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Building Fires: Collaborations that work

Think about building a fire. Why do you do it? To react to the weather or climatic conditions. A collaboration can change the climate in your community. But it must be built with care, using the right materials added in the right way and reinforced and supported properly.

If the wood is too wet, you get only smoke. If the big pieces are put on first, the fire won't support them. If the wood is the wrong type, it will burn too fast or too hot -- and burn out quickly.

Fire management is as important as fire creation. Mismanage a fire and you burn down the forest...or the fire goes out.

If you want to keep the climate changed in your community, it takes a careful, consistent tending, the right amount of oxygen (new ideas) and the commitment to stay with it even when the going gets rough.

Why collaborate?

Who do you collaborate with?

When do you collaborate?

Overcoming barriers to collaboration

Making the circle bigger

Keeping the fire burning