Dag Falck
Consensus Seeker / Community Builder / Organic Movement Participant
Hi South Pender
This process of campaigning as a candidate for the Trustee election is new to me, and I’ve been thinking a lot about this process and the issues.
Change requires a fresh perspective
I think a great deal about change and how it happens. I’ve been part of ushering in major change in many areas. One of the things that typically stands in the way of change is being too close to a topic or too embedded in a customary and perhaps stagnant system.
Change is most often ushered in by fresh insights and not the insiders to the established system. To me, it is clear that the Islands Trust is a very established and tightly mandated structure deeply set in its ways, yet even its own governance report points out the need for change in most of its functioning. These observations are not new, and experienced trustees seem to have been unable (for years) to bring about the changes needed.
How I will approach change:
car and driver analogy
A much more important question to candidates than how experienced they are in the Trust functioning and history, is how they will approach change?
The Islands Trust has been compared to a car, and Trustees being the drivers. This is an interesting analogy. After attending meetings and following the happenings at the Islands Trust and talking to many of the stakeholders (voters) on multiple islands, it seems to me that many islanders are fearful for their safety when the Islands Trust vehicle gets going, and decisions get made without heeding the voices of the constituents.
To me the issue is not learning to drive the Islands Trust car. Rather, the Islands Trust vehicle itself needs a complete safety check and overhaul. Currently any driver will have trouble driving it well. This will be the first thing I will focus on: understanding where the Islands Trust vehicle does not serve the objectives, interests, and needs of the stakeholders who live and visit the islands. Then develop a plan for a thorough updating. This is where my skill and experience will be put to work.
How to create the willingness to tackle the very real environmental issues we are facing
To be really clear, I do not stand for less environmental preservation or protection, but rather it’s about how we get there.
Currently, the Trust is overfocused on regulations and enforcement of often well-intentioned issues, but unfortunately, they often miss the mark. Our challenges with climate changes are becoming realities (drought anyone?). We need to work together, not fighting about the less important things. Some more serious issues are: How will we reduce carbon emissions and fossil fuel dependency? How will we survive drinking water shortages? How will we improve our food sustainability on the islands? I don’t think property setbacks or building sizes are the main priorities in addressing these and other major challenges.
Very few of these issues can be solved under threat of non-compliance. For instance, I’ve never met a farmer that farms because he/she is told they have to. Water collection and storage, solar installations, composting toilets, electric vehicles/lawnmowers etc. will happen by encouragement, by mutual support, and by a collective recognition that these are some of the things we must consider supporting for the health of our island community.
In fact, I believe that this is part of the flaws of the Islands Trust structure. It has a mandate; preserve and protect. Then it has been given avenues for achieving the mandate; by-laws, and advocacy to other authorities. What I’m saying is-- what’s the sense of giving a mandate, and then limit the tools to accomplish it? It’s like the carpenter who was sent out to a jobsite with only a hammer and a measuring tape.
When I’m saying the Islands Trust needs a change, I’m talking about real change, such as first getting the right tools in place. What’s needed is not a tweak to a policy or 10% shorter agendas, it’s removing the limitations that are holding the Trust back from truly reaching its objectives. Although this is a long term project, I think this work can start right away. I don’t see any prohibition laid on the Islands Trust that they can’t convene community conversations, or apply for grants to support projects, or start friendly competitions with awards for best regenerative practices. These are just examples, but I think we need to get out of the current box and see the view over the top.
The Islands Trust should be the cheerleaders for cooperation and a creative community spirit while offering resources/encouragement for the leading solutions. Communities without a vision and practice in working together will not thrive under tough challenges. To me, getting good at working together holds the key to preserving and protecting our beautiful environment now and for the future.
Getting back to the original intent
Much of what I’m saying is already written in the introductions of the Islands Trust Policy Statement currently in effect. (for instance page 11 under Roles and Responsibilities)
“Assistance, cooperation and collaboration are required from local trust committees, island municipalities, the Trust Fund Board, the Provincial Government, other government agencies, non-government organizations, communities, First Nations, property owners, residents and visitors.”
Please feel free to contact me at 250 307 4992 or email dagfalck@gmail.com
All the best everyone,
Dag Falck
Authorized by Dag Falck