Community Priority Setting Exercise

 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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Facilitator:

Mrs. Catherine Smart

CEO of Smart Move Training and Development Inc

Participants:

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

Nancy Strand – Stroke Recovery Canada

Debbie Kesheshian – Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Georgian Triangle

Marilyn Beecroft – Ontario Parks

Cal Patterson – Town of Wasaga Beach

Christine Nugent – Georgian College

Harry Chadwick – W.B. Ministerial Food Bank/ Anglican Church

Rick Archdekin – Town of Wasaga Beach

Jennifer Samson – Community Action Program For Children

Courtney Wattie – Resident/Sunshine on a Cloudy Day employee

Faythe Pal - Resident/W.B. Store Owner

Stan Wells – Town of Wasaga Beach

Lorie Coyle – Chamber of Commerce

Agenda:

• Introductions                                                                        

• Review agenda                                                                    

• Community Matters Initiative background                                                             

• Value Proposition                                                              

• Process Mapping exercise/Action Plans (“Parking Lot”)                                                        
• Summary of Activities and next steps              

• Workshop evaluation/ Adjournment               

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Community Matters Initiative Background

Funded through a grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation, the United Way of South Georgian Bay joined with 16 of the smallest United Ways in the Province, to conduct Community Priority Consultations in the municipalities in their respective catchment areas.  The Community Matters project is a 2 ½ year venture, which we are presently ¾ of the way through. 

The 1st Phase of the Initiative was to conduct a series of Community Consultation sessions, which were completed in June & July of 2005.  The purpose of theses initial consultations was to determine what the greatest needs were in each of the municipalities in the South Georgian Bay region.  We asked each Community a set of 4 very important questions.

• What are your communities’ most pressing issues?
• What are the factors creating these issues?
• What is working well in the community?
• What do we need to improve or add that would make a difference?

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. 

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The survey was also emailed to our UW Community Agencies, and other UW contacts.  Again, the results were analysed and reports were created.

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.

Value Proposition

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 were for the Town of Wasaga Beach. 

The following issues were identified:

• Youth Programs – Training and Re-training for Youth
• Assessable Transportation
• Need for High School
• Affordable Housing
• Increased Health & Social Services i.e. Homelessness Services
• Disconnect with Community

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Then the facilitator presented the actual list of issues that were identified in the last community consultation session in the Town of Wasaga Beach 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:

• Lack of Secondary Education
• Programs for Youth
• Transportation

4. “Disconnect” with community/Sense of Community

Process Mapping Exercise/Action Plans

Catherine Smart went over the Process Mapping Exercise with the group.  She asked the focus group participants to beak up into 2 groups.  Then each of the 2 Groups were asked to choose 1 of the identified issues that they feel passionate about, and to then discuss and brainstorm what Actions can be put in place to improve the situation, and Build a Stronger Community.

While the groups talked about their issues they were asked to write their discussion points on sticky notes.  And then they were asked to present their ideas and vision for the future, on a blank canvas time line, starting in Nov 2006 to June of 2007.

Group 1

Issue: Health Care Discussion Points

What do we want and how are we going to manage it?

Why is it important?

►There is a need for a Community Health Centre

►Partner with other organizations with the same vision, and send a letter to the MPP, so he would be aware of the concerns of the people in his riding. 

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►WB is in a better situation now, than what they were last year, with the 3 new Family Doctor’s that have set up practices in the area.  However there is still a need for Specialists, because waiting lists continue to be long.  And the other factor is often transportation to and from Specialist appointments.

►The Community Health Centre could be a meeting place for groups, similar to what the Community Resource Centre is in Collingwood.  It could have a medical lab, and potentially Dr’s could set-up their practices in the Centre, similar to the Health Centre behind the hospital in Collingwood.  

► The Health Centre would be funded through the Provincial Government.

►Funded transportation to Health Care Centres locally, and to outside communities is a key component.

►The Community Health Centre would be a fantastic Co-op placement opportunity.

►There is a need for a Retirement Facility

►Accessibility

►Support for Home Care

► Need for Mental Health services

►There is a need for Hospice in Wasaga Beach.

►Support services for young mothers “children having children”

►Awareness to the Community about Nutrition and Physical Activity because of Obesity rates going up in adults and children.  Active 2010 would be a great resource to team up with.

►Partner with Red Cross

►In regards to the Transportation issue, the idea was raised to use the  Gas tax which is about $21,000 to help fund this type of service to the community.  In which case, transportation services could be run by volunteers.

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Group 2

Issue: Transportation Discussion Points

What do we want and how are we going to manage it?

Why is it important?

► In regards to the Transportation issue, the idea was raised to use the Gas tax, which is about $21,000 to help fund this type of service to the community.  In which case, the transportation services could be run by volunteers.

►There is a great need for transportation services within Wasaga Beach, as well as from Wasaga Beach to other Communties.

►Transportation affects every one of the identified issues on the list

►In the past there had been transportation services that were not feasible, but times have changed.

►There is a consultation ongoing between the Town and and a private business.  The Town of WB  is waiting for a reply from that business before they can move forward on the issue.

►The transportation service needs to meet the needs of all community members.  It also needs to be accessible to seniors, youth, residents, and tourists, so that everyone benefits.

►We need partner with private businesses, service clubs, and other stakeholders to have a stronger voice to push this issue forward.

►We need to research what other communities are doing.

►Investigate Residents/Tourist Transportation needs.

Summary of Activities & Next Steps

          -The need to partner with other stakeholders

          - Consistent communication

-We can make some things happen even though we are a small group

-Have the WB Municipal Council involved and informed.

-Have the LHIN’s involved in all discussions.

-Community Health Centre steering Committee meeting in January.  We can do our research until that time.

-We need 1 or 2 people to volunteer to move the issues forward

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-This group with support from United Way will go to the Town of Wasaga Beach Council meeting, to report back on our findings

-Collin Mcinnon & Jennifer Samson volunteered to co-lead the two issues that we worked on today.  They have agreed to work together to drive the issues forward, by planning and organizing the next meeting, and engaging other stakeholders to get involoved and come to any future meetings.

-We already have Mayor Cal Patterson, and councillors Rick Archdekin, and Stan Wells on Council to further support the the issues on the Municipal Government level.

*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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