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# Gillgren Communication Services

Cultivating Civic Imagination and Engagement

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## Posts

- [Patterns Blog](https://gillgrencommunication.com/home/)
- [The Upstart Spring, Thank God Our Time is Now!](https://gillgrencommunication.com/2009/01/11/the-upstart-spring/) - Are there limits to human adaptability? Can the accumulated damage of historic woundings find healing before choking off the promise of future generations? These two questions of resilience and the threatened survival of rich cultural heritages lie beneath the current "shaking of the foundations." The experience of break-up in Selawik, an Iniupiaq (Eskimo) village ten
- [Walk like a man, talk like a man: guiding each other through times of dislocation](https://gillgrencommunication.com/2009/02/13/walk-like-a-man-talk-like-a-man-local-guides-for-finding-the-way/) - [NOTE: A word of explanation: the title, besides revealing my generation, is purely click-bait... It should, of course, read, "Walk like a Human Being, Talk like a Human Being." Because, "Iniupiaq," the name of the Native Alaskan tribe I worked with in Selawik, literally translates as "The Human Beings," among the many beings of the
- [Witnessing to the Beloved Community](https://gillgrencommunication.com/2026/06/04/witnessing-to-the-beloved-community/) - We shall not cease from exploration And the end of all our exploring Will be to arrive where we started And know the place for the first time T.S. Elliot Beyond Communication as Engagement I’ve long been aware that the core of my vocation, my calling, is something about communications, and I thought I had
- [Interlude on The Arts and Liberation](https://gillgrencommunication.com/2022/12/22/interlude-on-the-arts-and-liberation/) - We have a journey to take and little time; we have ships to name and crews - Henry Dumas I was reminded of this quote, which I first encountered in the late 1970s, as I was digging into the FreedomNet archives and noting the prominent role of arts as a medium for deep healing and collective action
- [Learning to see in other languages](https://gillgrencommunication.com/2012/03/12/learning-to-see-in-other-languages/) - "I don't want to die having only seen through English eyes." That's internationally recognized writer, Ta-Nehisi Coates, reflecting on his motivation for learning French. This type of observation is why I keep his work at the top of my reading list -- he combines a sheer fascination with language (he refers to Jane Austin as
- [Photography as a gateway and an invitation to be present](https://gillgrencommunication.com/2012/03/13/photography-as-a-gateway-and-an-invitation-to-be-present/) - [et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”3.22″ _i=”0″ _address=”0″][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.25″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” _i=”0″ _address=”0.0″][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” _i=”0″ _address=”0.0.0″ custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.29.3″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” hover_enabled=”0″ _i=”0″ _address=”0.0.0.0″]I originally got into photography by taking pictures of my son’s soccer team – partially therapy, it forced me to behave along the sidelines–I’m not a helpful cheerleader; and partially recognizing and
- [Network weavers as the stewards of emergent community](https://gillgrencommunication.com/2009/04/13/network-weavers-as-the-stewards-of-emergent-community/) - A series of recent conversations with a colleague on the potential role of community "stewards" to empower public advocacy efforts reminded me of earlier discussions on network or community weavers. For advocacy today may be more than providing a stronger voice; neighborhoods have need of new eyes, new ears, fresh energy at multiple levels to
- [Fearless and the collective journey of coming through](https://gillgrencommunication.com/2010/04/26/fearless-and-the-collective-journey-of-coming-through/) - Just now listening to Gorecki's Third Symphony, the "Symphony of Sorrowful Songs," which was brought to my attention as the soundtrack for the climactic scene in the movie, Fearless. In the film, Jeff Bridges plays an architect recovering from severe post-traumatic stress induced by a horrendous jet crash, from which he walked away virtually unharmed,
- [The Blessings of Babel](https://gillgrencommunication.com/2012/02/22/the-blessings-of-babel/) - I've realized that I haven't made a sufficient linkage between my recent fascination with photography, particularly photos of nature, with the overall framework of this blog, Patterns of Engagement, which so clearly focuses on social interaction. What, for example, does a photograph of an eagle stretching its wings have to do with cultivating the civic
- [There and back again: An invitation to innovation at the margins](https://gillgrencommunication.com/2010/02/23/there-and-back-again-an-invitation-to-innovation-at-the-margins/) - In a recent tweet, I wrote: Increasingly drawn to creativity at the margins, in the gap, where little is expected & people later scramble to explain what happened. And nearly as soon as I released it, I realized I had used "margins" as a place holder for neglected or nearly forgotten corners that may intersect
- [Field Office Program Reviews](https://gillgrencommunication.com/2023/05/07/field-office-program-reviews/) - Collectively exchanging learnings and addressing challenges
- [Rebuilding Community Story](https://gillgrencommunication.com/2023/05/07/rebuilding-community-story/) - Rediscovering sense of community identity and pride
- [Filters and the scaled perception of the whole](https://gillgrencommunication.com/2010/01/26/filters-and-the-scaled-perception-of-the-whole/) - Just contributed a comment to another great conversation over at Tim Kastelle's Innovation Leadership Network blog about "Personal Filter, Aggregate, and Connect Strategies," and felt that I should expand a little here while the creative juices were still bubbling. For reference, here's my comment: Now I’m realizing that there’s yet another dimension or perspective beyond
