1) We the People must Drive the Agenda

This was a constant theme throughout the event; people taking ownership, responsibility and driving the agenda through action. The speakers urged people to speak up; not hide behind anonymity and make the message yours and act on solutions. To paraphrase Rob Calabrese “I hate when people say, I wish somebody would do this! – Response - Then why don’t you?” summed it up quite well. Waiting for someone else to do something is a failure on our part. We must all lead; create thousands of small wins not waiting for government but succeeding in spite of them. Joe Ward avoided the title of “Citizen Journalist” aligning more with the concept of “Citizen Contributor.” This in itself is indicative of people driving the agenda; driving the conversation but also taking ownership of the message.

2) Government Doesn’t Lead People; they Manage People

Some interesting numbers were thrown around the room regarding how Economic Development agencies have failed Cape Breton. With anywhere from $1 to $2.5 billion spent trying to raise this community; it obvious they are incapable of turning the tide. My personal view of economic development concludes that most development agency investments are politically motivated, wrapped up in agenda and policy that’s structured to disqualify not support the mass of local startups or businesses. Dr. Doug Milburn advocated focusing on two things, number one, “Sell Something!” a simple yet novel concept for success and number two, don’t rely on government funding. This reality flows directly into the fact that as one panelist put it, government agencies “can’t pick winners” and ironically there are upwards of $2.5 Billion worth of examples scattered around the CBRM.

This failure in economic development directly relates to the cycle of poverty in our area. The call for early intervention and the role of volunteerism in lifting our community’s youth was deemed vitally important; but also the concept of “Food Security” and its impact on the health and wellbeing of our neighbors. Unfortunately the struggle for funds is indicative of our reality; a reality of diminishment whether it be related to incomes or population. No one is coming to save us, Elvis has left the building and he was holding Jesus’ hand on the way out. Our widespread poverty is ours, not Halifax’s, not Ottawa’s; it belongs to us, the people of the CBRM.

3) Focus Inward; Look Outward

This is the undercurrent, when I say look inward that has two distinct points. Look inward as a person; look inward as a community. But it starts with the individual and our choices; this morning I chose to write, express an opinion and take ownership of that message by putting my name and face to the message. Since the Get ‘er Done event, I purposefully purchased locally grown food, a locally made gift for my wife and I contemplated our current reality and shared this view with the people who dared to read it. That was the first step in looking inward; the personal choice. How do I as the individual look outward?

That surrounds my efforts as an entrepreneur; the persona from whom I took a year off to heal my heart and soul but as reality would have it, the people I have touched in that role have started to reach out again, requesting my presence but to succeed under the realities presented requires the re-imagination of the system that is failing us.

4) Be Creative; Be Innovative; Be Persistent

Re-imagination is fundamental to our success; so is participation. We must innovate to remove the barriers that are crushing us as well as those that pose a threat to our future. It is of vast importance that as a community we understand the issues before us and remove them. Much of what the panelists discussed surrounded small actions; small wins that manifest into huge returns for our community. This is not only about financial reward, but also about emotional reward. Reclaiming the pride that we as a community once had and overcoming the mass depression that plagues us. I agree that many small actions create huge returns yet we can also dream big.

Embrace our dreamers, our creatives and our risk takers; help them succeed; help them take on the challenge. Make their burdens ours so we can all succeed. That and that alone will allow the people of the CBRM to plot its course. That is how we will win! Oh yes – and sell something!

Mathew, Nigel and Richard my sincerest thank you and forgive that I shared your image without permission! To sit in a room listening to so many people echoing the thoughts and words I share was enlightening and inspiring. My personal pledge is to continue spreading the message; making the small changes and working towards a more prosperous CBRM.

Should you make it to the end of this; please post your own pledge in the comments – let’s keep up the momentum!