Executive Council
July 10, 2014
Engaging People and Communities
Input from Summit Participants Helps Community Sector Identify Needs
The Office of Public Engagement is committed to supporting volunteers and enhancing non-profit organizations in the community sector. To further this work, a “What We Heard” document that provides a snapshot of information shared during Community Summit 2014 is now available online. The third summit since 2010, this year’s gathering was unique in that it connected approximately 200 people from the sector province-wide in four locations through innovative, interactive technology.
“Newfoundland and Labrador volunteers are committed to giving back to the community, and the Provincial Government is determined to help them thrive by providing the community sector with opportunities to collaborate and connect in meaningful ways. This year’s Community Summit represented an innovative way to recognize volunteers and non-profit organizations, and the input we received will strengthen the relationship between the sector and government.”
- The Honourable Sandy Collins, Minister Responsible for the Office of Public Engagement
The Community Summit allowed non-profit organizations, staff and volunteers in St. John’s, Grand Falls-Windsor, Corner Brook and Happy Valley-Goose Bay to discuss their current and future needs in real time through a combination of webcast and other Internet applications using audience remote-polling. The event built on the success of previous summits in 2010 and 2012. Discussions at those events led to the development of the current provincial census of volunteer organizations and the creation of a free Non-Profit Essentials online training resource through SmartForceNL .
“We believe that it takes the whole community working together to advance the common good and create opportunities for a better life for everyone. The use of technology to link participants across the province during Community Summit 2014 increased the ability for people in the sector to share ideas and discuss how Newfoundland and Labrador can continue to be a province where all of our communities are healthy, vibrant places to work, live, and raise a family.”
- Tammy Davis, Executive Director, United Way of Newfoundland and Labrador
Participant input captured in the “What We Heard” document includes suggestions to highlight success stories in the community sector, provide mentorship programs, and make information more youth-friendly. A copy of the document is available on the Provincial Government’s Open Government Initiative website at //open.gov.nl.ca/.
QUICK FACTS- The Provincial Government today released a “What We Heard” document that summarizes input received through the Provincial Government’s 2014 Community Summit.
- Approximately 200 participants attended the summit, which connected non-profit organizations, staff and volunteers in St. John’s, Grand Falls-Windsor, Corner Brook and Happy Valley-Goose Bay through innovative technology.
- A copy of the document is available on the Provincial Government’s Open Government Initiative website at open.gov.nl.ca/.
- Outcomes from previous summits include the development of the current provincial census of volunteer organizations – the first of its kind in Canada – and the development of online training resources to meet changing community needs.
- For more information on the Community Sector, visit www.ope.gov.nl.ca and Twitter, @OPE_GovNL.
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Media contacts:
| Kip Bonnell Communications Manager Office of Public Engagement 709-729-1221, 687-9081 kbonnell@gov.nl.ca |
Tammy Davis Executive Director United Way of Newfoundland and Labrador 709-753-9888 tammy.davis@nl.unitedway.ca |
2014 07 10 10:10 a.m.