I hope the title of this discussion has not discouraged you.
There are a number of appeals for funding and we all hope these go well.For instance, try Brisbane Lord Mayor's Flood Appeal
This appeal is different - it is for all of us to put on our "thinking caps" and come up with Innovative Solutions to the significant problems and issues facing thousands of people affected by the recent floods.
The volunteers have lead the way in innovation. The idea of volunteering has been around for a long time but the true Aussie spirit has come to the fore this time around.
Volunteers have come up with new ideas (and new ways of working) to provide a better solution for social good. Classic cases have arisen in Brisbane.
A platform for volunteer innovation was set up by Brisbane City Council. They set up registration centres for volunteers (in all badly affected areas). They severely underestimated the "the true Aussie spirit" for volunteering.
The expectations were that several thousand volunteers would turn up on the first Saturday (after the flood peaked). However the registration booths "closed" when over 50,000+ were registered.
True innovation shown by citizens (to help their "unknown" neighbours).
But a lot more innovation (new ideas that can provide worthwhile solutions for all those affected by the devastation) will be required before we see a sustainable solution in place.
The community must contribute. We cannot expect all innovation to come from government and public servants. We must stand up and be counted.
What do you think? Do you have any ideas that can be discussed in this forum and perhaps pushed to a higher level.