Mission/Business | Mandate | Background | Values | Working Principles
Convening and Supporting Collaboration | Conducting Community-Based Research
Communicating Reliable Information | President's Report | Community Council Staff
Board of Directors | Committees, Steering Groups and Task Forces | Volunteers

 

Mission/Business

The Community Council provides leadership that brings the community together to create a sustainable quality of life for everyone in BC's Capital Region by:

• convening and supporting collaborative initiatives
• conducting community-based research
• communicating reliable information.

The Community Council continues to serve as a key resource and important lens for the Capital Region. Few other organizations are as effective in bringing people together in the community and supporting the local, inclusive, and evidence based approaches necessary for useful social planning. Their work enhances our capacity to make a difference.

Derek Gent
President, SPARC-BC
Investment Manager, Vancity Capital

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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.

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Background

The Community 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.

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Values

The Community Council applies and integrates a specific set of values and working principles throughout all its operations.

The Community Council believes:

• In the sustainability of a just and vibrant community
• That the well-being of people who live in our community can be enhanced by awareness and understanding of social policy and planning issues
• That open and accessible information is a tool for positive social change
• That all people should be treated with respect, fairness and dignity
• That we can best achieve our goals for positive social change by being firmly rooted in our community as a collaborative partner
• That our organization must be committed to critical thinking, and proactive regarding social issues in the community and the creation of innovative solutions
• That full and meaningful community participation and appreciation of our diversity is an important part of positive social change
• That the Community Council must manage its affairs to ensure its sustainability and independence.

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Working Principles

Building on its long experiences as a convenor of comprehensive community initiatives, the Community Council works to apply the following principles.

Demonstrating care and respect for each other, our community and the environment, through:

Cooperation - working with others to build community capacity
Understanding - addressing underlying problems and opportunities
Participation - seeking input and involvement from the variety of voices in our community
Inclusion - including those who experience the issues first hand
Communication - connecting in ways that everyone can understand
Sharing - sharing power, information, resources and leadership
Openness - open to innovation, various points of view and participation from all sectors of our society
Action - developing practical, effective solutions
Recognition - celebrating and positively reinforcing those who enhance quality of life in this region.

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Convening and Supporting Collaboration

The Community Council provides convening services for collaborative initiatives: Convenes multisector dialogue tables Brings knowledge of this community’s history, issues, trends and players Includes people who live with low incomes Organizes learning opportunities and information sessions Fosters shared leadership and community-ownership Negotiates partnership agreements with collaborating partners Governs and manages complex projects and programs.

Good communities become great communities as a result of systematic coalitions and partnerships dedicated to working together. We at the United Way of Greater Victoria share many common goals with Community Social Planning Council and appreciate their contribution and partnership in strengthening our region.

Maureen Duncan
CEO, United Way of Greater Victoria

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Conducting Community-Based Research

The Community Council provides research services: Designs research projects that are responsive to emerging community issues Gathers and monitors indicators and trends on current community conditions Conducts evidence-based research and evaluation including documenting the impact of collaborative initiatives Analyses the implications of public policy upon the quality of life of vulnerable populations in this region Engages local people in research processes which result in social change Establishes collaborative partners to support community research.

The Community Council is a valued partner of Victoria Cool Aid Society. Their contribution of comprehensive research design and implementation advice as well as analysis services to the recent Homeless Needs Survey was integral to that project’s success. Like Cool Aid, the Community Council believes in working with others to develop community based solutions to social problems and we applaud them for their commitment to improving the quality of life in Greater Victoria.

Kathy Stinson, Executive Director,
Victoria Cool Aid Society

 

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Communicating Reliable Information

The Community Council provides a range of communications services: Develops and implements communications strategies Nurtures relationships with members, volunteers and stakeholders who hold very diverse perspectives Organizes public events Manages media relations Publishes communications products.

With over 75 years of history in supporting the Capital Region, the Community Council has helped raise awareness of the importance for positive social change.

Shannon Baggott,
Director, Service Canada, Southern Vancouver Island

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President's Report 2006/2007

As Bob Dylan noted more than 40 years ago, “The Times, They Are A-changin’”. In a time of change, it is more important than ever to have a beacon of stability in the community. Over the past year, the Community Council has been seen as that beacon, and is being consulted by agencies which have found the importance of social planning and community collaboration as they develop their plans for the future.

Our mission is to provide leadership that brings the community together. We do this in three ways:

1. We convene collaborations around issues affecting the quality of life in BC’s Capital Region,
2. We conduct action research into those issues in a professional way, and
3. We communicate so that people can understand the issues.

In the past year, we have been working with the United Way, Vancouver Island Health Authority, the Victoria Foundation, the University of Victoria, the Capital Regional District and other agencies to create better solutions to community concerns. By working together, we can bring about the systemic changes we need to make sure that everyone in this region has a better quality of life.

We have research capacity that is highly respected. Our new Research Policy and Strategy and Research Committee uphold the rigour and ethical standards of our work. The unique community-based research of the Community Council contributes to social change.

We have been very successful in publicizing the findings of our research. Our information has been reported in the local media and used across the country. As a result, we have helped to keep poverty issues on the public agenda.

None of these achievements would have been possible without the hard work and dedication of the Board members, our staff and our volunteers. I want to thank all the Board members for their hard work, particularly at the committee level, and for the respect they have shown me and other Board members. I especially want to thank our hard-working, professional staff who have gone the extra mile on many occasions and who have been largely responsible for our successes.

The needs are great and there’s so much more to be done. Our team of volunteers and professionals has made a difference in our community over the past year and will continue this leadership role in the future. I have been proud to be part of the team. Well done everyone!

Bill McElroy
President, Community Council Board of Directors
September 2007

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Community Council Staff

Christina Peacock, B.A., Interim Executive Director and Communications Manager

Christine Coates, Office Manager

Jodi Sturge, M.A., Research Director

Anna Russo , B.A., Communications Coordinator

Mary Katharine Ross, Communications Assistant

Álvaro Moreno , M.Sc., Project Manager/Researcher, Labour Market Dialogues

Tricia Irish, B.A., Researcher, Labour Market Dialogues

Stephanie Gabel, Project Manager, Understanding Early Years Program

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