Coastal Communities Network

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

A Large Voice for Rural Nova Scotia 1999 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

A Large Voice for Rural Nova Scotia 1999 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

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

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

A Large Voice for Rural Nova Scotia 04/2001- 03/02 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

A Large Voice for Rural Nova Scotia 04/2001- 03/02 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

A Large Voice for Rural Nova Scotia

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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 www.coastalcommunities.ns.ca A Large Voice for Rural Nova Scotia