""Joseph Schaeffer understands,
more than anyone else I know,
the essence of community and the qualities
of character of living community ...
The world needs this book.""
-- Paul Born, author of "Deepening Community"
In thirty concise and compelling Think Pieces, Joseph Schaeffer takes readers on a journey beyond divisive habits and attitudes to a new way of thinking about community and communication: a way that makes it possible for those who lead organizations and groupings of any size -- and those who participate in them -- to live together with care and creativity.
The wisdom and experience that are evident on every page of this book flow from Schaeffer's personal, professional, and academic explorations, during which he has asked thousands of people from many ethnic backgrounds, walks of life, and geographic regions, "What would people be like within and with each other in a world you would like to be part of?"
In sharing his findings, Schaeffer reveals the five main qualities of character demonstrated by people who create vibrant, cohesive communities -- Genuine Interest, Acknowledgement, Deep Empathy, Altruism, and Mutual Trust -- and investigates the kinds of creative communication that nourish these qualities.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Joseph Schaeffer is an author, speaker, consultant, and facilitator. He provides workshops and educational programs through Tamarack Institute and the Forsyth Centre. His previous books are "The Stone People: Living Together in a Different World" and "The Pebble Game: Achieving Creativity in Human Interaction." Joseph has taught at Marlboro College, Royal Roads University, and Conrad Grebel University College. He earned his Master's in English and Ph.D. in Anthropology from Columbia University.

Communities around the world are entering a new era of community building. Whether improving economic conditions and reducing poverty, re-energizing citizens and social programs, reducing crime, or revitalizing a troubled neighborhood, they are engaging people from all sectors as never before to work together as equals to improve their quality of life.

At the heart of this engagement are community conversations, in which common goals are embraced by a diverse array of people with different backgrounds and needs, and influencers are drawn from multiple sectors, including community organizations, the various levels of government, and businesses big and small.

Full of informative and inspiring examples of collaboration, "Community Conversations" captures the essence of creating such conversations and offers ten practical techniques to host conversations in your community.

Paul Born is a master storyteller who infuses his work, relationships, community, and life with the magic of conversation. He is internationally recognized for his innovative approaches to community building. Paul is president and cofounder of Tamarack - An Institute for Community Engagement. He is also the founding chair of the Canadian Community Economic Development Network, Vibrant Communities Canada, and Opportunities 2000.

"Equal parts inspiration, perspiration, and information -- a book that is sure to take the Vibrant Communities story to new heights as it begins its next exciting phase."

In Canada, "poverty reduction" is no longer a "wouldn't it be nice" dream discussed after yet another failure to make a dent in an age-old problem. It's a living, breathing, exhilarating reality.

Why?

Because all across the country people are approaching poverty in a positive, creative, and energetic way. They are doing so courtesy of a new social phenomenon called Vibrant Communities: a network of people who are getting people together - citizens (no matter what their income), community developers, business people, and representatives from all levels of government -- to determine needs, community assets, and strategies. They're putting plans into action with astonishing results.

This book tells their story. And perhaps yours, too.

Paul Born is the author of the recently published "Community Conversations: Mobilizing the Ideas, Skills, and Passion of Community Organizations, Governments, Businesses, and People." He is internationally recognized for his innovative approaches to community building. He is the President and Co-founder of Tamarack - An Institute for Community Engagement and the founding chair of the Canadian Community Economic Development Network, Vibrant Communities Canada, and Opportunities 2000.