by Bob Bertsch
The COVID-19 pandemic has presented some really difficult challenges, but it also has revealed some opportunities for building better systems and communities. The Asset-based Community Recovery (ABCR) Framework can help us recognize those opportunities and take action to create our future.
Inspired by ABCR, the OneOp Network Literacy team, organized a series of workshops bringing military family service providers together to share their stories from the pandemic. Eight themes emerged from those stories: 
ground yourself in your strengths and values; make deep connections; adapt, flex, and be resilient; apply technology to community, and community to technology; invest time in leisure, in learning, and in yourself; share the work (and love); and watch for opportunities to think big. These themes, along with action steps and stories have been gathered in “Connecting Communities in Asset-based Community Recovery,” a colorful and informative resource for building community assets to prepare for future disasters. You can download this incredible resource at https://oneop.org/event/92165/.
Bob Bertsch is a web technology specialist / Agriculture Communication. After more than 20 years in communications, education and web technology, Bob has found a passion for building human networks, especially those focused on collective action. He seeks and shares insights on weaving collaborative networks and on developing a culture of innovation through his work with North Dakota State University Extension Service, the OneOp and as the host of the “Working Differently in Extension” podcast.
