Community Tables: Engaging Neighbours Initiative - 2011-2012 Pilot Phase Report
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Community Tables:
Engaging Neighbours Initiative
2011-2012 Pilot Phase Report
Community Tables: Engaging Neighbours is an initiative of United Way Greater Victoria.
The Community Tables: Engaging Neighbours 2011-2012 Report was written by Tara Todesco.
Tara was one of five graduate students from the University of Victoria’s Office of Community-based
Research hired to assist the initiative during the pilot phase between September 2011 and June 2012.
For more details about the Community Tables: Engaging Neighbours initiative, please contact:
Lilaine Galway
Community Development Manager
United Way Greater Victoria
1144 Fort Street
Victoria BC V8V 3K8
p: 250-220-7363
e: Lilaine@uwgv.ca
w: http://uwgv.ca/community-impact/community-
tables-engaging-neighbours/
Table of Contents
Executive Summary .............................................................................................................. 3
Background
Partnerships .................................................................................................................... 6
Pilot Project Participants ................................................................................................ 7
United Way Community Impact ..................................................................................... 8
Learning Approach .......................................................................................................... 9
Initiative Goals ................................................................................................................ 10
Facilitated Meeting Goals ............................................................................................... 11
Activities
Timeline ........................................................................................................................... 12
Project Development ...................................................................................................... 12
Outcomes
Neighbourhood Learning and Action Summaries ........................................................... 15
Regional Table Results .................................................................................................... 18
Initial Feedback and Evaluation ...................................................................................... 18
Next Steps ....................................................................................................................... 20
Acknowledgements ......................................................................................................... 22
Appendices 1. Long Form Survey (Oaklands Version) .......................................................... 24 2. Short Form Survey (Gorge Tillicum Version) ................................................. 26 3. Gorge Tillicum Asset and Vision Map .......................................................... 27 4. North Park Asset and Vision Map ................................................................ 28 5. Oaklands Asset and Vision Map ................................................................... 29 6. Draft Documents for Gorge Tillicum Community Table Action Initiative .... 30
“I see my neighbourhood differently. When I drive or walk, I am using a different lens:
I feel more ownership and more belonging to my neighbourhood.”
- Table Participant
Executive Summary
Neighbourhood Based Community Learning and Engagement Initiative
Community Tables: Engaging Neighbours is an initiative of the United Way of Greater Victoria (United
Way) that takes a neighbour-powered approach to creating stronger and more caring communities from
the inside out. The goal of this initiative is to facilitate collective learning and support residents as they
develop and implement action projects and strategies that change their communities for the better.
United Way aims to increase the capacity within communities to create lasting and effective change by
encouraging collaboration across sectors, focusing on neighbourhood assets, and fostering a
commitment to long‐term community learning and action. The pilot initiative is being delivered in
partnership with BC Healthy Communities and the University of Victoria’s Office of Community-based
Research with additional funding support from MITACS’s Accelerate Research Internship Program.
The Community Tables: Engaging Neighbours initiative provides United Way with opportunities to better
understand critical issues facing British Columbia’s Capital Regional District and to mobilize and support
action. This initiative also assists community stakeholders to identify and develop key action strategies
that lead to enhanced relationships between multi-sector community partners (e.g. local government,
NGOs, neighbourhoods, business, and academic bodies) and create initiatives, projects or programs that
achieve stronger and more caring communities.
Community Tables: Engaging
Neighbours Launch Event –
November 2011
Guests play a game of asset
Bingo.
3
Community Tables
In the fall of 2011, Community Tables were piloted in the neighbourhoods of Gorge Tillicum, North Park
and Oaklands. The Community Tables were made up of small groups of diverse neighbourhood residents
who committed to coming together once a month between October 2011 and April 2012.
Gorge Tillicum Gorge Tillicum is a Saanich-based neighbourhood bound
by the Trans Canada Highway, Portage Inlet, Gorge
Waterway, and Harriet, Whittier, and Burnside Roads.
With 9,660 inhabitants (2006 Census), Gorge Tillicum has
a lower percentage of seniors and slightly more children
than the Victoria average. Historical artefacts from over
4000 years ago have been found under the Tillicum
Bridge. Until the post World War I building boom, the
neighbourhood was used for farming.
North Park North Park is a diverse, mixed-income, and mixed-use
community adjacent to Victoria’s downtown core. The
neighbourhood is about one square kilometre and is
bounded by Blanshard, Bay, Cook, and Pandora Streets.
One of Victoria’s oldest residential neighbourhoods, it is
home to a number of health, social, and cultural
associations which serve all of Vancouver Island. North
Park is home to about 3,395 people (2006 census). Over
half the residents are single. There are 31.3% lone-
parent families. About 42% of households fall below the
poverty line. The majority of residents are renters. The
cost of rent is typically $142 less than the city average.
Oaklands Oaklands is a primarily residential neighbourhood in the
north-east corner of Victoria which borders both Oak
Bay and Saanich. The majority of suburban development
took place during the post-World War II building boom.
Oaklands has a population of 6,365 individuals (2006
census). It has slightly more lone-parent families, less
homeowners, and higher rent prices than the Victoria
average. A quarter of residents commute by walking,
riding their bike, or taking the bus.
