When It's Important, You Step Up.

Last weekend was a weekend I will never forget. I will always think of October 3rd & 4th, 2014 as the weekend my grade 10 Canadian history teacher, Mrs. Tremblay, would have been proud of me for the citizenship I displayed. I have to admit, I even surprised myself.

It started on Friday, when I hosted a "Chili & Politics" party and invited neighbours and friends who live in my ward to meet mayoral candiate, Matt Brown and ward councillor candidate, Virginia Ridley.  I've never done anything like this before and quite frankly, I wasn't sure who would come out or what their response would be. A couple of weeks earlier, I had a dream that my neighbour was deeply offended that I invited her and was crying and yelling at me. Yup. I was way out of my comfort zone, but I believe change can really happen with these two, so the risk of offending someone was worth it.

Overwhelmingly, the response was nothing short of amazing. While we had a few late comers from work, I managed to corral 18 people together in the name of politics. The evening was electric. Great questions were asked, faces were lit up and I have to say my mission was accomplished: a room full of believers. The quality of the dialogue that occurred after the candidates left still gives me goosebumps. Of course, we briefly discussed our experiences (or lack there of) with our current ward councillor, Paul Van Meer Bergen, but the real magic came when we began to dream together the ways we'd like to see our neighbourhood evolve. The talk of a ward council came up and it seemed like the most natural and right thing to do. The best part was the way we all looked at each other, like we finally woke up from a very long sleep and saw each other for the first time as neighbours who can work together to shape our community and influence our local government. Imagine that!

Then with Saturday night came another first: speaking at a large campaign event in support of a mayoral candidate. I have never been so political in my life. But... if I can do anything to influence others to support and endorse this opportunity for the positive change our city so desperately needs, then forget about comfort zones– I'm all in. And so I did it. Along with Glean Pearson and Mike Moffat, I took my turn to stand in front of over 600 Londoners in the former Kingsmill's building at Change Fest London and delivered these remarks:

I'm not a politician or an economist. I didn't major in political science.

I was an educator for over a decade. I've worked in the tech industry as a client relations manager. And now, I've joined the ranks as a local social entrepreneur and small business owner. I'm the wife of a police officer and the mother of two lovely daughters. It's because of my daughters that I am here tonight, which I will explain shortly.

I would like to begin with last night, when Matt and his wife, Andrea, were at my house for a "Chili & Politics" party I organized so Matt and the ward councillor I'm supporting could meet my neighbours. There was one particular neighbour that I was concerned about because he enjoys stirring the pot a little– a lot– and is very open about not voting in elections. When Matt arrived, I quickly introduced the two of them and warned Matt, saying "His bark is worse than his bite. Then I ran off because I didn't want to see or hear what would happen next.

I'm happy to say that by the end of our time with Matt, this neighbour not only committed to having a lawn sign on his front yard; he loudly declared "I'm voting for Matt!" He went on to say he was impressed with how approachable and genuine Matt is and that he could tell that he really cares.

And that, my friends, is the power of Matt Brown.

Now back to my daughters and how they are the reason I'm up here. I've set foot in council chambers on more than one occasion and have been appalled at some of the behaviour I witnessed around the horseshoe. As a mother, I've thought, here I am trying to teach my children to be leaders, yet this type of behaviour, which I would never tolerate in my home, is acceptable here??? I want to see civic leaders so good at leading that I feel inspired to bring my children to council chambers so they can observe a humanistic approach to problem solving. I want them to see adults with integrity, transparency and an outstanding capacity for listening and collaboration.

I support Matt Brown because he is one of those leaders.

As someone vested not only in my children, but all of tomorrow's generation–because I will always be a teacher at heart– I need to know our mayor has his eyes beyond his own lifespan and is not afraid to make bold and often difficult moves to help our city evolve in a way that is attractive and functional, yet socially and environmentally conscious.

Also, as the daughter of an aging mother, I need to know she will be able to live in a city that is accessible and age-friendly.

I support Matt Brown because he has that vision.

As a social entrepreneur, I need to have a leader that leaves space for emerging businesses and industries that will undoubtedly change the landscape of our community. I'm talking Gen X- and millennial-run companies that not only want to make a profit, but want to make positive changes in our community and need to be engaged in collaboration, constructively disruptive activities and divergent thinking because we care. And as someone who is a classic Gen X–by the age of 40 already having 3 distinct careers– ours and future generations need an environment and job strategy that supports a demographic that will no longer spend their entire life at one specific job or career and who is just as concerned with quality of living as they are with having an income.

Lastly, we need a leader who sees our city as a reflection of a global community where diversity is not only celebrated, but given an active voice regardless of income level or what side of Adelaide one lives on.

I believe Matt Brown can deliver on all of this and more. And now, so does my neighbour.