The CDNet Community of Practice (CoP) is a joint initiative of Community Development Network (CDNet) and ACT Council of Social Services Inc (ACTCOSS). Its aim is to support the practice and principles of community development through the provision of quarterly face-to-face meetings for those working within a community development framework. These meetings are an opportunity to learn from the experience of others, share information, resources, tools and practices and to develop connections with like-minded individuals and organisations.

The September 2022 CoP World Cafe process identified several priority themes of interest to participants. Broadly, there were two 'streams':

1. An educational/practice component in the Canberra context, and

2. Networking with stakeholders and sectors.

The February CoP will address both in two parts.

A. ‘How to’ Asset Map

Nicole Molyneux of the Jeder Institute (https://www.jeder.com.au/) and Karen Jesson of Communities@Work are excited to offer this workshop.

Asset Mapping – a key practice in Asset Based Community Development (ABCD) - is an effective way of inventorying the gifts of individuals and the broader community. Asset mapping can be understood as a treasure hunt: every community has a treasure trove of hidden gems just waiting to be discovered!

This part of the workshop will cover:

Five assets of Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD)
The WHO and the HOW of Asset Mapping
Tools, resources, and participatory activities to identify local community assets.

Not only will you be able use these tools and activities away to use with your own communities, but we will also use them on the day to start mapping our CoP!

Please note: All tools and resources will be sent out after the CoP, so you need not worry too much about taking notes.

B. ‘Networking to Action’

Regional Network Coordinators with the Children, Youth and Family Services Program - Penny Stott and Natalie Ware, together with Community Development Officers at Woden Community Service and Capital Region Community Service - Emily McNamara and Ryan Scifleet will present:

A case study describing the process of networks leading to projects
A chat about existing networks in Canberra
Open up to Q&A.

Please note: if you are driving to this event there is parking available at the Denman Village shops, this is for two hours. There is also parking available across the road from the shops, where you can park all day. If you are travelling by bus there is a bus stop across the road from the Denman Village Community Centre.

Contact: secretariat@cdnet.org.au