4
A facilitator from BC Healthy Communities led the table participants through a learning and capacity-
building process which helped them explore local issues, identify local assets, and generate a
neighbourhood-focused action project tied to one of United Way’s Impact Areas:
All that kids can be - supporting children & youth with the resources they
need to grow up healthy and achieve well-being
From poverty to possibility – building people’s capacity to move from
poverty toward self-sufficiency and well-being
Healthy people, strong communities – developing the capacity
of people to care for themselves and their families, and building inclusive
communities
During this time, the Community Tables: Engaging Neighbours initiative also invited broad- based
neighbourhood engagement through the use of short and long-form community surveys which resulted
in the development of an asset and vision report and map for each of the neighbourhoods. All three
Community Tables continue to meet and are in various stages of implementing their action projects.
Regional Learning and Networking
To complement and support the neighbourhood tables, a Regional Table was formed to establish a list of
best practices in neighbourhood community building and/or development. To create this inventory, over
twenty five local leaders were consulted and were asked to:
Share Stories: Share best practices and identify community initiatives, research and resources of citizen
and place-based community development in the CRD and beyond
Develop Tools: Advise on the development of a regional inventory and interactive Community Map of
neighbor and citizen led activities
Support Innovation: Contribute to the evaluation and planning of the Community Tables: Engaging
Neighbours initiative with recommendations to United Way on opportunities and ways to support and
invest in citizen-led innovation.
5
Background
Partnerships
The Community Tables: Engaging Neighbours pilot initiative was spearheaded and funded by the United
Way of Greater Victoria. The pilot was delivered in partnership by the United Way of Greater Victoria, BC
Healthy Communities (BCHC), and the University of Victoria’s Office of Community Based Research (UVIC-
OCBR). Additional financial support was provided by an Accelerate Graduate Research Grant from
MITACs.
United Way of Greater Victoria: United Way is a registered
charity that connects people and resources throughout the
community to identify and address our most challenging social
issues. For 75 years, the United Way of Greater Victoria has
worked with partners to build a strong, caring and inclusive
community. Today, while fundraising is still core to what they do,
the organization is a leader convening stakeholders to collaborate
and find the best possible solutions to issues in the community.
Staff leads: Chris Poirier Skelton and Lilaine Galway.
BC Healthy Communities: BC Healthy Communities (BCHC)
provided the primary project management, evaluation and
facilitation of the Community Tables: Engaging Neighbours
initiative. BCHC is a province-wide organization that supports
community capacity building for the ongoing development of
healthy, sustainable and inclusive communities. It is hosted by the
Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM), and is part of the
international Healthy Communities/Healthy Cities movement.
Staff leads: Stacy Barter and Katie Shaw-Raudoy.
University of Victoria – Office of Community- based Research:
The Office of Community-based Research (OCBR) facilitates
community-campus partnerships for community wellbeing and
capacity building. OCBR supported the project by developing a
graduate student internship program that provided each
Community Table with a research and community development
intern. Student interns assisted in implementing neighbourhood
outreach strategies, developing and implementing neighbourhood
surveys and mapping tools, and gathering information on local
and international community development practices. Staff lead:
Maeve Lydon. Interns: Eric Binion, Karen Potts, Barbara Smith,
Tara Todesco and Lisa Willott. Mapper: Ken Josephson,
Geography Department at UVIC. Project Volunteer: Geoff Cross.
6
Pilot Project Participants
The Cridge
Community Tables Centre for
the Family
Fifty-four residents took part in the
neighbourhood table process.
Eleven organizations supported the table process Oaklands Oaklands
as Local Resource Group members. Oaklands
16 Community
Chapel
Residents Association
Regional Table
Twenty-five regional leaders from the following City of Victoria
organizations took part in the Regional Table: Parks & Rec.
Burnside Gorge Community Association
Canadian Centre for Community Renewal Saanich
Capital Regional District Neighbourhood
City of Victoria Place
Community Social Planning Council
Fernwood Neighbourhood Resource Group
Greater Victoria Public Library Gorge
Saanich Saanich
Inter-Cultural Association Silver Tillicum Centennial
Threads 16 Library
Jeneece Place Residents
Ministry of Community, Sport, & Cultural Dev.
PEERS Victoria
Ready to Rent Gorge Tillicum
Ross Property Management Neighbourhood
Association
Sooke Region Community Health Initiative
Theatre SKAM
Transition Town First
United Way of Greater Victoria Labour Rep. Metropolitan
Church
UVic Centre for Youth and Society
UVic Office of Community Based Research
Volunteer Victoria
North
Park
Graduate Interns 22
residents
Five graduate interns brought their own skills to the North Park
project and gained training and hands-on experience ICA Greater
Neighbourhood
Victoria
in asset-based community development, community Association
based research and community mapping.
7
Community Impact: The United Way Commitment
At the heart of this initiative is the belief that meaningful neighbourhood change must be built by the
people that live there.
“The Community Table has opened doors for
me, helping me see how I might work and play
more effectively with my neighbours – maybe
even helping turn some of our dreams into
realities.”
- Participant from Gorge Tillicum
The Community Tables: Engaging Neighbours initiative demonstrates United Way of Greater Victoria’s
commitment to innovative community development projects that build strong and caring communities
and support those most vulnerable in the region.
Over the past several years, the United Way has been on a journey to adopt a new approach to improving
the lives and social conditions of those most vulnerable and marginalized. The Community Impact
mission expands the organization’s primary purpose of being a successful umbrella fundraising
organization to focus its work on providing leadership that will find root causes and solutions to
important community social issues. It is a movement built on the idea that raising money is not enough
when it comes to achieving meaningful change and supporting long-term community improvements.
