Calling the community

The Northeast Avalon Region of the Strategic Social Plan is looking for a few good community representatives.

In newspaper ads and memos to groups across the region, the steering committee has requested expressions of interest from volunteer organizations that want to play a greater role in the SSP.

"The SSP is very much about partnerships and working with community," said Joan Dawe, chair of the Northeast Avalon Region Steering Committee. "We are working to improve community representation because we want the work in this region to reflect their voices and viewpoints."

The Strategic Social Plan was launched back in 1998 to improve long-term opportunities for people and better link social and economic development. Bringing government and community partners together to work for change is an important theme of the SSP.

"In this region, we have chosen early child development and poverty as two of our development priorities because we recognize that these issues have implications for all partners around the table," said Ms. Dawe. "We know that community groups care deeply about these issues too, and we want to work with them to seek innovative long-term solutions."

The steering committee is looking for up to four members from volunteer groups to sit for two and three-year terms. Interested groups should contact the steering committee with expressions of interest. Submissions should include information on how representatives would network with the community and steering committee, and how they would represent a broader perspective, rather than a single agency point of view.

Submissions should be no longer than two pages, or about 750 words, and should be sent by Monday, August 12.

The Northeast Avalon Region of the Strategic Social Plan, one of six committees across the province, implements the Strategic Social plan through planning and consultation, and fostering partnerships that will benefit the region.

"I encourage communities to take advantage of this opportunity," said Gerald Smith, Minister of Health and Community Services and lead minister for the Strategic Social Plan. "Working together is how we make a difference in the long-term social and economic development of our province."

For more information, contact Gillian Janes, regional planner for the Northeast Avalon Region, 722-9845. You can email her at gjanes@ssp.nf.net. You can also visit www.gov.nl.ca/ssp/

Media contact: Marcia Porter, Communications, (709) 729-0175.

2002 06 26                             3:05 p.m.