Blog

The Centre Wellington Community Foundation (CWCF) published our first ever Vital Signs report in 2015. The report was designed to take the pulse of our community and to help identify key areas where action and attention is needed most. The process was first discussed here on the ROI Blog. 

In the report we examined the following three areas: Gap Between Rich and Poor; Belonging and Leadership; and Arts and Culture. An interesting point made clear during the process was that “belonging” can be a stand-alone category as easily as it can fit into all other categories. What gives people a sense of belonging to a community? If you can’t afford a sufficient quantity of affordable, nutritious food, what happens to your sense of community? If there are not enough affordable activities for people to participate in, does that isolate people in our community? A positive outcome of our Vital Signs report was to bring together diverse people and organizations from the community in what are called “Vital Conversations.” These helped the CWCF and the community focus on specific topics.

What happens now that we have produced a successful and well-received Vital Signs report? In the post-report process we are using consultations and Vital Conversations to help move the community to action on specific items identified in the report. As you would expect, those issues are not necessarily the same for everyone. The process is ongoing and we’d like to encourage more people to read and comment on the report. Better yet, we need more community minded people to get involved in the process with whatever time, talent, network, or financial resources you have to offer. Join the conversation and contact us on twitter, facebook, raymond@cwcfoundation.ca, or by phone 888-713-4083. 

The official launch date for this year’s Vital Signs reports is during Vital Signs week from October 3rd- 7th. A total of 28 community foundations across Canada will launch their local reports. Community Foundations of Canada will also be releasing a national report focused on the importance of “belonging” in our communities.

Read more about about Vital Signs.

The CWCF is one of eight community collaboration projects participating in ROI’s Measuring Rural Community Vitality (MRCV). We are grateful for the support of ROI and for the opportunity to contribute our data and experience towards this ROI initiative. The MRCV has made us feel that we belong to a greater Community effort.

_______________________________________________

Guest blog provided by The Centre Wellington Community Foundation. CWCF is a proud member of Community Foundations of Canada, Canada’s vibrant and growing network of over 191 community foundations from coast to coast to coast.