Beyond its fundraising work, the United Way of Greater Victoria works with a wide range of community
partners to:
Focus on understanding the underlying causes of major social issues
Strengthen the network and capacity of community members and organizations
Influence policies systems and public attitudes
Engage community resources in different ways
8Learning Approach
The Community Tables: Engaging Neighbours pilot involves forging relations with communities at the
neighbourhood level and learning from residents about the distinctive assets, issues and possibilities of
their neighbourhood. Guiding this process is the view that effective community development results from
a collaborative learning process with the people that live there.
The learning approaches adopted for this initiative drew from the principles of asset-based community
development and BC Healthy Communities’ integral capacity building model. These community
development approaches involve creating more inclusive and caring communities in ways that reflect the
unique reality of each community: the people that live there, what gifts they hold, what they care about
most and what they are willing to act on based upon a shared vision for change.
Asset Based Community Development
The Institute of Asset Based Community Development (ABCD) describes this asset based approach as
involving a shift from citizens being ‘consumers’ of services to becoming ‘designers’ of community
initiatives, and finally ‘producers’ of community. ABCD defines this process as one that guides
communities to grow strong through an internal focus (growing from the inside out). This approach to
community development considers local assets to be the primary building blocks of sustainable
community development. By building on the capacities of local residents, local associations, and the
supportive functions of local institutions, asset-based community development draws upon existing
community strengths to grow stronger, more resilient communities for the future. For more information
see: http://www.abcdinstitute.org/
BC Healthy Communities: Integral Approaches to Community Capacity Building
BC Healthy Communities works with an integral capacity building approach, one that builds on the ABCD
approach and sees healthy human development as a core attribute of a healthy community. This
approach considers the dimensions of community life in an integrated way and supports the
development of the “whole person” within the “whole community”. The Healthy Communities’ integral
capacity building approach supports citizens to take a more comprehensive and integrated perspective of
the many influences on community issues, focusing on 4 key areas:
Community Community
learning engagement
Expanding Community
community assets collaboration
9Initiative Goals
The Community Tables: Engaging Neighbours pilot aims to create stronger
connections and develop a platform for ongoing working relationships
between local citizens in the region and the United Way of Greater
Victoria. There are four pillars to the Community Tables: Engaging
Neighbours initiative:
Local Capacity Building
Citizen engagement & leadership
Building community assets
Community learning & action
Community-engaged research
Comprehensive, innovative strategies to affect community change
Regional Learning and Networking
Developing an online regional portal of best practices, tools, resources and readings on
community development
Encouraging learning, engagement and collaboration among regional leaders, organizations and
citizen groups engaged in assets based community development projects
United Way Capacity Building
Connecting to local ideas, local action and local solutions
Collaborating in new ways and partnering in community building
Building best practices for local and national impact
Collaborative Leadership & Relationships
Building relationships and direct communication between citizens and the United Way of Greater
Victoria
Fostering shared leadership on community issues and opportunities
Increasing community-university research and learning partnerships
10Facilitated Table Session Goals
In each neighbourhood, table members met for six facilitated sessions to participate in learning and
visioning process and develop a list of priority action projects for their neighbourhood.
Session One: Session Two: Session Three:
Getting Create Study the challenges
Started a Vision and build on strengths
Key focus: Key focus: Key focus:
Get to know each other, create a vision of what Explore challenges,
what is important to us, we want to work towards our assumptions about the
how we want to work and begin to identify some of root causes and how we can
together. the challenges build on strengths
to address challenges
Overview of the program. Creating a vision for a
Getting to know each other healthy, thriving Studying community
and team building. community/neighbourhood. challenges – what do we
Developing Identifying community experience, what do we
Group Agreements. assets. know?
Integrated approaches to
Introduction to dialogue. community building Getting to the root of it:
Appreciative inquiry: & change making. Exploring assumptions about
Personal experiences of Integrating neighbourhood community issues.
community, discovery of survey information. Implications for change.
community successes Identifying challenges to Strategies – approaches to
and the resulting changes. explore in Session 3. addressing the challenges.
Session Four: Session Five: Session Six:
Innovation Plan Moving
and Change Making for Action into Action
Key focus: Key focus: Key Focus:
Explore innovative approaches Develop and Develop action plans
and learn from others. prioritize action ideas. and explore how to
engage and collaborate
Innovation & creativity – Identifying action ideas. with others.
thinking outside the box.
Connecting action with assets. Action planning / next steps.
Comprehensive approaches
to change making. Consensus building Community engagement
for Action Priorities. & collaboration.
Learning from Others –
case studies from other areas.
11Activities
Timeline
TIME-LINE ACTIVITIES
December 2010 - July 2011 Project Research and Development
February 2011 - October 2011 Partnership Building
• Consultation with regional leaders
• Neighbourhood readiness scans
• Discussions with neighbourhood organizations
• Neighbourhood selections
• Formation of Local Resource Groups (LRGs)
September - October 2011 Table Member Recruitment
th
October 27 , 2011 Launch Event with Jim Diers
November 2011 - April 2012 Facilitated Table Sessions
February - May 2012 Regional Table Consultation
th
June 14 , 2012 Celebration Event
From June, 2012 Continued Table Sessions, Post Pilot Phase: Action planning and implementation
Project Development
Developing Learning Networks and Leveraging Existing Community Capacity
Community consultation and collaboration with a broad range of community partners took place at all
stages of the project, from the early phases of research and development, to the selection of pilot
neighbourhoods and the ongoing provision of support for each of the Tables.
