A Toast to Rainforest Partnership – remembering Wendell Berry

Last evening, I attended a wonderful, eye-opening event in Austin about the rainforests. Yes, I said RAINFORESTS! Rainforest Partnership held its 5th Annual Celebration Dinner Birds in Paradise: From Austin to the Amazon. An evening of South American inspired dinner and drinks, music and presentations for a completely packed space at Barr Mansion, Austin! Founded by Executive Director Niyanta Spelman, the organization’s mission is to partner with people who live in and around tropical rainforests to develop environmentally sustainable economies to protect and regenerate their forests. As merely the MC for the event, I was privileged to see how a team of devoted, humble, giving volunteers can assemble hundreds of folks in Austin to unite for a common goal and the greater good. OPEN YOUR MIND: learn how you can donate your time, talent or dollars www.rainforestpartnership.org I leave you with one of my favorite SOAPBOX® mini-motivations, which I tapped to toast the festive evening:

SOAPBOX® mini-motivation: Go green or be gone

“To cherish what remains of the Earth and to foster its renewal is our only legitimate hope of survival.”

~ Wendell Berry, philosopher, novelist and social activist

It’s about time we stopped snickering at Al Gore, the forewarning NPR folks and tree-hugging, hybrid hippies…because they might be onto something! It’s about time we stopped being so selfish and purposefully merged as Humankind for the simple Darwinian hopes of perpetuating our existence by strengthening our collective homebase – we call Earth! For, not seeing is believing. When a species of animal disappears, we must rescue braver. When a strain of plant disappears, we must think greener. When snowcaps are melting, swallowing up islands and life, we must conserve stricter. Amidst the chatter of economics, religion and war, don’t miss the underconversation of environment, culture and interdependent community. My fellow EARTH-lings, we must research cleaner, protect fiercer, commit firmer, explore broader, spend wiser, educate brighter. May we all look back after long, fulfilling lives to proclaim that we are survivors and all did our part. It’s our time to think globally…and act globally. ~ KD

Copyright by Kimberlie Dykeman

About Kimberlie Dykeman: Kimberlie Dykeman is a TV Host, International Spokesperson, Producer, Published Author, Entrepreneur for OPTIMISM!

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Austin Pays Calif Recruiter to Hire Chief Innovation Officer…This is INNOVATIVE?!

(referencing LinkedIn poll “What are the BIGGEST CHALLENGES facing Austin? Your opinions and ideas matter!”)

First off, folks, thank you for taking the time to show that you truly care about our city and its future.  In preparation to a hopeful interview for the City of Austin Chief Innovation Officer position, I set out to investigate what fellow residents are concerned about; but more importantly, I wanted to gather your ideas for innovative solutions to share in my presentation.  I’ve lived in Austin two separate times, started several businesses, offered employment, devoted time to local charities, voted, recycled and oriented myself with the movers-and-shakers who are tirelessly helping to create positive economic, technological, cultural and social change in this growing city. With my capabilities, connections, street-smarts, and innate understanding of how to connect a message with an audience, I figured I could earn an interview.

Deciding to GO BIG or GO HOME, I reached out to local thought leaders who earnestly gave me their endorsements; I even had meetings with three City of Austin department leaders to learn more, ask questions, present ideas and show my passion for this role.  In a few short weeks, I designed a whole new platform for our city government’s Innovation Office to inform, inspire and innovate Austin into action.  Well, suffice it to say, I never got the interview.  Nope.  Last Friday at 5:09pm, I received a generic email and regurgitated note from the (presumable overpaid and completely out-of-touch-with-Austin) out-of-state recruiting firm (CPS HR Consulting http://www.cpshr.us) who said I’ve been passed over, as I was not the most qualified. 

The irony here, folks, is two-fold:   First, in my talks with the actual City department leaders, they mentioned that this new position is still a bit vague in description, responsibilities, and direction, as is the entire Innovation Office only recently established. Second, where’s the INNOVATION in hiring a Sacramento recruiter to find the golden nugget needed to really spearhead this totally new office and leadership role?  Really, how can someone in a cube 1000 miles away get the gist of the most unique applicants by simply scanning a resume?  Argh.  (Many of you out there still looking for work fully understand the pain and assbackwardness that technology can cause when trying to match human beings to a growing entity with a unique culture, mission, vision, pulse, etc.)  Alas, I can understand that there is a system to vetting out candidates, and I am not a sore loser…just wanted a chance to express my thoughts and get a shot at a chat.

I’d like to remind the anyone interested, that the truest, simplest definition of the word INNOVATION is “significant, positive change”.  Period.

Net-net:  I believe the Chief Innovation Officer for the City of Austin needs to be an entrepreneur, visionary,  spokesperson, liaison, researcher, interviewer, connector, marketeer, producer, project manager, coach, creative director, motivator, and passionate, active citizen who gives a damn about people.  Frankly, yet humbly speaking, I believe that describes me, and so do a whole bunch of wonderful, brilliant folks who have supported me for over a decade.  And I believe the City decision-makers may have let one of the most qualified candidates slip away.

 All that said, the results from the poll I offered up garnered almost 50 responses and focused on these major issue, listed in order of most “votes”.  I will have a write-up summary of people’s ideas for solutions posted soon.

Traffic/Transportation:  Cap Metro, cabs, bike lanes, lack of carpools, money wasted on toll roads, and too many more to list…

City Government: City Manager led vs. Mayor led, Unguided system, Debt, Permit overload, Out-of-touch & overpaid City Council

Housing:  Affordability, Property taxes

Water:  Drought, Waste

Infrastructure:  Over-marketing on popularity lists, Population explosion, Quality job availability

Culture:  Dilution of “weirdness”… turning into another Dallas, Inter-generational, inter-racial, inter-faith community, Over-focus on technology

Homelessness:  Lack of resources & housing, Need for education, job integration system

Education:  Healthcare, Schools

Crime

Thank you again so very much for showing your spirit and sharing your thoughts.  If you have any interest in helping me simply get a darn interview with the City of Austin for the Chief Innovation Officer position, please share a note, post or tweet #AustinNeedsKimberlieDykeman

 

Cheers to the possibilities!

Kimberlie Dykeman

kd@kimberliedykeman.com

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