Post by Michael Yue on Mar 23, 2006 18:11:38 GMT -5
Richmond Civic Engagement Network - first meeting
November 24th, 2005
Brainstormed Ideas for the role and function of a potential forum
1. Neighbourhood level in its concerns and focus (this is where people get engaged)
2. Resources will be needed...we will need to map out what we need
3. Using existing government departments as partners and resource
4. Forum as an opportunity to involve all faith and diversity groups/communities
5. Forum will be a connection point /need to be in partnership with other initiatives i.e. “Richmond Volunteers”
6. Forum could incorporate wide concept of civic participation e.g.: ideas around new immigrant parenting etc. “connections” between generations etc.
7. Education connection/component also key to a civic forum .. how civic life works in Richmond
8. Civic forum could be a way to find ways to simplify “involvement” participation
9. Way of building on and coordinating existing community expertise available in the community
10. Role of the forum should be to take issues forward to the City of Richmond.
Brainstormed ideas on Vision of a potential civic engagement forum
1. To remove the mystique, feelings of intimidation around civic engagement for many people (public education role)
2. Encourage people through the media etc. Learn how government works, gain comfort level with civic engagement.
3. Focus on neighbourhood – from school, community up to city then province, (Social , Engagement model) Start with a neighbourhood /sense of belonging, build this up.
4. Compulsory voting.
5. Recognize help build identity within the different neighbourhoods (Steveston, Cambie, Burkeville, East Richmond, Hamilton, Shellmont)
6. Start with schools as a local focus + heritage language presentations
7. The community need knowledge first – public education as key role.
8. For a clear vision we must be sure that we ..
a. have the ability to provide a clear role (transportation, language etc)
b we have the opportunity
c. we have the willingness
9. Show/share knowledge and information between groups
-New immigrant groups e.g.…South Asian, Korean, and Arabic
10 Overall goal to help system react quicker to change
What should this network look like
a) Network of people at different levels etc. different levels of knowledge….different background, culturally diverse
b) Role for agencies within the network as well as individuals
c) Information for clients through the network
d) Two way link to impact civic structures
Effect the providers of services
….create understanding of citizen’s needs and aspirations
- What’s standing in the way…barriers- into must be fed back to city and civil institutions
What do we need from the City of Richmond /City Community Centres?
1.Need to map out our resource needs from the City of Richmond
2. Map out how any forum would link with City Community Centres
3. Need to get senior board members form Community Centres involved with the work of any forum.
4. Link recreation planning agendas with civic engagement
-Maybe …a case study around one (community centre) linking recreation…with culture
getting information out…using community centres as conduit ..wider cultural role not just recreation
5. A civic engagement forum could assist to make City services, neighbourhood.. not only program focused
6. Role in working with the City to reach all diverse communities and look at how to get city organizations reaching communities
-Programs and Activities must be welcoming and diverse. How do we achieve this? (any civic engagement forum formed could work in partnership with the city on these issues)?
7.City should provide space for civic engagement forum meetings, maybe at community centres
Brainstorming on “beyond idea sharing”
We need to explore the tension between “traditional” values on what is civic engagement and need for cultural relevant information/needs and new ways needed to engage all communities
Participation…not just about involving people in voting we need to reach out to marginalized groups and have a wider agenda that incorporates major development revitalization/consultations
Need to help all cultures get involved. Language- no English skills is a big issue, also no translation by City into Arabic- City need to look at translation issues
Need to feed ideas back /link in to the School Board. Arabic kids –excluded
Diverse languages not always respected by the system e.g. Arabic
Next step
1.Need to prioritise our goals,
2. Meeting to look at functions and have clarity on our structure
3. Need for steering committee
4. Look at collecting and interpreting information- and who will do this/ how will this be done
5. Look at issue of if the forum will be agency or community focussed (or both)
Volunteers
1. James Musgrave
2. Parm Grewal
3. Annie McKitrick (through RIAC)
4. Heather Fleming
Next meeting on 26th January 2006
All attendees were asked to prioritise a main objective for the potential network and bring this to the January session.
