In March of 2015, Kootenay Career Development Society held its first Young Innovative Leaders Peer networking event to introduce the Groundswell Program. This program has been tailored to 18 to 35 year olds that want to establish social enterprises or cooperatives that support their communities while providing them with a meaningful opportunity that draws upon their unique abilities and passions. The event saw close to 40 young leaders from the Nelson area come out for some live DJ entertainment, free pizza and a facilitated discussion to understand what drives our younger generations in this time of rapid evolutionary transformation.

1. Pupils gather round the table
From all corners of the globe
Distances travelled perish in an instant
As the intention is set for the gather
Links of love chained with acceptance
Eyes glued open
Ears sharpened
Exchange of our visions
Our passions and deepest burning desires
The dreams that we want to see real
Tuning our movements
To send out ripples of improvement
Tapping into the world we perceive
And love whole heartedly
A safe space
Networking and appreciation
Becomes a safe haven
To unleash the fire
Seeing what dance of probability can escape
And be free
~Zaynab

2. YOUNG INNOVATIVE
LEADERS GATHERING
EXPRESSIONS CAFÉ
MARCH 26, 2015
“TRY TO DO CREATIVE WORK BECAUSE YOU’RE DOING SOMETHING
NEW ALL THE TIME.”
~EILEEN KRAMER

3. HOW WE GOT HERE
VISION
Groundswell envisions
a social and economic
ecosystem where each
individual is valued
and contributes
meaningfully to their
community.
THE STORY SO FAR
STAKEHOLDERS
GATHERING
ADVISORY COMMITTEE
YOUNG INNOVATIVE
LEADERS PEER
NETWORK SERIES

4. VALUED PERSPECTIVES
MISSION
Groundswell is building a
movement for positive
social and economic
change, engaging and
supporting people to co-
create democratic
economies and
contribute meaningfully
to their community.
We do this by
fostering social
entrepreneurial
and community
building skills,
providing
mentorship, and
bridging sectors.

5. COLLABORATION
VALUES
We are better together!
Positive change is best
attained by fostering
our collective energy,
learning from one
another, and bridging
sectors. Groundswell is
committed to
collaborating with a
spirit of respect,
curiosity, and
accountability.

6. INNOVATION & CREATIVITY
VALUES
Groundswell believes in
new, bold ideas and
creative approaches to
building a stronger,
more inclusive
community and
economy. We are
shifting the economic
paradigm by valuing all
that enriches life on this
planet.

7. HONOURING VALUES
VALUES
Groundswell is
committed to using
our critical thinking to
create solutions with
impact. We believe in
thoughtful,
deliberate, and
reflexive action as a
means of creating
positive change.

8. PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT
VALUES
Environmental, Social Economic
Justice
Groundswell stands in solidarity and
support for equitable distribution of
social, natural, and financial
resources in order to unconditionally
ensure that every individual has their
basic human needs met, and has full
opportunities for development and
wellbeing.

11. “From the moment I learned about the program, I
knew I had to do it. I have hundreds of business
ideas, but I need structure, support and more
knowledge to put them into action.”
~ Tessa
~Tessa

12. “I needed the practical tools to bring my ideas
into reality. I wanted to be part of a community
of similarly-minded people. I felt it was the next
natural step in my growth as a person.”
~Brienne

13. ~Kevin
theagorian.ca

14. “I want my energy, ideas and motivations to be
contributing to a logic that engenders something
different in the world, and I see Groundswell as a
place with an amazing potential to do so.”
~ ~Chris

15. “I was looking for direction. I wanted to gain
tools in order to navigate the social and political
environments in which I exist. In which we all
exist! I wanted to find folks invested in change –
and driven to actually make it happen.”
~Emma