- [On the naming of names...](https://gillgrencommunication.com/2008/12/19/on-the-naming-of-names/) - I had returned to Oklahoma after several months on special assignment to Alaska to discover that Bumpy, an employee of the City of Indiahoma, wasn't Bumpy anymore--he was Gary. Of course, he had always been Gary, but like many folks around town, he was known by his nickname. There was PJ, the mayor, and Tub,
- [Inner Voices: Exploring the Mid-range Voices for Hints of Structural Community Innovation](https://gillgrencommunication.com/2011/01/24/inner-voices-exploring-the-mid-range-voices-for-hints-of-structural-community-innovation/) - I'm opening up a new category of Patterns of Engagement: Inner Voices. I intend to use the term primarily in it's musical sense and the structural development of complex harmonies, not so much in its psychological associations with internalized dialogue or personal identity construction, although I suspect I will occasionally, and perhaps even intentionally, slip
- [Spheres of Communication](https://gillgrencommunication.com/2008/12/17/spheres-of-communication/) - The original version of this graphic was developed for a strategic planning taskforce on internal communications. It was an attempt to capture the multiple dimensions of relationships within the organization, and thereby discover opportunities for enhancing the effectiveness, capacity and vitality of communications throughout the enterprise. The major insight is that most organizational communication takes
- [All at once...](https://gillgrencommunication.com/2009/01/06/all-at-once/) - All at once, viewed from the coffee shop window, a flock of fifty or so pigeons lifted off and rose into the air, swooping and wheeling in ragtag unison--once...twice...three times--only to gradually reassemble on exactly the same overhead power lines and as far as I can tell, in exactly the same positions. Guess it was
- [Comfort foods and common meals](https://gillgrencommunication.com/2009/02/24/comfort-foods-and-common-meals/) - OK, quick, name your top five comfort foods, the meals you count on to relieve some of the anxiety of uncertain times. Umm, the flavors, aromas, textures, and probably not-so-subtle spices of times gone past, the everyday, home-cooked meals, with "secret" ingredients, like mustard in macaroni and cheese, that you sat down to at the
- [Twitter as collective stream of wisdom, tipping point, and network activator](https://gillgrencommunication.com/2009/12/21/twitter-as-collective-stream-of-wisdom-tipping-point-and-network-activator/) - Since starting to tweet earlier in the year, I've been driving many of my friends on FaceBook nearly nuts as I've explored one or another use of Twitter, while once in a while providing explanations with varying degrees of coherence, yet ever-growing enthusiasm. [Quick learning: It's NOT generally helpful to automatically have Twitter update your
- [Social Media as Engagement](https://gillgrencommunication.com/2010/01/12/social-media-as-engagement/) - What is social media and why is it so important right now? Rather than aggregating a selection of the amazing wisdom and insight already available across the 'Net (especially note the fantastic conversation taking place on Venessa Miemis' posting, "What is social media [the 2010 edition]"), I'm going to adopt more of a personal witness
- [Anonymity as the Seed of Transparency](https://gillgrencommunication.com/2010/01/25/anonymity-as-a-seed-of-transparency/) - Time for corrective action. I have stood and continue to stand among those calling for greater transparency in the public sphere, and particularly in the workings of government. I operate under the assumption that whatever I place online or in email is ultimately available for all to see, by accident or intention. Everything I post
- [Public Thinking Public Health Practicums 1: Overview](https://gillgrencommunication.com/2010/04/29/public-thinking-public-health-practicums-1-overview/) - This is the first of four articles focused on the Liberating Voices practicums conducted for the two Public Thinking Public Health classes held at Evergreen College at the end of 2009 and beginning of 2010. The actual tools, templates, session plans and reports are available from the Download tab of this site. This article focuses
- [Public Thinking Public Health Practicums 2: Group Breakout Sessions](https://gillgrencommunication.com/2010/04/30/public-thinking-public-health-practicums-2-group-breakout-sessions/) - This is the second of four articles focused on the Liberating Voices practicums conducted for the two Public Thinking Public Health classes held at Evergreen College at the end of 2009 and beginning of 2010. A slide presentation of completed "game boards" is provided on the first article of this series. This article focuses on
- [Public Thinking Public Health 3: Documentation](https://gillgrencommunication.com/2010/05/03/public-thinking-public-health-3-documentation/) - This is the third of four articles focused on the Liberating Voices practicums conducted for the two Public Thinking Public Health classes held at Evergreen College at the end of 2009 and beginning of 2010. The earlier articles focused on the overall context for the sessions and the structure of the group breakout work. This
- [Public Thinking Public Health 4: Preliminary Reflections](https://gillgrencommunication.com/2010/05/04/public-thinking-public-health-4-preliminary-reflections/) - This is the last of four articles focused on the Liberating Voices practicums conducted for the two Public Thinking Public Health classes held at Evergreen College at the end of 2009 and beginning of 2010. The earlier articles focused on the overall context for the sessions, the structure of the group breakout work, and the
- [10+ musings on Liberating Voices and Civic Engagement](https://gillgrencommunication.com/2011/06/06/10-musings-on-liberating-voices-and-civic-engagement/) - Here are a few overall musings on the Liberating Voices Pattern Language and Civic Engagement, based primarily on conversations that occurred during and after the series of workshops I conducted at The Evergreen State College over the past two years, while also drawing upon my experience in community development with the Institute of Cultural Affairs
- [For whom the bell tolls, and when—sacred rhythms that structure and interrupt the routines of life](https://gillgrencommunication.com/2011/09/22/for-whom-the-bell-tolls-and-when—sacred-rhythms-that-structure-and-interrupt-the-routines-of-life/) - Church bells and carillons are the legacy of times past, when the rhythms of worship and prayer structured the lives of the surrounding community as a reminder of what time it is now, and what we are called to do with the time we have. And those same bells would interrupt routines in alarm or
