Sponsors Summer 2009

The following is a list of sponsors for this blog:

1. Canada Summer Jobs
2. FACTS
3. Collaborative Information Networks

Tri Community Networks (Spruce Grove, Stony Plain, Parkland County)

2010-2012 BUDGET SUBMISSION

SUBMITTED BY: FACTS (Family And Community Twining Society)

DESCRIPTION OF PROPOSAL:

We propose to work with the three municipalities mentioned above, and community groups to continue developing online community networks, to complement in person networking, so that more people can be involved in building community in areas such as Education, City planning, heritage and other community networks. see Towards Deliberative Public Dialogue

OBJECTIVE:

To partner with the City of Spruce Grove, and other community organizations to continue developing online networks that will provide opportunities for more people to be involved in community life.

DISCUSSION:

Background:

FACTS was formed as a result of the Tri-Smart proposal. This proposal advocated developing and using smart technology for economic and people prosperity. We are forming various “FACTSnet” networks mostly “Uniting for Children and Youth” and heritage networks (See links in attached email).

FACTS has made various presentations to the City to form community networks with limited success. The Google blogger technology we use makes it possible for community organizations to participate at minimal expense (the time it takes to do it). The blogger networking system developed by FACTS allows for participation at various levels (see FACTSnet link).

Proposal:

Based on the City’s “Bright New Future” and other initiatives and FACTSnet initiatives it is proposed that the City participate in community networks being developed and that they have their staff trained to be FACTSnet Coordinators, who could coordinate and/or participate in community networks for:

1. Community planning,

2. Heritage planning needs to be part of community planning (see previous presentations to council Spruce Grove Heritage network(s) could contribute to heritage planning for the City and the tri-municipal region and the province. See our Tri-Heritage Summer program.

3. Uniting for Children and Youth.

4. Other community initiatives.

FINANCIAL IMPACT:

If we want to have an immediate impact, network development and getting community participation needs to be a priority. The budget is flexible depending on level of participation. Once training and network set up is complete networks should be self funded and possibly provide a source of income. Once initial networks are developed, participation in networks by City staff would be offset by the benefits gained from participation. On going costs for participation of City staff, community organizations and the public are voluntary and are not considered in the following budget estimates:

Training	5000
Network development	6000
Total	11000

CORE STRATEGIES:

This project contributes to the Building Community objectives as follows:

1. To foster residents' civic spirit, pride and active community commitment in Spruce Grove.

Genuine network participation will go meeting this objective.

2. To contribute to a culture that cares for and respects all citizens - regardless of age, income or background.

Networks could involve all citizens. Some will need assistance to participate.

3. To maintain and enhance civic and community facilities, parks, open spaces and services that contribute to an outstanding quality of life.

Planning networks could facilitate community involvement.

4. To support neighbourhood beautification.

Neighbourhood networks could contribute to this objective.

Pictures & links for budget presentation 08

Value Based Medium

Woodhaven Middle School Values

Premier Ed Stelmach: La Vie Society Engaging the City — Moral Convictions in Public Life

Heritage Summer Index

"If destruction be our lot we must ourselves be its author and finisher. As a nation of free men we must live through all time, or die by suicide." Abraham Lincoln (Unverified quote received by email.)

Budget Submission 2008

PUBLIC SUBMISSION

2008-2010 BUDGET

TITLE OF PROPOSAL: Spruce Grove Community Networks

SUBMITTED BY: FACTS (Family And Community Twining Society)

DESCRIPTION OF PROPOSAL:

We propose to work with the City and community groups to form online community networks, to complement in person networking, so that more people can be involved in building community in areas such as City planning, heritage and community groups.

OBJECTIVE:

To partner with the City of Spruce Grove, and other community organizations to set up online networks that will provide opportunities for more people to be involved in community life.

DISCUSSION:

Background:

FACTS was formed as a result of the Tri-Smart proposal. This proposal advocated developing and using smart technology for economic and people prosperity. As a result to this proposal an initial Uniting for Children network was developed prior to FACTS being formed. With the formation of FACTS network development has focused on heritage networks as illustrated in our Tri-Heritage Summer program. FACTS has made various presentations to the City to form community networks with limited success. During this past year FACTS has be developing Google blogger networks. Using Google makes it possible for community organizations to put up a website at minimal expense (the time it takes to do it). The blogger networking system developed by FACTS allows for participation at various levels as follows:

Commenter – anyone with Internet access can comment and vote on any open network blog.

Contributor – individuals need to be invited to contribute to a blog by the blog coordinator. They can request to be a contributor.

Coordinator – can edit other people’s and posts and delete inappropriate comments. Bog contributors can become coordinators by an existing coordinator providing permission.

