Author Archives: jofacilitator

About jofacilitator

On Sept 1, 2020, I celebrated 50 years of work with the Institute of Cultural Affairs, facilitating meetings, groups, communities, and organizations, making it possible for ordinary people to have a voice in decisions that affect their lives. I retired on December 31, 2021, but still volunteer with the organization.

A Summary of My Professional Pathway as a Facilitator

I am declaring 2020 as the last year of my career, but not of my vocation! This essay was written as a submission for IAF “Facilitator Emeritus” certification. It was limited to 1500 words, so there is a lot of … Continue reading

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Ordinary People Making a Positive Difference: Last Two Stories from the Party!

Everybody Welcome Story Immanuel Mennonite Church, Harrisonburg, Virginia, Rev. Matthew Bucher, August 2016 On the invite to the birthday party there is an image of a sign saying “Everybody Welcome”, from East Enders Against Racism.  The sign recalls the ones … Continue reading

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Virginia Kanyagonya’s Story: Ordinary People Making a Positive Difference

Virginia Kanyagonya’s Story Pidia Joseph Allieu has made it his life’s work to eradicate sexual violence in Sierra Leone. Although the precise figures are impossible to confirm, it’s estimated that more than 200,000 women were the victims of gender-based violence … Continue reading

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Vicki Ziegler’s Story: Ordinary People Making a Positive Difference

Vicki Ziegler’s Story A year ago last summer, some of us neighbourhood acquaintances were chatting as we rolled up our mats after a pleasant, early morning yoga class in the local park with which we are all loosely associated as … Continue reading

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Susan Reynold’s Story: Ordinary People Making a Positive Difference

There is a trio of singer/songwriters in Hamilton who call themselves the Ladybird Sideshow Project. The women of this group have been friends for a decade and regardless of the changes in their lives, their love of music remains a … Continue reading

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Staci Kentish’s Story: Ordinary People Making a Positive Difference

I like to check out reddit.com every day. It’s a site where anyone can post content, readers up or down vote each post and you see content in order of what’s been upvoted the most, so readers play a role … Continue reading

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Scott Russell’s Story: Ordinary People Making a Positive Difference

One story that I heard not long ago speaks to me in a profound way about the way people impact others through small gestures – ones that acknowledge what is good and offer encouragement. This is a story about a … Continue reading

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Sandy Powell’s Stories: Ordinary People Making a Positive Difference

I want to highlight the work of two women here in Costa Rica.  Leticia began a small NGO in a town in the resort area of Guanacaste (not far from the Nicaraguan border). She’s been doing excellent work the past … Continue reading

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Sandra Pace’s Story of Ordinary People Making a Positive Difference

From Patricia Pain, one of the most wonderful teachers I’ve ever known: I’d like to share this beautifully serendipitous experience between myself, a friend, and a perfect stranger…. One of my closest friends works for a company called Beauty Counter … Continue reading

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Rosemary Cairns’ Stories: Ordinary People Making a Positive Difference

I have been collecting stories of people changing the world for (can it be) almost two decades now. It really grew out of my Human Security and Peacebuilding thesis, when I explored how people built peace for themselves in Brcko … Continue reading

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