coastal communities network

Coastal Communities Network

A Large Voice for Rural Nova Scotia

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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


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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


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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


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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.


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1995FirstIssue1995Fundedby NSEducation


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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!


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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


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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


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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


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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


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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


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04/00-03/01 Chair: Arthur Bull

• CCN Coordinates Lighthouse Day. - Province declares Lighthouse Day - CCN on Breakfast TV - Local events organizedMoratorium on demolition of lighthouses gained • Celebrated first CCN Proud Community Awards.


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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


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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.


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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


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RCIP Goal

Partnership with Dalhousie University through SSHRC

Building tools to help communities change Policies

5 year projectResponded to community need as people

ready to move forward but hitting head against policies


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Nov.Nov.

20032003


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Community Training

Community Training:

Over 1,600 people trained on how to change policies


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Between the Land & the SeaThe Social and Economic Importance of Wharves & Harbours for Nova Scotia Released January 2004


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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


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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


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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


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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


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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


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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


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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.


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04/06-03/07 Chair: Wendy• 2007 Rural Policy Forum:

Rural Development AssessmentOperational 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.


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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 CCNRoles and Goals

• Rural communities need these services and supports• CCN has done a good job of providing them

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

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.


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Recommendations

• Primary Goals:

• Network & facilitate collaboration among rural organizations & sectors

• Provide education & training for leadership & organizational development


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Recommended Primary Activities:

• Board Meetings • Policy Forums & AGMs

• Learning Circles or Clusters • Leverage Assets (e.g. RCIP) • Communications (Web Page, Magazine, etc)


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Responsive Goals and Activities

• Taking Direction from Membership and Rural Communities:

• Research & Consultation Projects

• Policy Engagement


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Recommendations – O & O Review


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Is a Large Voice for Rural Nova Scotia

Coastal Communities Network

is


www.coastalcommunities.ns.ca

coastal communities network

Documents

rural nova scotiaa large

rural citizensa large

democratica large voice

crossroadsa large voice

national rural dialogue

don eileenccn members

new members

wharf issue