stina brown's Blog

The Benefits of Visuals Over Time

stinabrown — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 20:53:02 +0000

I have had many clients who see the advantages to bringing large custom visuals into their group process work. Most of us are visual learners. “If you use the visual style, you prefer using images, pictures, colors, and maps to organize information and communicate with others. You can easily visualize objects, plans and outcomes in your mind’s eye. ” See the figure here and notice different learning styles.

Visuals can help make your meetings (Strategic Planning, Board Retreats, Annual Meetings etc.) far more productive, memorable and enjoyable.

One client of mine, Richmond Multicultural Community Services (and Richmond in 3D) has hired me many times over the past few years to do live and in-studio pieces. The collection of visuals is now enormous. We can share the story or journey the initiative (more inclusive communities) has taken. See this video for some examples at a workshop and examples below.

Also, for community engagement, consistency and saving on prep-time, nothing beats re-usable graphics. This graphic was used all over the Central Okanagan to engage citizens over many months about the Regional Growth Strategy.

Contact Stina (604-612-8563) today to find out more about how this service can exponentially benefit your project over time.

Experiencing the Change Lab @ SFU

stinabrown — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 00:14:20 +0000

Did you know, there’s a group of 9 students, putting a high priority on “experiential learning” and experimental class structure, with engagement, community building and sustainability at the heart? Well, now you do. They want to see positive changes made at the Burnaby Campus of SFU and beyond, and are committed to hearing (and creating space for) student voices, faculty and beyond about how to do that. (read more at http://www.sfu.ca/experiential/?p=144)

I had the joy of working with this dynamic group of young adults last week to get them on the same page as they plan out their big project. I took them through a personal reality check (context map), looking at their motivations, an inventory of their skills, what they value and what values they want to see in the world. We talked about their collective Change Lab group values. I lead them through a high energy appreciative inquiry retrospective visioning exercise and we launched into their mission and purpose from there. As the project was put in the context of a strategic plan, next steps were obvious. The group looked at what we had done in one afternoon and seemed to breathe a collective sigh of relief. “Now it’s clear,” one student commented.

Meetings can be about “seeing” something together, as you create it. It’s a collective and creative process, where everybody in the room has something unique and important to offer. I believe this class of senior undergrads is on to something. Experience, experiment, engage, community. Love it! Read more: Change Lab).

“The Change Lab is a collaboration and partnership between Sustainable SFU (Founding Partner), CityStudio, SFU Sustainability, the Faculty of Environment, the Institute for Environmental Learning, SFU Career Services and the Experiential Education project (Office of the Vice President Academic).” (from the website)

Client Recommendations

stinabrown — Fri, 08 Jul 2011 18:52:47 +0000

Recent Clients’ Feedback:

“Youthful vigor, with the wisdom of an elder. Inspiring levity, with the diligence of a leader. Open, considerate mind, with the heart of a lion. To share time with Stina Brown is to see into the very potential of human capacity–for compassion, for patience, for growth. To work with her is to engage a dervish of infectious excellence. And that I have the good fortune to call her a friend is a sincere and treasured privilege. In whatever capacity you have opportunity to work with Stina, count yourself very lucky. And hang on: You’re about to go for a remarkable ride!” Mike Rowlands, Octopus Strategy http://octopusstrategies.com/default.htm

“Stina amazed me with her ability to effortlessly facilitate a group of 55 people over 4 days and evenings. She is incredible at maintaining her energy level which inspires others to their own high levels of personal achievement and involvement in a group setting. Stina’s authentically playful and funny personality gave me permission to take more risks and have more fun during the SCI retreat. Her ability to strongly lead a large group during day and then spontaneously have fun like a participate in the evenings was inspiring.” Cory LePage, Cory LePage Coaching http://www.corylepage.com

Vote Because You CAN (LeadNow.ca)

stinabrown — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 23:43:21 +0000

Social Change Institute Graphic Map

stinabrown — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 23:33:39 +0000

Social Change Institute Graphic Agenda 2011

stinabrown — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 23:23:34 +0000

Social Change Institute – Stina’s Quickie Overview

stinabrown — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 23:19:46 +0000

Abbotsford Community Belonging

stinabrown — Fri, 10 Dec 2010 19:30:34 +0000

Earlier this year I was honored to be a part of an evening forum designed for the community to come together around what it means to belong. A beautiful diverse and engaged group of people took part in a World Cafe format conversation. Here is the graphic capture of that evening.

Delta Police

stinabrown — Fri, 10 Dec 2010 19:10:26 +0000

I worked with Breakthroughs Unlimited, doing graphic templates and live graphic recording for the Delta Police Department’s strategic planning. Here’s a picture of their happy Chief Constable Jim Cessford, standing in front of a graphic record of his keynote.

Social Change Institute 2010: Skills, Tools & Leadership

stinabrown — Wed, 29 Sep 2010 21:41:00 +0000

Join us for this 5-day experiential convening designed for high impact social sector and emerging leaders who are seeking practical skills and networking opportunities to take their work to the next level.

Why attend SCI 2010? Experts from the environmental, sustainability and social justice sectors as well as social innovators, community organizations and advisors will gather in this unique learning community.

SCI-2010-agenda-web