Presentation by Alice MacGillivray to the SIKM Leaders Community on June 16, 2020

1. Could a Rural Island
Inspire KM Approaches?
Alice MacGillivray
Alice@4KM.net
In human networks, what matters is your social distance ~Valdis Krebs

2. The [Unlikely?] Setting
Gabriola Island: west of Vancouver
Canada in the Strait of Georgia
Car ferry and float plane. Size of
Manhattan
4000 year-round residents; some
growth in summer. High education
levels. Wealth AND poverty. Left
leaning politically
No industry allowed
Governance is complex
“4000 opinions
surrounded by water”

3. 2020s: Larger Context
Pandemic Pause
Concern about
Human and environmental
health
Business/income continuity
Supply chains
Food security
Consumerism
Social inequities & racism
Wellness beyond GDP https://www.varnahandcycles.com/video.htm#hc16

4. Shelter Example
(Supply Chains & Environment)
Many
ways of finding good local
talent, including specific
facebook groups, & “water
coolers”
JIT Internet
unusual buildings, and work to
change related by-laws
supports such as wholesale
heat pumps, kill-a-watt meters
and a “tool library.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=waEESuKt4f4&fbclid
=IwAR3iy3lb6sOKkM8Xfokw08q3yqARKPQlZBgQi9KD2gI
2AQrzLj1PGFfA1Vo

5. Food & Water Security
High level of awareness of food
security issues, locally and globally
Hard-working young farmers
growing organic food
Constant knowledge sharing
Some meat production; successful
lobby for abattoir
0-waste programs
Farmers’ market coupons
Minimizing water use and several
companies helping with rainwater
capture, use and re-use systems
Citizen science: e.g., eel grass beds Lisa: active in “women who farm”

6. Health
Example of a Big Attractor
Public Sector System
Rural & remote shortages
Aging pop and families
“No you can’t...”

7. Health
Example of a Small Attractor
GALTT Gabriola Lands and Trails Trust
Best known for trail building and
maintenance and invasive species control
Covenants have allowed great networks
of trails on public and private lands.
John Peirce led GALTT for years
US citizens donating or covenanting
Canadian land: American Friends of
Canadian Conservation (AFCC)
US citizens who wish to donate money or
environmentally significant Canadian land, or to put a
protective covenant on Canadian land may find it
advantageous to work with the AFCC. Recognized by
the US IRS as a publicly supported charitable
organization: tax deductible in the US; not subject to
Canadian capital gains tax. May request that your
money donation be put toward work on a specific
Canadian conservation covenant project.
John Peirce, named to the
Canada 150 Land Trust Honour Roll
https://vimeo.com/312399863

8. Equity
Relatively “white” island
Inclusive events
Indigenous relations
Sponsorship of Refugees
Gardening training for
homeless
Homes for homeless
School lunches…

9. [Implicit] KM Practices Include:
• Environmental Scans (e.g., GAFA)
• Action Reviews (e.g., Medical Centre Fundraising)
• Peer Assists (e.g., GERTIE)
• Dialogue or Storytelling Circles (e.g., Gabriola Talks)
• Liberating Structures during meetings
• Deliberate cross-group networking

10. Key Elements
Island boundaries AND thinking at different scales
Relentless optimism; abundance mindset
Contributions to specific goals and systems that matter
(see Nancy Dixon’s May 26 post)
Diverse, emergent social networks AND “incubators”
Collaborations (e.g., Commons)
Humility and Respect
Emergent governance

11. Alice MacGillivray
Sample KM interests & work
Long term interests in informal workplace learning, knowledge
work and innovation
Consulting with primarily public sector clients
Project for a large park organization: developed application to
integrate attribute and spatial data for priority setting.
Implementation focused on group decision-making guided by
customizable reports
Worked with advisory board to develop first MA in KM
Dissertation explored effective leadership in horizontal,
boundary-spanning groups (Including several KM practitioners)
CONTACT ME AT ALICE@4KM.NET

12. Thank you
I hope you can translate even one idea for your work or life