Social Network for RSA Fellows

The Community Lover's Guide to the Universe

It all started in Rotterdam

A few weeks ago Maurice Specht turned to me on the way to Schiphol airport and said 'So when are we going to bring out aHand Made for Rotterdam?'.

What a brilliant suggestion!

Since then the idea has really taken off with 12 community enthusiasts already volunteering to edit special local editions - collectively now called the Community Lover's Guide To The Universe. Since we brought out Hand Made last August the number of people-led projects has continued to grow and we wanted to explore both the common themes, but also the unique cultural ideas and interpretations from all parts of the world.

We also wanted to start to show how places that are buzzing with community activity and projects are amazing places to live, increasingly more amazing than places with cool architecture or luxury shops. Community brings places alive, gives us new and interesting ways to contribute and connect ... and there are signs already that people are finding places that have this creativity and excitement going on highly desirable.

Community can't be mass produced and it can't be 'delivered'. But in rising numbers there are a lot of very excitable people just getting on and making and shaping their local communities for themselves. This series of books will create the opportunity for them to tell their stories, which in turn we hope will encourage other people to put aside any hesitations they might have and get more involved in their neighbourhoods.

The publications will be produced along similar lines to the first and second (soon!) Hand Made books i.e. published on request in hard copy and shortly afterwards available to read or download on line. We anticipate that we might publish 20 editions by the end of 2011.

Introduction to the first group of Editors

Laura Billings is editing the London Edition and will also act as Co-Editor-in-Chief for the series.

Maurice Specht - Editor for Rotterdam
Melanie Bryan - Editor for Manchester
Lauren Currie - Editor for Glasgow
Sarah Drummond - Editor for Edinburgh
Elissa Goetshchius - Editor for Washington DC
Wiard Sterk - Editor for Cardiff
Nick Booth - Editor for Birmingham
Motorcycle Showroom Collective - Editors for Bristol
Sara Saleri - Editor for Bologna
Jonmar van Vlijmen - Editor for Amsterdam
Alice Collingwood - Editor for Brighton
TBA - Editor for Sheffield
TBA - Editor for Leeds
TBA - Editor for Reading
Shayne House - Wadebridge
TBA - Brussels
TBA - Vashon Island

We are in discussions with a number of other people who are interested in editing a local edition and they will be announced and added to the Social Spaces website as soon as possible.

We want to hear from you!

Each local edition will be full of community projects and ideas from you!

Are you involved in a project and would like to it to feature in your local edition?

Would you like to become the editor of a local edition not listed yet?

Please contact Laura Billings and myself.

Comment by Michael Coughlin on June 26, 2011 at 21:31: The more I see of this idea, the better I think it is. It sounds very persuasive and full of rich potential. We are looking forward to seeing them - and ours particularly - in print and online. Well done you!

You do know that you are pitching straight into an acronym war, with your CLG (Community Lover's Guide) set against the CLG we know and love. Ding, ding, round one..........

PS Should the apostrophe be after the 's' in 'Lovers'?

Comment by Tessy Britton on June 27, 2011 at 5:26: Thanks Michael - lots of wonderful things happening in Reading!

I wonder if the CLG haven't always seen themselves in this light all along ... :)

Comment by Jamie Cooke on June 27, 2011 at 8:39: Awesome stuff Tessy, they are a fantastic resource for both supporting and promoting existing community activity and kickstarting new stuff. Would definitely be happy to help out with the Glasgow one, and can assist in finding contributions for any of the other areas I cover (Newcastle, Belfast and Edinburgh would certainly seem like potential future areas...)

Always nice to start a week being inspired.

Comment by Viv Long-Ferguson on June 27, 2011 at 8:57: We are thinking of one for Stoke-on-Trent....

Comment by Tessy Britton on June 27, 2011 at 9:23: Thanks Jamie - thats a great offer - I will email you!

Vivs - do it!

Comment by David Boon on June 27, 2011 at 11:22: Hi Tessy,

This looks great - I think the (e)book format will really help bridge across the online and offline groups in a community making it really accessible.

Good luck with the global expansion!

David

Comment by Tessy Britton on June 27, 2011 at 11:45: Thanks David - thats very kind of you. Global 'expansion' seems like a softer way of describing it.

There is so much going on ... and action inspires action... we think.... Let us know any ideas you have!

Add a Comment

You need to be a member of RSA Fellowship Social Network to add comments!

Join RSA Fellowship Social Network

RSS

Welcome to
RSA Fellowship Social Network

Sign Up
or Sign In

Where you are: Regions & Worldwide

Visit the Where are you page on the RSA website for details of local activities, events and social networks.

Connect with local Fellows and update your details on the Fellowship Directory

RSA Vision

Every Nation For Itself

	Every Nation For Itself Influential author and strategist Ian Bremmer introduces "G-Zero world", in which no single country has the power to shape a truly global agenda. What are the risks and opportunities in a world without global leadership? Listen to the podcast of the full event including audience Q&A: http://www.thersa.org/events/audio-and-past-events/2012/every-nation-for-itself Our events are made possible with the support of our Fellowship. Support us by donating or applying to become a Fellow. Donate: http://www.thersa.org/support-the-rsa Become a Fellow: http://www.thersa.org/fellowship/apply Find out more about GZero: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/G-Zero	From: theRSAorg Views: 3419 155 ratings
	Time: 17:35	More in Education