Determining the Locations of the Three Neighbourhood Tables
Consultation with regional and neighbourhood organizations determined a shortlist of possible
communities in which to conduct the pilot tables, and where a more detailed community readiness scan
could be undertaken. As this was a pilot project, short-listing communities to host this initial work was
not meant to be an exhaustive selection process. Instead, the goal was to explore which neighbourhoods
in the region had a balance between desire for change and some broad pre-existing community
conditions that would help ensure the success of the citizen-led tables. Underlying this overall objective
was determining which neighbourhoods could benefit from the type of leverage and support offered by
this initiative and, ultimately, where there was an interest and motivation in taking part.
12Formation of Local Resource Groups
Once pilot neighbourhoods were selected, a Local Resource Group (LRG) was established in each
neighbourhood to support the planning, implementation and follow-up stages of the Community Tables
process. LRG members were invited based on their involvement in the community and their willingness
to share their knowledge of local issues, assets and opportunities. The diversity of the Local Resource
Group also helped to ensure that recruitment of potential participants targeted a broad range of
community members.
Key Roles of the LRG’s:
Partner with Community Tables: Engaging Neighbours to provide information about key issues,
assets & opportunities, as well as relevant work that has taken place previously in the
neighbourhood upon which the Tables could build
Help to identify which United Way Impact Areas could be most relevant in the local context, and
what issues could likely mobilize and engage citizens.
Identify key organizations, individuals and “champions” that could assist with outreach and
participant recruitment in order to ensure the diversity of the community is represented
Personally assist with outreach & participant recruitment through networking and personal
invitations
Be available as resource people to the Tables to assist them in their work, as needed
Table Member Recruitment and Meetings
In addition to the assistance provided by LRG members in identifying potential participants, the interns
hung posters throughout each neighbourhood promoting the Tables. Residents were invited to contact
the facilitator to learn more about the process and time commitment. Table members began meeting in
November 2011 and met with the facilitator once a month until April 2012. All sessions were held in the
neighbourhood at a site hosted by a either a local church or community centre.
Launch Event - October 27th, 2011
The Tables were launched with a visit from world
renowned community development facilitator, Jim
Diers. Over 60 Community Table and Local
Resource Group members, project staff and
student interns gathered for a presentation on best
practices in asset-based community development
at Oaklands Community Centre. Jim Diers provided
the group with some of his genuine and infectious
enthusiasm for neighbourhood work, and
showcased dozens of successful asset-based
community development projects.
13Neighbourhood Information Gathering
Visions and assets for each neighbourhood were generated by three processes:
Tables Meetings (Pilot phase): Information generated by a small group of residents from each
neighbourhood between November 2011 and April 2012.
Neighbourhood Survey: Long and short form surveys were distributed throughout each pilot
neighbourhood. They were available at local stores, businesses and centers, distributed and collected at
community events, and in some cases, canvassed door-to-door. Due to limited time and resources, the
surveys did not reach a broad cross-section of the community. However, the data gathered was brought
new information and ideas outside of the discussions at the Community Table meetings.
Secondary Data: Each intern developed a neighbourhood profile document that provided statistical
information and listed neighbourhood organizations, services and environmental assets. These profiles
enabled the identification of some key assets that were later discussed by Table members. Data from the
profiles was also used to develop the neighbourhood maps.
Community Table Process
Assets and Challenges: Table members discussed what was most important to them in their
neighbourhood, where they saw challenges and where opportunities existed for neighbourhood
enhancement.
Once the challenges or needs for improvement were identified, participants focused on ways to
overcome these challenges. Strategies included focusing on and supporting existing assets (including
people), collaborating with community spaces and organizations, and developing processes that connect
with diverse groups (i.e. through children, enjoyment of green spaces).
Visions: Further ideas for overcoming challenges and building on assets resulted in the visioning of what
the community could be in the future. Residents who took part in the survey and table process were
asked to articulate their dreams and create a shared vision of what they wanted for the neighbourhood.
Table members broke into small groups and were invited to creatively express their vision for the
community through large, hand-drawn, colourful maps.
Action: Action ideas were generated by table
members over two sessions. They considered Celebration Event – June 14th, 2012
survey results and developed potential action On June 14th, table members from
plans based on their own interests and each of the neighbourhoods came
enthusiasm. together to celebrate the first phase
See Appendices for a summary of the data of the Community Tables pilot, share
generated from the surveys and Tables, as well their learning and discuss prospective
as samples of the short and long form survey. action plans.
14Outcomes
Gorge Tillicum Neighbourhood: Learning and Actions Summary
Assets
Many Gorge Tillicum residents greatly value green spaces and areas for recreation, with a historical and
ever-present appreciation for the waterways in the area. Existing community spaces, such as the Victoria
Native Friendship Centre, Pearkes Recreation Centre and Saanich Centennial Library, are valued
community-gathering places. Residents appreciate the wide selection of stores and services within the
community including Tillicum Centre and a handful of locally owned businesses. The neighbourhood’s
economic diversity and historical character are also valued as is the neighbourhood-based organization
Gorge Tillicum Urban Farmers.
Challenges
The challenges identified included the lack of an integrated and central community hub (the ones at
Burnside, Gorge and Tillicum were perceived as being disconnected), lack of neighbourhood identity, and
limited knowledge among residents of existing community events, resources and services. Also highlighted
was the need for an employment centre as well as desire for affordable housing and greater
neighbourhood engagement with the Victoria Native Friendship Centre.
