Happyzine – Taking it to the collective – discussion blog
Hi I’m Charlotte Squire, founder and Editor of Happyzine – New Zealand’s good news website and I’m about to get really real with you. I’d really like your feedback so I’m asking you to hang in there while I say some stuff.
I’d like to make some changes to the way Happyzine’s run. Why? Because I think in order to reach its full potential, Happyzine needs fresh energy and it needs more energy than one person can give (yes, more than even a Leo Dragon, and that is a truly Leo Dragon statement to make).
As we all know there’s power in numbers, and we as a culture are moving increasingly into an age of collaboration. I feel that on a personal level. I don’t want to hold everything together myself, I want to be around others, and lean on others and stand beside others and share what I have to offer with my community. And I feel that as a nation: I know there’s powerful magic to be shared when positive people come together to to combine their talents and skills to create change. Big stuff happens. Big, seemingly impossible goals become our reality, when enough people believe in them.
One of Happyzine’s key roles is to support community and environmentally responsible groups, individuals and businesses to thrive and achieve their goals by promoting their initiatives nationally. People love receiving this information. They work in all areas of New Zealand’s work and social structure. They’re educated, they’re intelligent, they’re open minded. And they get inspired. When intelligent people get inspired. Cool stuff happens. Just look through Happyzine for evidence of this amazing change.
And so you, the awesome reader, respond to this information by sharing it via social media, or your work communities, or by getting involved, or sending messages of support, or linking networks and the impact of this news sharing ripples out far wider than we can measure. I’m excited about Happyzine’s ability to inspire positive change and grow networks on an even greater level, for Aotearoa, for the planet.
And … I’m tired. I’ve spent the last five years living and breathing and even sleeping (definitely dreaming) Happyzine. It’s been a labour of love. It’s never supported completely me financially, despite A LOT of effort. And that’s ok. I’ve let go of worrying about that, because Happyzine’s very successful on other levels, on levels that really matter to me. Though I do still need to support myself financially, so I only have so much time to give to Happyzine.
And so now I would love to work with a collective of changemakers, each of who are contributing their unique skills, to not only run, but grow, change and develop Happyzine into a national positive news website that’s actively influencing hundreds of thousands of people to feel hopeful and optimistic and to create the kind of change in their lives our world needs. If I could do it alone, I would have. But it’s not the way forward, not sustainably, not for me.
Imagine if Happyzine was reaching hundreds of thousands of people each month and influencing positive change faster, and more effectively than we ever thought possible by inspiring hope in the hearts and minds of the people in the positions to make that change. That’s what Happyzine has the potential to do. That’s what it needs to do.
Imagine if we could mobalise 50,000 people to attend a positive, inspiring and policy influencing climate change march such as this one, by posting one press release on Happyzine.
I’ve long held a dream for Happyzine to inspire 100,000 people each week via its ezine. Today I’m 1.5 % of the way there. I was interviewed about Happyzine recently and I realised I’m probably holding that vision of reaching 100, 000 subscribers safely at bay because it terrifies me! I can hardly keep up with the emails and responsibilities around Happyzine now, let alone with the feedback from 10,000 or 20,000 or 50,000 subscribers. I don’t think Happyzine will go to this powerful place of influencing change until its held by a group of people who are passionately, sustainably and persistently focused on the same exciting goal.
You’re out there, I know it. If thirty contributors put two to three hours per week into Happyzine within a supportive, inspired, creative, innovative group, not only would we gain the satisfaction of working with a group of like minded people across the country (and perhaps the world), but we’d also gain valuable experience for future roles, we’d meet new people, we’d experience that buzz of working on something powerful, and we’d generally expand our worlds in the most amazing ways. Happyzine has brought me many opportunities already.
So what I’m about to ask for from you is a number of vital roles to be filled voluntarily. I’m talking positions such as writers, online editors, social media promotion, community promotion, TV and radio promotion, administration … just to name a few. And the first person I need to find is the one who will help me organise this change!
I’m wondering about creating a system to keep track of the hours people contribute. I’m pondering some kind of Happyzine Time Bank, that taps into local Time Banks. I’m wondering about ways to inspire people to engage here.
