After attending a recent AI seminar at Sir Sandford Fleming College, Kate was inspired to make a Peace Builder Promise: “I promise to listen more deeply to others and use a positive AI approach to everything I do: volunteer work, friendships, teaching, facilitation, parenting and socializing.”

AI has the potential to create wide-sweeping positive change, says Kate. “I consider it to be a communication tool that has value to organizations, businesses, groups, in teaching and even at home with parenting. By working out of what is best, the possibilities are endless in creating positive environments.”

The AI concept is an organizational tool developed in the 1980s that focuses on the positive. According to the theory, an organization that inquires into problems will keep finding problems, while an organization that attempts to appreciate what is best in itself will discover more of what is good or working well.

Kate has many venues to which she can apply the AI concept. She is involved with a number of local organizations, such as United Way, Kawartha Montessori School, Peterborough Folk Festival, Peterborough Unitarian Fellowship, Nobody’s Perfect parenting program and the LETS Exchange. She is also a part-time Health and Human Studies professor at Durham College and operates a human resources facilitation business called King-Fisher & Associates.

“By focusing on best practices and improving upon what works, one can build confidence and self-esteem. This also (leads to) buy-in from organization members – it motivates them to make positive contribution.”

Peace Builder Promises are being made by community members as part of the Peterborough Peace Builder Campaign. The campaign calls on residents to make a promise of action to reduce violence and build a better community.

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