1. Coastal Communities Network

2. A Large Voice for Rural Nova Scotia
History of CCN
In 1991 the ground fishery crisis hit.
The Extension Dept. of St. FX organized a series of seminars around the province on this issue called Fishing For A Future: Communities at a Crossroads
A Large Voice for Rural Nova Scotia

3. A Large Voice for Rural Nova Scotia
History of CCN
Seminars brought together: church people, municipal councilors, environmentalists, unions, fishermen, plant workers, and CED groups.
Historic province wide conference of 200 people held in Dartmouth, N.S
A Large Voice for Rural Nova Scotia

4. A Large Voice for Rural Nova Scotia
History of CCN
Traditional enemies within the fishing industry agree to work together
“We need to set aside our differences and look for ways we can work together. Otherwise our communities will not survive.”
Feb 1992: Unanimous agreement to form the Coastal Communities Network
A Large Voice for Rural Nova Scotia

5. A Large Voice for Rural Nova Scotia
Focus on Fishing
Community Based Management: Series of seminars held around the province
NS Women’s Fishnet starts with small grant from CCN
The Atlantic Groundfish Strategy (TAGS)
- CCN advocated for this program to responded to community needs.
A Large Voice for Rural Nova Scotia

6. A Large Voice for Rural Nova Scotia
First
Issue
1995
Funded
by NS
Education
1995
A Large Voice for Rural Nova Scotia

7. A Large Voice for Rural Nova Scotia
1996 Don &Eileen MacNeil
CCN members agreed we need to build a strategy for issues threatening rural communities, beyond the fisheries
Therefore held Communications Strategy workshop for CCN.
- Built plan & 95% implemented!
A Large Voice for Rural Nova Scotia

8. 1997 Co-Chairs: Don & Eileen
CCN Members urge CCN to work on wharf issue.
Harbour Authorities surveyed by CCN
CCN started province wide Community Economic Development project – seminars around province
CCN ask Province to create policy on sustainable rural communities
A Large Voice for Rural Nova Scotia

9. 1998 Co-Chairs Don Zwicker & Arthur Bull
Building Our Future: Respecting Our Past
White Point Conference hammers out strategy for sustainable rural NS
CCN feeds input of 550 Nova Scotians into National Rural Dialogue
-Over years, CCN continues to work on recommendations from rural citizens
A Large Voice for Rural Nova Scotia

10. 1998 Co-Chairs: Don & Arthur
Developed concept for a Rural Community Foundation
Hire consultant to look at CCN’s structure. Hold 2 day session with Board and key members where create system that is transparent, accountable to membership, democratic
A Large Voice for Rural Nova Scotia

11. A Large Voice for Rural Nova Scotia
Chair: Arthur Bull
One Common Ground Project:
- Dialogue Dinners, Forum , Mi’Kmaq immersion weekend
Marshall ruling
Skillshops – Kings County which brought new members incl. African Nova Scotians
Forum on community based management.
Talked about racism in Nova Scotia. Thanked after as few groups willing to deal with this topic.
A Large Voice for Rural Nova Scotia

12. A Large Voice for Rural Nova Scotia
Chair: Arthur Bull
Herring Cove Wharf multi-stake holder meeting on wharves. Developed action plan
Letter writing campaign re: wharves. Got additional $50 million in federal wharf budget
A Large Voice for Rural Nova Scotia

13. A Large Voice for Rural Nova Scotia
04/00-03/01 Chair: Arthur Bull
CCN Coordinates Lighthouse Day.
- Province declares Lighthouse Day
- CCN on Breakfast TV
- Local events organized
Moratorium on demolition of lighthouses gained
Celebrated first CCN Proud Community Awards.
A Large Voice for Rural Nova Scotia

14. A Large Voice for Rural Nova Scotia
04/00-03/01 Chair: Arthur Bull
Rural Revitalization Project
- Testing establishing regional networks within CCN: Kings County and on-line network of local Development groups in Inverness
Seeking funding for national rural network
A Large Voice for Rural Nova Scotia

15. A Large Voice for Rural Nova Scotia
04/ /02 Chair: Arthur Bull
Regional Rural Dialogue: Cornwallis,
CCN on planning Committee
CCN selected to be on NS Rural team as community Rep.
Concept for Advanced Leadership Program created.
A Large Voice for Rural Nova Scotia

