The Espiri Tiva name
The name Espiri Tiva draws its inspiration from the words ‘Festival’ and ‘Spirit’. Each word shedding its first and last letters, then intertwining to create a new expression. But why these two words to start with?
Festivals are dynamic. They come to life, cast their transformative spell over us, then they disappear… and our lives go on enriched by the experience. Festivals also take a lot of selfless dedication and hard work by a team of people. Espiri Tiva represents those special moments when our collective hard work to create a better world pays off, and our community spirit soars to new heights.
Espiri Tiva describes the uplifting feeling we get when working together in community and making a difference. It is so profound that it can ripple through our lives and planet.
Have you felt the surge of joy when your community comes together and makes something meaningful happen? That is what Espiri Tiva is all about!
Application of Methods
The Espiri Tiva method is based on a series of concepts that explore the bridges between community, corporate systems, the natural environment and spirituality. The method recognises all four of these aspects are required to progress towards sustainability.
This program has been delivered across Australia and internationally through partnerships with not-for-profit organisations, local, state and federal government, businesses, and educational institutions. Its many successes have always come through the result of teamwork and processes that enable spirit to soar.
It has been used to explore the identities -- strengths, unique skills, talents, experiences, knowledge, and interests -- within communities; to develop collective visions, strategic plans, organisational frameworks, policies and procedures; and to find common ground, reflect and rediscover what is important and why. It has inspired new directions and seen projects, programs and social enterprises emerge, flourish and enliven communities. Individuals have been supported to step up and be change makers, and space for restorative time is valued and included.
The many resultant stories, processes and outcomes have been told, performed, recorded, published, included in accredited courses, delivered in university units, and presented at conferences.
Community / organisational mapping
Business and strategic planning
Growing organisational spirit
Team building
Personal development
Diversity awareness training
Writing histories / stories
Personal, family and organisational
Community engagement
Collective visioning and planning
It brings me the greatest joy to work with communities and make a difference. This can happen in many ways. What I love best is growing a collective vision and plan and implementing it. You may call it strategic or business planning. Using the same methods, I have organised and been the advisor to many local and international events in my life and turned a handful of organisations around from potential closure. I believe the most important element in collective visioning and planning is inspiration and belief. That is when (to quote Margaret Mead) a small group of people can change the world. Do get in touch to find out more or to explore possibilities. I would be limiting your potential by giving you fixed ideas!
Dr Sandra Krempl
I have worked internationally in broadcasting, arts and culture, community engagement and sustainability. Over the years, I helped open doors for local talent through my roles presenting prime time live shows for Radio and Television Singapore and directing cultural representations at international events such as World Expos and the South Pacific Games Opening Ceremony. A curriculum I developed for the Music Department of the National Arts School in Papua New Guinea became a stepping-stone for localising the music industry and supporting the growth of new hospitality, arts, culture, and entertainment businesses. This curriculum was endorsed by the United Nations Development Program and World Tourism Organisation.
In Australia, my participatory methods and concepts fitted well under the cultural planning banner that was sweeping the world. With government support, I developed a unique cultural planning program that was delivered across Western Australia and subsequently nationwide. I contributed significantly to the establishment of Kings Street Arts Centre in Perth City; facilitated community business planning and infrastructure development for Perth City Farm – an oasis on the edge of Perth’s CBD; and led the transformation of Trillion Trees – previously known as Men of the Trees. Drawing from its inspirational history, and through collaborating with members, volunteers, and other networks, we laid the groundwork for the organisation’s next 40 years.
Growing community spirit has been the common thread through my work across diverse sectors, cultures, and countries. Sometimes this required the formation of structure because spirit needs form to become visible. At other times spirit was crushed with too much structure and needed reviving. Whilst I facilitated, nurtured, and refined them, the concepts came about through the contribution of communities and years of research through Murdoch and Curtin Universities. They are influenced by the natural environment; ancient and contemporary wisdom of First Peoples from around the world; the spirit and rich history of diverse migrant communities; and the changing face of governance searching to be anchored in meaning. Its aims are to establish common ground where differences can be appreciated; strengthen bridges between community culture and corporate systems; include spirituality – wonderment, creativity and meaning – as the foundation of good governance; and time in nature as essential for sustainability. I continually research and refine the concepts to benefit new paradigms, people, and places.
Acknowledgements
Contributors to this website.
Espiri Tiva Artwork
Sandra Faye Harms
