April 24, 2007
Table of Contents
Table of Contents: ……………………………………..…2
Facilitator: ………………………………………….….....3
Participants: .…………………………………………….3
Agenda ………………………………………….……...…3
Community Matters Initiative Background…………….4
Value proposition ……………………………………..….5
Process Mapping Exercise……………………………..…6
Summary & Next Steps………………………………..…8
Our Thanks to the Trillium Foundation for Generously Funding this Initiative
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Participants:
Marlene Yen – Beaver Valley Outreach
Kelly Nicoll – Resident
John McGee – Grace United Church
Cathy Innes – L.E. Shore Memorial Library
Catherine Sholtz – Breaking Down Barriers/Resident
Lisa Kidd – Bruce Grey Huron Perth Georgian Triangle Training Board
Alice Grottoli - United Way of South Georgian Bay
Marcia Adams - United Way of South Georgian Bay
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Following the Community Consultation sessions, the findings were tabulated and reports were drafted for each municipality and circulated within the community.
Phase 2 consisted of a Community Matters Survey, which was published and distributed in the Enterprise Bulletin local newspaper, which has a circulation of 20,000 households in our area. The idea behind the survey was to engage a broader number of people in the community to participate in the CM Initiative, so that everyone would have a voice in this process. The survey was distributed on May 5, 2006, and was out in the Community for a 2-month period. The survey was available both in a hard copy version, as well as electronically. The survey was also emailed to our UW Community Agencies, and other UW contacts. Again, the results were analysed and reports were created.
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Phase 3 was the 2nd round of Community Consultations Sessions, which we have just completed as of November 2, 2006. The results of our discussions frame this report.
*The Bruce Grey Huron Perth Georgian Triangle Training Board generously offered their support to this Initiative, by funding the Professional Facilitation services for the 4 Community Consultation Sessions. The Training Boards’ interest with the Community Matters Initiative was to learn about the issues that arise with respect to Employment and Training, as well as the possibility and potential funding that may be available to the issues identified that fit with the Mandate of the Training Board and criteria for the allocation process.
The top 5 issues that were identified back in June 2005 were #1 Issues around Youth, #2 Transportation for Seniors, #3 Networking, #4 Volunteerism, and #5 Affordable Housing.
Value Proposition is when you take a snapshot of your community, and accessing its’ value. In other words, “who are we as a community?” and “what do we offer?”
We didn’t get too much into this part of the agenda due to the size of the group and because of time restraints.
We did however discuss what this group felt were the top 4 or 5 issues for the Town of the Blue Mountains.
They identified the following:
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Then the facilitator presented the actual list of issues that were identified in the last community consultation session in the TBM from last June. We wanted to compare the lists to ensure that the issues that had been earlier identified, were still areas that need to be approved upon. We also wanted to determine whether or not there had been new issues arise over the last year and a half.
The actual list is as follows:
4. Assessable Transportation & Transportation in General
Catherine Smart went over the process mapping exercise with the group. She asked the group to beak up into 2 groups and for each group to pick 1 issue that they feel passionate about, and would like to work on.
While the groups are discussing their issues they were asked to write their discussion points on sticky notes. And then they were asked to put their ideas, or vision to be mapped out on a blank canvas on a time line starting Nov 2006 to June of 2007.
What do we want and how are we going to manage it?
►Assisted Housing
►Affordable Housing
►Government Housing (nothing is currently happening)
►There are 2 types of housing; affordable and social housing, which is government, assisted.
►There isn’t any rental stock that is affordable, and very little rental property available. Weekenders are buying up the properties.
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►Non-profit Housing Corporation - this is an option, however the Town hasn’t taken this on because it is labour intensive and a large commitment. They don’t have the money or people to put it all together.
►Social Housing is a lower cost solution. Options for homes are not a form of social housing, because the tenants are actually renting to own the homes.
►When developers come to council with residential development requests, it should be treated like park land, or make sure they keep a portion of the development for affordable housing.
►Unfortunately there isn’t a vehicle to move these issues forward.
►The Town of the Blue Mountains could be a catalyst with some dollars.
►There are a large number of people that live here, and are working in the service industry, in places like Blue Mountain Resorts, and the Village at Blue. The fact of the matter is that those positions are minimum wage or slightly above minimum wage. Would it be possible for these industries giving back to the community by financially supporting an Affordable Housing Initiative.
►Town Council need to accept this as a priority. They need to “get it” and put it into their Business Plan. This issue has to always be in the face of the business world.
►We need to have a community voice, cohesive picture, and develop some strong partnerships, with corporations like Blue Mountain, The TBM, and the Developers.
►We need to keep the conversation alive, and keep the community up to date on the housing issue. One way of doing this is to create a Blog so people could access the most current info, and have an opportunity to share information. This is also a great way to engage a wide range of people in the community.
►We need to communicate to the right people consistently, as well as to the community, and other stakeholders.
►The Town of the Blue Mountains Task Force may be a great place to start, and to do frequent presentations to council.
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Group 2
Youth Issue Discussion Points
What do we want and how are we going to manage it?
►The cost of sports activities, are too expensive.
►Families are accessing other activities that are being offered in other communities.
►We need to do some research first, and gather facts and figures about what is available, and what the costs are for families that wish to participate. We need to put together a Case For Support, and take it to council in April to receive money for the Fitness Club, and run less expense programs.
►We need to utilize the library more because they have great programs for Youth.
►We need to engage the Youth in the community, possible by having an event just for them.
►Introduce a Youth Café for the kids.
-The need to partner with other stakeholders
-Consistent communication
-We can make some things happen even though we are a small group
-We need to set another date for a future meeting to discuss a plan so we can move the issues forward, including a venue, and an invitation to new people we hope to engage with regards to these issues
-We need 1 or 2 people to volunteer to move the issues forward
-This group with support from United Way will go to TTBM Council meeting, to report back on our findings
-Marlene Yen and Catherine Sholtz have volunteered to stay involved, and will work together to drive the issues forward, by organizing the next meeting.
-The United Way of South Georgian Bay Board of Directors and staff will begin the process of developing a strategic plan for the future.
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