Consultants – have full access to several blogs and can start new blogs in their network. Consultants also provide training for contributors, coordinators and new consultants. The FACTSnet blog coordinator, coordinates all FACTS networks.

To move from a commenter to contributor, to consultant requires a three-hour training session at each level.

Proposal:

Based on MetroQuest and the Tri-Smart proposal FACTS is proposing that the City sponsor initial advertising, network development and training. Experience with Metro Quest’s online and group participation can be used to develop plans for advertising, and community participation. Concepts from the Tri-Smart proposal could be used to guide network development as follows:

January – April 2009: Initial training and network development

May – August 2009: Employing youth for network development

Sept.09 – Dec. 2010: Community participation and ongoing network development.

Jan 2011 - : Ongoing network participation and development

Network Development:

1. The first network blog to be developed could be an overall community network which could replace our Spruce Grove FACTS blog.
2. The next group of networks to be developed could be community planning networks, which would be a follow up to Spruce Grove (Metro)Quest.
3. Heritage planning needs to be part of community planning (see previous presentations to council Spruce Grove Heritage network(s) could contribute to heritage planning for the City and the tri-municipal region and the province. See our Tri-Heritage Summer program.
4. A revival of the Uniting for Children and Youth Network could follow.
5. Then a network of community organizations could follow (see the FCSS 2003 Community Resource List).

FINANCIAL IMPACT:

If we want to have an immediate impact, network development and getting community participation needs to be a priority. This part of the budget is flexible. The training sessions are not flexible. The office space for the project is to house a provincial networking and digital archiving center. Once the project is complete this should be self funded and provide a source of income. Once initial networks are developed participation in networks by City staff would be offset by the benefits gained from participation. Since the cost for participation of City staff, community organizations and the public is voluntary; it is not considered in the following budget estimates:

Training	5400
Employment of Youth	14000
Network development	6000
Advertising & promotions (see MetroQuest)*
Office space and equipment use	12000
Total	37400

* This budget item to be determined. It would be similar to the costs for MetroQuest.

FACTS is also applying for matching funds for all budget items except for advertising.

CORE STRATEGIES:

This project contributes to the Building Community objectives as follows:
1. To foster residents' civic spirit, pride and active community commitment in Spruce Grove.
Genuine network participation will go meeting this objective.
2. To contribute to a culture that cares for and respects all citizens - regardless of age, income or background.
Networks could involve all citizens. Some will need assistance to participate.
3. To maintain and enhance civic and community facilities, parks, open spaces and services that contribute to an outstanding quality of life.
Planning networks could facilitate community involvement in this network.
4. To support neighbourhood beautification.
Neighbourhood networks could contribute to this objective.

Planning Consultations (Task Force)

Re: Public consultations on City Planning, especially heritage planning

Further to MetroQuest and the decision to demolish the Little Church, and other factors, FACTS would like to present the need for public consultations on City planning. MetroQuest was a good start to dialogue on the issues involved but it did not provide a forum for dialogue on specifics like, building a replica of the Little Church or other options for that site. The Kinsmen and FACTS and others have expressed an interest in participating in this dialogue. The Little Church is only one of many heritage issues facing the City. In this presentation to council, FACTS would like to review some of these issues and recommend that a task force or some other means of public consultation on City (heritage) planning be initiated. Further more, we would like to suggest that demolition of the Little Church be held off at least until next spring to give the task force time to consider the options for use of that site. Also the mandate of the task force be to seek public input and dialogue from as many sources as possible on a broad range of issues involved in City planning.

Should we save the 1908 house (One of the first houses built in Spruce Grove)?

Please vote (see right hand column). Also see info. below including links to the history book (picture above from the history book).

This is one of two houses built that year, which were the first houses built in Spruce Grove. Farm houses were built earlier, in what is now Spruce Grove but these were the first houses built on surveyed lots - click on pages 49 and 50 from the history book for more information and map locating the house (number 2 on the map).

Bloggers in Spruce Grove

Go to our profile and then click on Spruce Grove to see all of us. The other community group using blogger is Horizon Stage see links at the right. We would like to see more community groups using blogger as it provides a common place for us to meet online. Contact us if you want help setting up a blogspot.

Voting, New Blogs, Posting, & Email List

You can vote on questions possed by the blog team or submitred by participants. The first question is "Will people use the site?". Please vote in right hand column.

We hope to have others post to this site and comment on our postings. If we get several people interested in a specific topic such as the Agrena Parking Taskforce, we will start a separate blog for them.

Also if you want to post something, ask question (questions can be made after each posting as well), or get on our email list send us an email facts@gaggle.net