The document discusses how being a "neighbor-designer" can help make neighborhoods more vibrant by bringing people together. It describes how a dinner party was held in an empty storefront to start a conversation about how to support local economies. This led to forming "The League of Awesome Possibilities" which has since activated additional empty storefronts. The work has connected over 300 neighbors, partnered with 30 local organizations, and sparked new collaborations and ideas to continue exploring how to enhance the community.

1. Open to
Possibility
Making your
neighborhood more
awesome by being a
neighbor-designer
EPIC 20/20 OCTOBER 2013

2. creatives
nonprofits
epic

3. creatives
nonprofits
beer
COMMUNITY

4. designer
neighbor
awesome
(what my talk this evening is about)

5. designer
TheThirdTeacher+

6. designer
Process & Pedagogy

7. designer
neighbor

8. neighbor

9. neighbor

10. neighbor

11. How might we....
understand the needs & dreams of our
neighbors to make healthier local economies?

12. What if...
We threw a dinner party in that empty
storefront?

13. ?!
POSSIBILITY POTLUCK
a neighborly meal in an empty storefront

14. but first, we needed...
1. Money
2. Space
3. People

16. but first, we needed...
1. Money
2. Space
3. People
Accountability, support,
& “daring” yourself into doing.

17. simple optimistic questions.
reframing public conversation.

18. accidentally starting an
organization...errrrr... league.

20. but first, we needed...
1. Money
2. Space
3. People
The space & people emerged
naturally – because we started
a new conversation.
People were curious.
People felt heard.
The League of Awesome
Possibilities was born.

21. dinner party + design charrette.

22. new energy on the outside.

23. new ideas on the inside.

24. THE BEST PART.
community in action.

25. Turns out setting
the table and
bringing people +
possibilities + place
together is pretty
powerful stuff.

26. How do you know its impact?
tangibility spectrum

27. How do you know its impact?
2012
1,000 captured ideas & insights
40+ neighbors to friends
60+ valentines
15 local partners
1 activated storefront
Now:
2 filled storefronts... and counting.

28. 2012
possibility potluck
2013
Brew Camp
possibility potluck
"the best thing that could have
happened to our company."
2 Ravenswood Storefronts + counting

29. We started a conversation
& set the table.
Now what?

30. 2012
fall
winter
2013
spring
summer
{
QUESTIONS
& VALENTINES
FITS & STARTS
fall
MISCELLANY
?!
{
2011
STUDIO TIME
winter
spring
PHOTOS &
STORIES
summer
fall
NEIGHBORLAND
& STRATEGY
?!

32. League as curator
National & Local
Partners
Larger corridor
conversation

33. ?!
POSSIBILITY POTLUCK
a neighborly meal in an empty storefront
Exploring a Vibrant
Lawrence Corridor
August 2013

37. How do you know its impact?
2013
300+ interactions during the placemaking weekend
100+ neighbors to friends
30+ local potluck & design partners
3 national “friends”
3 activated storefronts
Countless new collaborations, ideas,
and connections.

38. Now what?
Tell the stories & findings in
an actionable way.
Create an “awesome agents”
network of collaborators &
“neighborly missions”
Connect local partners &
national friends.
Plan realistically about
sustainability.

39. Positive Lessons
Make time to be a neighbor. Little things
matter.
The conversation always starts before you
set the table. Listen. Observe.
Do delightful things. But collect data &
stories along the way.
Balance the organic and the planned – and
you’ll be both surprised & strategic.

40. Growing Lessons
Ask for help early & often. Be specific &
targeted in your asks.
Be realistic about your capacity. Vet
partners you can trust & master your
timing.

41. Awesome things are possible
when you are a neighbor &
designer.
Every once in a while...
Bring your studio to
the sidewalk.

42. A community is the mental and
spiritual condition of knowing that
the place is shared, and that the
people who share the place define
and limit the possibilities of each
other's lives.
WENDELL BERRY