September 29th 17:00 to 18:00 [GMT (London) Time]

ALAMERE CENTRAL LIBRARY, NETHERLANDS
Chris Wiersma, Director of the New Library in Almere, a NewTown near Amsterdam, will outline how the central library was redesigned based on the changing needs and desires of library users and, in 2010, reopened as a thriving community hub that looks more like a bookstore than a library – with staff trained in marketing and customer service.

QUEENS MUSEUM, NEW YORK, USA
Prerana Reddy, Director of Public Programs & Community Engagement at the Queens Museum in New York, will talk about the work of the museum in: understanding Queens’ diverse resident base; partnering with local organizations; developing popular events, many in collaboration with local cultural producers. 

About The New Barn-Raising

The New Barn-Raising is an initiative to encourage the exchange of international best practice around sustaining community and civic assets such as parks, recreation centers, libraries, neighborhood stores, senior centers, museums and theaters. These are places and spaces characterized by a high degree of accessibility, popularity and sense of belonging to 'the people'.

The term New Barn-Raising refers to how different groups (business, citizens, foundations, non-profits groups, politicians, social entrepreneurs, social investors, taxpayers and unions) can all pull together to support assets.

[ read more ]

July 22nd 17:00 to 18:00 [GMT (London) Time]

YOLLOCALLI YOUTH COUNCIL, NATIONAL MUSEUM OF MEXICAN ART, CHICAGO, USA
Yollocalli Arts Reach is a youth initiative of the National Museum of Mexican Art, in Chicago’s majority-Latino Pilsen neighborhood. In 2012, it established a Youth Council to help with student-centered programming. Whitney Ross, Youth Development Advisor, will introduce the guidebook they produced for developing a youth council. She will also, along with Youth Council members, outline Council progress – in particular building youth interest in the museum and fundraising.

VOLUNTEER DIY AT YOUTH CENTERS, U.K.
Tim Reading is the Director and co-founder of Cospa, a London-based social innovation agency working with brands, charities and public sector organisations to create and grow projects for social and business returns. He will outline his organization's Volunteer It Yourself (VIY) programme, which challenges 14-24 year olds to repair local youth club and community centers. The young people are mentored by professional tradespeople, who also volunteer their time, and gain vocational qualifications as well as access to further learning and employment opportunities. VIY is driven by a cross-sector partnership with the DIY retailer Wickes who donate all the materials and tools and share staff skills, the vocational training institution City & Guilds who deliver the qualifications, and the Government funded Innovation Foundation Nesta who fund the management and development of the programme. VIY was included on the 2014 New Radicals list, compiled by Nesta and The Observer newspaper.

About The New Barn-Raising

The New Barn-Raising is an initiative to encourage the exchange of international best practice around sustaining community and civic assets such as parks, recreation centers, libraries, neighborhood stores, senior centers, museums and theaters. These are places and spaces characterized by a high degree of accessibility, popularity and sense of belonging to 'the people'.

The term New Barn-Raising refers to how different groups (business, citizens, foundations, non-profits groups, politicians, social entrepreneurs, social investors, taxpayers and unions) can all pull together to support assets.

Learn more and register for the Engaging Youth webinar

July 7th 17:00 to 18:00 [GMT (London) Time]

PARK AVENUE COMMUNITY OVEN, DARTMOUTH, NOVA SCOTIA, CANADA
Ali Shaver will talk about the volunteer-run, wood-fired oven that is shared by local residents for community gatherings and events centered on food education and enjoyment. Ali will outline the origins of the project, the costs of constructing and maintaining the oven, its impact, and the relationship with the city council and councilors.

NEW TECHNOLOGY FOR OLD ASSETS, COMMON FUTURES, UK
Annemarie Naylor, Director of Common Futures, has been heavily involved in supporting the transfer of buildings and land to community ownership across the UK and, in 2014, was awarded an MBE by the Queen for her work. Annemarie will give a quick overview of asset transfer policy and then focus down on some of her cutting-edge work around supporting communities to become part of an increasingly digital society – examples include Common Libraries/maker spaces and community-owned ICT networks and data co-ops.

About The New Barn-Raising

The New Barn-Raising is an initiative to encourage the exchange of international best practice around sustaining community and civic assets such as parks, recreation centers, libraries, neighborhood stores, senior centers, museums and theaters. These are places and spaces characterized by a high degree of accessibility, popularity and sense of belonging to 'the people'.

The term New Barn-Raising refers to how different groups (business, citizens, foundations, non-profits groups, politicians, social entrepreneurs, social investors, taxpayers and unions) can all pull together to support assets.