16. A Large Voice for Rural Nova Scotia
04/ /02 Arthur Bull
National Rural Conference in Quebec
CCN did 2 workshops
International AGM with Thomas Kocherry from India, BC CCN, Jim Mahone. TV media present
A Large Voice for Rural Nova Scotia

17. A Large Voice for Rural Nova Scotia
RCIP Goal
Partnership with Dalhousie University through SSHRC
Building tools to help communities change Policies
5 year project
Responded to community need as people ready to move forward but hitting head against policies
A Large Voice for Rural Nova Scotia

18. A Large Voice for Rural Nova Scotia
2003
First time data collected in one spot.
This led to Forming of Community Counts
A Large Voice for Rural Nova Scotia

19. A Large Voice for Rural Nova Scotia
12000 visitor to this site a month
A Large Voice for Rural Nova Scotia

20. A Large Voice for Rural Nova Scotia
Cobered many issues
Partnered interns with communities to study issues important to communities
A Large Voice for Rural Nova Scotia

21. A Large Voice for Rural Nova Scotia
Community Training:
Over 1,600 people trained on how to change policies
Community Training
A Large Voice for Rural Nova Scotia

22. A Large Voice for Rural Nova Scotia
Released January 2004
A Large Voice for Rural Nova Scotia

23. A Large Voice for Rural Nova Scotia
Outcome
Clear picture of economic role of coastal & rural communities
Clear picture of economic and social role of wharves
Reliable data DFO can utilize in decision making
Detailed data on population trends, income, fish landing & values, aquaculture etc that local development groups can use for their strategic planning
A Large Voice for Rural Nova Scotia

24. A Large Voice for Rural Nova Scotia
04/04-03/05 Norma
CCN starts working on a Sustainability plan for CCN.
This came from pressure from Rural Secretariat. It overstretched CCN staff and led us away from being connected with grassroots
A Large Voice for Rural Nova Scotia

25. 04/05 – 03/06 Chair: Wendy Robichaud
Year starts on shaky ground with zero funding
Monthly meetings become Learning Circles
Business Plan for CCNews created
A Large Voice for Rural Nova Scotia

26. A Large Voice for Rural Nova Scotia
04/05 – 03/06 Wendy Robichaud
Marine Infrastructure
- Presentations on Between the Land and Sea to government and community
Changed way many departments looked at wharves
Funding from Health Canada for taking policy work forward: wharves and health
A Large Voice for Rural Nova Scotia

27. A Large Voice for Rural Nova Scotia

28. A Large Voice for Rural Nova Scotia
04/05 – 03/06 Wendy Robichaud
Coast Under Stress: Erica goes to Labrador
Rural Policy Forum – Tatamagouche Centre
RCIP project funding ends. Dalhousie turns project over to CCN
The Ontario Rural Council Conference: Ishbel
A Large Voice for Rural Nova Scotia

29. A Large Voice for Rural Nova Scotia
CCNews re-launched in Sept 2006
Printing covered by a private donor Ishbel met at Ontario conference
Also available on-line, bringing our web sites in our Rural Gateway portal to 6
A Large Voice for Rural Nova Scotia

30. A Large Voice for Rural Nova Scotia
04/06-03/07 Chair: Wendy
CCN in partnership with Pictou County Development Commission does project on Community Counts
Senate Standing Committee on Rural Poverty in Ottawa.
A Large Voice for Rural Nova Scotia

31. A Large Voice for Rural Nova Scotia
04/06-03/07 Chair: Wendy
2007 Rural Policy Forum:
A Large Voice for Rural Nova Scotia

32. Rural Development Assessment Operational Review
Undertook an 8 month Operational Review which looked at structure, operations, Board, membership, other similar groups across Canada
Did am 8 month RDA which included focus groups, key informant interviews & on-line survey.
A Large Voice for Rural Nova Scotia

33. What are CCN’s roles and opportunities? From Consultants reports

34. What has worked?
Providing a rural voice to government on specific policy development initiatives
Research projects and support for community based research activities
Advocacy on specific issues of great concern to rural communities
Rural Policy Forums
Learning Circles/Clusters
Mediation & Facilitation Initiatives
CCNews

