Entries by Jaan Pill

Networking is a skill that one develops as a result of extensive practice

We’ve discusssed seven key things we had learned by the fifteen-year mark in our twenty-five years of community organizing. Current projects offer us opportunities to learn a few more things. 1. Some people excel at strategic thinking It’s valuable to have the opportunity to consult with individuals who excel at strategic thinking. 2. Motivation is a key variable […]

Some projects are too big for one or two people to do on their own

I’ve been involved in volunteer work, with a focus on community organizing, for twenty-five years. After fifteen years as a volunteer active at the local, national, and international levels, I spent several years making keynote presentations at conferences, sharing what I had learned. Usually I would talk about seven key principles. 1. Some projects are too […]

Planning and research are part of doing one’s homework

My work as a volunteer has a strong intellectual component. Much of what I do involves extensive work. Strategic thinking is another key ingredient. Usually I consult with people who have more experience than I do, in order to develop a strategic plan that is suitable for a given situation. Aside from engaging in strategic […]

Securing the future of heritage trees, second ed. (2011)

Securing the future of heritage trees: a protection toolkit for communities (2011) is based on work by the Ontario Heritage Tree Alliance. This publication, devoted to the topic of heritage trees, is available from the Toronto Public Library. The publisher is the Ontario Urban Forest Council. The discussion that follows includes comments from David Switzer. […]