What experience do you have in creating widespread community engagement in public planning issues? What types of citizen involvement do you believe The City of Red Deer should be engaging in?

 There’s great value in people coming together.  A “meeting” just sometimes doesn’t cut it.  Let’s be honest, traditional “meetings” can be boring, there are talking heads, the event may not be welcoming, it can be too structured, there isn’t opportunity to explore and create, and often, too few participate.  Through my experiences of working in the labour movement, hearing from diverse groups of working people, I have participated in methods which are different from usual practices.  These experiences and gatherings allow people to explore new approaches, sharing and that lead to exploring and “planning” issues.

Community engagement can include one on one conversations, small groups to whole groups.

Community engagement can include the arts, movement, and creative recording methods to learn.

Community engagement can also include working with “chaos” and “order” and having meaningful and important conversations.

Community engagement should mean that participants feel valued, their experiences mean something, they share and take ownership.

When people come together – whether to learn new skills, to plan, to share ideas, it’s valuable to think about new approaches to maximize the energy, passion and talents of those present.  Our City could look at these types of learning and sharing and new ways of “hosting” citizens,  and creating atmospheres where people feel comfortable and at ease. 

I have participated in “learning circles” where thought is given to the “invitation” to the event/gathering and thinking about different meeting methodologies that might be appropriate.  Here’s two examples, briefly explained. 

• World Café– Moving around the room at different tables to speak to one another on the “question” to be discussed.  One person stays as the host and others move around, notes and doodling can be done on large paper at the table. What’s important and key is the “question” to be discussed and ensuring it’s the best question which can be very powerful.
• Open Space technology– Creating time and space for people to engage deeply and creatively around issues of concern to them.  An open space discussion is a simple and powerful way to voice passions, learn from one another, and taking personal ownership and responsibility for finding solutions; versus the traditional method of participants leaving a meeting and thinking someone else will do it).   Open space operates under four principles and one law.  The four principles are:  Whoever comes to the discussion are the right people.  Whatever happens is the only thing that could have happened.  When it starts is the right time.  When it’s over its over.  And the law:  The law of two feet.  If you find yourself in a situation where you are not contributing or learning, move somewhere where you can.

Through these learning opportunities and the “Art of Hosting” there is a harvest (results) of the group wisdom shared.

I think it would be worthwhile and fun for our City to explore ways to use the “Art of Hosting” in our community.

Dianne Wyntjes

www.DianneforRedDeer.ca 

403-350-1093

Don’t forget to vote on October 18^th.  A reminder of the Advance Polls on October 2^nd, 8^th and 9^th and 15^th and 16^th at the Recreation Centre.

During this campaign, I'm hearing from many citizens that they want to be heard and actively considered in the decision making that affects them.  I'm also hearing from City adminstration that citizens don't participate in consultation opportunities.  I believe that the City needs to learn ways of inviting, staying in contact, following-through, and reaching out to citizens in ways that are understandable, engaging, and relevant. 

Listening carefully, encouraging community dialogue, and following through on ideas and initiatives honours community leadership at all levels.   When this works well, it enables positive change in our community.  Great things will happen.

My experience:

In my work as a community facilitator, I am constantly reminded that the wisdom for community health and economic development exists within the community when its members are actively working together.  In my work with Red Deer citizens, as they envisioned the future of culture in Red Deer, it was often expressed that community members know best what needs to be done and how to do it.  As the lead facilitator of this project, I helped Red Deer citizens craft a clear direction for the future of culture and the arts in this city.  I have had similar experiences in many other consultation processes; community does know best.

My commitment as councillor:

• I will provide strong and thoughtful leadership by carefully listening to and responding to individuals, organizations, and businesses in the community.
• I will strengthen the public consultation process.
• I will champion improved communication between the public and the City, and increase citizen engagement with decisions that affect them.

To learn more about me and my platform, I invite you to visit my website at www.paulharrisforcouncil.ca and to follow me on FB at www.facebook.com/harris4rd or on Twitter at twitter.com/harris4rd.

Paul Harris

As a City Councillor for 12 years I particpated in many, many  public consultation processes. I think though we need to utilize social media and other alternative methods to try and reach the younger citizens and try and build a community for us all. One issue almost every community faces is retaining our children. As they grow up, spread their wings and find a life of their own all too often that includes sprouting their roots in a different community. If somehow we can make them feel a part of our community and take ownership perhaps we can keep our children here and help build this great city.

Visit electdawson.com for more about my ideas.

Jeffrey Dawson