This title is a well-known principle in the world of construction and cabinetry. I experienced it many times while in the renovation business in Vancouver. Often, when I was in a hurry or had too many measurements in my head, I made mistakes and had to re-measure and then recut my work. It was a waste of materials and time. The small investment of time to measure the second time was always worth the effort.
Over the years since the initial vision for the Children’s Village, we had had many planning meets about design and construction, child development, education, sustainability, social enterprise, culture, agriculture, community development, fund raising, and organizational and community governance. All, yes, all of these brainstorming gatherings have been useful and productive to bring us to where we are today.
There is another saying, “no one plans to fail, they just fail to plan.” How true! Although we have had many planning sessions, and they are ongoing, it has not inhibited or eclipsed our ability to move ahead in the real world and accomplish our goals. This planning has assisted us to put, “first things first”, as Stephen R. Covey details in his books. We are moving ahead step by step – evaluating and making changes when indicated.
We are now engaged in strategically planning our agricultural design for the coming years. This includes the sustainable food production for the Village and the commercial production aspect that will provide revenue. It is a very exciting process and we recently visited Caoba Farms in Antigua and met with the owner/operator, Alex. It was inspiring, and reassuring that we are proceeding in the correct direction. We look forward to collaborating with Alex in the future.
I want to assure our numerous willing and generous volunteers that have devoted their efforts to planning sessions that it is now paying off with interest! We are moving ahead with clarity and making few mistakes in activating our goals and accomplishing specific tasks. In particular, I want to thank the current Ag team who have been patient in our planning sessions while all the while, I know, they are hearing the call of that wonderful landscape and soil in the Children’s Village. I hear it too. Thank you – Gin and Roberto, Corey, Morganne and all those in Vancouver who contributed before.
- Greg
Tags: ag-team, agriculture, caoba farms, Corey Hunsdson, Gin Nielsen, Morganne Kepler, Roberto Guadet, volunteering
