Building a Bigger Wave Provincial Violence against Women (VAW) Forum November 7 & 8, 2011 Summary Presentation to Coordinating Committees

Purpose of this Presentation To report-back on provincial forum To inform and engage VAWCC membership in next steps of building a provincial network The presentation provides an overview of the full report that will be available electronically in both French and English on the website

Building a Bigger Wave The concept of building a bigger wave comes from the image of throwing a pebble in a pond. The ripples go out in all directions – each little wave of activity has an impact – it matters. We believe that if we put our collective VAW hands, hearts and brains together, we can make more and bigger waves in all directions to end violence.

What is a “network”? Network  Non-hierarchical  Loose/flexible link  Roles loosely defined  Communication is primary link among members Definition taken from 2003 healthcare report on different types of joint efforts among organizations:

Provincial Forum With funding from Trillium and MCSS, a provincial forum for Violence against Women Coordinating Committees (VAWCCs) was held Nov 7 & 8, 2011 in Toronto The purpose of the forum was to explore interest in creating a provincial network of VAWCCs

Background The South West Region Coordinating Committee (SWRCC) is a regional committee in the Southwest – 8 local VAWCCs SWRCC sent an in Sept 2010 to ask if other VAWCCs would support a proposal to Trillium to fund the forum 27 committees replied right away to say YES!

Background The Trillium proposal was approved and the planning started MCSS provided funding for a two-day planning session in March VAWCCs from across the province sent reps to participate in the planning

Planning Group Together, the group decided that the purpose of the forum was to explore interest in creating a provincial network. They also decided on 4 major forum goals: 1.Understand the history and current state of VAWCCs 2.Projects – to display innovative work 3.Collaboration and Inclusivity – to explore how can we work together 4.Identify Next Steps – action items

Building a Bigger Wave 42 (out of a possible 48) VAW Committees participated at the forum 130 participants Representation from OWD and MCSS Representation from 8 other important stakeholder groups

The full forum report includes 9 Story Maps plus PowerPoints from Presentations Graphic recording was used to capture the discussion points, themes and decisions over the two days.

Pre-forum VAWCC Survey An online survey collected information in advance of the forum about committee structures, challenges and opportunities from VAWCCs across the province Excellent response rate – 62 responses Responses indicated strong support for formation of provincial VAWCC network Survey PPT presentation and full report available

Speakers and Presentations The Honourable Marion Boyd Nneka McGregor, (survivor) – WomenatthecentrE Project Presentations Neighbours, Friends & Work Sexual Violence Action Plan Sisters in Spirit Community Report Cards Ontario Woman Abuse Screening Project

Other Activities Forum Theatre presentation - Another way of knowing and learning that can take us beyond words and cognitive processes. Marketplace to showcase projects / initiatives - 25 VAWCCs shared best practices and innovation from the field Comfy Chair Conversation with three young women who are leaders in their communities

Meaningful Conversations Over the two days there were small and large group discussions about what needs to happen to actually end violence. The dominant discussion point: If we are to end VAW, we need a whole community approach…we want to learn HOW to build a bigger wave TOGETHER!

Meaningful Conversations – Themes* Inclusion is a core value and practice for VAWCCs VAW includes domestic and sexual violence Women with lived experience have a central role Engage youth and men in community work - Mentor future leaders * See the report for expanded theme discussions

Meaningful Conversations - Themes There are both benefits and challenges to collaboration. There are strategies and structures that can help us to build the bigger wave: Information sharing Working together on projects Regional and Provincial networks

Action Items 1.Begin development of the networking mechanisms that will allow for ongoing communication and evolution of the provincial network Create Report-back / PPT for VAWCCs Create a data-base of contact info Create a website

Action Items 2. Achieve something tangible together! Propose / mobilize committees to support Sisters in Spirit campaign – Oct 4, 2012 Our first provincial challenge to see what our combined energies can do!

Action Items 3. Support development of regional committees where local VAWCC are interested

Action Items 4. Develop an implementation plan for the provincial network: Discussion about the mandate, scope, membership of a provincial network How to network with other provincial organizations (OAITH, OCRCC, ONVSP) Discuss with OWD / MCSS re government role for the integration of domestic violence and sexual assault coordination activities

What we need from you now… Questions for VAWCCs Forum participants endorsed (in principle) the idea of creating a provincial network. Now we need the endorsement from VAWCCs. We need your answers to the following questions that are available on the survey monkey. Please assign someone to fill it out on behalf of your committee so that we can move forward. A report-back on the information will be shared

Questions for VAWCCs 1.Can your committee commit to participating in a provincial network? Decision Point: VAWCC agrees to ensure ongoing communication by keeping the provincial distribution list updated and by sharing network information with membership. A contact person is identified.

2. Would the committee be willing to support Sisters in Spirit (SiS) on Oct 4, 2012 to show solidarity and support? (more details will be made available) Does the committee agree that supporting SiS is a tangible first step to see what we can achieve together? Decision Point: VAWCC agrees to attend or hold vigil / or to support Sisters in Spirit in some way Questions for local VAWCCs

3. Assuming the committee supports the creation of a network – does your committee support SWRCC continuing to seek funding to support the network development? Decision Point: VAWCC agrees to provide letter of support for funding requests (template can be provided) Questions for local VAWCCs

4. Would your committee be interested in participating as a member of a small working group (n.10-12) to develop a network implementation plan? The planning day would be March 27 th 2012 in Toronto if (year-end) funding is available. We would look for diverse representation from across the province Questions for VAWCCs

Questions for local VAWCCs 5. The SWRCC is willing to continue to hold the network centre for information to flow in and out of while a more long term solution is found Does that seem ok? Are you in agreement with this?

Summary: Building the Network All VAWCCs reply to this PPT on Survey Monkey: Assuming support - Develop an implementation plan – convene a small workgroup in March if funding is available Distribute Forum Report (SWRCC currently seeking funds for hard copy release / will include French translation )

Summary: Building the Network Launch Website: Building a Bigger Wave: Provincial VAWCC Network Compile and share VAWCC distribution list Seek funding to implement the network Build the bigger wave!