November 24th, 2005
Brainstormed Ideas for the role and function of a potential forum
1. Neighbourhood level in its concerns and focus (this is where people get engaged)
2. Resources will be needed...we will need to map out what we need
3. Using existing government departments as partners and resource
4. Forum as an opportunity to involve all faith and diversity groups/communities
5. Forum will be a connection point /need to be in partnership with other initiatives i.e. “Richmond Volunteers”
6. Forum could incorporate wide concept of civic participation e.g.: ideas around new immigrant parenting etc. “connections” between generations etc.
7. Education connection/component also key to a civic forum .. how civic life works in Richmond
8. Civic forum could be a way to find ways to simplify “involvement” participation
9. Way of building on and coordinating existing community expertise available in the community
10. Role of the forum should be to take issues forward to the City of Richmond.
Brainstormed ideas on Vision of a potential civic engagement forum
1. To remove the mystique, feelings of intimidation around civic engagement for many people (public education role)
2. Encourage people through the media etc. Learn how government works, gain comfort level with civic engagement.
3. Focus on neighbourhood – from school, community up to city then province, (Social , Engagement model) Start with a neighbourhood /sense of belonging, build this up.
4. Compulsory voting.
5. Recognize help build identity within the different neighbourhoods (Steveston, Cambie, Burkeville, East Richmond, Hamilton, Shellmont)
6. Start with schools as a local focus + heritage language presentations
7. The community need knowledge first – public education as key role.
8. For a clear vision we must be sure that we ..
a. have the ability to provide a clear role (transportation, language etc)
b we have the opportunity
c. we have the willingness
9. Show/share knowledge and information between groups
-New immigrant groups e.g.…South Asian, Korean, and Arabic
10 Overall goal to help system react quicker to change
What should this network look like
a) Network of people at different levels etc. different levels of knowledge….different background, culturally diverse
b) Role for agencies within the network as well as individuals
c) Information for clients through the network
d) Two way link to impact civic structures
Effect the providers of services
….create understanding of citizen’s needs and aspirations
- What’s standing in the way…barriers- into must be fed back to city and civil institutions
What do we need from the City of Richmond /City Community Centres?
1.Need to map out our resource needs from the City of Richmond
2. Map out how any forum would link with City Community Centres
3. Need to get senior board members form Community Centres involved with the work of any forum.
4. Link recreation planning agendas with civic engagement
-Maybe …a case study around one (community centre) linking recreation…with culture
getting information out…using community centres as conduit ..wider cultural role not just recreation
5. A civic engagement forum could assist to make City services, neighbourhood.. not only program focused
6. Role in working with the City to reach all diverse communities and look at how to get city organizations reaching communities
-Programs and Activities must be welcoming and diverse. How do we achieve this? (any civic engagement forum formed could work in partnership with the city on these issues)?
7.City should provide space for civic engagement forum meetings, maybe at community centres
Brainstorming on “beyond idea sharing”
We need to explore the tension between “traditional” values on what is civic engagement and need for cultural relevant information/needs and new ways needed to engage all communities
Participation…not just about involving people in voting we need to reach out to marginalized groups and have a wider agenda that incorporates major development revitalization/consultations
Need to help all cultures get involved. Language- no English skills is a big issue, also no translation by City into Arabic- City need to look at translation issues
Need to feed ideas back /link in to the School Board. Arabic kids –excluded
Diverse languages not always respected by the system e.g. Arabic
Next step
1.Need to prioritise our goals,
2. Meeting to look at functions and have clarity on our structure
3. Need for steering committee
4. Look at collecting and interpreting information- and who will do this/ how will this be done
5. Look at issue of if the forum will be agency or community focussed (or both)
Volunteers
1. James Musgrave
2. Parm Grewal
3. Annie McKitrick (through RIAC)
4. Heather Fleming
Next meeting on 26th January 2006
All attendees were asked to prioritise a main objective for the potential network and bring this to the January session.