Action Y2K: A GrassRoots Guide to Year 2000 [Paperback]

Richard T. Wright (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1999

Action for Y2K is a guide toward solutions for communities, business and individuals for the coming millenium. Action for Y2K shows how working together can challenge Year 2000 problems expected to be part of the year 2000. The book maintains a positive outlook and approach. It shows that community action groups, working to build resilience and capacity, can tip the balance toward the positive side of any Year 2000 problem. The book includes an overview of the interrelated Year 2000 problems and addresses:
.building a community action group
.contingency planning and preparedness for all three sectors
.building creative media relations
.building community resilience
.buillding local markets and supplies
.practical household hints
.personal preparedness
.the church and social organizations as a refuge
.how to survey you group or community for readiness
.crisis management
.what if the problem does not surface?
.storytel! ling for the new millenium
.the Year 2000 as an opportunity

Appendices include a bibliography and web sites

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Richard Thomas Wright has been in the communications and research business for 30 years. He has written and edited for many magainzes and is the author of over 20 books. He has filmed and written television programs for CBC and was the subject of a National Film Board documentary. In 1998 he focused on the growing issues of Year 2000 problems and how they could affect communities and rural business. His column on Year 2000 issues appears in 41 newspapers in B.C. Richard is well known as a speaker on Year 2000 solutions as well as media relations and heritage issues.

Cathryn J. Wellner has been in the communications field for 20 years. She holds a masters degree in library science, with honors, from the University of Washington and did graduate study in French language and literature at the Universite de Clermont-Ferrand, France. Her special interest is community capacity building. While living in Cariboo, B.C. she has developed a wide knowledge of economic diversification, telecommunications, housing, sustainable development, regional marketing and other rural issues.

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Winter Quarters Pr (February 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0969688725
• ISBN-13: 978-0969688723
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.9 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #10,478,361 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Action y2k was an answer to all my worries., June 9, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Action Y2K: A GrassRoots Guide to Year 2000 (Paperback)

The y2k action guide is a great book for anybody who is concerned for the up coming millennuim. I had a lot of questions on what I can and should do to prepare before the stroke of midnight, and the book was nothing short of spectacular for putting my mind to ease for the coming year.

5.0 out of 5 stars Not only says Community can be achieved, it shows you how., June 7, 1999

By 

Candace Carman ([e-mail]) (Ontario, Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Action Y2K: A GrassRoots Guide to Year 2000 (Paperback)

"Action Y2K: A GrassRoots guide to Year 2000 and beyond..."is exactly what the subtitle indicates : A guide toward solutions for communities, business and individuals. Richard Wright and Cathyrn Wellner have provided the larger community with an excellent resource book for those desiring to build Y2K awareness in their local communities as well as the wider geo-political community.

This book is a shout, a call to arms, as it were, to work together. Analyzing particular communities in the United States and Canada, "Action Y2K: A GrassRoots guide to Year 2000 and beyond..." gives us insight to the workings of effective community structures. Defining a 7-step process in the establishment of community is the first step towards developing solutions. Further breaking down the seemingly gargantuan task of community building to 10-steps, makes it suddenly feasible that this can be accomplished. Sample surveys are included from the Gartner Group and others to help stimulate the reader's own ideas and to be used to help the reader use them to analyze communities Y2K readiness.

Richard Wright and Cathyrn Wellner have no difficulty in communicating their visualization of the basis for community : national, local and individual groups in "Action Y2K: A GrassRoots guide to Year 2000 and beyond...". And they go beyond visualization to show the tools whereby communities can be created and informed. One of the most effective means in a community to communicate is the use of the media. "Enrolling the Media" subsection is a vital component to getting the information out there so more people can hear the message, can become involved.

The authors believe that it is possible to motivate people to create a positive change and they give ideas about developing sustainability, resilience and flexibility which you can apply to your community, your business network. "Action Y2K: A GrassRoots guide to Year 2000 and beyond..." not only says it can be done, it shows you how.

Although most of the mainstream media tend to veer away from topics such as 'contingency planning' and 'crisis management', these are essential components to any type of successful planning. Again, breaking the concepts down into easily understood ideas or goals, even the overwhelming idea of a contingency plan begins to be achievable.

Whether it is a careful analysis of risk factors for small business or charity organizations in relation to Y2K problems or community as a whole, including utilities and waste systems, the ability that these authors have to break things down and illustrate positive action make everything seem achievable.

Although "Action Y2K: A GrassRoots guide to Year 2000 and beyond..." has a small section on individual preparation, it is not the book's main focus. The authors include some information and some references so people who are interested can find more details on how to store food or make a house or apartment more secure whether from the inclement weather or anything else, as well as all the other personal preparedness topics.

"Action Y2K: A GrassRoots guide to Year 2000 and beyond..." by Thomas Richard Wright and Cathryn Wellner is whether it be local, or the larger community. With many ideas and suggestions throughout the book to help people get started in their own area.

4.0 out of 5 stars Well-balanced, practical, thoughtful Y2K advice., May 21, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Action Y2K: A GrassRoots Guide to Year 2000 (Paperback)

An unusually balanced review of Y2K issues that affect small businesses, communities, families and individuals. The book does not make the reader choose between "hysteria or hoax", but offers a pluralist approach that is practical and thoughtful. Top notch.