Blue Fox’s Post

As a Rotarian, I've witnessed the remarkable power of community firsthand. But Rotary is just one example. What remarkable community are you a part of? Whether it's a group that shares your passions, supports your growth, or uplifts your spirits, take a moment to celebrate the communities that shape who you are. Together, let's recognize the extraordinary impact of belonging. #CommunityEngagement #RemarkableJourneys #Rotary #Rotary7670

January 26th led me to discover some incredible Indigenous organisations: Original Power, First Nations Clean Energy Network, and Firesticks. The latter stuck out for me as I can see that the work of caring for Country with 'the right fire, in the right Country' (which has been largely denied for the last ~200 years) is absolutely vital to this continent's ecosystems. One issue I have with the idea of 'conservation' is that many Western approaches to conservation see humans as 'other', as a species that doesn't exist within a thriving ecosystem and whose impact needs to be minimised. I appreciate that 'caring for Country', including Indigenous fire practices, recognises that the original people of this land have been living as part of nature, and part of their Country, for millennia, and that this is ultimately the relationship we should all strive to have with our Country, wherever it may be. As a non-Indigenous person living on Aboriginal land, donating to Indigenous organisations whose work I appreciate is one step towards being a good ally (and doesn't excuse me from the work of showing up and acting as an ally every day). There are few days when solidarity and support matters more than January 26th. If you live in Australia, and your ancestors haven't done so for >60,000 years, please respect and support First Nations however you can. #paytherent

KUA and network leaders connect to the Indigenous Guardians programs around the world. KUA's Kuaaina Advocate Olan Fisher and network leaders Billy Kinney Jr ( Hui Maka'ainana o Makana )and Jerome Kekiwi Jr. ( Na Moku Aupuni O Koolau Hui and theMaui Nui Makai Network )were privileged to contribute to a global gathering and discussion on Indigenous Guardian programs supported by funders like Nia Tero , Resources Legacy Fund , and The Christensen Fund to explore networks Indigenous Guardian Network. Though the closest thing Hawaii has to this is through Hawaii DLNR (Department of Land and Natural Resources) Makai Watch Program. We believe the state can continue to bolster this program and support greater place based community involvement in management especially in our rural Native Hawaiian communities. We will continue conversations about guardian programs for Hawai'i as Indigeous communities across the world continue to take up the Auamo. https://lnkd.in/gFRigFNY

How connected do you feel to nature, your community, and yourself? 🌿✨🌍 As we strive to foster deeper connections with the world around us, we not only enrich our own lives but also contribute to a more harmonious and compassionate society. Let's reflect on the ways we can strengthen our bonds with nature, our communities, and ourselves. Whether it's spending time outdoors, volunteering locally, or practicing self-care, every small step we take has the power to create positive change. Together, let's embrace our interconnectedness and work towards a more balanced and mindful way of living. 🌱💫 #aloneshow #nicoleapelian #naturalwellness #natureswellness #wilderness #nature #getoutside #natureconnection #naturalconnection #connectiontonature #holisticwellness #communityengagement #selfreflection #interconnectedness #harmoniousliving #compassionatesociety #mindfulliving #naturelove #communitycare #selfawareness #outdoorreflection #selfcompassion #naturebonding #communitysupport #selfgrowth #selfcarejourney #natureappreciation #selfdevelopment #selflovejourney #selfdiscovery

"Beginning in 2023, NDN Collective will begin dispersing a $50 million Community Trust Fund from the Bush Foundation". The NDN Collective, will disperse $50 Million on behalf of the Bush Foundation to #indigenous communities throughout #minnesota, #northdakota, and #southdakota. The same Bush Foundation was founded by Archibald Bush who made his fortune from 3M a company that helped to create #foreverchemicals and the #pfas industry while he, Archibald Bush, was an executive, which impacts us all including disproportionately #indiancountry. Maybe its just a #coincidence that the Bush Foundation decided to "give" some in #indiancountry $50 Million the same year that 3M has started to settle #foreverchemicals and #pfas lawsuits to the tune of billions of dollars. Maybe not. NDN Collective also according to their Impact Report receives $$ from the McKnight Foundation, founded by William McKnight, who also made his fortune from 3M. #pfas #foreverchemicals #3m #indiancountry #minnesota #northdakota #southdakota #tribe #tribes #tribal #indigenous #indigenouscommunities #tribalcommunities #indiancommunities #greenwashing #coincidence #bushfoundation #mcknightfoundation #ndn #ndncollective #ngo #ngos #litigation #pollution #chemicals #liability #philanthropy #philanthropies #nativephilanthropy #nativegiving #giving #tribalphilanthropy #gives https://lnkd.in/gMu3XbAG

