B L O O M F I E L D
F O U N D A T I O N
R E T R E A T
/ /
O C T O B E R
1 5 T H
2 0 1 3
LAYING A FOUNDATION FOR THE NEXT PHASE OF ENGAGEMENT FOR THE BLOOMFIELD DEVELOPMENT On a warm Tuesday evening in October, close to 30 people gathered to support an engagement process around the Bloomfield Development. Participants came bringing multiple perspectives including: neighborhood, business, community and government. The purpose of this was to: Define the scope of the engagement around the Bloomfield Development Build involvement from leaders in the community early on in the design Inform and invite people into the continuum of engagement Plan for the engagement (purpose, culture, givens and roadmap) Invite the commitment into a core team Check-in People were invited to introduce themselves to someone in the group and discuss the question:
When has community engagement made a difference in your life?
People then introduced themselves around the circle to the group and shared a headline from their conversation. We heard the following comments: True believers Everyone is an expert in their own experience Accountability and continuity is key Deliberate community co-op Building a foundation of trust You don’t know what you don’t know Empower belonging in others Trust Caring about our communities, Collaborating for positive change Building community is the first step towards community engagement - then work on the common interest Consultation helps community become a resource (time, skill, heart) Together we can achieve much more Family involvement in community activities Build momentum and trust - then watch it fly Help someone out, Housing people can afford When? Everyday. Because it creates belonging Vibrant community Building personal relationships and creating understanding Bloomfield project breaks ground!
When decision making “power” was truly given to the community When I realized there was more to engagement than telling poor people what they should believe Positive energy: organic and joyful Able to share their “having voice” reflected back in the process Enthusiasm to engage and mentor a high school group to create a support home Impact Overcoming questions of faith The importance of not imposing our values on a community Someone extended the invite to me and my community Openness to the unpredictability of conversations Many voices
“There are no more prizes for predicting the rain, there are just prizes for building the arks.” Don Beck
B L O O M F I E L D
Framing Tim Merry, lead facilitator of the engagement team, Dan Troke, Executive Director for Housing NS and Susanna Fuller, Co-chair of the Imagine Bloomfield Board each presented to give context on the project. To download the slides form the presentations click here.
F O U N D A T I O N
R E T R E A T
/ /
O C T O B E R
Purpose of the Engagement The group then took some time to review the high-level draft of the engagement plan. The non-negotiables of the project that define the parameters of the engagement were introduced. Subsequently everyone was invited into a conversation aimed at creating a shared vision for the engagement and and the project. Table conversations focused on the following question:
1 5 T H
2 0 1 3
When this engagement and development are completed, what is the significant change you would love to see for you and the people you know? The key themes t from the conversations are listed on the following page. They are the vision and purpose of the engagement and, as such, will inform design and delivery.
“We are not going to save the world by email, you really have to come over and say hello.� Robert Swan
B L O O M F I E L D
Shared Values Densification - people live and work here Communicating and understanding the values of the project - not just bricks and mortar Sense of community Shared community values - safe, belonging, familiarity with neighbours Build a shared philosophy and agreement which a community can uphold Pride Vibrant community - renewed sense of pride Pride Mix of socio-economic levels - pride Reclaim Trust Reclaim and restore trust Representation Strive for true representation instead of a quorum
F O U N D A T I O N
R E T R E A T
/ /
O C T O B E R
Meaningful Engagement Plan and ask thoughtful questions (not just “How many playgrounds?” but “How will kids use this space?”) Multi-level engagement and depth of engagement - conversations going deeper Model - to create a template for future community development Communications Relentless communications - with public, businesses and the neighborhood Inclusive and Accessible Inclusive Inclusive to the broader community Public consultation and ownership for people to assist in process and design Inclusive and access - to the space (community centre, green space)
1 5 T H
2 0 1 3
Diverse Participation How can an environment with community, commercial and non-profit space become successful? (affordable, sustaining and diverse) Intergenerational participation How do we create a kid-friendly development / community Diversity Culture Shift A culture of maybe, the new normal becomes something awesome (instead of the culture of NO) How do we shift to a culture of “Maybe” not “No” Paradigm shift around affordable housing Complex Challenges Find elegant solutions to complex challenges
Building on this vision conversation, we took some time at the tables to discuss the culture and principles that we hope to hold at the centre of the engagement. Groups answered the question:
Build trust
Define the reach of the engagement
Clarity of process and scope - remain flexible
Recognize history and past
How can we best work together to achieve this aspiration?
