Water-Centric Planning

banner

LIVING WATER SMART IN BRITISH COLUMBIA: “Mike Matejka and I organized the forum because local government people need a safe space to share their stories of struggle. Attendance was by invitation,” stated Gracelyn Day, co-chair of the Asset Management BC Community-of-Practice

Note to Reader:

Published by the Partnership for Water Sustainability in British Columbia, Waterbucket eNews celebrates the leadership of individuals and organizations who are guided by the Living Water Smart vision. Stories are structured in three parts: One-Minute Takeaway, Editor’s Perspective (reproduced below), and the Story Behind the Story.

The edition published on March 10, 2026 featured Gracelyn Shannon and Mike Matejka, co-chairs of Asset Management BC’s community-of-practice. They share the story behind the story of why and how they came to organize a safe space forum at the annual Asset Management BC conference. Local government people need a safe space to share their stories of struggle, they explain. Out of conversations come solutions to problems faced by everyone in local government.

 

EDITOR’S PERSPECTIVE / CONTEXT FOR BUSY READER

“Pain points. Safe space. Sharing stories of struggles. Turning problems into solutions. That was the mind map that framed how Arnold, Gracelyn and Mike approached their Asset Management BC sharing and learning forum last November,” stated Kim Stephens, Waterbucket eNews Editor and Partnership Executive Director.

 

Peer-based learning turns problems into solutions

“When Gracelyn and Mike shared their story with me, I understood instantly how their enthusiasm must have energized the room and got everyone excited about collaborating to turn problems into solutions. What more could anyone ask for, I observed, in organizing this type of peer-based learning event.”

 

 

“And what was really interesting is that during our conversation Gracelyn and Mike transitioned to talking about WHAT NEXT. When you are successful, people ask what you will do for an encore. In the case of Gracelyn and Mike, stay tuned for the sequel in November 2026 at the next Asset Management BC conference!”

To Learn More:

Waterbucket eNews stories are structured in three parts: One-Minute Takeaway, Editor’s Perspective and Context for Busy Reader, and the Story Behind the Story. To read the complete 3-part storyline, download a PDF copy of Living Water Smart in British Columbia: Create safe spaces for storytelling in the changing world of asset management.

 

DOWNLOAD A COPY: https://waterbucket.ca/wcp/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2026/03/PWSBC_Living-Water-Smart_Asset-Management-BC-creates-safe-space_2026.pdf