🌟 Celebrating National Day of Service 🌟 #NationalDayOfService #NobleProgGivesBack Today, on January 16th, we at NobleProg join the nation in observing the National Day of Service. This day is not just a day off but a day "on" - a day dedicated to giving back, serving our communities, and making a positive impact in the lives of others. As a part of our commitment to community service and social responsibility, we're taking this opportunity to engage in various service projects across our locations. Our teams are excited to participate in local initiatives ranging from environmental clean-ups to volunteering at food banks and supporting educational programs for underprivileged children. 🤝 We believe that service to others is not just a duty but a privilege. It's an embodiment of our core values and a reflection of our commitment to making a meaningful difference in the world. We encourage everyone in our network – employees, clients, partners, and followers – to join us in this endeavor. Whether it’s through a small act of kindness in your neighborhood or by participating in organized community service activities, every effort counts! Let's use this day to spread positivity, foster community spirit, and contribute to the greater good. Share your experiences and stories of service using the hashtags #NationalDayOfService and #NobleProgGivesBack. Let’s inspire each other with acts of generosity and kindness! Together, we can make a world of difference! 💪 #CommunityService #MakingADifference #SocialResponsibility #NobleProgFamily

How connected do you feel to nature, your community, and yourself? 🌿✨🌍 As we strive to foster deeper connections with the world around us, we not only enrich our own lives but also contribute to a more harmonious and compassionate society. Let's reflect on the ways we can strengthen our bonds with nature, our communities, and ourselves. Whether it's spending time outdoors, volunteering locally, or practicing self-care, every small step we take has the power to create positive change. Together, let's embrace our interconnectedness and work towards a more balanced and mindful way of living. 🌱💫 #aloneshow #nicoleapelian #naturalwellness #natureswellness #wilderness #nature #getoutside #natureconnection #naturalconnection #connectiontonature #holisticwellness #communityengagement #selfreflection #interconnectedness #harmoniousliving #compassionatesociety #mindfulliving #naturelove #communitycare #selfawareness #outdoorreflection #selfcompassion #naturebonding #communitysupport #selfgrowth #selfcarejourney #natureappreciation #selfdevelopment #selflovejourney #selfdiscovery

I am excited to announce that the Perth-wide service project working with Uniting WA providing essentials to those experiencing homelessness has been published in national news website Horizons, on YouTube, and on Baha'i Blog! ⭐ https://lnkd.in/gQ-FJ5k6 ⭐ https://lnkd.in/gArqBPQR ⭐ https://lnkd.in/gX7zgM7E Sonia Raisi and I teamed up to initially organize a collaboration service project between the ECU and UWA Baha'i Societies, but as we learned more about Uniting WA's need for large-scale donations, we decided to take on the challenge of transforming it into a Perth-wide event. We had never organized an initiative of this scale before, so we wanted to share some of our learning! 1. Take time to learn from the professionals. It is imperative with any project to maintain honesty in what can be accomplished with your capabilities alone, and when to seek wisdom from other professionals. Recognizing that we had little education on what it is like to be experiencing homelessness in Perth, we decided to reach out to Rhys Powell from Uniting WA, since Uniting WA is the leading nonprofit in Western Australia for tackling this challenge. Our Zoom meeting with him allowed us to refine our vision and task breakdown to maximize the effect we could have on our local community. 2. Diversify advertising, but invest the most time on one-on-one invitations because they are harder to miss and more enticing to accept. We let others know about the event through the ECU and UWA Baha'i Society Instagrams, youth group chats, junior youth group leaders, emails sent by local institutions, and one-on-one messages between friends and acquaintances. By far, the most effective form of communication that influenced others to participate was the final one. 3. Be clear in communicating the level of inclusivity of the event. We strongly encouraged all the junior youth groups in Perth to participate in the project by collecting from their local neighbourhoods. However, many of the older generations misunderstood this encouragement to mean that the event was only for youth and junior youth. Thus, they thought that they could not participate, even though this was an all-inclusive event. Some more details: ✨ We had 150-200 donors total ✨ By the end of the event, we had received so many donations that the stage was overflowing! ✨ About 70 people attended the event ✨ The program consisted of a presentation from Rhys, refreshments, and a social portion If you want to get involved in our next service project, feel free to send me a message! The UWA and ECU Baha'i Societies are committed to organizing events that are focused on including as many individuals as possible with the goal of eliminating apathy towards social issues and nurturing a sense of united protagonism throughout Perth.