Community
Development
With the guiding documents of Golden & Area A's Vital Signs, the Town of Golden OCP and CBT's State of the Basin, there is some direction for community development initiatives. However, CSRD Electoral Area A is one of the few jurisdictions in BC that is without an Official Community Plan. The formation of a Local Advisory Committee in Area A may begin to usher in a period of long-term planning for its 3,500 residents and 13 thousand square kilometres of land.
Golden Area Initiatives (GAI) follows an approach where "Community Economic Development is a process by which communities can initiate and generate their own solutions to their common economic problems and thereby build long-term community capacity and foster the integration of economic, social and environmental objectives." GAI is currently going through strategic planning and will be hosting a CED workshop in May.
Looking further, there are some very interesting models that help other communities discuss and develop their issues. Perhaps some of these can be developed and applied to Golden & Area A?
Banff Ideas Bank: is a form of an issue identification forum and is led by professional facilitators from The Banff Centre. Its mission is to "create engaging social spaces and creative facilitation techniques that encourage discovery, dialogue, and the exchange of ideas." Everyone is welcome to the monthly meeting, every first Wednesday at 7pm at the Wild Flour Café and Bakery on Bear Street.
To learn more: http://banffideasbank.ca/
Banff Action Group: meets three times a year to proactively look at opportunities, issues, gaps and partnerships in Banff. This group is facilitated by The Town of Banff FCSS Community Development staff. The meetings are open to any agency, non-profit or individual providing support and services to the Banff community.
The group constantly provides feedback that they find it essential to take the time to meet, share learning’s and look at the work we all do and how they can improve.
In the past, the group has worked on the following projects: collated agency work plans and services to produce a ‘visual map’ of community-wide services, this has been used by agencies for strategic planning purpose and monetary allocations; identified gaps and opportunities from the Visual Map and strategies to address; shared agency statistics/evaluations, etc. to identify trends; and updated and distributed Banff After Hours Services brochure.
Mind Labs: An inter-disciplinary approach to designing solutions to problems.
To learn more: http://www.mind-lab.dk/assets/718/Torjman_MaRSReport-Labs-designing-the-future_2012.pdf
Jasper Communtiy Team Model: This network and outreach program (Jasper Community Outreach Services), sustained by pooling resources, offers an efficient vehicle for agencies and government to implement any social initiative at the local level.
Other Community Development Initiatives:
Volunteer Opportunities Listings
Community Road Map
Community Projects List
With the guiding documents of Golden & Area A's Vital Signs, the Town of Golden OCP and CBT's State of the Basin, there is some direction for community development initiatives. However, CSRD Electoral Area A is one of the few jurisdictions in BC that is without an Official Community Plan. The formation of a Local Advisory Committee in Area A may begin to usher in a period of long-term planning for its 3,500 residents and 13 thousand square kilometres of land.
Golden Area Initiatives (GAI) follows an approach where "Community Economic Development is a process by which communities can initiate and generate their own solutions to their common economic problems and thereby build long-term community capacity and foster the integration of economic, social and environmental objectives." GAI is currently going through strategic planning and will be hosting a CED workshop in May.
Looking further, there are some very interesting models that help other communities discuss and develop their issues. Perhaps some of these can be developed and applied to Golden & Area A?
Banff Ideas Bank: is a form of an issue identification forum and is led by professional facilitators from The Banff Centre. Its mission is to "create engaging social spaces and creative facilitation techniques that encourage discovery, dialogue, and the exchange of ideas." Everyone is welcome to the monthly meeting, every first Wednesday at 7pm at the Wild Flour Café and Bakery on Bear Street.
To learn more: http://banffideasbank.ca/
Banff Action Group: meets three times a year to proactively look at opportunities, issues, gaps and partnerships in Banff. This group is facilitated by The Town of Banff FCSS Community Development staff. The meetings are open to any agency, non-profit or individual providing support and services to the Banff community.
The group constantly provides feedback that they find it essential to take the time to meet, share learning’s and look at the work we all do and how they can improve.
In the past, the group has worked on the following projects: collated agency work plans and services to produce a ‘visual map’ of community-wide services, this has been used by agencies for strategic planning purpose and monetary allocations; identified gaps and opportunities from the Visual Map and strategies to address; shared agency statistics/evaluations, etc. to identify trends; and updated and distributed Banff After Hours Services brochure.
Mind Labs: An inter-disciplinary approach to designing solutions to problems.
To learn more: http://www.mind-lab.dk/assets/718/Torjman_MaRSReport-Labs-designing-the-future_2012.pdf
Jasper Communtiy Team Model: This network and outreach program (Jasper Community Outreach Services), sustained by pooling resources, offers an efficient vehicle for agencies and government to implement any social initiative at the local level.
Other Community Development Initiatives:
Volunteer Opportunities Listings
Community Road Map
Community Projects List
Coalition Models
While community models are extremely important at bringing all local people and groups together, a model of that size can be unruly. It is for that reason that smaller, more focused groups often form coalitions or alliances. These coalitions are comprised of completely separate entities, yet they communicate and align themselves relative to the great need and available resources.
In Golden, our best organized coalition is the Early Childhood Development Coalition (ECDC). Thankfully, this group, and many others, was formed as a provincial initiative and it has stuck due to the openness of the members and the support of Joanne McCullough, ECDC Coordinator.
The Golden & Area A community is ripe for the start of other coalitions that support specific needs and user groups. Trail user groups in Golden include the Golden Cycling Club, Golden Nordic Ski Club Society, Golden Hiking Club (non registered), Golden ATV Club, Golden Snowmobile Club, Golden Snowmobile Trail Society and others. While GBRAC determines which areas are designated motorized and non motorized, these user groups are on their own when it comes to planning, building, maintaining and marketing their independent trail systems.
On the non motorized side, Rossland Trails has created one solution to this separation by securing ongoing funding from their Regional District for a Trails Manager and Crew.
www.rosslandtrails.ca
For motorized users, Okanagan Trail Riders' Association has made strives with coordination as the Stewards/Site Operators of the Bear Creek OHV Area Trail System as they partner with Recreation Sites and Trails BC to continue to develop the largest Managed OHV Area in British Columbia.
http://www.okanagantrailriders.com/bearcreek/index.htm
In Golden, our best organized coalition is the Early Childhood Development Coalition (ECDC). Thankfully, this group, and many others, was formed as a provincial initiative and it has stuck due to the openness of the members and the support of Joanne McCullough, ECDC Coordinator.
The Golden & Area A community is ripe for the start of other coalitions that support specific needs and user groups. Trail user groups in Golden include the Golden Cycling Club, Golden Nordic Ski Club Society, Golden Hiking Club (non registered), Golden ATV Club, Golden Snowmobile Club, Golden Snowmobile Trail Society and others. While GBRAC determines which areas are designated motorized and non motorized, these user groups are on their own when it comes to planning, building, maintaining and marketing their independent trail systems.
On the non motorized side, Rossland Trails has created one solution to this separation by securing ongoing funding from their Regional District for a Trails Manager and Crew.
www.rosslandtrails.ca
For motorized users, Okanagan Trail Riders' Association has made strives with coordination as the Stewards/Site Operators of the Bear Creek OHV Area Trail System as they partner with Recreation Sites and Trails BC to continue to develop the largest Managed OHV Area in British Columbia.
http://www.okanagantrailriders.com/bearcreek/index.htm
