Rural Community Capacity Building – Networking Initiative Project

Background:

This community capacity building project has come about from an identified need to expand the capabilities of the various partners and groups of the Our Ramara Coalition and of the Township of Ramara. Beginning with an initial meeting in April 2003, which was hosted by the Ramara Chamber of Commerce and the Ramara Public Library, the partners met to form a Steering Committee and various working committees (website, funding/proposal research and development, festival committee, etc.). A mission statement was developed and goals and objectives were identified. The initial objective was the development of a website and database, but the objectives have grown substantially to include asset mapping, gap analysis, web-based resource development and skills facilitation and development.

Our Project:

This project will create a broader awareness of Ramara Township’s community assets and challenges, and will strengthen our rural community by developing local solutions to community challenges. Community groups will have the opportunity to develop skills and strategies necessary to sustain their organizations and enhance community partnerships. Our Ramara has hired Julie Scott of Innovative Perspectives, a Ramara resident, as the Consultant and Coordinator for this project.

In order to achieve these objectives, the project will be carried out through four components or phases, which are:

• Asset Mapping
• Gap/Needs Analysis
• Learning Resources
• Skills Development

Both asset mapping and gap (or needs) analysis require community input, which will provide the basis for the creation of the learning resources and skills development components.  Two asset mapping sessions have been scheduled.  One is on June 28^th from 6-9pm at the Ramara Centre and the other is July 5^th from 1-4pm at the Ramona Hall.  This will ensure that ample opportunity is provided for input from as many members of our community as possible. 

If you are interested in taking part in this process or would like more information regarding the project, please contact Carol Trinier, Project Community Liaison at 325-8176 or Julie Scott (at Innovative Perspective) Project Consultant/Coordinator at 325-6859

The following is a detailed description of the four components of this project.

Project Components 

Asset Mapping:

Assets are what we want to keep, build upon and sustain for future generations.  Assets can be physical concrete things, like buildings or the 150-year-old tree in the park.  They can also be intangible like the work that volunteer groups do to operate a community center or raise funds for a worthy cause.   Traditionally, assets fall under one of the following categories:

• Natural – environment or geographic
• Built – buildings and infrastructure
• Social – social and quality aspects of life in our community
• Economic – jobs and other aspects of the economy that people and communities

rely upon for their livelihood

• Service – health and educational services

Asset mapping is a positive and enjoyable approach to learning about our community.  It enables us to think positively about the place in which we live and work.  It also challenges us to recognize how other people see and experience the same community.  The process involves:

• An inventory of all the good things about our community
• A ranking/prioritizing of the most valued aspects of our community
• The reasons why people place high value on assets in our community
• Collectively strategizing to build on, sustain and enhance the assets for future generations.

Gap/Needs Analysis:

This portion of the project will bring together several clusters/sectors of groups and organizations in our community that have a common interest e.g. community center committees, service clubs, church groups, youth organizations etc. so that they can identify strengths, challenges and issues specific to their needs.  Discussions will focus on where they are and what they currently do and where they want to be in the future.  They will then develop objectives and strategies related to reaching their goals and forming alliances and partnerships for collaboration.

Learning Resources:

These will be gathered, researched and coordinated throughout the entire project and will be web-based and/or available in hard copy for the community to access and use through the Ramara Public Library.  The subject matter and content will depend on the input received through the asset mapping and needs analysis phases as well as through feedback from the workshops.

Skills Development:

Again, based on the input received during the first two phases of the project, this portion of the initiative will feature custom designed workshops and seminars for organizations and individuals of our community.   These sessions will help to ensure sustainability and increased capabilities and provide a basis for continuous improvement.  In other words building the capacity of our community.

The outcomes from both the asset mapping and gap/needs analysis are now documented in report form and are available through the Ramara Public Library at the Ramara Centre. The on-line copies of the reports are available by clicking on the link below: 

RCCB Report on Process and results