Entrants's Name: Rachel Rizal

Country: United States

Field: Citizen/Community Participation

Innovation - idea: A network where people can offer their services, ie. hairdresser, babysitter, food catering, dj for partys, tailors, etc., to their local community and can earn through working from home for those who choose to. It would have a ripple effect throughout the community and allow a networking where there is a solid foundation built on the character of the people within the community.

Innovation - why it is pioneering: This would motivate people within the community to contribute their skills, especially where there is a "built- in" need. It would also encourage business to come into the community by word of mouth of superior service given to each individual. This would be most helpful in reconstructing a community after a natural disaster.

Strategy - how it achieves impact: People get to know who their neighbors are, by having a interworking of skills and learning. Higher standards would be enacted, and responsiblity of individuals would be heightened.

Strategy - growth plans: Go house to house locally, if they are not working, ask if they have an area of expertise they are willing to share with others for a nominal fee. If they are working, ask if they would like to contribute to the community by offering 1 hour a day, week, month for consultation to individuals looking for help in the area of expertise they represent. A limit of 4 individuals per month first and then after delivery system of information is enabled, replication of information could be desseminated to more individuals would automatically follow, and a interlinking of knowledge would automatically occur.

Impact to date: This is the first time I have had to discuss this theory. It has yet to be put into practice. A Model use could be in reconstructing communities where Hurricane Katrina wiped them out.

Future impact: If this can be achieved, then cooperative extension within the community would be gained through the diversity of the exchanges, and individuals through this networking would exlemplify "peacing society together".

Sustainability - resource base: Flyers asking for participation, answering through toll- free number or web address, to answer questions as to what their personal area of expertise is,etc. Initially one person could be responsible for both website and toll-free number, with another person responsible for assembling initial map for presentation to community leaders, ie., Mayor, Community Services. Additional personnel as needed. Personnel should be paid by the hour through coersion, a community map linking "who knows what" could be distributed throughout the community and anyone seeking to offer their service could be added to the map.

Major challenge for the field: The challenge would be no participation by anyone in the community. People in certain locations may not participate because they are not of the moral character needed and could be addressed as such if the issue arises. Undesirable aspects could leave where the moral character of the community is high.

Contact Information:

Name: Ms. Rachel Rizal - Consultant
Country: United States

Bio: I have in the past submitted bid proposals to city and county entities, have engaged the public directly and delivered superior customer service and have a desire to help people find their place. I believe in my theory and I think that it helps in the very "thing" we are trying to achieve in the first place. The inter-connectiveness of all of us, and through dialog we get what we need. When we need help we get it, directly, so that the feeling of being alone evaporates and is replaced with strength of who "you" are, as an individual, contributing. I believe that if this system was currently in place, the homeless would be housed in their own homes, without warehouseing them, giving them a chance to regain their self-worth and identity. The mentally ill would be looked at and individually helped according to their need. The physically ill would have their own doctor, regardless of having their own insurance or not. I believe that these ideals can be met. Take away anger, greed and stupidity and those aspects are replaced with compassion, selfless giving, and more positive traits that are ever present within society today.