The Guelph Civic League in partnership with the Columbia Institute presents: Communities in Action.
Non-profits groups, neighbourhood groups and community advocates from across Canada will meet to share effective tools and strategies and to present exciting new models of community engagement.
If you want to create a group, improve your group, start a new project, bounce around ideas or explore what’s worked and what hasn’t – this day is not to be missed.
Communities in Action
When: Saturday, June 14, 2008
Where: Rozanski Hall and Landscape Architecture Building, University of Guelph
Cost: $25.00 (includes lunch)
Registration will be on a first come first serve basis. Participants will attend a morning workshop and an afternoon workshop.
When registering, please nominate 4 workshops in order of preference. Workshop confirmation will be sent out in early June. Register early, as workshops will fill up quickly.
“People who seek progressive social change must begin to debate how more people can be included in the political system in a meaningful way.”
- Judy Rebick
Judy Rebick will kickstart the day by offering her recipe for participatory democracy. Judy is an internationally renowned social justice activist, writer, academic and speaker. She currently holds the Sam Gindin Chair in Social Justice and Democracy at Ryerson University, and is the author of several books, including Imagine Democracy.
Join in lively discussions, learn new concepts and take new skills home with you:
- New Community Groups – What It Takes to Succeed
Come to hear the lessons learned from new and successful community groups involved in heritage, citizen engagement and the environment. - Developing Messages That Stick
Professional writer Tony Leighton will teach you at least 10 practical things you can do to give your communications impact. Bring a draft message and see it transformed into greatness in this interactive workshop. - So You Want to Change the World?
Norman Gludovatz, a strategic campaign consultant based in Vancouver, will offer insights into creating strong organizations founded upon community values, attracting and growing your membership and putting effective governance structures in place from the start. - Getting the Grant – Build Your Organization’s Capacity with the Support of Foundations
Find out what it takes to write a successful grant proposal by going through the process with staff from the Trillium and Maytree Foundations. - Between the Ballots – Real Change Takes Place BETWEEN Elections
Hear how citizen groups and elected officials are working together for positive change. Learn how relationships are made and sustained even when opinions or politics differ. A must-see session for any citizen group looking to build a better relationship with your elected officials. - Engaging Youth – Our Youngest Minds Lead the Way
Participate in a youth led dialogue offering strategies and showcasing successes in youth engagement. - City Staff and Citizens – Working Together
Learn how two different cities have made citizen engagement work by opening up the system and encouraging public participation from the inside. - Diversity and Inclusion
Two successful pioneers involved in social inclusion will raise our awareness and discuss strategies you can use to engage all of your community. Take ideas home to help overcome bias, access and language barriers. - Building Strong Community Partnerships
In this panel discussion, learn where to find good partners, how to build and maintain relationships, and hear about the successes and why collaborative multi-stakeholder processes are working. - Deepening Democracy
Joining us to lead this engaging discussion is Daniel Schugurensky, one of the leading thinkers on participatory democracy and community development. Daniel is an Associate Professor at Ontario Institute for Studies in Education and Associate Director of the Centre for Urban and Community Studies. In this discussion, you will come away with new ways to relate to each other and to the government – learning democracy by doing it. - Neighbourly Engagement – Change your Neighbourhood From the Ground Up
The driving forces behind Friends of Dufferin Grove Park and Hespeler Neighbourhood Group will lead this panel discussion on place-making. Hear how incremental changes had lasting impact, how the ‘place’ became the community, and learn how you can do this in your neighbourhood.
While enjoying lunch you can meander through our Ideas Gallery and shop for concepts, campaigns and strategies to bring home.
If your group would like to be part of the gallery please e-mail conference@guelphcivicleague.ca.
At the end of the day, Dave Meslin will launch the final plenary session. Founder of the Toronto Public Space Committee and the Toronto Cyclists Union, Dave has inspired a new generation of activists. His “City Idol” and “Who Runs this Town” campaigns, brought a new level of engagement to municipal politics in Toronto. Dave’s energy and bold new directions for community action will both inform and inspire.
So roll up your sleeves, bring along your friends and invest in a day that guarantees results.