Invite people into their own possibility personal and community
From these conversations, participants shared the following key themes:
Make people feel welcome
Education to inform people Continuous communication
Recognize future and unknowns Be fearless Engage professionals who are comfortable with chaos Meet people where they are Inclusion and diversity
“No problem can be solved with the same thinking that created it.” Albert Einstein
B L O O M F I E L D
F O U N D A T I O N
R E T R E A T
/ /
O C T O B E R
1 5 T H
2 0 1 3
Roles and Reach The engagement team shared a template to identify who needs to be involved in the engagement. The template was mapped out on the wall with the following three headings: Core Team, Supporters and Participants. People were asked to place the names of stakeholder groups within the different sectors (i.e. Corporate, Government, Non-Profit, Community). The hosting team asked people to sign up or put forward specific people, groups and organizations that should be involved in future conversations. In addition everyone in the room was invited to put their name forward (using a blue post-it) if they were interested in joining the Core Team. Core Team A diverse group of people who will take an active role in delivering the engagement. This team will design and facilitate engagements within the community and meet on a monthly basis. Participants in the Foundation Retreat who expressed interest in further involvement as Core Team members were as follows (affiliations included where known): Corporate
Government
Non-profit
David Perkins (BBI) Habitat for Humanity
Jennifer Watts (HRM) Sheryl Kingston Neil MacDonald (Housing NS) Ed Lake (Housing NS) Stephan Richard (Housing NS)
Sobaz Benjamin Bob Parker (Students NS) Sue Laflerve (United Way) Lillion Loppie Imagine Bloomfield Board (Susanna Fuller, Kathy Moggridge, Tony Lamport Amiee Carson (also EAC)
Community
The following names and groups were put forward by the group as potential Core Team members: Corporate
Government
Non-profit
Community
Shelter Nova Scotia AHANS Capital District Health Authority HRM Community Planners FED Government Public Health Agency of Canada CMHC Efficiency NS Jennifer Watts Community, Culture and Heriage representative Voluntary Sector representative
Maggy Burns (Ecology Action Centre ) Executive directors of local community agencies A member of Mulgrave Park Sandra Nicholas (Brunswick Mission) Christine Saunier (CCPA) Irvine Carvery (Africville Genealogy) Finley Tolliver Reachability A member of Uniacke Square Sherry Costa ILNS
Realist Laurie Cook
“A seed hidden in the heart of an apple is an orchard invisible.” Welsh Proverb
B L O O M F I E L D
F O U N D A T I O N
R E T R E A T
/ /
O C T O B E R
1 5 T H
2 0 1 3
Supporters The following names and groups were put forward as Supporters, people who could lend credibility, protection, counsel and support the project in an ongoing way, but with a less extensive time commitment than the Core Team: Corporate
Government
Non-profit
Community
Local small business Non profits North End Business Association The Hub Northwood Andy Fillmore Global and other media NEBA Chamber of Commerce Canadian Federation of Independant Business North End Business Association and unaffiliated businesses
HRM Megan Leslie Jennifer Watts Efficiency NS Community Culture and Heritage Education and local school administrations Service NS Communities and culture Provincial Government (Health and Eellness, Education, Early Childhood, Community Services) School Board
First voice - disabled, access issues, cultural or ethnic minorities Theatre Nova Scotia Greater Halifax Partnership LOVE leadership youth Mi’kmaw Friendship Centre ReBoom North End Community Health Centre Family Resource Centre NECHC Jesse Jollymore Jesse Jollymore - Hope Blooms Mental Health Fusion Heritage Trust Student Union groups YWCA Arts NS Co-housing Performing Arts Lodges Phoenix Youth Habitat for Humanity
IPONS Existing tenants and users Nova Scotia Home Builders Assoc. Donna Nelligan- Uniacke Square beautification All respondents to IB’s needs assessments Bloomfield neighborhood residents Assoc Well known media ambassador Chris Poole Nearby condo board member BNRA Bloomfield neighborhood residents assoc All current and past tenants Craft council
Participants The following names and groups were put forward as Participants, those who should be actively engaged in this process to shape the Bloomfield Development: Corporate Private lenders CMHC Ross Cantwell Lily Pads child development James White Chris Killam GHP
Government
Non-profit
Community
ISIS Dalhousie Planning and Design NSCAD EAC
OPRIG Students (university) Students SJAM school and families Melinda Daye (the Daye family) BEAN ambassador Re-engage disillusioned community members Wendy Wilson Newcomers Older youth- youthnet, IMOVE, LOVE
"I have never let my schooling interfere with my education." Mark Twain 5
B L O O M F I E L D
F O U N D A T I O N
R E T R E A T
/ /
O C T O B E R
1 5 T H
Closing Conversation Everyone was invited to have a conversation with a neighbor regarding:
What has been important for you today? We then heard from a few people around the room, and some of the key points shared were: Maturity of the group Identifying negative space - who is not here? Open to the possibility of doing it right Beauty where we live Community, caring and sharing Ideas, energy and caring Housing NS will listen Community engagement process as the model - flagship Professionalism of facilitators is imperative
"We mistakenly believe that if we just work harder we will feel better." Will Taegel
2 0 1 3