- [A yard sale network--and neighborhood event--you don't want to miss](https://gillgrencommunication.com/2011/09/23/a-yard-sale-network-and-neighborhood-event-you-dont-want-to-miss/) - Something about the make-shift assembly of this particular sign caught my eye. The neighborhood had been blanketed with the “branded” poster at the top of the photo, but this entire configuration displayed an ad hoc flow of imagination with a passion for capturing the attention of any and all passing by. The “branded” poster has
- [A sacred place for reclaiming the shared promise of young lives lost](https://gillgrencommunication.com/2011/09/26/a-sacred-place-for-reclaiming-the-shared-promise-of-young-lives-lost/) - This curbside memorial, in all its exuberant chaos of blossoms, balloons, toys and statuettes, represents for me the awakening of the sacred in space, just as the church bell represents the emergence of the sacred in time. This is where it happened, where two lives were prematurely cut off. And this is where the community
- [When we become the peace that passes all understanding](https://gillgrencommunication.com/2011/09/27/when-we-become-the-peace-that-passes-all-understanding/) - I kept watching for this moment to take a picture of the Peace sign that had been marking the progress of the prayer walk through Rainier Beach, sometimes leading from the front, other times lingering further back. Here, the sign stands in respect, bathed in the light of a setting sun, anchored in the silence
- [Where natural rhythms prevail and refresh](https://gillgrencommunication.com/2011/09/28/where-natural-rhythms-prevail-and-refresh/) - Urban greenery, in parks, gardens, and sheltered pathways, turns the experience of the city inside out. For some city dwellers, everything “outdoors” is for getting from one place to another place in as little time as possible; we mostly are “passing through” on the way to someplace else. Yet once in a while, we get
- [Sheltering a budding promise, close to the earth](https://gillgrencommunication.com/2011/09/29/sheltering-a-budding-promise-close-to-the-earth/) - I took several photos at the Rainier Beach Urban Farm project, at several different levels of scale, from entire greenhouses, to rows of pumpkin or squash runners apparently vying for the longest reach, and even clusters of neatly arranged seedlings in a box. And then this first swelling of a future squash or pumpkin beneath
- [The seeds of a deep culture are rising...](https://gillgrencommunication.com/2010/01/06/the-seeds-of-a-deep-culture-are-rising/) - A recent exchange of comments on David Hodgson's Idea Hive blog around "A Culture of Innovation is the Key to Our Future" got me spinning off into an entirely different reflection on "culture." As much as I've participated in the framing of "corporate culture," for example, in the nearly mythical terms of vision, mission, shared
- [Ten "Awakenings" to Organizational and Community Resilience](https://gillgrencommunication.com/2009/04/16/ten-awakenings-to-organizational-and-community-resilience/) - This is a momentary capture of a few, random "awakenings," which means they may not be individually new nor collectively complete...simply an intersection of thoughts that suggest a few ways forward. Many may be well-recognized; some, intuitive; others, counter-intuitive; and the rest simply kept rattling around in my head until I jotted them down. I
- [Family and community connections](https://gillgrencommunication.com/2008/10/14/family-and-community-connections/) - My sons are off to college, and evidently the best way for keeping in touch will be on FaceBook, since that's where they post the lastest in what's going on in their lives. I have to admit I was initially intimidated when I discovered one son already had more than 200 "friends" in his network.
- [Community rituals, or how FaceBook and Twitter are making the invisible visible](https://gillgrencommunication.com/2008/12/14/community-rituals-or-how-facebook-and-twitter-are-making-the-invisible-visible/) - "My Great Teacher always says, do everything in moderation." And with that, my Tai Chi instructor in Akamatsu (Red Pine) Park made it through the morning practice to light up a cigarette. Of course, we all understood our teacher's transition rite, knowing he was heading back to spend the rest of the day as the
- [An Ethic of Commitment](https://gillgrencommunication.com/2009/01/12/an-ethic-of-commitment/) - An emerging ethic of commitment that reunites personal and social transformation
- [Revolution in search of a song](https://gillgrencommunication.com/2009/01/13/revolution-in-search-of-a-song/) - The singing, that's a big part of what I remember from my community development work with the Institute of Cultural Affairs. I had forgotten for a time, but now I remember. My memories were revived by watching the Singing Revolution, about a festival in Estonia built around what is essentially a national anthem that has
- [Of geese, wooden shoes, and soft landings](https://gillgrencommunication.com/2009/02/06/of-geese-wooden-shoes-and-soft-landings/) - In the wake of the downing of a jetliner by a flock of geese, ending with a miraculous soft landing into the Hudson River, I noted on my FaceBook site, "Apparently even a single goose can still take down a jetliner--nature just keeps getting in our way; another reminder to change our way." In response,
- [A String of Pearls and the "Timeless Way"](https://gillgrencommunication.com/2009/02/24/a-string-of-pearls-and-the-timeless-way/) - In every movement the entire body should be light and agile and all of its parts connected like a string of pearls. T’ai Chi Ch’uan Classic Typically interpreted to describe the flowing of energy within the body in the course of each form, the “string of pearls” can also be seen as a metaphor for
- [The world of profound engagement](https://gillgrencommunication.com/2009/02/19/the-world-of-profound-engagement/) - "What world are you living in? You really have to accept the world as it is and not get caught up in things that are simply not possible." Ah, the "world as it is" and "not possible." During the time the Institute of Cultural Affairs (ICA) was focused on the mission of "Concern for the
