January 05, 2013
2013 - Already! Onwards in Peace & Love!
By
Katherine Dodds
It's a new year, time to ponder the future and our vision for Hello Cool World!
The Vancity Women Entrepreneur Project has been a great opportunity to work on a business plan, and this coming week i'm excited to be sitting down with my long-term cohorts to discuss what we collectively see in our future, how we can continue to work with those "with a message to sell or a story to tell!"
January sees us continuing the exciting work branding and positioning the wonderful Social Justice organization Inter Pares (which means "Among Equals'). We are also at work on a very exciting pilot project we are doing with SACY and Vancouver youth to create short videos and campaign materials to support their high school program addressing in a positive ways, issues youth face around substance abuse. We'll be continuing our public health and harm reduction work with more e'Zines for Toward the Heart.
We're also looking forward to more important work with Circles of Understanding, which is addressing the impact residential schools have had on First Nations people in Canada, and how to educate the public and create opportunities for awareness and healing. We've also been inspired by the #IdleNoMore movement, which the 'official' site aminstrators have already said has become too big from them to track! And while we at HCW have no direct link to its organzing, I have been watching and participating when I can locally as I think this is one of the most siginficant grassroots movements I've witnessed in my lifetime. I am humbled, excited and hopeful because of this work and ceremony I have been witnessing.
We've had excitement and challenges in this past year, and I feel privileged to be able to be doing these projects in a spirit of reflection as we build models to help both ourselves, and our cohorts do what we do more effectively and sustainably.
We'll also be gearing up for more of out 65_RedRoses #4Eva Campaign around organ donation and CF Awareness, and have been thriled that CF Vancouver has bought copies of the film to re-sell as fundraisers, as well very excited to be partnering with BC Transplant to get the film into BC high schools, thanks to BCT licencing the film for this use, meaning that we can provide it to schools for free and individual teachers at low cost for their own copies.
In all these projects we are working on how, as social entrepreneurs, we can make our efforts produce social good, and sustain the effort. Working on new models is very important in these challenging times for filmmakers, distributors and non-profits, who have all been impacted by the economy and cuts to public and project funding.
So happy new year to all, wishes for sustainable prosperity, and energy to move onwards in peace & love!
~ kat
Tag(s):
Hello Cool World
Recent Blogs by Katherine Dodds:
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On February 10, 2013 at 08:31 PM MabMab wrote:
Hi Neil, I was in touch with you some time back via the Dieselbike forum when my own diesel trike was unidegorng a big rebuild here in Co. Antrim. I got it on the road again in the summer and had a fair few similar adventures to your own in terms of annoying/frustrating breakdowns etc, although usually easier to get sorted I imagine! The blog is a fascinating read, especially as I've had idle fantasies about undertaking a longer-distance trip of my own, although not as ambitious as yours. Only started reading it about six weeks ago, so after getting through the majority in one go as a sort of single story, I'm really only getting used to the live element now, wondering how you're getting on etc. You seem to have developed a talent for wading through the bureaucracy, or maybe you just prefer to make the long story short in that regard! It comes across that India and Pakistan in particular have affected you greatly in terms of the way you perceive the contrasts between the relative luxury of your position and the lives of the people you encounter. Have to say India sounds like a very challenging place to ride a bike, I don't think I'd have the nerve even to drive a car there. Hope Helen gets well soon and that you both make it there & back in one piece. Happy New Year!Andy
On February 11, 2013 at 06:38 AM Yuka wrote:
You know I'm here Neil Looking forward to canctihg up with all the updates made today (30th Dec) on my phone whilst soaking in the bath it's been great reading so far. A good few people have done journeys similar to yours but have they been on a diesel bike? Nope! You can safely say you were the first. Glad to hear how well Helen is getting on too. Maybe in 2011 you'll both make it to the UK and German rallies? I hope to also though my wife is due with our second child at the end of May so it might only be a brief visit to the UK one for me! All the best for 2011 and see you soon Dan
