About the Community Social Planning Council

Mission/Business

The Community Social Planning Council has been in existence since 1936 as a non-profit, non-partisan and charitable social planning society. It was then that the first social planning agency in the Victoria region was formed to address the needs of the poor. The Council also served as the incubator for a number of wellestablished organizations in this region, including the United Way of Greater Victoria, Volunteer Victoria and the Bridges for Women Society. Since its inception, the Council has responded in a variety of ways to addressing social issues, alleviating poverty and promoting social justice.

The Community Social Planning Council contributes to the vision of a socially sustainable region by undertaking relevant research, insightful analysis and solution-oriented engagement. A key function of the Community Social Planning Council is to be a conduit for connecting the region to quality, reliable information and insightful analysis on topics that can build connections among people and communities.

Background

The Community Social Planning Council traces its roots back to the 1930’s. It was then that the first social planning agency in the Victoria region was formed to address the needs of the poor. Since then the organization has reinvented itself several times to remain relevant and effective in providing social infrastructure and support. The current society was incorporated in 1966 as a registered charity.

Mandate (as stated in the Constitution)

The purpose of the Society is to improve the quality of life for everyone in British Columbia’s Capital Region, particularly the people who are disadvantaged due to poverty and distress. The work includes the advancement of factors influencing quality of life, including social well-being, community health and education and the alleviation of poverty and its related elements. In furtherance of and without limiting the forgoing, the Society will:

• Be a catalyst and leader in bringing people together to create a just and vibrant community
• Develop and enhance programs for public participation and collaboration that address trends and issues related to quality of life and social planning in our region
• Disseminate knowledge to the public about trends and issues related to social planning and quality of life in our region through such activities as public events and the publication and distribution of educational literature and materials.