Recent Publications

The Evasive Vitality of Francophone Minority Communities

Canadian Issues / Thèmes canadiens
Johnson, M. « The Evasive Vitality of Francophone Minority Communities », Canadian Issues / Thèmes canadiens, Spring 2008, p. 21-24.
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Gouvernance communautaire de la minorité francophone: un patrimoine culturel

Encyclopédie du patrimoine culturel de l'Amérique française
Johnson, M.
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Creativity Survey

a quantitative report
This was my college paper completed in 1997 at Niagara College.  I met many individuals from all walks of life.  Using a personal approach with many clients, data was gathered from my local community using a short survey form. Students in other departments of the college offered input and helped with the data report for the 450 samples taken. Graphs and data matrix iincluded in report file.
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The Original Green

Unlocking the Mystery of True Sustainability
  280-page book full of vibrant photos and ideas on sustainable living. By architect Stephen Mouzon UBC PRESS Spring 2010 Mouzon points us back to the time of our grandparents when being green was the only way to survive a pioneering lifestyle. Check out his blog:   http://www.originalgreen.org Mouzon insists that first we need to build sustainable place (with family, neighbourhood and community support systems) and then sustainable buildings. He makes a distinction between what he calls "Gizmo Green" and "Original Green".
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North Saskatchewan River Guide

Mountain to Prairie a Living Landscape
A small, high interest overview of the North Saskatchewan River from its headwaters in the Canadian Rockies to the Forks in Saskatchewan.
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FCSS Funding Model

A principle based approach to funding
The Red Deer and District Family and Community Support Services (FCSS) Board engaged in a funding review process in 2008.  After almost two years of community consulation and research, the Board approved a new FCSS Funding Model in December 2009.  Implementation has been steadily gaining traction over the past year and the Board is heading into a decision making phase in 2011 for three-year funding.  Find the funding model and lead-up documentation on our website at www.reddeer.ca/socialplanning See how we've adapted the 'resiliency feedback loop' into an investment cycle for community engagement, learning and funding.  Only time will tell if the theory and practice can live in harmony!
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Sense of Community Survey Report

The Town of Canmore, Community Enrichment Service Area conducted a Sense of Community survey to establish benchmark measures that could be used to assess residents feelings of community, belonging, efficacy, neighborliness, safety, civic pride and satisfaction. the findings of the survey will be used to enhance Town of Canmore programs and services.
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In Search of Community

I read with interest the article in the Western Star about homelessness. It suggested that while it is a reality for some in Western Newfoundland, it is basically an invisible problem. The article says: “homeless people here are more likely found living on a friends couch or at a relative’s.”
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Why Strategic Planning Fails

As a consultant, executive staff member, board director, and teacher, I have had the opportunity to engage in a lot of strategic planning. I think about it, research it, and look for ideas to make it work better than how it tends to work. It has always bothered me to know that more often than not strategic planning efforts go awry. In another article I wrote on this topic, I stated the biggest reason why strategic plans fail is that people don’t do them. While there is truth in that, the story doesn’t end there of course. It’s why people and organizations fail to do successful strategic planning that deserves some attention.
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A Comprehensive Framework for Community Service-Learning in Canada

In reading and listening to stories of student experiences, it was clear that CSL was doing much more than simply enriching their learning experience.  Students were excited about the opportunities to create real change with communities.  They were learning about community issues in whole new ways, ways that could not be achieved through publications and classroom teaching.  They were also acquiring and enhancing specific skills and competencies and developing an awareness of career opportunities and personal and professiona
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