Visions
The overall vision generated for Gorge Tillicum was that of a village that supports a vibrant group of
change-minded people and where the economy and culture are home-grown. Table members and survey
respondents aspire to build a neighbourhood that is not just a stop on the way to somewhere else but a
walk-able, family friendly neighbourhood that encourages inter-generational and intercultural
community gatherings. Within this vision, residents are seen as owners of the community who are
connected with each other through music, art, recreation, appreciation for natural spaces and support
for the local economy.
Action Plan
The first action item involves the Community Table joining the Gorge Tillicum Community Association
(GTCA) and supporting the development of new community activities (i.e. pole painting) as well as the
creation of both physical and virtual community spaces (i.e. community markets and a “Gorge Tillicum
Digital Commons” that could house information on neighbourhood resources). See Appendices for the
Community Table’s draft flyer and “About us” document.
Survey Process and Assets and Visions Map
Graduate intern, Lisa Willott, led this neighbourhood’s survey and mapping engagement process. Fifty-six
surveys were completed: of these twenty-five were long form surveys and thirty-one were short form
surveys. See Appendices for Gorge Tillicum’s Vision and Asset Map.
15Oaklands Neighbourhood: Learning and Actions Summary
Assets
Many of the residents that took part in the pilot describe Oaklands as a family oriented neighbourhood,
and value its central location that is easily accessed by public transit, car, or bicycle. The neighbourhood’s
parks, greenways, gardens and trees are also considered positive features. Both local and commercial
businesses are important assets, whether they serve as a community-meeting space or as a place to
purchase goods and access services. Koffi Café, Haultain Corners, the Oaklands’ Community Centre and
the area’s boulevard gardens were emphasized many times in both the survey and Table process.
Challenges
The survey and Table results suggest that Oaklands residents want more community events, and
programs, particularly those catered to seniors and youth. In addition, many believe the neighbourhood
lacks a central focal point or village centre. Some people find Oaklands to be fractured between south
(south of Hillside) and north Oaklands. This ‘Hillside Divide’ has led to traffic issues, such as speeding, and
challenges for cyclist commuters. Lack of local food and the uncertain future for Adam’s Grocer on
Haultain St. were also identified as challenges.
Visions
Table members and survey respondents emphasized increasing the provision of community space,
projects that support youth and families (including community gardens and community kitchens) and
endeavours that would protect the natural resources of Oaklands including its natural springs, Garry oak
trees and green spaces. Creating a central community hub, community friendly amenities and working to
build relationships with existing businesses, including Hillside Mall, were also suggested in the visioning
process.
Action Plan
Oaklands Visioning Day - The Table members’ immediate priority project is the development of a
Visioning Day to facilitate learning, community engagement and foster inclusiveness regarding future
initiatives in the Oaklands’ neighbourhood. Table members are in the planning and development phase of
this initiative.
Survey Process and Assets and Visions Map
Graduate intern, Eric Binion, led this neighbourhood’s survey and mapping engagement process. Thirty
surveys were completed: of these twenty-four were long form surveys and six were short form surveys.
See Appendices for Oaklands’ Vision and Assets Map.
16North Park Neighbourhood Learning and Actions Summary
Assets
Residents tended to value North Park for its diverse, urban, multicultural features. Friendly neighbours,
the community’s broad socio-economic mix and the desire of many residents to support those living in
poverty or facing addictions were also mentioned. The neighbourhood’s central location that is easily
accessed by public transit, car, or bicycle was also valued, as well as its residential businesses. Royal
Athletic Park, the North Park Community Association and the Crystal Pool were emphasized in both the
survey and Table process. Parks, green space and gardens were also identified as positive features.
Challenges
Challenges identified in the Table process and surveys included limited services for the significant number
of residents living in poverty and with drug use problems. Homelessness, graffiti and the lack of needle
exchange were also identified. Increasing gentrification and a lack of community centre were highlighted,
as well as a desire for more green space.
Visions
The overall vision generated for North Park is that of a culturally diverse, green, inclusive community that
values the provision of affordable housing to families and those experiencing poverty. The Table
members aspire to keep North Park ‘artsy’, ‘funky’ and ‘gritty’ while remaining safe and accessible.
Annual festivals and heritage walks were well supported by the project participants. Table members
expressed interest in implementing more multi-cultural elements into these festivals and attempting to
create opportunities that fully represent this inclusive neighbourhood. Other priorities included
generating more green space and a community hub where neighbours can meet. Youth engagement was
also a priority and the table members’ goal is to ensure that all voices in North Park are heard.
Action Plan
The four action items agreed to by the tables group are:
1. Enhancing the Neighbourhood’s Parks and Greenways
2. Assisting the North Park Neighbourhood Association in expanding its annual festival
3. Developing a large scale neighbourhood Community Map
4. Taking leadership to establish a Community Centre in North Park
Table members have become members of the North Park Neighbourhood Association and are in the
planning and development phase of these initiatives.
Survey Process Assets and Visions Map
Graduate intern, Barbara Smith, led this neighbourhood’s survey and mapping engagement process.
Twenty-three surveys were completed: of these thirteen were long form surveys and 10 were short form
surveys. See Appendices for North Park’s Vision and Assets Map.
17Regional Table Results
Over twenty-five interviews were completed with local community leaders from which an inventory was
developed of best practices, key community projects, as well as useful tools for engaging in successful
community engagement.
1. Resources relevant to the CRD will be illustrated on a United Way map.
2. Data will be available in a Regional Table Report Summary.
3. A virtual, on-line ‘best practices toolkit’ is in development, which contains CRD specific project
links as well as links to useful articles, books and videos.