- [Internal Communications Platform (“Caseyweek”)](https://gillgrencommunication.com/2023/05/06/caseyweek/) - Easing the flow of agency-wide information
- [We are the Power!](https://gillgrencommunication.com/2019/10/20/we-are-the-power/) - [et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”section” _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row admin_label=”row” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” _builder_version=”4.19.2″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]We are the Power! That’s how it began. Not, “we are powerless,” “we need power,” and certainly NOT, “please empower us.” We are the Power! Tila, this was the simple statement of
- [From Four Amigos to a Cloud of Witnesses](https://gillgrencommunication.com/2022/11/23/from-four-amigos-to-a-cloud-of-witnesses/) - A friend of mine recently mentioned that he never really had a life plan as such, that the major milestones of his life were essentially accidents. I can somewhat related to that, although my "accidents" haven’t been anywhere near as lucrative. But he does hint at a broader insight. The impact of an unexpected “accident"
- [A Personal Prologue and a Few Disclaimers](https://gillgrencommunication.com/2022/11/22/a-personal-prologue-and-a-few-disclaimers/) - I have been under contract with the Rainier Beach Action Coalition, RBAC, and it’s predecessor, the Rainier Beach Community Empowerment Coalition, RBCEC, for well over ten years, from when the organization was essentially three to four people with an annual budget somewhat south of $100,000 in matching grants to the current dynamic entity with a
- [Launch of new blog category: Photo Essays](https://gillgrencommunication.com/2012/02/10/launch-of-new-blog-category-photo-essays/) - After finally cleaning my hard drive, I've got the stats for the photos I've taken over the past year at Echo Lake near our apartment complex: at least 32 species of birds. Not bad for a once or twice a week local excursion. I've come a ways since thinking all ducks were Mallards, and all
- [A Momentary Rainbow over the Rainier Beach Urban Farm](https://gillgrencommunication.com/2019/10/20/a-momentary-rainbow-over-the-rainier-beach-urban-farm/) - Rainbows appear under just the right conditions, with the correct positioning of clouds and the sun. Oh, and it helps to be in the right place at the right time to see the image created by clouds and sun in just the right conditions. This one lasted only a few minutes, one long breath as
- [On loneliness and solitude](https://gillgrencommunication.com/2019/10/18/on-loneliness-and-solitude/) - Even at the heights of apparent victory (such fresh-as-yesterday memories of the singing the entire ICA songbook by the staff recruited from across the continent at the end of the Oklahoma 100*), there has always been that tug at my heart...even this is not my home...”My life is now transformed, though Earthly as before, and
- [Learnings for Emergency Communications from Citizen Journalism](https://gillgrencommunication.com/2015/02/27/learnings-for-emergency-communications-from-citizen-journalism/) - I recently attended a workshop at the Seattle Emergency Management Hub on the use of social media as a channel for sharing information within and across neighborhoods in times of crisis. In evaluating the workshop (which was done via hashtag, #snapSMEM), several learnings from the SE Seattle FreedomNet citizen journalism program came to mind, which
- [A new communications ecosystem for our life together](https://gillgrencommunication.com/2009/04/17/a-new-communications-ecosystem-for-our-life-together/) - Over the past several months I have been discussing "intentional community" with a colleague who shares the same background in community development, but unlike me, has continued to actively promote and participate in an intentional community (a co-housing site). We have been talking about the potential uses of social media to strengthen and extend learnings
- [Rainier Beach Project Journey](https://gillgrencommunication.com/2014/02/24/rainier-beach-project-journey/) - [et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”section” _builder_version=”3.22″ fb_built=”1″ _i=”0″ _address=”0″][et_pb_row admin_label=”row” _builder_version=”3.25″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” _i=”0″ _address=”0.0″][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” _i=”0″ _address=”0.0.0″ custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” _builder_version=”3.27.4″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” _i=”0″ _address=”0.0.0.0″]For the past four years, Gillgren Communication Services, Inc. (GCSI) has been providing project design, grant writing, implementation, training and technical support for deploying Web and social media resources
- [From Liberating Voices to Lift Every Voice](https://gillgrencommunication.com/2014/04/14/from-liberating-voices-to-lift-every-voice/) - This article is a backstage cousin to the previously posted summary of Rainier Beach projects and is presented now as a personal thought experiment I used to initially guide my participation in these projects. I have only recently pulled this material out of my files in preparation for future projects, and did not refer to
- [Master of Social Artistry: Christen Blackwell](https://gillgrencommunication.com/2014/02/27/master-of-social-artistry-christen-blackwell/) - Christen is another of out premier SE Seattle FreedomNet Citizen Journalists, and, in my eyes, a Warrior of the Heart. She is unapologetically fierce and compassionate in her various forms of artistic expression, including singing, dance, and poetry, and this dedication is clear in both the community topics she covered and the way she covered
- [Master of Social Artistry: Sahla Talley](https://gillgrencommunication.com/2014/02/26/master-of-social-artistry-sahla-talley/) - Sahla was one of our cornerstone SE Seattle FreedomNet citizen journalists, starting with the inaugural PhotoVoice project on community education assets, and continuing for several years to cover community festivals, candidate forums, school events, and the Rainier Beach Touchstone project through photos, videos, and stories. Her collected work ably represents both the vitality of the
