You would most likely rather read how to save a community, but a book called "13 Ways to Kill Your Community" definitely catches more attention.

The full list of 'Ways to Kill Your Community."

Doug Griffiths, the authour of the book, gave a presentation on his book to anyone in Moose Jaw interested in learning what he and his book are about. One good thing to know before going in is the presentation is about improving and fixing a community - not killing it.

The Chamber of Commerce was able to bring Griffiths in to hold the presentation for the whole community; municipal leaders heard it already at this year's SUMA convention and the Moose Jaw City Council also got a chance to see it. Both times it gave leaders something to think about.

Moose Jaw was well represented in all areas at the presentation on Wednesday night, as local business owners, emergency responders, City employees, committees, and everyday residents, young and old took the chance to learn about some ways to improve our community.

Griffiths isn't one self proclaimed author/specialist. Within the first few minutes of the presentation he let people know more about himself. He was a teacher and a rancher before he became political. After serving and learning about more than half of the communities in Alberta, Griffiths focuses on '13 Ways' and helping struggling communities.

'13 Ways' is described as a "straight-shooting, no-punches-pulled approach," which was evident in his presentation. Griffiths not only shocked the audience with some of the examples of failing from other communities, even without naming names, he also made sure every person understood what doing these 13 things can do to ruin a community.

"There was numerous ones but I think the one major thing that stuck out for me was how he said people called in and said 'was it my community you were talking about,' and the unfortunate part is it may be in every community," said Ashlea Street, Co-owner of Rock Creek. "That's the reality I guess but every single thing he spoke about was exactly, like it hit the nail in the head and it struck a chord for sure."

If you were in the room, you could tell that people were not only shocked but were listening wholeheartedly to what Griffiths said. Whether they were applying it to see if it is what Moose Jaw is already doing or if they could get ahead and stop it now. This means a lot, especially since Griffiths wants to get people to stand up for their communities and get involved.

"I kind of expected to be like most of the other presentations you end up getting from these speakers who they're going to be able to revitalize your community or change the way you think about the world or such and so on but it was a lot more dynamic than I expected it to be," said Rachel Butt, Vice Chair of Youth Advisory Committee. "It's refreshing."

Another resident at the presentation, Chritina Cartman, who is a Doula and the Co-owner of Co-owner Mullens Contracting Inc. also enjoyed Griffiths' presentation.

"I'm really happy that Doug came out and I really hope that he comes back and if he does come back I'm excited to invite more people and I think it will be an even bigger turnout because it was such a success tonight."

From the presentation, almost everybody was able to come out and figure out how they would be able to fix our community. Street wants the City to try something new and have people not worried about their own personal gain. Butt wants everyone to be a part of and care for our city and Cartman wants the youth to get involved more in the community.

After the presentation was over, attendees got a chance to enjoy some wine and cheese downstairs and discuss more about the presentation itself and chat a little with Griffiths, which gave everyone a chance to discuss what they thought of the presentation and how they can make change in the community.

The talks and Griffiths' visit won't go to waste either, as Mayor Fraser Tolmie, Griffiths and City Councillors will be meeting Thursday morning to create a strategy plan for City Hall and Moose Jaw.