Community Tables: Engaging
Neighbours Celebration Event –
June 2012
Initial Feedback and Evaluation
To support innovation, a developmental evaluation approach was incorporated throughout the pilot.
Developmental evaluation focuses on outcomes and the emphasis is on documenting decisions and
formalizing the learning and knowledge-base that drives them1. In addition to ongoing evaluation
activities, a summative evaluation of the pilot phase was conducted by the project partners and included
the development of recommendations for future activities.
Results
The place-based approach to community development resonated with each of the
neighbourhoods, and all participating residents ranked the project as good or excellent in the
final evaluative process.
The initiative was successful in connecting the United Way more directly with citizens and has
created a platform for supporting relationships between citizens, organizations and project
partners.
The facilitated Community Table process itself was particularly successful in supporting the
development of community capacity among participating residents. The impacts reported by
11
Adapted from presentation by FSG Social Impact Consultants, 2011, drawing on the work of Michael Quinn Patton
18table participants tie this initiative into United Way’s Healthy people, strong communities focus
area.
Healthy people, strong communities
Outcome: People have strong community connections
United Way indicators of progress: Impacts reported by participants:
Increased sense of an increased sense of
community community
development of positive
Positive community community relationships
relationships formation of new skills in effective
Community leadership community development practice
development & opportunities an increase in civic engagement
and action
Increased participation in an increased sense of belonging,
community activities & groups possibility, hope and optimism
Positive social networks
Stories of Success
Many participants commented on how the table “One of my favourite meetings was
process allowed them to meet others that are early on in the process, when we
committed to improving the neighbourhood and were all bent over craft paper,
drawing Oaklands’ richness, stirring
prepared to put in the time and effort to make positive
in our hopes and dreams ... in that
community projects happen. Members also commented
moment, I felt myself to be in a room
on the visioning process as being especially positive and filled with kindred souls sharing
hopeful, where people shared their dreams and passion for the place we call home.”
aspirations for enhancing their neighbourhoods.
Others spoke to the fact that that they perceive their “There is a group now that has done
community and role within in it in a new light, where some deeper learning and thinking
they feel more ownership and connection to their on the community - and already we
home-place. Action projects and collaborations with are more active in the
neighbourhood associations were perceived by many as neighbourhood.”
positive features that increased the neighbourhood’s
overall capacity for community engagement. - Table Participants
19Challenges
“A small group does not represent Many participants commented on the challenge of
the community. How can our group figuring out how the Community Table fit in with the
network more with others already larger community as well as other volunteer groups
working and volunteering in the such as the local neighbourhood associations.
community?”
Participants also wished that the Table drew from a
larger cross-section of the community. For example:
“To be more successful, more
members of the community need to ensuring more cultural and socio-economic diversity.
be involved.”
In addition, the project was initially planned for five
- Table Participants sessions, which turned out to be insufficient. Adding a
sixth session in April was considered essential by a
great number of the participants as it allowed for more
time to plan next steps around action items.
Next steps for Community Tables: Engaging Neighbours
Tables
At the time of this document’s publication, each neighbourhood is in the project development phase of
their action projects. The Gorge Tillicum and North Park Tables are now formally associated with their
neighbourhood associations and all three neighbourhoods have plans to apply for a small $500.00
community grant from the United Way to help implement their first projects.
Year Two of the Pilot
The United Way and project partners have conducted a comprehensive project evaluation to help guide
the design and development process for year two of the pilot. The goal is to build upon the strengths of
year one and to incorporate changes as directed by the insights provided by Table participants, graduate
interns and community partners.
Some of the key recommendations for the future include:
Assess how the Community Tables initiative complements and adds value to what is already
occurring in neighbourhood development, and what longer term results of the pilot develop as
the Tables continue to implement their action plans
Connect residents early on in the table process with relevant work that has previously taken place
in their neighbourhood (and upon which the Tables could build) and find ways of still affording
them the chance to engage in their own process of developing action plans based on their own
enthusiasm and interests
Allocate time and resources for collaborative project development and relationship building with
Local Resource Group members prior to initiating Community Tables
Link the Community Tables more directly to the United Way’s Impact Areas, and structure the
Tables process to support this
Clarify the project vision and goals and develop accessible, clear public communication tools
about Community Tables: Engaging Neighbours
20 Continue to provide capacity building support to existing Community Tables to assist them in
transitioning from visioning to implementation of action plans
Clarify the scope and type of long term support United Way will provide to each Table after the
facilitated component is completed, and communicate this clearly to participants and partners
Continue to structure the Community Tables around a facilitated learning process for Table
participants, and explore opportunities to provide more in-depth capacity building/training
opportunities focused on community development and collaborative leadership skills
Aim to expand the diversity of Tables participants through a more robust and creative outreach
process, and engage additional residents through complimentary community activities
Allocate time and resources to work collaboratively with Table members in determining the forms
of research, documentation and reporting that will best serve their future needs
Continue to involve OCBR graduate interns in supporting the Community Tables and enhance the
support and training available to them.
Enhance United Way’s role and visibility within the Community Tables process by providing
facilitation support to new and existing tables.
21Acknowledgments
The Community Tables: Engaging Neighbours initiative was made possible by funding from United Way
Greater Victoria and by the following community partners and residents who gave generously of their
time, facilities and wisdom. Over 375 volunteer hours were contributed during the pilot.
