Community Conscious

More than 300 local residents convened in the Shawnigan chapel on Thursday evening for a event aimed at building and 'future-proofing' the community.

 

In welcoming visitors, Headmaster Larry Lamont said "Increased engagement with our local community and the development of partnerships are very much part of the strategic vision for the school." Mr. Lamont also touched on the value of such events to the school population, adding "I see us as helping to guide and train the current generation of students to be the community-builders of tomorrow - in whatever community - personal and professional, local and global, that they find themselves in during later life."

 

In his engaging presentation, author and activist Doug Griffiths stressed that "The only way communities will be successful is if the people in the communities want them to be successful."

 

A former high school teacher, rancher, and politician, Mr. Griffiths recalled epiphanies gained while teaching young people. "Unsuccessful people trade away the things they want the most for the things they want right now," adding, "Communities do the same thing."

 

Mr. Griffiths then outlined his 13 Ways To Kill Your Community – including actions like 'Forget the Water,' 'Don't engage youth,' 'Don't paint,' and 'Shop elsewhere' – as tackled in his 2010 book.