Canadian Rural Partnership
Community Decision-Making Toolkit

Good Ideas

Rural communities are historically resourceful by nature. The Good Ideas listed below showcase innovative decision-making approaches submitted by towns and communities from across Canada.

• The Canadian Rural Partnership: Fostering Vibrant Rural Communities
• Chamber of Commerce Leadership: Kenaston, Saskatchewan
• Community Dialogue Toolkit: Upper Stewiacke, Nova Scotia
• First Impressions: Ontario and Saskatchewan
• Graphic Recorder: North Dumfries Township, Ontario
• Keyholders: Georgian Bay Area, Ontario
• Local Internet Television: Indian Head, Saskatchewan New
• Meet and Greet Networking Event: Upper Stewiacke, Nova Scotia
• Online Tackle Box: The Coastal Communities Network, Nova Scotia
• Partnership Model: Nelson, British Columbia
• Rural Communities Learning From Each Other: Trepassey, Newfoundland and Labrador
• Rural Leadership Development: North Dumfries Township, Ontario

The Canadian Rural Partnership: Fostering Vibrant Rural Communities

Rural communities must grapple with the same economic and social challenges faced by larger centres – unemployment and loss of key industries – as well as a lack of access to services, programming and information. This story reviews recent efforts by the federal government’s Canadian Rural Partnership to meet the revitalization planning needs of rural and remote communities and provides a brief summary of lessons learned. In PDF format only.

Chamber of Commerce Leadership: Kenaston, Saskatchewan

In Kenaston, Saskatchewan, the Chamber of Commerce has taken a lead role in the revitalization of the town. They have grown from about 4 active members to 26 and maintain a website to highlight what is happening in the community.

Community Dialogue Toolkit: Upper Stewiacke, Nova Scotia

Upper Stewiacke used The Rural Secretariat's "Community Dialogue Toolkit" to help their community identify issues and opportunities.

First Impressions: Ontario and Saskatchewan

Communities in Ontario and Saskatchewan have benefited from participation in the First Impressions Programme. While the receiving community gains from the perspectives of others, members have also found that the opportunity to be part of a diverse team has resulted in some wonderful connections that have lead to new initiatives in their own community.

Graphic Recorder: North Dumfries Township, Ontario

North Dumfries Township hired a "Graphic Recorder" to highlight decisions made during its community vision development meetings. This relatively new and very effective technique resulted in a report used for presentations to the municipal council and other groups.

For More Information:
http://www.rural.gc.ca/decision/north/north_dumfries_e.phtml

Keyholders: Georgian Bay Area, Ontario

Recently, UNESCO designated the Georgian Bay Area of Ontario as a unique biosphere region. As a result, the board identified a number of groups that needed to be involved in dealing with the implications of this classification. They decided to call these groups, "Keyholders" rather than stakeholders since keyholders open doors, while stakeholders keep things in place.

Local Internet Television: Indian Head, Saskatchewan

Indian Head, Saskatchewan has its own Local Internet Television site. Chester McBain heads up the site and provides daily updates to citizens on what is happening in and around Indian Head. Local Internet TV sites have great potential for informing citizens about community issues and getting input as to what people think. Have you tried to use LITV in your community?

For More Information:
Contact Chester McBain chester@litvnet.com
http://litvnet.com

Meet and Greet Networking Event: Upper Stewiacke, Nova Scotia

Upper Stewiacke began its decision-making process by holding a "Meet and Greet Networking Event". Involving 73 local businesses, artisans, non-profit organizations and hundreds of citizens, it was a great kick-start to their process.

Online Tackle Box: The Coastal Communities Network, Nova Scotia

The Coastal Communities Network in Nova Scotia maintains an online " Tackle Box" containing good resources for community decision-making.

Partnership Model: Nelson, British Columbia

The City of Nelson implemented a "Partnership Model" to leverage their economic development funds and draw on different strengths, perspectives, and skill sets of key players. All partners developed a Protocol Agreement to ensure that everyone understood the parameters and expectations.

Rural Communities Learning From Each Other: Trepassey, Newfoundland and Labrador

The Town of Trepassey held a session for neighbouring communities entitled, "Rural Communities Learning from Each Other". In conjunction with this event, they conducted research on activities in other communities across Canada including the city of Winkler, Manitoba.

Rural Leadership Development: North Dumfries Township, Ontario

The Social Planning Council in North Dumfries Township conducted a 10-week Rural Leadership Development course. Entitled "10 Steps for Community Action", this program was targeted towards youth and seniors between the ages of 14 and 73.