- [Eagles Taking Off: The Shot I Got and One that Got Away](https://gillgrencommunication.com/2012/02/20/eagles-taking-off-the-shot-i-got-and-one-that-got-away/) - THE SHOT I GOT During our annual pilgrimage to welcome Trumpeter Swans that winter in the La Conner area we also come upon migrating hawks, falcons, and eagles, especially along the Skagit River watershed. The lighting on this day was lousy, obscured by clouds and intermittent rain. Nevertheless I had Julia pull over to see
- [Cooper's Hawk on the Hunt: The Shot I Got and One that Got Away](https://gillgrencommunication.com/2012/02/27/coopers-hawk-on-the-hunt-the-shot-i-got-and-one-that-got-away/) - THE SHOT I GOT Hawks of one kind or another typically don't get to spend much time at Echo Lake. As soon as one enters the area, the local "Homeland Security" crew of three to four crows vocally greet it and firmly escort it out and AWAY! So it was unusual when this young Coopers
- [Spiders and Wasp: The Shot I Got and One that Got Away](https://gillgrencommunication.com/2012/02/13/spiders-and-wasp-the-shot-i-got-and-one-that-got-away/) - THE SHOT I GOT Golden Gardens Park features a protected wildlife pond area. After taking all the photos of sleeping Mallards and turtles I could handle (a very slow day indeed), I set off toward my car, when I noticed a set of spider webs in the bushes to the right of the trail. One
- [Gratitude for Songaia, the Journey of a Song of the Earth](https://gillgrencommunication.com/2011/01/25/gratitude-for-songaia-the-journey-of-a-song-of-the-earth/) - This posting is something of a dedication for the new series of articles under the category of "Inner Voices," which I have introduced in another posting as a music-based, rather than psychological, metaphor for a vital aspect of emerging community. I'm not even going to try to be rigorously consistent in my observations at this
- [Liberating Voices Practicum Downloads](https://gillgrencommunication.com/2010/04/26/liberating-voices-practicum-downloads/) - I'm still woefully behind on completing a report on the practicums I've been conducting at Evergreen College. Nevertheless, I'm posting a selection of tools and templates I used for exploring the practical application of Liberating Voices patterns, partly to support the teams of students who are working with local organizations this quarter. While most of
- [A baker's dozen pump priming options for using Twitter](https://gillgrencommunication.com/2009/10/12/a-bakers-dozen-pump-priming-options-for-using-twitter/) - Twitter is one of those unique environments that defies simple categorization: kind of like a blog, or a telegram, or instant messaging, or a wire service, but somehow distinct, deceptively simple, and surprisingly protean, in the sense of shaping a wild frontier of information within the flow (and steadily accumulated log) of 140-character messages. Its
- [Core principles of public engagement](https://gillgrencommunication.com/2009/06/29/core-principles-of-public-engagement/) - This provides a useful overview of the dimensions of public engagement, as well as a good application of DebateGraph.
- [Demystifying social networking media](https://gillgrencommunication.com/2009/03/12/demystifying-social-networking-media/) - Several months have passed since I began exploring a few social media tools that "play well together." And now, as I look back, I've been surprised how much FaceBook, Twitter, and my blog, feel similar to some of the old ways of connecting, but with a twist (ok, maybe "twist" is sometimes more like popping
- [The wild card of intrinsic integrity](https://gillgrencommunication.com/2009/02/21/the-wild-card-of-intrinsic-integrity/) - Isn't it fascinating when things don't go according to plan, when an unanticipated anomaly or counter-intuitive occurrence shifts the landscape, revealing new, often unimagined possibilities. Isn't this what happened in the last US presidential election. Yes, it had to do with the bold, 50-state strategy that defied the conventional wisdom of red and blue fortresses
- [Compass Bearings for Communications as Engagement](https://gillgrencommunication.com/2008/09/16/compass-bearings-for-communications-as-engagement/) - What gets people engaged? What keeps them engaged? And what is the role of communications? Years ago, a research report entitled, "Communications as Engagement: A Communications Strategy for Revitalization," commissioned by the Rockefeller Foundation under its The Common Enterprise initiative, came to the understanding that: ...communications-far from being just another way to spotlight the accomplishments
- [Sense of Place](https://gillgrencommunication.com/2008/09/16/sense-of-place-compass-point/) - Rediscovering a Sense of Place can be the beginning of more deeply engaging in a rapidly evolving situation. =================================== "This isn't Kansas anymore, Toto." [Wizard of Oz] "God, what an outfield," he says. "What a left field."..."This must be heaven," he says. "No. It's Iowa." [Shoeless Joe, W.P. Kinsella] "Since that time, I have not
- [Worthy Challenge](https://gillgrencommunication.com/2008/06/11/worthy-challenge-pattern-abstract/) - Subtitle "The fierce urgency of now" Overview This pattern, which I have been tempted to title, "Destinal Challenge" or "Defining Challenge," is more "practical" in nature than Compelling Journey, for example, but is nevertheless applicable at virtually every level, from enterprise-wide strategy development to project team implementation. It draws upon the practice of "contradiction analysis"
- [Sense of Journey](https://gillgrencommunication.com/2008/12/10/sense-of-journey-compass-point/) - Continually refreshing a Sense of Journey simultaneously locates the current moment in the sweep of personal and community history and presents with fresh urgency the choice of what to keep and what to let go. These times of decision, etched into common memory as new milestones, honor the "divine economy of the Universe," in which
- [Compelling Journey](https://gillgrencommunication.com/2008/06/09/compelling-journey-pattern-abstract/) - Subtitle Place in time and sense of direction Overview This is a larger scope, strategic-level pattern, which might also be called "Historical context" or "Place in history." It answers questions such as, "What are the roots of our organization," "What has brought us together," "What have we come through to arrive where we are today,"

