November 2021 CDC Newsletter

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Hi there,

We are extremely grateful for the opportunity to have gathered online in early October to explore concepts around reconnecting.

The RECONNECT: Making Community Essential event brought together 500 people for a series of keynote presentations and masterclasses over 2.5 days.

This newsletter continues the conversation from that event. The following reflections, tools and resources are aimed at supporting the process of Reconnecting!

What Are You Going to Do Differently?

During our event, we reflected on lessons learned from our keynote speakers and masterclasses. The keynotes were so rich in content and here are some inspiring comments from our participants.

Rebecca: “The reminder from Zita Cobb that 'Community-building is not coherent work – you are always lost' is centring. It's time to remember to be comfortable letting the results emerge with nurturing rather than setting our sights firmly on a final destination.”

Miranda: “I was really struck by Peter Block's comment about the descriptors we use and how those don't describe people. I want to challenge myself to talk about people and communities differently.”

Jane: “I can't build a community wellness network as my profession without truly understanding what it means to be a member of my own community. ... Peter Block's comment ‘today is someday’ deeply resonated with me. I have just reached out to join my own Neighbourhood Association.”

Sandra: “Move ‘Hope’ to ‘Faith’ and return to having FUN. Implement creativity into the everyday in planning and problem-solving. It's not just a crisis skill; it’s an everyday skill to embrace.”

Reflections on Reconnect

Blog-post_building-the-case-for-innovative-municipalities-to-reconnect-with-community_square

Leading the Way to Creating Sustainable, Connected Communities

By Lisa Luken

Building the Case for Innovative Municipalities to Reconnect with Community

By Dan Ritchie

Blog Posts on Change-making

Blog-post_the-key-to-progress-is-connection-+-5-exercises-to-help-create-it_square

The world is coming apart at the seams, and what we can do about it – a dose of inspiration

By Lisa Helps

The Key to Progress is Connection + 5 Exercises To Help Create It

By Megan Nimigon

Our Masterclasses

During our sessions, participants engaged in 1 of 4 masterclasses to their deepen learning.

Building a Neighbourhood Strategy to Reconnect Community – This masterclass involved gaining an introduction to building neighbourhood strategies that harness the unique energy and creativity of communities and put citizens at the centre.

Want to learn more? Read this guide: Building your case for a Neighbourhood Strategy

Innovative Municipalities Strengthening Community and Building Resilience with Jim Diers – This masterclass outlined how innovative municipalities are deeply concerned about how to invest strategically in order to build back better after the pandemic.

Want to learn more? Read this blog post by Jim Diers: Building 21st Century Communities

A Community-Based COVID Recovery with Lisa Attygalle and Paul Born – The focus of this masterclass was on 10 good ideas that support your community to build an action plan that will reignite people and engage them to work together. Also, it introduced important community engagement techniques to help communities move beyond COVID.

Want to learn more? Read this guide: Tamarack's 10 Guide for a Community-Based COVID-19 Recovery

Asset-Based Community Development with Cormac Russell – Considering the gifts that community members want to share, this masterclass embraced helping citizens lead community action and envision what really matters to them. It focused on how it is essential we learn to work with our communities rather than doing for them.

Want to learn more? Read this resource: ABCD at a Glance

The latest resource to help reconnect!

CASE STUDY | Fostering a connected community in Stony Plain

How do communities foster connectedness at a time when it is ever more challenging to do so? The Town of Stony Plain, AB, has pivoted and adapted its community initiatives to create more connections than ever, thereby cultivating an inclusive and diverse culture, fostering a sense of belonging and promoting a healthier community for all.

View the Case Study

ONLINE COURSE | Foundations of Collective Impact

Collective Impact is a multi-sectoral approach that can be used within your community to address complex issues such as social isolation. This online course is designed to help you learn at your own pace as you work on developing and implementing a successful Collective Impact initiative.

Learn About the Online Course

Join Us!

Are you inspired by the stories and content from our event? Are you looking to find ways to engage and build stronger bonds within your neighbourhood? As we explore ways to reconnect with community, we are building a movement for change.

Deepening Community has a membership of over 35 groups, organizations and municipalities across Canada working in their communities to share, learn and support each other to build stronger and more connected communities.

To find out more about how to become involved with Deepening Communities membership and develop community plans reach out to Heather Keam or Dan Ritchie to start the conversation.