Centre for Social Innovation - Where Change Happens!

Rule #1 - The best world-changing ideas start in the kitchen. Please socialize whenever possible :)

There's a sign on the wall up here in our suite 400 kitchen that lists our 'Galley Rules'. Designed by one of our tenants, it's printed to canvas and has tables, chairs, glasses, plates and boats sailing the waves that make up the border design inside which are listed our kitchen rules.

I grew up on tall ships (seriously) and somehow the nautical theme made sense for a collaborative / shared space such as ours here at the CSI. 'This ship only sails if we all work together' seemed to make clear the need for everyone to do their part in keeping the communal kitchen tidy, and this amazing shared space running smoothly.

It was in this nautical, cooperative spirit that I recently organized a sail for CSIers aboard one of the tall ships I crewed back in the early ‘90’s.

Just in time to enjoy the Tall Ship Festival in Toronto harbour, 19 lucky CSI tenants spent an evening aboard the brigantine T.S. Playfair, one of the two ships around which the youth sail training program Toronto Brigantine is based.

Most of our motley crew had never been sailing, so this was definitely uncharted territory. Folks who have taken a ‘cruise’ have likely been aboard a ship that is more show than sail – more cocktail than cat-o-nine tails! With nary a canapé in sight, this journey was much more hands on and actually involved setting and lowering sails and maneuvering the ship around the harbour. All in the good hands of the ship’s Captain and crew who took the time to teach those who were interested how to help out.

Not a drop of this year’s seemingly daily dose of spring rain fell upon us – which of course meant we had almost zero wind! The sunny, slow and easy pace of the sail seemed to be just fine with most and we managed to catch a few gusts on our way back to the pier. While most of our hearty CSIers hauled at least one line, only two brave souls took the captain up on the offer to climb the rigging and help furl the square sails… From all accounts it was an exhilarating experience and there’s already talk of organizing another sail this fall! Great trip down memory lane for me too – it all came rushing back the moment we stepped aboard and I thoroughly enjoyed being able to share an important part of what makes me ‘me’ with some of my amazing colleagues.

Photos of our summer solstice sailing adventure can be viewed here.

For more information about CSI tenant Toronto Brigantine's youth program (13 to 18yrs - July/Aug) please visit www.tallshipadventures.on.ca