What do you think? I’m opening this up now. What’s the best way forward for Happyzine? Would you contribute? What would inspire you to get involved? What’s a good way to move this into a collectively run organisation so that it can reach its potential? How could it work in terms of recognition of people’s contribution? And what else comes intuitively to mind for you?
Whew. We’re at the end of my ponderous discussion blog. Speak to me! I want to know what you think!
Charlotte Squire
PS – Here’s what came out of this discussion:
Situations Vacant in the Happyzine Collective: 11 Very Part Time Positions
loading...
loading...
Tags: Blog
there is nothing more powerful than a community that is actively involved in creating its own future- participation, collaboration- all contributors to social capital and strong, resilient communities.
ka pai, well done charlotte- you’ve built something incredible based on love. and you will reach that potential.
timebanking is an incredible way to honour the value of the exchange of work taking place- go for it! i reckon there’ll be plenty of communities who’ll tie into it!
why not consider creating a form of social enterprise to help generate more funds. co-operatively owned, you could really send this happyzine to the world!
personally, i’d love to contribute, but i can only promise to do so from the point of view of a commentator. similarly to yourself, the vast majority of my work is voluntary and i live/breathe/dream a renewed brighton… one day i’ll be able to commit a little more!
good luck, charlotte (although, i know it has nothing to do with luck!!)
b
loading...
loading...
Hey there B, thanks for leading the way with your comment – it’s very much appreciated. The encouragement, I do so soak up like a sponge. And also your thoughts around Time Banking and a good model to use in the future. I must honour you for your work in New Brighton, it’s amazing where our passion takes us, not always easy, but always inspiring for those around us and that’s what you’re doing in your ‘hood.
loading...
loading...
Sounds great! Would like to be a part of it. Please contact me. Cheers!
loading...
loading...
I’d love to get involved: writing or social media are both interests of mine
as a media studies major.
loading...
loading...
hey there Andi, I’ve just emailed you, thanks for your comment! Charlotte
loading...
loading...
Happyzine is a great initiative, and I’d be keen to help you spread the message any way I can. I’ve dabbled in writing and social media for work, and I’m very interested in environment and sustainability, as well as being involved in local volunteer work and charities.
loading...
loading...
Hey Charlotte, as one doing all the self-driven hard work, I can appreciate how you’re feeling and I’m inspired by your honesty and vision to take Happyzine into the future…homeschooling by day and film editing by night doesn’t leave me time/energy to be of much help…at the moment…but I can send the word out to those I know do have the time and inclination…and I may well be able to help later next year. Happyzine is such a super, fabulous ezine and I know you’ll get the team you need. Huge hug to you.
loading...
loading...
Hey there Emma fellow changemaker/Mama!
You’re right, the support’s arriving already. They’re an amazing, generous community of readers with passion in their hearts and the intelligence to make good stuff happen.
Thanks for your words! Of course you understand
loading...
loading...
From Charlotte: For those of you who are wondering specifically what needs doing and how you can help, I’ll create some job descriptions this week and publish them on Happyzine. I’m breaking it all down into small chunks, so keep an eye out and see whether any of them appeal to you. Thanks so much for your support!
loading...
loading...
Hi Charlotte,
I’m very keen to help out. Nationwide, Environment Centres are in the process of forming a collective and I’m sure on a regional level each area could designate a contact to contribute the latest inspiring-community-based-environmental-initiatives happening out there. Happy to help facilitate this through my contacts. I would also be happy to help seek out and coordinate a list of international contributers/projects to profile if you have a pool of willing writers to follow up on leads… or provide support in any other way which might be useful.
Love Happyzine and all that you do!
loading...
loading...
Charlotte, absolute credit to you for building Happyzine. I am still closely following since I left Aotearoa New Zealand in February and this is how I keep up-to-date on all important things in NZ. If you specialise some roles I would be happy to contribute as a roving nomad from overseas on the shared inspiration I encounter each day (let a alone week). Keep me in mind if that is something you would like. Thanks, d’Arcy.
loading...
loading...
