St. Albert is an expanding city within the Edmonton capital region.
But as it grows in sophistication, many would like to maintain that small town vibe – one where residents step up to help those in need and volunteer to create much-needed projects.
Family and Community Support Services, in partnership with St. Albert Neighbourhood Network, are bringing in a special guest speaker to discuss the many positive features in a community and build upon what is there.
John McKnight, professor of communication studies and education and social policy at Northwestern University in Evanston, Ill., and author of several books on asset-based community development, will be the keynote speaker at a one-day conference on Monday, Dec. 2 at the Alliance church.
“He is the guru of asset-based community development and people travel from all over the world to see him. He’s a good storyteller and his work is very well respected,” said Angie Dedrick, FCSS neighbourhood development co-ordinator.
McKnight is co-director of the Asset-Based Community Development Institute. He has also co-authored Building Communities from the Inside Out: A Path Toward Identifying and Mobilizing a Community’s Asset, a book that became one of America’s best-selling guides to community development.
McKnight was invited to participate earlier in the year shortly after the City of St. Albert unveiled its five-point social master plan in April. Coincidentally, it was also the 45th anniversary of FCSS and organizers felt an address from McKnight was a positive way to host a community celebration, Dedrick said.
The first portion of the one-day conference is a luncheon at 11 a.m. followed by McKnight’s address on why it is important to define and work with community resources. Local agencies, organizations, businesses and activity groups were invited.
“McKnight is a thought leader and he’s going to inspire us with ideas we can think about and how it applies to our community,” Dedrick said.
In the evening the public is invited to attend a second address as McKnight speaks about ways to get people engaged. The meet-and-mingle event runs from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. immediately followed by McKnight’s talk.
“We hope people come away with an enhanced understanding of community building and are inspired to act in their own way. However, we want this to be a celebration rather than a ‘roll up your sleeves and get to work’.”
Questions can be emailed to Dedrick at [email protected] or 780-418-6055 extension 3086.
For more information on McKnight, click on to www.abundantcommunity.com.
