Build a Movement Change the World

Build a Movement Change the World

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed, citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”

―Margaret Mead

 

Do you have big ideas?

Do you see problems in your community  and the world and want to do something about them, but get overwhelmed to know where to start?

Do you want to build a business and bring audacious change to life?

Do you feel like one of the reasons you are here on earth is to help your community grow and prosper?

Do you want to build and share a powerful body of work?

We welcome you to

Build a Movement, Change the World 

Abe Cajudo (with camera), Pam Slim, Bonus Mom Diane Stewart and Dad Lewis Stewart in in front of the Port Costa School, after the first interview for Body of Work.

“A social movement that only moves people is merely a revolt. A movement that changes both people and institutions is a revolution.”
― Martin Luther King Jr., Why We Can’t Wait

If you want to get something important done, especially something that challenges the status quo, you need to capture the hearts, minds and hands of others. No major social, technological, theological or political change has ever happened without building a movement.

In business today, it is not enough to have a great idea, product or service. You need to involve your customers as advocates, co-conspirators and market enthusiasts. Bodies of work are created and spread together. True movement building does not come from quick viral YouTube tricks or coercive Facebook Like campaigns. It is the result of human connection, shared vision and lots and lots of hard work.

Such talk is not sexy in today’s instant gratification culture. But once you get a taste of true community building, it is wildly fulfilling.

That is what my Dad has been teaching me since the day I was born. I have watched him quietly and patiently build recycling programs (the first curbside recycling program in the state of California, in fact, in 1971), protect open space (in Marin and Contra Costa Counties), and restore a 100 year old school (for 30 years and counting, in Port Costa).

Here is what my Dad had to say about community service, in a small snippet from our long interview for my book:

The experience of interviewing my Dad for Body of Work had a profound impact on me. I had always admired him, but had not realized that he had such a nuanced and deep understanding about how to build communities and movements, until I began to dig into a lot of stories from his past. What I discovered is a man deeply committed to community service, who surrounds himself with amazing peers (including his wonderful wife Diane) who freely give of their time and talents in their community just because it is the right thing to do.

I know it was my Dad’s influence that made me choose to volunteer running a non-profit martial arts organization for ten years, spending countless hours on behalf of  young people I was passionate about serving. They deserved to be loved and shaped by a powerful art, so I put in the time to make sure they had that experience. It was the right thing to do, and I am so glad I did it.

For this reason, it is my tremendous honor  to share my Dad and his ideas with you, along with my own ideas and experience  as well as those of some of my closest friends.

My Dad is one of the most energetic people I know. He is also 79 years old. A lot of lessons are learned in 79 years. I want to make sure we learn from the best.

Workshop Details

On Saturday, August 2, 2014, from 9am to 4pm, Pam Slim and her Dad Lewis Stewart, the lead character in Chapter 1 of Body of Work (sure to be played by Kevin Bacon in the motion picture), plus special guests, will lead a day filled with inspiration, ideas, discussion and examples of building powerful communities and movements.

Building on skills covered by Pam’s book Body of Work, and her Dad Lewis’ 60 years of experience leading volunteer and community building efforts, this workshop will fire you up, clarify your goals, connect you with amazing fellow participants and equip you to make real, lasting, important change.

 

The workshop (a fundraiser) will take place in the historic Port Costa School, which has been (and continues to be) lovingly restored over the past 30 years by a dedicated group of volunteers.

Who this event is for:

• Entrepreneurs
• Artists
• Community builders
• Passionate volunteers
• Social entrepreneurs
• Civic and governmental organizations
• Faith organizations
• Corporate employees
• Anyone not mentioned above who would like to come!

What will you learn in the workshop?

• How to create a compelling vision for your project or business
• How to identify the community and stakeholders you want to influence
• The importance of volunteerism and service in any movement, and how to leverage their contributions most effectively
• How to galvanize action through clear and compelling communication
• How to use social media to nurture relationships, build community and grow a movement
• Many ways to raise funds for community and social projects (ranging from grants to talent shows to Kickstarter Campaigns)

What is the format of the workshop?

This workshop will be a dynamic mix of full-group presentations and small group breakouts and discussions. We intend to work on some of your real projects, generating ideas, shaping plans and designing effective implementation plans.

We will also take “field trips” to downtown Port Costa (a 3 minute walk from the school) to see first hand the kinds of projects that have been successful.

(Walking is always optional — in case you have mobility issues, we will have an alternative activity to do while we are out walking)

The real magic comes from our conversation. We will all learn from each other. And finish the day with inspired hearts and our collective fists in the air.