Gorge Tillicum
Table Participants: Chris Bullock, Deb Heighway, Gabe Epstein, Garry Hurl, Jayne Hendy, Karen Potts,
Katherine Brandt, Kay Stewart, Kirsten Andersen, Kyla Hubbard, Maria Christian, Marilyn Pollard,
Mike Croy, Sarah Egan, and Shannon Jamison.
Community Hosts: Saanich Neighbourhood Place and Pearkes Arena.
Local Resource Group Members: Colleen Hobson, Saanich Neighbourhood Place; Helen Hughes and
Olivia Henderson, Saanich Centennial Library; Rob Wickson, Gorge Tillicum Community Association; and
Sue McCauley, Saanich Silver Threads.
North Park
Table Participants: Janet Gray, Jean McCrae, Julia Claire Begley, Laila Pires, Leila Durzi, Leonor Santas,
Lisa Joe, Maggie Cole, Margeret Portillo, Monique Bottineau, Marianne, Nick Montgomery, Pam Hartling,
Penny Bond, Peter Allen, Shelley Brown, Sid Emmanuel, Stephanie Robertson, Su Ma, Sue Hallet, Tim
Hewett, Tracie Fawkes, and Tristan Trotter.
Community Host: First Metropolitan Church.
Local Resource Group Members: Gary Pemberton, City of Victoria; Dave Osmond and Janet Gray, First
Metropolitan Church; Jean McRae, Inter-Cultural Association; Monique Bottineau, Resident; Penny Bond,
North Park Neighbourhood Association; and Sue Hallatt, Resident.
Oaklands
Table participants: Ben Clark, Bridey Morrison Morgan, Caroline Weatherhead, Chris Krasowski,
Cindy Dunphy, Gregg Lafontaine, Laurie Morgan, Lisa Macdonnell, Margot Johnston, Mary Ellen Green,
Muriel Pilon, Nannette Plant, Rainey Hopewell, Sandy Robertson, Ray Mau and Soshin McMurchy.
Community Host: Oaklands Community Association.
Local Resource Group Members: Candace Stretch and Shelley Morris, Cridge Centre for the Family;
Gary Pemberton, City of Victoria; Graeme Olson, Oaklands Chapel; and Kristi Rivait, Oaklands Community
Association.
22Regional Table Participants
Alvaro Moreno, Community Social Planning Council - Research and Development Officer
Brian Hill, Community Social Planning Council – Past Chair
Budd Hall, UVic OCBR – Founding Director
Christina Peacock, Jeneece Place – House Manager
Colleen Kasting, Ready to Rent – Director
Jean McRae, Inter-Cultural Association – Executive Director
Kelly Mann, BC games – President and CEO
Kim Manton, United Way of Greater Victoria – Victoria Labour Representative
Kim Perkins, Burnside Gorge Community Association – Manager of Communications
Kristina Bouris, City of Victoria – Community Planner
Leanna Hill, Volunteer Victoria – Youth Program Coordinator
Leslie Brown, UVic OCBR - Acting Director
Marlene Barry, Sooke Region Community Health Initiative – Chair
Maureen Sawa, Greater Victoria Public Library – CEO
Michelle Colussi, Transition Town / Canadian Centre for Community Renewal
Lee Herrin, Fernwood Neighbourhood Resource Group – Executive Director
Linda Ross, Linda E. Ross Property Management – Managing Broker
Marion Little, PEERS Victoria – Executive Director
Matthew Payne, Theater SKAM – Artistic Producer
Narissa Chadwick, Ministry of Community, Sport, and Cultural Development- Senior Planner
Rob Wipond, Transition Town – Journalist and Activist
Roberta Martel, Fernwood NRG - Past Executive Director
Robin Hood, UVic OCBR – Associate
Sue Hallatt, Capital Regional District – Senior Planner
Tricia Roche, UVic Centre for Youth and Society – Manager
Additional Thanks
Special thanks to MITACS for providing important funds to the research internship component of this
initiative, to Jim Diers for providing such an inspiring presentation, and to Geoff Cross for his assistance
with the Regional Table.
23Appendices
Long Form Survey (Oaklands Version)
You are invited to share your vision! Help map neighbourhood assets and share your visions and action
plans for building a healthy neighbourhood.
1. What do you love best about Oaklands? (environmental, social, business etc...)
2. What kind of activities, services or features would enhance your community?
3. What is your vision for the future of Oaklands? What do you want Oaklands to feel and be like in 10
years?
4. You can either leave the survey at this point or continue on to more in-depth questions. Would you like
to continue?
Yes No
This section is About You.
5. Where do you live (street name)?
6. Where do you work, study or operate a business (street name)?
7. How long have you lived or worked in Oaklands?
Less than 2-5 5-10 more than my whole
1 year years years 10 years life!
8. What age groups are represented in your household?
0-4 5-12 13 – 18 19-30 31-40 41-55 56-65 66+
9. What personal gifts or assets (skills, interests, passions) can you share with your community?
10. Are you a community volunteer (in your neighbourhood or beyond)? Please describe where you
contribute to Oaklands and with what groups?
24This section is About Oaklands.
11. What do you love best about Oaklands?
12. What services, businesses, and places do you use (stores, centres, schools, parks, cafes, etc.) in
Oaklands?
13. What kinds of activities, services, or features would enhance your community?
This section is About the United Way of Greater Victoria's Impact Areas.
