Community Sustainability Project

So, how did we get to this point? On January 19th 2008 there was a day long public forum at Dwight Hall. The morning was slated for invited speakers to discuss sustainability. The afternoon had the audience broken into four groups going to the four identified pillars of sustainability – economic, environmental, cultural and social – and at each pillar there was discussion about Powell River’s ideas for the future. Over 300 members of the public attended the day and shared their ideas. All ideas were captured and these were transcribed into lists that the City of Powell River has had on its website since the spring.

In the spring a call went out for the public to be involved with taking the Charter the next step by meeting regularly at the University and using the information captured in January to further discuss and explore the pillars of sustainability. By this time, another pillar – that of governance – had been added, so we now had five. Meetings ensued over the following months until mid July and ideas were again recorded.

At the end of April, School District 47 held their own sustainability forum, which culminated in a refuse pick-up throughout the area. Ideas were captured from that forum, too.

In the summer of 2008, another call went out for people to apply to be part of the Steering Committee to take the Sustainability Charter a further step forward. To assist with the work of the Committee, a base document was created in late July, early August of 2008 that brought the information gathered together since January. The document also provided examples of Charters, resolutions, visions, etc. that other communities had used in creating their own sustainability plans.

This base document helped show the various steps we still need to take before we can sit down and write up a Charter, such as:

We are working to take the information already gathered from public input and to map a way of moving forward toward those goals. It will take time to accomplish everything we have set out to do and public participation is encouraged.


Community Sustainability Project

Thank you for visiting this page all about the creation of the Powell River Sustainability Charter. This page will provide you with a rundown on what’s already been happening and the work ahead, together with agendas, minutes, meeting dates and locations and supporting material and links. The Sustainability Charter Steering Committee is in the process of completion of a draft Charter. Please watch this web page for updates that will be posted in the near future. A community forum will be held to review the draft charter. If you have any questions and wish to communicate with the Steering Committee regarding the Sustainability Charter, please email information@sustainability.ca and a committee member will respond to your inquiry.
Steering Committee
Rhonda Alton Ryan Barfoot Sarah Barkowski Susan Jersak CaroleAnn Leishman Chris McNaughton Arlette Raaen Denise Reinhardt Betty Zaikow Colin Palmer Frances Ladret Stewart Alsgard Richard Stogre
Background
So, how did we get to this point? On January 19th 2008 there was a day long public forum at Dwight Hall. The morning was slated for invited speakers to discuss sustainability. The afternoon had the audience broken into four groups going to the four identified pillars of sustainability – economic, environmental, cultural and social – and at each pillar there was discussion about Powell River’s ideas for the future. Over 300 members of the public attended the day and shared their ideas. All ideas were captured and these were transcribed into lists that the City of Powell River has had on its website since the spring. In the spring a call went out for the public to be involved with taking the Charter the next step by meeting regularly at the University and using the information captured in January to further discuss and explore the pillars of sustainability. By this time, another pillar – that of governance – had been added, so we now had five. Meetings ensued over the following months until mid July and ideas were again recorded. At the end of April, School District 47 held their own sustainability forum, which culminated in a refuse pick-up throughout the area. Ideas were captured from that forum, too. In the summer of 2008, another call went out for people to apply to be part of the Steering Committee to take the Sustainability Charter a further step forward. To assist with the work of the Committee, a base document was created in late July, early August of 2008 that brought the information gathered together since January. The document also provided examples of Charters, resolutions, visions, etc. that other communities had used in creating their own sustainability plans. This base document helped show the various steps we still need to take before we can sit down and write up a Charter, such as: Definition Vision Framework Resolutions Where we are now Where we want to be Indicators Sustainability Charter Ongoing progress reports We are working to take the information already gathered from public input and to map a way of moving forward toward those goals. It will take time to accomplish everything we have set out to do and public participation is encouraged.
Partners
School District 47 Vancouver Island University (Powell River campus) City of Powell River Powell River Regional District Tla'Amin Chief and Council The Community of Powell River
Documents
Sustainability Charter for Powell River, Base Document - August 2008
Links & Resources Comox - www.shapethefuture.ca/comoxvalley/node/1 Whistler – www.whistler.ca (go to Whistler 2020) Langley – www.tol.bc.ca (go to Municipal Services, Community Development, Sustainability on the navigation bars) Partners in Climate Change Program (Federation of Canadian Municipalities) www.sustainablecommunities.fcm.ca/partners-for-climate-protection/ Earth Charter - www.earthcat.org Comprehensive Guide for Municipal Sustainability Natural steps – municipal and home owner Community Needs Assessment Template Loreto Bay Sustainability Report - 2007 Sustainability Facilitators