35. There is Broad Consensus on CCN Roles and Goals
Roles and Objectives of CCN
Network & facilitate collaboration among rural organizations & sectors
Provide education & training for leadership & organizational development
Support research to meet needs & to empower rural communities
Support community-based policy development
Rural communities need these services and supports
CCN has done a good job of providing them
RDA pg 44
CCN should continue to pursue its core mission as:
An ”intermediary” organization with highly developed capacities to facilitate and enable networking and collaboration among the different sectors and regions of the rural population;
A provider of education and training opportunities for rural community leaders and capacity building services for rural development organizations;
An initiator and resource centre for community-based research to meet the needs, challenges and interests with regard to sustainable development in rural communities;
An initiator and resource centre for community-based policy development for improving the conditions for sustainability of rural communities

36. A Renewed CCN A renewed CCN organization will be:
Stable and sustainable
Effective
Communications
Service delivery
Research
Policy collaboration
Responsive to rural community needs & priorities
Accountable
To communities
To funders

37. To achieve this renewal objective…
CCN must make positive changes in key areas
Executive leadership
Administrative capacity
Projects
Office
Finances
Funding security
Links to grassroots
Professional staff
Communications capacities
Reinvigorated board

38. Recommendations – R D Assessment
CCN should continue to pursue its core mission and consider activities such as:
Outreach, communications, networking for rural communities
Diverse series of workshops
Leadership training program
Information services and related training
Research and consultations
RDA pg 44
A series of workshops to bring various diverse groups together in regional clusters to develop strategic plans and action priorities in areas such as community health promotion, local food production, coastal management, community economic development, etc.
The development of comprehensive rural visioning processes for individual communities and bringing together different communities and sectors to develop a Provincial Sustainable Rural Development plan.
Outreach to rural communities to connect with new and emerging groups/organizations that accurately reflect the diverse needs and interests of rural communities.
Delivery of a leadership training program to build innovative and competitive strengths and organizational capacities in rural communities.
Initiatives to enhance social service delivery in rural communities with a focus on poverty reduction, housing, seniors support and affordable, accessible daycare. This initiative would address service delivery challenges such as energy costs and transportation issues in communities with low population densities.
Efforts to enhance program delivery options for youth and young adults, immigrants and other special populations in rural communities
Development of effective networks of researchers and research bodies with interests in rural communities
Workshops and focus groups to determine the needs of the non-profit/voluntary sector in a rural context, and strategic planning to address emerging issues.
A review of immigration policy to address the labour supply needs of rural communities and to enhance supports for immigrants in rural areas.
Research and consultations with rural communities to identify infrastructure strengths, weaknesses and gaps, and strategic planning to set priorities and identify sources of needed new investment.
Information services and training on funding sources, project development, proposal writing, fund-raising strategies and other capacity building activities for rural non-profit organizations.
Continuing outreach, communications and networking activities to help leaders in communities to understand the policy process and the best ways to work with interested parties to engage in and inform policy initiatives and programs to aid in sustainable rural development.

39. A Large Voice for Rural Nova Scotia
Recommendations
Mission:
To provide an effective voice for Nova Scotia’s rural communities by facilitating and enhancing information sharing, collaboration and concerted action among leaders and organizations that are pursuing sustainable rural development in the province.
A Large Voice for Rural Nova Scotia

40. A Large Voice for Rural Nova Scotia
Recommendations
Primary Goals:
• Network & facilitate collaboration among rural organizations & sectors
• Provide education & training for leadership & organizational development
A Large Voice for Rural Nova Scotia

41. Recommended Primary Activities:
• Board Meetings • Policy Forums & AGMs
• Learning Circles or Clusters
• Leverage Assets (e.g. RCIP)
Communications (Web Page, Magazine, etc)
A Large Voice for Rural Nova Scotia

42. Responsive Goals and Activities
Taking Direction from Membership and Rural Communities:
• Research & Consultation Projects
• Policy Engagement
A Large Voice for Rural Nova Scotia

43. Recommendations – O & O Review
CCN Board
Co-Director: Community Engagement
Board Meetings
Learning Events & Publications
Policy Forums
Research & Collaborative Projects
Co-Director: Finance and Development
Fund Development
Management of Contracts
Membership Development
Financial Management
O&OR pg 47 & 48, Appendix K (pg 116 & 117)
Plus administrative assistant to support co-directors, look after day to day operation of office, bookkeeping

44. A Large Voice for Rural Nova Scotia
Coastal Communities Network is
A Large Voice for Rural Nova Scotia
Is a Large Voice for Rural Nova Scotia
A Large Voice for Rural Nova Scotia