We are here to get work done.

 “The teacher is of course an artist, but being an artist does not mean that he or she can make the profile, can shape the students. What the educator does in teaching is to make it possible for the students to become themselves.”
― Paulo Freire, We Make the Road by Walking: Conversations on Education and Social Change

Additional amazing speakers:

Earl Flewellen is a Port Costa entrepreneur who started with the simple idea of raising bees for honey, which led to opening a tiny store selling honey and baked goods, which then inspired him and his partner Samuel Spurrier to take over management of the Port Costa hotel and Bull Valley Roadhouse, now named one of the top 70 restaurants in the world.

Desiree Adaway helped mobilize millions of volunteers around the world in her role as Senior Director of Mobilization for Habitat for Humanity. She now works with social entrepreneurs and nonprofits who want to create real, lasting, sustainable change. (She is also Pam’s best friend.)

Ridge Greene is a passionate community volunteer, and has been instrumental in the Port Costa School and surrounding open space park initiatives. He also makes a mean bbq. Which calls for a mean custom bbq implements, as pictured above. (He is Pam’s Dad’s best friend)

Abe Cajudo is a director, cross-discipline creative artist and storyteller. His current fascinations include directing big ideas through video and design. And Kickstarter campaigns (when Seth Godin launched his Kickstarter project for his book, he called Abe for advice). He is just a versatile guy, which is why just one headshot wouldn’t do.

Greg Hartle gave away all his possessions, and moved to Seattle with just $10 and a laptop. He made it his mission to help 500 people in 50 states get back to work — ending 3 years later helping 536 people get jobs or start businesses. He made $10 million dollars along the way without any of his prior connections or financial resources. Greg’s passion is teaching people that their temporary circumstance does not have to be their long-term reality.

This is a Fundraiser for the Port Costa School.

Investment: $100

In order for us to have an accurate count please register by Thursday, July 31, 2014.

All profits will go directly to the Port Costa School Restoration Fund.

The fee includes:

1. All day workshop from 9am – 4pm
2. Delicious gourmet bbq lunch (vegetarian options too) cooked by the world-famous Ridge Green (he is very famous in Port Costa, and is sure to gain world fame the more people who eat his great food)
3. The knowledge that your support is helping the Port Costa School become the powerful institution of learning that it was always meant to be

 About Pam Slim

Pamela Slim is an award-winning author, speaker and business consultant who has been an entrepreneur for eighteen years. Her passion for career and organizational development spans many different work modes and client engagements.

A former Director of Training and Development at Barclays Global Investors in San Francisco, she spent the first 10 years of her business as a consultant to large companies such as Hewlett-Packard, Charles Schwab and Cisco Systems, where she worked with thousands of executives, managers and employees.

In the last eight years, she helped hundreds of people to start successful businesses. She built a powerful online presence at Escape from Cubicle Nation, a site designed for corporate employees who wanted to make the shift to entrepreneur.  At Escape, Pam developed and taught business building courses for thousands of entrepreneurs. She has worked with companies serving the small business market such as Infusionsoft, Office Depot and Citrix.

Pam is a passionate community builder. Pam was the volunteer Executive Director for ten years for Omulu Capoeira Group, where she taught martial arts to over 250 youth, and over a thousand adults. Her degree is in International Service and Development.

Optional Fantastic Evening Meal:

Join us for dinner after the event at the award-winning Bull Valley Roadhouse (a three minute walk down the road), where your taste buds will have their socks knocked off (Do taste buds have socks? If they did, they would be knocked off after one bite of this sublime food). The main dishes are absolutely amazing, and Pam thinks the Pot de Creme on the dessert menu should be classified as the 8th Wonder of the World.

Do you want to stay overnight?

There are limited rooms at the Burlington Hotel, which has a lovely room + breakfast special (fresh biscuits, bacon and French Press coffee, mmmm). Once you register, we can give you information about a Build a Movement Change the World special.

 http://thehotelburlington.com/

Where the heck is Port Costa?

Port Costa sits on the Carquinez Straight, just down the road from Crockett, off of Highway 80. It is about a 45 minute drive (traffic permitting) from San Francisco.

If you are coming from out of town…

It is easiest to fly into the Oakland Airport, but San Francisco works too.

After you sign up for the workshop, we will give you complete directions, along with suggested transportation options.

It is one of the coolest, funkiest tiny old towns you have ever seen. Bay Area folks – if you have never been before, you will be amazed. You may even decide to move there. 🙂