Comments on: Idea: Empower passionate individuals to improve Alberta

By: chartreusian

chartreusian — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 22:33:35 +0000

I think this is one of the best ideas I’ve heard in a long time. There are lots of very intelligent, innovative citizens whose ideas could be harnessed in this type of program. They may very well be limited by their current employment, time restrictions etc.
I truly believe this could work – and would make Edmonton a real leader in citizen engagement as well as the actual solutions that could come out of this.

By: DJ Kelly

DJ Kelly — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 22:31:30 +0000

As Mack says any Albertans work to make Alberta a better place through their job: be it an elected position or a corporation or a not-for-profit organization. But they are limited by the parameters of that organization.

There is another group too. I think Mack and I both fall into the category of regular citizens who do what we can to make Alberta a better place. However we are limited by time we can dedicate to the projects we are working on.

The idea behind a programme like this is to provide as few barriers as possible to have new projects spring up. New projects that fill a void not being met by one of the groups mentioned above.

By: Mack D. Male

Mack D. Male — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 04:57:34 +0000

The problem with both elected officials and consultants is that they are limited by the parameters of their positions. There are certain expectations and limitations.

The idea here is to take a very different approach: we have no idea what the individuals will do, but we’re willing to trust that it’ll benefit us.

By: FACLC

FACLC — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 20:54:10 +0000

Passionate individuals are already paid to improve Alberta: companies and foundations around the province already pay their own management and hire consultants to study and implement strategies to improve the lives of potential clients, which those clients turn around and receive in return for a monetary fee.

The aggregate impact of all these small- or medium-sized transactions does much of what you’re planning to do with even more bang for the buck.

By: Brock

Brock — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 20:09:27 +0000

You could run for public office…and you can work to improve the community, and, will be in a position of power to enact change.

By: Life in bullet points, Vol. 3 « pseudo psyence

Life in bullet points, Vol. 3 « pseudo psyence — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 19:20:36 +0000

[...] Albertans to go on sabbatical — so they can improve the province for everyone. Read about it here and [...]

By: bingofuel

bingofuel — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 16:26:57 +0000

This is a tremendous idea… Almost like a sabbatical for casual citizens, with the caveat they do something they love but is ultimately productive and beneficial to the greater community.

Were I a wealthy benefactor, I’d definitely help fund this project.