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2007-June Press Release Pre-WC#2
Wise Democracy Victoria www.WiseDemocracyVictoria.com
Victoria, June 14, 2007 – Wise Democracy Victoria is about to convene Victoria's second Wisdom Council. The first was held in March. A Wisdom Council is an experiment in community based democracy, in which potential participants are randomly selected from the city’s phone book. Twelve people are drawn from the hat to participate in two days of facilitated dialogue about whatever issues they deem important.
“We are really excited about carrying forward the momentum from our last Wisdom Council,” said Dr. Paul Mohapel, a Victoria resident and volunteer with Wise Democracy Victoria, who studies and teaches Leadership at Royal Roads University. “There was so much electrifying energy from the last Wisdom Council, especially when the participants generated their profound proposition statement. The statement is available online at www.wisedemocracyvictoria.com.”
Last week some of the members of the first Wisdom Council presented their proposition statement directly to Victoria City council. “We want to get the word out that ordinary citizens can have a voice and contribute meaningfully to issues that are important to them.”
The Wisdom council seeks to empower Victoria residents by establishing a voice for the common person - to allow Victoria citizens to connect with the wisdom in their community and find solutions to issues that THEY deem important. It is an opportunity to help existing institutions like city councils, board of commissioners, legislators, businesses, and community organizations become more effective by giving a clear voice to the thoughts, needs and values of local citizens.
Council members participate as individuals - they do not represent anyone else, any interest group, any organization, or any region. There’s no pre-determined agenda or topic. Council members choose the issues they want to discuss, and are facilitated to discuss them in an atmosphere of openness and respect for each other’s viewpoints.
The Wisdom Council meets June 22nd and 23rd, with a public meeting scheduled for Saturday June 23rd, from 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. The event will be held at the Fairfield New Horizons Centre, 380 Cook Street. Everyone is urged to attend.
About Wise Democracy Victoria >>>> www.WiseDemocracyVictoria.com
Wise Democracy Victoria is a group of ordinary citizens who volunteer their time to encourage more inclusive, thoughtful and responsible community dialogue. It is affiliated with the international Center for Wise Democracy www.wisedemocracy.org.
Contacts: Paul Mohapel George Sranko Diane Wallrich
(250) 414-6623 (250) 598-0124 (250) 414-6809
paul.mohapel@shaw.ca gsranko@shaw.ca dlwallrich@shaw.ca
2160 Florence Street, Victoria, BC V8R 5E8
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Local Citizens Continue Their Work to Revitalize Democracy in Victoria
Victoria residents to participate in an innovate democratic approach to
dialogue about community issues
dialogue about community issues
Victoria, June 14, 2007 – Wise Democracy Victoria is about to convene Victoria's second Wisdom Council. The first was held in March. A Wisdom Council is an experiment in community based democracy, in which potential participants are randomly selected from the city’s phone book. Twelve people are drawn from the hat to participate in two days of facilitated dialogue about whatever issues they deem important.
“We are really excited about carrying forward the momentum from our last Wisdom Council,” said Dr. Paul Mohapel, a Victoria resident and volunteer with Wise Democracy Victoria, who studies and teaches Leadership at Royal Roads University. “There was so much electrifying energy from the last Wisdom Council, especially when the participants generated their profound proposition statement. The statement is available online at www.wisedemocracyvictoria.com.”
Last week some of the members of the first Wisdom Council presented their proposition statement directly to Victoria City council. “We want to get the word out that ordinary citizens can have a voice and contribute meaningfully to issues that are important to them.”
The Wisdom council seeks to empower Victoria residents by establishing a voice for the common person - to allow Victoria citizens to connect with the wisdom in their community and find solutions to issues that THEY deem important. It is an opportunity to help existing institutions like city councils, board of commissioners, legislators, businesses, and community organizations become more effective by giving a clear voice to the thoughts, needs and values of local citizens.
Council members participate as individuals - they do not represent anyone else, any interest group, any organization, or any region. There’s no pre-determined agenda or topic. Council members choose the issues they want to discuss, and are facilitated to discuss them in an atmosphere of openness and respect for each other’s viewpoints.
The Wisdom Council meets June 22nd and 23rd, with a public meeting scheduled for Saturday June 23rd, from 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. The event will be held at the Fairfield New Horizons Centre, 380 Cook Street. Everyone is urged to attend.
About Wise Democracy Victoria >>>> www.WiseDemocracyVictoria.com
Wise Democracy Victoria is a group of ordinary citizens who volunteer their time to encourage more inclusive, thoughtful and responsible community dialogue. It is affiliated with the international Center for Wise Democracy www.wisedemocracy.org.
Contacts: Paul Mohapel George Sranko Diane Wallrich
(250) 414-6623 (250) 598-0124 (250) 414-6809
paul.mohapel@shaw.ca gsranko@shaw.ca dlwallrich@shaw.ca
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