I'm excited to share the basic details of a project I'm working on as a way to invite others to contribute ideas and to get involved. The project is tentatively called Hub Montreal. In our vision, it will have two levels of impact: (1) as an ecosystem of social innovators; and (2) as an engine of social change in itself. [Can you think of a biological alternative to "engine"???]

1. An ecosystem of social innovators: As part of a global network of nearly 30 locations around the world, Hub Montreal will be a community and co-working space dedicated to social innovation.  United by a shared commitment to working toward the greater good, the Hub will bring together a diverse mix of people, industries and sectors.  Members will enjoy access to a creative space, shared services, learning events, meeting facilities, and a vibrant, actively hosted community.  The Hub will also include an incubation function to support young community-minded businesses and non-profit groups. In addition, a team of “action researchers” will support, document and disseminate the community’s learning, making Hub Montreal part think tank and living laboratory.  

A range of membership options will be available for shared work space, dedicated office rental and participation in the community.  Meeting facilities and many events will also be open to non-members at a slightly higher fee.  

Core to the Hub philosophy is extreme community engagement at every stage, from determining what services will be offered ...to designing the space … to evolving the Hub experience on an ongoing basis.

In these ways, Hub Montreal will plant vital seeds for a thriving society.

2. An engine of social change:  Hub Montreal will also prepare the fertile ground for those seeds to take root, as a unique experiment in crafting organizations as “a space for life.”  It will be a community of practice dedicated not only to sustainability but to “thrivability” - in other words, to enabling life to thrive at every level (individual, organizational, societal and ecological).  Connected to a global network of researchers, consultants and organizational leaders, we will draw on - and contribute to - a growing set of principles and practices.  

In these ways, we aim to make Montreal a beacon showing the world that a better way of living and working is possible.

So what are your reactions?  What services and features would you love to see in this space?  What needs do you see it meeting... for you, for Montreal, for the world?  What challenges do you imagine we will encounter along the way?  And how might we overcome them?  Who should we be talking to?  And how would you love to help?