Inspire Team

The WE CAN Game

by for .  
#the power of community
60 - 90

Goal

The "WE CAN Game" is a fun and interactive activity designed to help learners identify and recognize the diverse assets and skills within their community (including within the group doing the activity). The goal is to discover what community members can do, who else or what else can contribute, and how this collective capacity can be harnessed for positive community building and development.

Attachments

Materials

    Instructions

    1. Setting Up

      • Prepare the sorting cards as follows:

        • #1. We can:

        • #2. We know who can:

        • #3. We can't and we don't know who can:

        • #4. Who Else/What Else:

      • Explain the purpose of the game and show the learners the categories for sorting: “I’m setting out the game; these are the categories we’re going to use to think about community assets. They will help us to identify what community capacities we have close at hand.”


    1. Scattering Capacity Cards (Appendix A)

      • Scatter 100 capacity cards on the floor or tables (or on a digital white board) between the 10 main category cards. Learners should be able to see and read the cards easily.

        • OPTION: Reduce the number of capacity cards if 100 feels like too many. Focus on 30-50 cards that are likely to be skills and assets within your group and your community.

      • Let the learners know that these are a list of assets/skills that exist. It’s by no means comprehensive or a complete list of all of the assets/skills in the world.


    1. Guess the We Can Percentage

      • Distribute a log sheet (Appendix B) or create one on flip chart paper, asking each participant to guess what percentage of the 100 assets cards will go into the "We Can" category.

      • Q: “Of all of the different skills and assets listed on these 100 cards, how many do you think we as a group have?”

      • Learners should make their guesses individually and these should be captured in the log sheet.

      • OPTION: If using fewer than 100 cards, ask learners to guess how many out of X they think the group will have, as percentages will be harder to calculate on the spot.


    1. Reading and Sorting

      • Going around the group, invite learners to take turns reading an asset card aloud and then place it in the appropriate sorting category.

        • If someone in the group can perform the asset listed on the card, place it under "We Can."

        • If no one in the group can do it, ask if they know anyone "locally" who can, and place it under "We know who can."

        • If there's no one in the group or the local area who can perform the capacity, put it under "We can't and we don't know who can."

        • If learners identify someone locally or know a community member who can do it, use blank cards to note their names and place them under "Who Else/What Else."


    1. Counting and Discussing

      • When all of the asset cards have been sorted, ask three volunteers to count the asset cards in each sorting category.

      • Compare the "We Can" count with the guesses made in the log sheet. Discuss any differences.

      • Allow the connection spotters to share their observations and discuss the emerging opportunities.


    1. Additional Capacities

      • Ask learners if there are other assets or skills they'd like to mention and use blank cards to note these. Place them under "Who Else/What Else."

    Background

    Preparation

    • Create sorting cards with the four categories: We Can, We know who can, We can't and we don't know who can, Who Else/What Else.

    • Prepare the 100 assets cards based on the Appendix A Asset Inventory provided.

      • Note that the Asset Inventory can be modified and new skills/competencies added or others removed, but it is important to keep the total at 100.

    • Have a log sheet prepared for learners' guesses (Appendix B).

    Technology Considerations

    • No specific technology is required for this activity.

    • It can be done in person or adapted for virtual sessions using a digital whiteboard.


    Additional Context

    • Emphasize that everyone's unique capacities and skills are valuable for community development.

    • No single person has all of the assets and skills, and therefore we rely on one another to help each other out. Everyone knows different things/can do different things.


    Tips for Localization

    • Adapt the capacity cards to include skills and capacities that you know are present within the group.

    • Ensure that each of the learners is represented in at least one of the skills/competency cards.

    • Include skills/competencies from the surrounding community in the list, that are provided by others, businesses, organizations, and institutions.


    Debrief Questions

    1. What did you learn about all that we can do in this group?

    2. Were you surprised by the number of skills and assets in our group? Are there certain skills or assets that are in abundance in the group?

    3. How can we use these capacities to build a stronger community?

    4. What connections or opportunities emerged during the game?

    5. How does recognizing community capacities promote a sense of empowerment and togetherness?


    Source

    This activity was taken from the WE CAN game created by Cormac Russell of www.nurturedevelopment.ie and modified. 

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