THINK – PREPARE - PLAN August, Brisbane / Townsville Queensland. Presented by RIC THOMPSON Townsville, North Queensland Using Cre8tive Thinking Skills To Find Opportunities To Contribute.

Worksheet 1. - Cre8tivity Audit. In general terms how creative would you rate yourself on the following scale? (low) (high)

Why do we need to be serious about this thing called cre8tivity? Because - “If we keep on doing, what we have always been doing, then we will get, what we have always got!”

Why do we need creativity, especially within the area of human services? “ We need creativity in order to break free from the temporary structures that have been set up by a particular sequence of experience.” Edward de Bono Serious Creativity (1996)

What is creativity? Creativity is the result of bringing into being something that was not there before. (Edward de Bono 1992) Creativity is bringing into existence something that has value. (Edward de Bono 2007)

Creativity requires:- 1. An ability. 2. An attitude. 3. A process

Cre8tivity takes us beyond what is, to what could be!

Creative Tool 1. The Creative Pause - The creative pause is the deliberate, proactive process of asking for creative effort - If you do not pay attention to something then you are unlikely to think about it. i.e Use of Praxis within Inclusion Works - The use of creative pause results in the evolution of a culture of creative thinking. - Requires of us to stop the do-do-doing, so as to commence thinking.

Creative Tool 2. The Creative Focus It is the deliberate effort to pick out a new focus point. - “general focus enquiry” for example “I want ideas about poverty and disability”? - “specific focus enquiry” for example “I want ideas on how local library staff can be more comfortable in responding to the needs of individuals with a disability”?

The power of 10 is the deliberate process of using the concept of the multiple of ten (10) to take us beyond the boundaries of our traditional thinking. From:To: Traditional Thinking Creative Tool 3. “Power of 10”

Example 1- Townsville

“Community can be defined as the social place (sense of human connectedness) experienced by family, friends, neighbours, neighbourhood associations, schools, clubs, civic groups, local enterprises, churches, ethnic organisations, temples, local unions, local government and local media.” (Prof John McKnight ) Definition of Community

Example 2- Example 2- Community can be defined by way of its assets? Institutions Local economy Physical space Associations People Stories

Individuals Associations Local Economy Physical Space Institutions Commu nity - Your Community Exercise X 10 -

Maximizing the Asset TemplateTo Discover What We Don’t Know. For example :- “Ian loved gardening but since having a minor stroke he has lost confidence and has disconnected from his community. As Ian’s friend or as his local Community Development Worker, as a starting point you call upon the ABCD template and with Ian’s involvement collectively identify ideas within each asset heading, whereby Ian may reconnect and return to his passion for gardening.

Example: Ian’s Passion for Gardening – Community Mapping People: Neighbours share ideas / cuttings/ produce/ offer support to maintain garden whilst away /Share / swap tools. Help establish a community tool bank. Investigate who are the “knowers of knowers” in gardening/ horticulture. etc Associations: Gardening Clubs Men’s Shed – Gardening Group TAFE – Horticultural Group. Vegetarian Collective etc Local Economy (Business) Nurseries Markets Hardware stores Travel Tours (Visit the WA Wild Flowers) Life Tec. etc Physical Space: Community Garden Adopt a Park / Garden Open Day Garden Visits.

Power of 10 - Example 1. Ian has really enjoyed using the ABCD template to help identify the many opportunities that exist around his passion for gardening. He has taken to the idea of joining the local community garden, where he can use his skills on his terms, share his produce and meet like minded people. 2. What 10 different valued roles could Tom possibly play within the local Community Garden? 3. What 3 things may go wrong and what strategies could you do to stop or at best reduce the harm?

PASSIONOPPORTUNITIESROLESTHREATSRESPONSE 1. Gardening1. Community Garden1. $ Contributor1. Low Income1. Periodic Payments IAN

CAPACITY INVENTORY (X10) Developed by Greyrock Commons Co-Housing Community, Ft. Collins, CO GIFTS OF THE HEAD (Things I know something about and would enjoy talking about with others, e.g., art, movies,) GIFTS OF THE HEART (Things I care deeply about, e.g., protection of the environment, civic life, children) GIFTS OF THE HAND (Things or skills I know how to do and would like to share with others, e.g., carpentry, sport,).

Potential Benefits of the Power of From Good to Great opportunities evolve. 2. Opportunity to implement “the creative pause”. 3. A pro-active tool against “thinking block”. 4. Planning tool. 5. Confidence booster. 6.Promotes and encourages collective thinking. 7. Becomes part of your “wired thinking” response.

Why do we need to be serious about this thing called cre8tivity? Because - “If we keep on doing, what we have always been doing, then we will get, what we have always got!”

Presentation : “Using Cre8tive Thinking Skills ” THINK / PREPARE / PLAN August How would you rate today’s presentation overall? Poor – – Excellent (Please circle) Comments: 2.What 3 aspects of the presentation did you find most helpful? I) II) III) 3.What aspects did you find least helpful? 4.Other comments: Thank you ! Evaluation

Townsville North Queensland. Phone: (07)

Worksheet 1. - Cre8tivity Audit. In general terms how creative would you rate yourself on the following scale? (low) (high)

Individuals Associations Local Economy Physical Space Institutions Commu nity Worksheet 2 - Your Community Exercise

PASSIONOPPORTUNITIESROLESTHREATSRESPONSE 1. Gardening1. Community Garden1. $ Contributor1. Low Income1. Periodic Payments IAN