## Pages

- [Home Page](https://gillgrencommunication.com/) - [et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ fullwidth=”on” admin_label=”Page Header” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ background_color=”RGBA(255,255,255,0)” background_image=”https://gillgrencommunication.com/wp-content/uploads/images/gallery/GCSI-Logo-master-filled-background-2.png” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”0px|0px|0px|0px|false|false” custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px|false|false” filter_blur=”1px” background_last_edited=”on|desktop” border_color_all=”#3771f9″ collapsed=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_fullwidth_header title=”@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50Ijoic2l0ZV90aXRsZSIsInNldHRpbmdzIjp7ImJlZm9yZSI6IiIsImFmdGVyIjoiIn19@” subhead=”@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50Ijoic2l0ZV90YWdsaW5lIiwic2V0dGluZ3MiOnsiYmVmb3JlIjoiIiwiYWZ0ZXIiOiIifX0=@” text_orientation=”center” header_fullscreen=”on” button_one_url=”#” button_two_url=”#” admin_label=”Hero Section” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _dynamic_attributes=”subhead,title” title_font=”|800|||||||” title_text_align=”center” title_text_color=”#FFFFFF” title_font_size=”35px” title_line_height=”1.4em” content_font_size=”22px” content_line_height=”1.8em” subhead_font=”|700|||||||” subhead_text_align=”center” subhead_text_color=”#FFFFFF” subhead_font_size=”25px” background_color=”RGBA(255,255,255,0)” background_enable_image=”off” parallax=”on” parallax_method=”on” custom_button_one=”on” button_one_text_size=”16px” button_one_bg_color=”#6eba01″ button_one_border_width=”2px” button_one_border_color=”#6eba01″ button_one_border_radius=”0″ button_one_letter_spacing=”2″ button_one_font=”Montserrat|||on|” button_one_use_icon=”off” custom_button_two=”on” button_two_text_size=”16px” button_two_border_width=”2px” button_two_border_color=”#ffffff” button_two_border_radius=”0″
- [Explorations](https://gillgrencommunication.com/case-studies/) - [et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.19.5″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||9px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.19.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.19.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.19.5″ _dynamic_attributes=”content” _module_preset=”default” text_font=”|800|||||||” text_text_color=”#000000″ text_font_size=”30px” custom_padding=”3px|3px|3px|3px|false|false” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF90aXRsZSIsInNldHRpbmdzIjp7ImJlZm9yZSI6IiIsImFmdGVyIjoiIn19@[/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.19.5″ _dynamic_attributes=”content” _module_preset=”default” text_font=”|700|on||||||” text_text_color=”#000000″ text_font_size=”24px” custom_margin=”10px||||false|false” custom_padding=”3px|3px|3px|3px|false|false” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF9leGNlcnB0Iiwic2V0dGluZ3MiOnsiYmVmb3JlIjoiIiwiYWZ0ZXIiOiIiLCJ3b3JkcyI6IiIsInJlYWRfbW9yZV9sYWJlbCI6IiJ9fQ==@[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.19.5″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||8px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.19.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Context title bar” _builder_version=”4.19.5″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]Context[/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#000000″ custom_padding=”|||1px||” hover_enabled=”0″
- [About GCSI](https://gillgrencommunication.com/about-gcsi/) - [et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”About GCSI” _builder_version=”4.19.5″ custom_padding=”11px||9px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”11px||12px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]Main Consultant: Ken Gillgren[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”2_5,3_5″ _builder_version=”4.19.5″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”8px||15px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”2_5″ _builder_version=”4.19.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image _builder_version=”4.19.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_image][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ _builder_version=”4.19.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#000000″ global_colors_info=”{}”]Experienced Community Development & Communications Professional | Passionate About Citizen Journalism & Youth Engagement |
- [Resume](https://gillgrencommunication.com/resume-2/) - Expert in communication practices that catalyze stakeholder engagement PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE: Gillgren Communication Services, Shoreline, WA 2005 to present Owner Privately held company offering integrated solutions for transforming corporate wisdom into strategic action COALITION COMMUNICATION PLATFORM. Sustainable, integrated, social media presence Engaged youth in launching SE Seattle FreedomNet as Rainier Beach Action Coalition citizen
- [Overview of Categories](https://gillgrencommunication.com/about-this-blog/) - [et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”11px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_3,2_3″ admin_label=”Inner Voices” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https://gillgrencommunication.com/wp-content/uploads/images/gallery/c-clef-icon1.jpg” title_text=”c-clef-icon” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_image][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#000000″ global_colors_info=”{}”]Inner Voices, in the sense of musical harmony, highlight the role of “mid-range” or “mid-register” voices in adding depth, richness, texture while reinforcing an overall “centeredness”
