Author Archives: MikeG

About MikeG

I am an affordable housing developer and consultant. I build bridges to create compassionate, diverse communities. When we resolve conflicts, we strengthen our understanding of best practices toward collective well-being. I combine the value of inclusion with strategic planning, research skills that develop links from the seemingly unlinkable, and a passion for our interconnected lives to draft plans that succeed (photo by www.arnoldadler.com).

Valentine’s Day is for Love, Love is essential for Community

Posted on February 14, 2012 by MikeG

The blog Cacao for a Cause posted today about purchasing a chocolate that expresses the authenticity of your love. High quality, sustainable chocolate offers a story about community. Each bar of chocolate produced and distributed with the livelihood of its … Continue reading →

Posted in Food Security, Stewardship, Stories | Leave a comment

Stories, stories everywhere

Posted on January 29, 2012 by MikeG

How many stories have you heard today? How many this week? Did you lose count? Everything these days seems to be filled to the brim with stories. Some of these stories are direct narratives, and others are non-linear snapshots. A … Continue reading →

Posted in Education, Stories | Leave a comment

Have a Dream, Be a Citizen

Posted on January 16, 2012 by MikeG

As Martin Luther King Jr day 2012 comes to a close, I’m reminded to think of this “holiday” as a day on, not a day off. Dr. King’s message to all of us resonates in how we come together over … Continue reading →

Posted in Activism, Stewardship | 1 Comment

Raising the level of conversation in 2012

Posted on January 5, 2012 by MikeG

As we begin 2012, a presidential election year, I am reminded of eight years ago when I worked as a field organizer in three rural counties in Maine. Organizing the local committees to think nationally while acting locally required strong … Continue reading →

Posted in Education, Organization Spotlight, Stewardship | Leave a comment

Year’s End: Seeing Through a Different Lens

Posted on December 27, 2011 by MikeG

The final week of December is a time of paradox. As a student, it is my break time, a time to read books not related to school (I’m resisting the temptation to crack open texts for the new quarter). This … Continue reading →

Posted in Education, Stewardship | Leave a comment

No bad news this holiday season?

Posted on December 16, 2011 by MikeG

In my graduate program on sustainable business, we talk about voices of judgment that need to be channeled effectively so they do not serve to curb our creativity and delight in innovation. Perfection is one voice of judgement held by … Continue reading →

Posted in Faith, Stewardship | Leave a comment

Nelson Mandela’s Long Walk to Freedom and the Essence of Leadership

Posted on December 9, 2011 by MikeG

This time of year always causes me to reflect on my experiences on the African continent, in South Africa, Niger, Ghana, Burkina Faso, and Benin. In the northern latitudes, we witness the dramatic shortening of days — quite extreme here … Continue reading →

Posted in Activism, Faith, Stewardship | 1 Comment

Tell Stories, Form Bridges

Posted on December 5, 2011 by MikeG

Nicholoas Kristof announced his Win-A-Trip 2012 contest this past week, an opportunity this year open to students only to travel with him for ten days to two weeks and blog with both written and video content. He describes what he’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Education, Stories | Leave a comment

The Happo-Dammo Ratio, Buying Local: Bridge Building this Holiday Season

Posted on November 28, 2011 by MikeG

This past week, the BGI blog republished the HappoDammo Ratio, a term coined by Gifford Pinchot III. Referring to the happiness created by an activity, divided by the damage done by that activity, HappoDammo looms large during the holiday season. … Continue reading →

Posted in Stewardship | 2 Comments

Thankfulness

Posted on November 20, 2011 by MikeG

As the Thanksgiving season approaches, I recall holidays of my youth, pies baking in the oven, short drives across the county to Grandma’s house for a multi-generational feast, and returning at night to see the first lights of the winter … Continue reading →

Posted in Faith, Stewardship | 1 Comment