All that kids can be
14. What makes Oaklands a vibrant and healthy place for kids and youth? (e.g. people, places, events,
supports)
15. What could be added in Oaklands?
From poverty to possibility
16. What/who makes Oaklands socially and economically strong?
17. What could be added in Oaklands?
Healthy people, strong communities
18. What/who creates a sense of belonging and social inclusion in Oaklands? (Involving people of
different ages, incomes, cultures, and abilities, etc.)
19. What could be added in Oaklands?
This Section is About Your Overall Vision
20. What, in your opinion, grows a healthy community?
21. What is your vision for the future of Oaklands? What do you want Oaklands to feel and be like in 10
years?
22. What changes would make Oaklands a more vibrant place to live?
For more information or to get involved contact Stacy Barter (250) 889-0179
stacy@bchealthycommunities.ca or go to http://uwgv.ca/ and click on Action Plan.
25Short Form Survey (Gorge Tillicum Version)
Community Tables: Engaging Neighbours Project
Gorge Tillicum Community Survey
1. What do you love best about Gorge Tillicum? (Environment, social, business etc...)
2. What kind of activities, services or features would enhance your community?
3. What is your vision for the future of Gorge Tillicum? What do you want Gorge Tillicum to feel
and be like in 10 years?
For more information go to: http://uwgv.ca
26Gorge Tillicum Assets and Visions
27North Park Assets and Visions
28Oaklands Assets and Visions
29Draft Documents for Gorge Tillicum Community Table Action Initiative
Gorge Tillicum Community Table
A project of the
Gorge Tillicum Community Association
in collaboration with
the United Way of Greater Victoria.
DRAFT 31 May 2012
"Sidewalk contacts are the small change
from which the wealth of public life may grow."
Jane Jacobs
30What we aim to do (Our Purpose)
The Gorge Tillicum Community Table came into being through an initiative of
the United Way – i.e. the “Community Tables: Engaging Neighbours” project.
After a series of meetings facilitated by BC Healthy Communities, we chose to
become a committee of the Gorge Tillicum Community Association. Our desire
is to further strengthen our community by helping to create two types of
neighbourhood-based projects:
Community Activities
single events, repeated events,
and/or ongoing projects.
Community Spaces
various settings for use by the
community – for meeting, for
planning, for learning, for
communication, for fun, etc.
By way of illustration, a few examples of projects we might, over time, choose
to work on are listed below.
31*********************************************************************************
Potential Projects
What follows are a few projects we are considering – projects we have
selected or ones others have suggested to us.
Community Activities
Hydro pole painting project
Street hockey
Music and song events
Block parties
Winter solstice on the Gorge
And many more!
Youth groups – e.g. Roots and
Shoots / Child & Nature
Alliance
Community picnics
Festivals or cultural events of
various kinds
Neighbourhood Art Walk
Community Spaces
Attributes: These spaces could be “real”
(physical) and/or “virtual”
We might think of these (digital)
spaces as contemporary forms
of the old “commons” – spaces
where people congregate for
community purposes.
32 These spaces would be
welcoming, flexible, creative,
open-ended and for use by the
community at large
A few examples:
Organizational Spaces: Geographical Spaces:
The further development of This could include developing the
the Community Table itself. areas around:
The expansion of street- or
block-based groups throughout Kosapsum Park and Craigflower
the neighbourhood (Block Elementary School
Watch and others) From Victoria Canoe and Kayak
Club east to the intersection
of Gorge and Tillicum.
Digital Spaces:
Pearkes Recreation Centre and
The “Gorge Tillicum Digital the library
Commons” – a digital portal Tillicum School
identifying neighbourhood Hampton Park
resources and more. Rudd Park
Social, Economic, Creative Spaces:
A community market
An art centre / gallery /
theatre
*********************************************************************************
33How we intend to do these things
(Our Mode of Operation)
In general:
The Community Table will serve as a catalyst, matching up people,
ideas and resources in support of neighbourhood-based projects.
We will think long term as well as short term.
We will take our time, building (and rebuilding) a solid foundation
as we proceed.
We will keep in mind that developing infrastructure and,
simultaneously, promoting various neighbourhood projects will
result in one thread feeding the other.
Meeting and Participating:
The Community Table as a whole will meet, in person, as often as we
choose. We will also communicate with each other by email or by
phone, as the need arises.
People who live or work in the Gorge Tillicum neighbourhood, as well as
people who use the resources the neighbourhood offers, are welcome
to participate in the Community Table process.
34People working on projects meet (in person, by email or by phone)
where and when they choose.
Initiatives and Ownership:
We will propose initiatives ourselves, seeking out others to work on
them with us.
We will collaborate with others on initiatives they bring to the
Community Table.
We will select and prioritize initiatives to focus on – simultaneously
or sequentially – depending on available resources, on their
relevance to the neighbourhood, and on other factors.
The initiatives that the Community Table focuses on will not, as
such, be “owned” by the Community Table – they would, rather, be
the responsibility of the people that take them on, whether they’re
Table participants or not.
The Community Table, in collaboration with others, will:
- Serve as a resource in support of selected initiatives
- Seek out additional resources beyond the Community Table.
35Structural relationships:
The Community Table will be a committee of the GT Community
Association and work in a collaborative manner with the GTCA
Board.
A representative of the United Way will serve as a full
participant on the Community Table.
We will explore our relationship with Saanich municipality and
various other organizations – seeking inspirational, technical,
financial and other kinds of support
*******************************************************************************
361144 Fort Street Victoria BC V8V 3K8 p: 250-385-6708 w: uwgv.ca
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