- [Corporate Vision, Approach and Values](https://gillgrencommunication.com/corporate-vision-approach-and-values/) - [et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.21.0″ quote_font=”|700|on||||||” quote_text_color=”#000000″ quote_font_size=”24px” background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”]Corporate Vision Gillgren Communication Services, Inc. gets to the root of communications logjams, bottlenecks, and fragmented efforts to release organizational insight, creativity, and engagement. Role of Communications Communications—in the sense of learning, dialogue and
- [Resume](https://gillgrencommunication.com/resume/) - Ken Gillgren 1140 N 192ND ST APT B226, Shoreline, WA 98133 • (206) 755-9578 • ken@gillgrencommunication.com FaceBook, LinkedIn & Twitter: kengillgren • gillgrencommunication.com Stakeholder communication and engagement Experienced consultant with 30+ years in community-based tech projects focused on stakeholder communication and engagement with a special interest in citizen journalism. Skilled in cultivating partnerships; integrating online and social media assets; project design,
- [Patterns of Engagement Blog](https://gillgrencommunication.com/patterns-of-engagement-blog/) - [et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.19.2″ _module_preset=”default” background_image=”https://gillgrencommunication.com/wp-content/uploads/images/gallery/migration.jpg” parallax=”on” height=”500px” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” header_text_color=”#FFFFFF” header_font_size=”40px” animation_style=”slide” header_text_shadow_style=”preset2″ global_colors_info=”{}”]Patterns of Engagement[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row admin_label=”Rainier Beach Rising” _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]Rainier Beach Rising[/et_pb_text][et_pb_post_slider include_categories=”38″ show_meta=”off” _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_post_slider][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row admin_label=”Compass Bearings” _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column
- [Draft Blog](https://gillgrencommunication.com/draftblog/) - The language of participation for building communities, organizations and enterprises
- [Download Page](https://gillgrencommunication.com/download-page/)
- [Pattern Languages](https://gillgrencommunication.com/pattern-languages/) - For the purposes of this blog, a communications pattern refers to a discrete configuration of content, tools, practices, and relationships that consistently resolves a recurring communications problem for an organization, community, or business. A "pattern language" is built up from a set of patterns which collectively inform and shape a dynamic communications framework that is
- [Downloads](https://gillgrencommunication.com/downloads/)
- [Membership Account](https://gillgrencommunication.com/membership-account/)
- [Membership Billing](https://gillgrencommunication.com/membership-account/membership-billing/) - [pmpro_billing]
- [Membership Cancel](https://gillgrencommunication.com/membership-account/membership-cancel/) - [pmpro_cancel]
- [Membership Checkout](https://gillgrencommunication.com/membership-account/membership-checkout/) - [pmpro_checkout]
- [Membership Confirmation](https://gillgrencommunication.com/membership-account/membership-confirmation/) - [pmpro_confirmation]
- [Membership Invoice](https://gillgrencommunication.com/membership-account/membership-invoice/) - [pmpro_invoice]
- [Membership Levels](https://gillgrencommunication.com/membership-account/membership-levels/) - [pmpro_levels]
- [No Access](https://gillgrencommunication.com/no-access/)
- [New Patterns](https://gillgrencommunication.com/pattern-documentation/) - Here is an initial listing of communications patterns I am entering into the Liberating Voices system, based on learnings from community development and corporate (commercial and non-profit) settings. Links are provided for those already entered. Titles for other patterns are still formative, since those that appear to be community-centered (e.g., "Neighborhood walks") actually have application
- [Good Patterns](https://gillgrencommunication.com/identifying-good-communications-patterns/) - Overall, a good communications pattern serves as a focal point, or perhaps more accurately, a center of gravity for creatively drawing together content, tools, practices and team resources to resolve a significant problem. More specifically, a good communications pattern: Is discrete, in the sense of having clear boundaries and applicability Is persistent, enduring beyond specific
- [Liberating Voices](https://gillgrencommunication.com/liberating-voices/) - These patterns from Liberating Voices are particularly applicable to organizational development as well as community building. Civic Intelligence The Commons The Good Life Social Dominance Attentuation Social Responsibility Collective Decision Making Memory and Responsibility Indicators Opportunity Spaces Strategic Capacity Participatory Design Mobile Intelligence Alternate Progress Indices Meaningful Maps Community Networks Transparency Privacy Media Diversity Participatory
- [Delicious Tags](https://gillgrencommunication.com/delicious-tags/)
- [15 Transformations](https://gillgrencommunication.com/15-transformations/) - In the four-volume Nature of Order (best summarized here), Christopher Alexander identifies 15 properties that appear to be critical aspects of living systems and states that they also function as wholeness-preserving transformations that enrich and extend such systems, and provide a practical means for participating in their complexity. In fact, Alexander subsequently opened a conversation
- [Site Updates](https://gillgrencommunication.com/site-updates/) - [suffusion-widgets id='1']
- [Newsletter](https://gillgrencommunication.com/newsletter/) - [mc4wp_form]

