1. Community Transit Nova Scotia, AGM June 16 th, 2011

2. Nova Scotia is changing dramatically:  Population is declining & aging  Seniors will increase by over 70% by 2026  Youth projected to continue decreasing Transit will become even more important! Without engaged, connected communities:  Youth will continue to leave  Seniors will be either more isolated and/or more attracted to urban areas (rural isolation) Our choice to act:  now (Proactive) VS later (Reactive) Nova Scotia

3. Transit providers: Who are you?  What do you bring to the community?  What role do you play? What do people in community say about you?  What they say reflects how you engage your community  Could someone in your community tell me about you? Transit is NOT about moving people around… it is about connecting people! Engaged Communities

4.  How are you engaging your community?  Your target markets:  Who are they?  Where are they?  What do they need?  What are their barriers?  How can you help overcome these barriers? How often are you in front of people who are not already clients? Never assume people know who you are or what you do! Engaged Communities

5. Who is your target market? ------  Everybody Where are they? -----  Everywhere Common sales mistake… pre - screening people based on their assumed potential to be customers!! Engaged Communities

6. How do you see yourself…? 1.Service 2.Business 3.Part of the transportation system 4.Key component of a healthy, active & vibrant community Self - identity is a key component of how you present yourself or your business to others!

7.  How is your community connected?  Events, identity  What is your relationship to these connections?  How can you be a catalyst for connection and a leader for change? If you are to be a catalyst in a community, you can’t be just another business/service! Connected Communities

8.  Galvanizing power of community  Community buy - in  One voice versus many  Maximizing resources (local  provincial) “Great leaders are not those who do many things, they are those around whom much gets done!” BTW… if you are here, you already ARE a leader!! Connected Communities

9.  Governments (Local, Provincial)  Not just feasibility studies & grant applications  Appeal to gov bodies across multiple sectors  Local Community  Local initiatives  Members of the community - Champions  Voice of the people  As you advocate for them, they can be the voice you need!  Policy is reactive to public pressure Connections

11. Photo: Hiroko Masuike for The New York Times Broadway Ave, New York City

12. Photo: Hiroko Masuike for The New York Times Broadway Ave, New York City

13. “Bill Sayers, 76, has been coming to Times Square his whole life. He said he never imagined he would be lounging in sun in the middle of Broadway.” Photo: Damon Winter/The New York Times

16. “Thinking Outside The Box” Land Mines  Form a structural barrier to development in 3 rd world  6,000 people walked on a land mine last year Tuberculosis  Killed 1.9 million people last year  WHO diagnosis method only 40- 60% reliable

17. “Thinking Outside The Box” Bart Weetjens  Former Industrial engineer  Passion for Africa & small animals  Highly sustainable!  Provides local jobs  60% of current cost  1-day vs 7 mins

18. Community Leadership Vision Communication Action Vibrant Communities

19. Discussion