[ read more ]

June 30th 17:00 to 18:00 [GMT (London) Time]

TIMERAISERS - CANADA
Kate Browning, Timeraiser Program Manager, will outline Timeraiser events that see participants bid their volunteer time on art, purchased from emerging Canadian artists, to support great causes. At Timeraiser, artists get paid, nonprofits connect with skilled volunteers, and skilled people put their time to good use. Amongst the wide range of nonprofits supported are theatres, arts festivals, museums, and art galleries.

L.A. WORKS, LOS ANGELES, USA
Debbie Brutchey, Executive Director of LA Works, outlines how the organization encourages corporate citizenship through hands on community service experiences as well as sponsorships, volunteer days, and pro-bono experiences. This sustainable model decreases their organization's dependence on traditional fundraising from individuals and foundations. Beneficiary organizations of the corporate service include parks, schools, community centers and non-profits.

About The New Barn-Raising

The New Barn-Raising is an initiative to encourage the exchange of international best practice around sustaining community and civic assets such as parks, recreation centers, libraries, neighborhood stores, senior centers, museums and theaters. These are places and spaces characterized by a high degree of accessibility, popularity and sense of belonging to 'the people'.

The term New Barn-Raising refers to how different groups (business, citizens, foundations, non-profits groups, politicians, social entrepreneurs, social investors, taxpayers and unions) can all pull together to support assets.

[ read more ]

May 28th 21:00 to 22:00 [GMT (London) Time]

SAN JOSÉ PUBLIC LIBRARY'S PARTNERSHIP WITH EBAY, CALIFORNIA, USA
Jill Bourne, City Librarian, outlines how the Library worked with international corporation eBay to design a new online and app tool for public participation in the traditional Summer Reading Program, and increased involvement to record levels. Jill will describe the process of securing highly skilled volunteers, positioning an organization to attract partners, and the internal assets that are needed to manage these relationships effectively. The app is now being adopted by other U.S. libraries.

BERRIMA HISTORICAL MUSEUM, NEW SOUTH WALES, AUSTRALIA
Harlan Hall, a recently-retired engineer and former General Manager of the Sydney Maritime Museum, initiated and project managed the building of a newly-opened exhibition hall attached to a local historical Museum. Harlan details his own volunteering expertise and impact - as well as that of the 50 or so other volunteers involved, including local professionals and tradespeople. He gives his tips on finding and persuading volunteers and the importance of: using volunteers within a clear business process; freedom for volunteer project managers; understanding what volunteers can/cannot do; measuring and reporting donated time; and training volunteers.

About The New Barn-Raising

The New Barn-Raising is an initiative to encourage the exchange of international best practice around sustaining community and civic assets such as parks, recreation centers, libraries, neighborhood stores, senior centers, museums and theaters. These are places and spaces characterized by a high degree of accessibility, popularity and sense of belonging to 'the people'.

The term New Barn-Raising refers to how different groups (business, citizens, foundations, non-profits groups, politicians, social entrepreneurs, social investors, taxpayers and unions) can all pull together to support assets.

[ read more ]

June 2nd 17:00 to 18:00 [GMT (London) Time]

JOY OF THE PEOPLE, ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA, USA
Joy of the People was one of 12 organizations to take on older City of St. Paul-owned neighborhood recreation centers several years ago. Ted Kroeten, Founder and Director, outlines the innovative ‘express yourself’ soccer program that draws kids of all income ranges from across the city – fees are charged but these cover bursaries for poorer kids.

TYBURN COMMUNITY LIBRARY/CASTLE VALE SWIMMING POOL, BIRMINGHAM, UK
Like many UK local authorities, Birmingham City Council, has had to make substantial spending cuts. The city’s Castle Vale area has recently seen both the library and swimming pools adopted by social enterprises to keep them open – both ‘firsts’ in the city. A local social enterprise, the Castle Vale Tenants and Residents Alliance, has adopted the library and plays a key role in the non-profit established to manage the pool. Judy Tullett, Head of Enterprise and Development at the Alliance, will reflect on lessons from the two transfers and the business plans being put in place to sustain (and improve) the two assets.

About The New Barn-Raising

The New Barn-Raising is an initiative to encourage the exchange of international best practice around sustaining community and civic assets such as parks, recreation centers, libraries, neighborhood stores, senior centers, museums and theaters. These are places and spaces characterized by a high degree of accessibility, popularity and sense of belonging to 'the people'.

The term New Barn-Raising refers to how different groups (business, citizens, foundations, non-profits groups, politicians, social entrepreneurs, social investors, taxpayers and unions) can all pull together to support assets.

[ read more ]