention. → Culture of Shared Practices Foster an environment where members share practices that help each other thrive. Ex: Google’s Developer Groups encourage members to share knowledge through meetups, workshops, and conferences, creating a culture of continuous learning & support. → Long-Term Engagement Aim for a community that grows your customer base and ensures sustained success through active involvement and mutual support. While inclusivity is essential, ensure there’s a sense of commitment and mutual support among members. - Narrow down the specific types of developers or users you are targeting. - Consider the skill level, experience, and specific needs of your ideal community members. Use analytics to understand which segments are most engaged and why. #communitybuilding #developercommunity #devrel

Unlocking Potential Through Data Analytics and Storytelling In today's data-driven world, the ability to harness insights from data is crucial for effective decision-making and community engagement. Even social enterprises, primarily focuses on active ageing, healthcare, non-profits, and community services can significantly benefit from building competencies in data analytics, dashboard visualization, and data storytelling as well. Why Focus on Data Analytics? It’s obvious for commercial purpose but what about social? 1. Enhanced Donor Engagement: Understanding donor behavior and preferences can help tailor outreach strategies, leading to increased contributions and support. 2. Outreach Optimization: By analyzing the needs and interests of stakeholders, organizations can create targeted programs that resonate deeply with their audience. 3. Program Effectiveness: Data analytics allows for the assessment of program outcomes, helping organizations refine their offerings to maximize impact. 4. Resource Allocation: Insights derived from data can inform better allocation of resources, ensuring that initiatives are both effective and efficient. Personally, I am passionate about #communityengagement, I believe that every data point tells a story of each community member. Engaging with our communities means understanding their unique needs and aspirations. It’s about fostering connections and creating programs that truly make a difference in people’s lives. We are thrilled to partner with an Active Ageing Centre to build their competency in these critical areas. By analyzing donor data and understanding the needs of seniors, we aim to enhance engagement and outreach efforts, creating a more connected community. Let's Connect! If your organization is looking to improve its data capabilities and drive meaningful change in the community, let's discuss how we can collaborate. Together, we can unlock the full potential of your data. #DataAnalytics #DashboardVisualization #DataStorytelling #ActiveAgeing #NonProfit #SocialImpact #paulinea

In the world of consulting for nonprofits, the voices of the communities served can be overshadowed by a disproportionate focus on the opinions of key stakeholders — funders, board members and influential partners. This alignment can sideline the perspectives of the very communities the non-profits aim to help. Consultants also tend to conflate best practices with common or prevalent practices, comparing clients to peer organisations and inadvertently reinforcing status-quo approaches to social purpose work. These unintended consequences are some of the insightful findings in Leah Reisman's book, "How Consultants Shape Nonprofits" (Stanford Social Innovation Review). Over the past decade, the growing number of consultants for nonprofits and NGOs in India has been a positive development, strengthening the sector as a whole. As the industry evolves, it’s useful for all stakeholders to keep these findings in mind while shaping the future of nonprofit consulting. Contrary to the perception that nonprofit consultants simply import business ideas into the social sector, Reisman’s research reveals that nonprofit consultants are driven by their commitment to social impact — something I’ve seen firsthand among nonprofit consultants in India. The book offers valuable strategies for nonprofit consultants and capacity builders to enhance their effectiveness: -- Balance stakeholder expectations while ensuring the communities served remain at the heart of the exercise. -- Bridge the gap between stakeholder visions and ground realities, translating complex needs into actionable strategies. -- Leverage data to align stakeholder goals with community needs, creating a unified approach to success. -- Guide non-profits toward sustainable solutions that benefit the community, even when initial directives are stakeholder-driven. This provides food for thought as the nonprofit consulting sector navigates its next phase of growth. What are your perspectives on this? Do share. #Consulting #NonProfits #Leadership

🎯 Yesterday’s YPO Germany–Switzerland–Austria Day Chair training turned big ideas into how we actually do it. Amazing insights that make it look so easy but are super hard to execute like a pro. Plus these are frameworks you can (and should) use for any meeting, company event or client workshop. What landed for me: 🪑 The Three-Legged Stool (make every event stand): 📚 Learning — design for actionable takeaways (not keynotes-for-show) 🤝 Networking — engineer peer exchange (tables, rotations, F2F moments) 🎯 Experiencing — offsites/socials that anchor memory & momentum 🧭 E-CODE in practice (not on a slide): 👥 Engage Peers: create a safe haven; use member expertise & peer-to-peer formats 💥 Compel Content: clear outcomes, diverse voices, thought-provoking activities 🧠 Open Minds: multi-sensory, whole-person learning; challenge assumptions 🏁 Deliver Value: know the audience; exceed expectations in planning & follow-through 🌟 Extraordinary Resources: the right facilitators, venues, and tools to lift the bar 🛠️ Sell the event like a pro (the 60-sec Elevator Pitch): ❌ Don’t speak too fast / cram 15 minutes into 1 ❌ Ditch jargon & acronyms—make it understandable ✅ Practice until conversational (human > robotic) ✅ Actually use the pitch to do targeted follow-ups 🔁 Close the loop (so learning compounds): ✚/Δ Plus/Delta at the end → what worked / what to improve 🧪 Separate content feedback from logistics → cleaner signal for next time Events aren’t “nice to have” — they’re our engagement engine for peer-to-peer exchange and new ideas. Proud of this learning group and grateful for an excellent facilitation. 👥 I’ll tag our facilitator and the team on the photo. 👉 Question: What’s one detail you’ve used to turn a good event into a transformational one? #YPO #GSA #Learning #EventDesign #ECODE #Community #BetterLeadersThroughLifelongLearning

Why Building Relationships with First Nations Communities is Non-Negotiable Investing time to build genuine relationships with First Nations communities, organisations, and businesses is critical. Without these connections, your organisation risks creating a gaping hole—missing the mark on cultural appropriateness, authenticity, and true reflection of First Nations voices.   Yes, it takes effort. Yes, it takes time. But doing this properly from the start prevents costly mistakes down the line—mistakes that can damage trust, your reputation, and relationships with First Nations peoples. The consequences for both organisations and communities can be significant when reconciliation and engagement are done poorly.   Excuses won’t cut it. Prioritising this work is how you ensure your actions align with the needs, perspectives, and values of First Nations communities. It’s not just a task—it’s a responsibility. When you take the time to connect, listen, and learn, you set the foundation for meaningful, lasting impact.   Do it properly. Do it now.