Wow. You are all amazing. Emma, thanks for your comment and it’s really interesting to hear that Environment Centres are engaged in that process (I used to run one here in Golden Bay). Sounds like a great idea, arranging to feed Enviro Centre related news through to Happyzine. And I like your other suggestion too, I’ll email you.
And d’Arcy, great to hear you’re still with us, and yes please, a roving international reporter sending in snippets of greatness (maybe simply an awesome image, plus a short description) sounds wonderful. I’ll email you too.
loading...
loading...
I’m pondering Time Banking … it’s the best idea I can come up with at present to honour those who are contributing to Happyzine without being paid in Kiwi dollars. Does anyone out there have experience in Time Bank management, and have some insight into whether it would work? Or can any of you think of a better model for the collective growth of Happyzine?
loading...
loading...
I’m committed to the emergent Timebank Aotearoa New Zealand http://www.timebank.org.nz/
It’s very possible that contributors could be supported with TB credits. At the moment every bank is using their own separate account on the US database Community Weaver. Which doesn’t give us any easy method of inter-bank or national level trading. (That was one of the major points of discussion at the inaugural hui last year.) But there’s conversations happening with increasing numbers of techno-savvy people coming on board. Personally, I’m keen to write for Happyzine once Ive cleared the decks of some ovedue projects, and TB credits would be good payment. Just be aware that most of the emergent banks are just that.
loading...
loading...
You have done an amazing job of fulfilling your dream with Happyzine
Charlotte and managing to keep it going by yourself astounds me. Be proud of what you have achieved and don’t lose the vision. I hope the help pours in and you can share ‘the load’.
loading...
loading...
I highly recommend you get in contact with Loomio and Enspiral – they are developing a web-based platform for participatory and collaborative decision-making. It is working and they will fully understand your intentions. Follow these links:
loom.io
http://www.enspiral.com/
Good on you for speaking up and all the best for the future.
loading...
loading...
Hey Charlotte,
I could probably pull an hour or so up for this most wonderful creation of yours. Looking forward to the job descriptions!
loading...
loading...
weekly! I meant to say…..
loading...
loading...
Thanks so much Rosemary, Joyce, Bailey and Francisca
loading...
loading...
I think I could help out a bit as well, a bit of writing, some organization, social media.. Who knows. I would see it as a chance for me to help out and ups kill myself.. Sounds like a good deal to me..
loading...
loading...
Ahhh … thanks Andreas
I’ll take that in the good way its intended …
loading...
loading...
Happy to contribute some time with writing/editing/proofreading Charlotte.
loading...
loading...
Awesome, thanks Rosie
loading...
loading...
Hi Charlotte,
big kudos for you to have walked this far. I know very well how much energy, resources and courage it takes. I also agree fully with your understanding that this time is about collaboration. So when I am back from my travel I will connect with you and see how we could work together:)
Blessings and Love to you.
Catrin
loading...
loading...
Just so great to hear from you Catrin, I’d love to have a chat with you when you’re back from your travels. In gratifude, Charlotte
loading...
loading...
Here are eleven roles to come out of this discussion – seeking applications now!
https://happyzine.co.nz/2012/08/27/situations-vacant-in-the-happyzine-collective-11-very-part-time-positions/
loading...
loading...
Great stuff! I am deep in community projects in Latin America but surrounded in good news. If you are wanting some overseas content I could write once a month for you?
loading...
loading...
Hey there Serena,
I would love some good news from Latin America once a month! I’ll email you,
Love,
Charlotte
x
loading...
loading...
Hi Charlotte,
Really value what you are doing!! if you need to draw attention to an event in Wellington happy to make a tape art mural for you ( we make temporary murals out of tape and encourages others to share their stories in the street by passing on how to draw with tape).
I write well but need editing for spelling/ punctuation ( yes even with spell check I’m afraid) – if you have the odd Wellington job needing covering . I can spare about 4 hours a month
Cheers,
Erica
loading...
loading...
Hey there Erica, wow I love your tape art! http://www.tapeart-nz.com/section506212.html
It’s amazing! Thanks for your words of support and I’m going to email you to start a korero about this.
Cheers,
Charlotte
loading...
loading...