## Projects

- [Internal Communications Platform ("CaseyWeek")](https://gillgrencommunication.com/project/caseyweek/) - A scaled solution for easing the flow of information within given staffing constraints

## Downloads

- [136 Patterns, Business Card format](https://gillgrencommunication.com/download/848/?tmstv=1786841802) - REGISTRATION NO LONGER REQUIRED to download this file. WARNING! Extremely rough version of all 136 patterns formatted for business card printout (Avery 5371, 8371, 8871), including title and theme along with image and/or subtitle as available.
- [Liberating Voices Toolkit](https://gillgrencommunication.com/download/850/?tmstv=1786841802) - REGISTRATION NO LONGER REQUIRED to download this toolkit. Near complete set of tools and templates for custom designing a Liberating Voices practicum, including session planning template, pattern checklists, pocket patterns, pattern charts, business-card printout of all patterns, and small group plotting and action plan guides
- [Sample Practicum Procedures and Reports](https://gillgrencommunication.com/download/852/?tmstv=1786841802) - REGISTRATION NO LONGER REQUIRED to download this packet of files. Complete set of procedures and sample reports from Public Thinking Public Health class at Evergreen College; does NOT include pattern cards
- [Session Planning Template](https://gillgrencommunication.com/download/846/?tmstv=1786841802) - Includes blank template and sample template from Public Thinking Public Health Practicum
- [Practicum Flip Chart Templates (11x17)](https://gillgrencommunication.com/download/844/?tmstv=1786841802) - Sample plotting charts for printout to ledger sized page (11x17) or to plotter for flip-chart size; including priority against sequencing chart and action planning chart
- [Liberating Voices Pattern Chart - 11x17](https://gillgrencommunication.com/download/842/?tmstv=1786841802) - All 136 patterns, by theme and sub-theme, formatted to print out to single ledger page (11x17)
- [Liberating Voices Pattern Chart - 2 ltr printout](https://gillgrencommunication.com/download/840/?tmstv=1786841802) - Print out of all 136 patterns by theme and subtheme, formatted to 2 letter size pages
- [Pocket Patterns](https://gillgrencommunication.com/download/838/?tmstv=1786841802) - All 136 Liberating Voices patterns in a pocket format for onsite analysis

## Categories

- [Markers and Milestones](https://gillgrencommunication.com/category/markers-and-milestones/)
- [Pattern Abstracts](https://gillgrencommunication.com/category/pattern-abstracts/)
- [Compass Bearings](https://gillgrencommunication.com/category/compass-bearings/) - Four aspects of engagement
- [Patterns in Action](https://gillgrencommunication.com/category/patterns-in-action/)
- [Featured](https://gillgrencommunication.com/category/featured/)
- [Inner Voices](https://gillgrencommunication.com/category/inner-voices/)
- [Photo Essays](https://gillgrencommunication.com/category/photo-essays/)
- [Masters of Social Artistry](https://gillgrencommunication.com/category/masters-of-social-artistry/) - My own, often “unsung heroes” who have lifted community engagement and enrichment to the level of artistic expression, through spoken word, dance, music, the visual arts, or celebration
- [Beloved Community Dispatches](https://gillgrencommunication.com/category/beloved-community-dispatches/) - Reflections on the presencing of the Beloved Community
- [Explorations](https://gillgrencommunication.com/category/explorations/)
- [Corporate Communications](https://gillgrencommunication.com/category/explorations/corporate-communications/)
- [Community Development](https://gillgrencommunication.com/category/explorations/community-development/)
- [Posted to Social Media](https://gillgrencommunication.com/category/posted-to-social-media/) - Already posted to one or more social media channels
- [Schedule Social Media Post](https://gillgrencommunication.com/category/schedule-social-media-post/) - Priortized for scheduling to social media

## Tags

- [Strategic challenges](https://gillgrencommunication.com/tag/strategic-challenges/)
- [Sense of Place](https://gillgrencommunication.com/tag/sense-of-place/)
- [Sense of Role](https://gillgrencommunication.com/tag/sense-of-role/)
- [Add new tag](https://gillgrencommunication.com/tag/add-new-tag/)
- [Sense of Journey](https://gillgrencommunication.com/tag/sense-of-journey/)
- [ethical foundation](https://gillgrencommunication.com/tag/ethical-foundation/)
- [civic engagement](https://gillgrencommunication.com/tag/civic-engagement/)
- [local guides](https://gillgrencommunication.com/tag/local-guides/)

## Project Categories

- [Corporate Communications](https://gillgrencommunication.com/project_category/corporate-communications/)
- [Internal Communications](https://gillgrencommunication.com/project_category/internal-communications/)

## Download Categories

- [Liberating Voices](https://gillgrencommunication.com/?dlm_download_category=liberating-voices)