imagineCALGARY All Partner Meeting March 24th

It has been more than two years since the imagineCALGARY Partnership was formalized, and Partners started to work towards achieving the imagineCALGARY vision. A lot has been accomplished since then – but more work still needs to be done to achieve true sustainability throughout the community.

Next month, an event is being organized to help the Partnership gain momentum in achieving its goals. The All Partner Meeting on March 24th is being developed to re-energize and empower Partners in their efforts to create a sustainable community. Hosted at the Fish Creek Library in SE Calgary, this event promises an opportunity for Partners to learn more about progress-to-date within the imagineCALGARY Partnership – and how they can make a difference in the future.

“This All Partner Meeting is an opportunity for Partners to discuss how to get more involved in the imagineCALGARY Partnership and in turn to help shape the future of our city,” says John Lewis, Coordinator of the Communications and Awareness Committee. “Through this meeting we’re hoping to generate momentum, enthusiasm and a focus for sustainability activities in the future.”

Hosted by the imagineCALGARY Partnership Committees (Collaborative Action, Steering and Communications and Awareness) the All Partner Meeting will include an overview of the Partnership, including successes to date and plans for the future. The focus will be on Partners identifying how they can actively contribute to a number of Partnership priorities.

A series of group discussions will be offered to provide direction and strategy for the future. Partners will be asked to participate in the conversations of their choice from five priority areas identified in the Steering Committee’s Engagement and Recruitment Action Plan, including:

1	Engagement events – how can your organization benefit by participating in imagineCALGARY engagement events?
2	Communication – what successes or lessons learned can you share with the imagineCALGARY Partnership?
3	Promotion – how can Partners contribute to, and benefit from, promoting the imagineCALGARY Partnership?
4	Recruiting new Partners – are you interested in being involved in Partner recruitment?
5	Participating in imagineCALGARY Committees – can your organization benefit from being involved in an imagineCALGARY Committee?

In a recent survey of imagineCALGARY Partners, many noted the value of the imagineCALGARY Partnership within the community – and the desire to see more engagement, momentum and activity in the future. “The entire citizenry shares the responsibility and benefit of helping Calgary to become a vibrant and sustainable city,” said one Partner. “The imagineCALGARY initiative is a great way for different stakeholders to come together toward this end.”

In hosting the All Partner Meeting, imagineCALGARY Committee members are hoping to provide more opportunities for collaboration around sustainability initiatives. “The diversity of Partners involved and the shared commitment to the direction set in the imagineCALGARY Plan creates valuable networks that move us as a city toward sustainability,” says Nancy MacKenzie of the Collaborative Action Committee, and The Calgary Public Library. “During the All Partner Meeting, there will be a focus on showcasing progress within the Partnership, as well as discussing opportunities for Partners to collaborate in the future to achieve imagineCALGARY targets.”

One of the important benefits of the All Partner Meeting will be the opportunity to encourage Partners to share ideas, and perhaps look at sustainability from a new point-of-view. “I think of the imagineCALGARY Partnership as contributing to an ‘infrastructure’ that enhances social interaction in Calgary,” says Wayne McCready of The University of Calgary, and Co-Chair of the Steering Committee. “Ray Oldenburg in The Great Good Place (1999) suggests that ‘great good places’ encourage the habit of association and informal public life that uniquely create community. These places differ from our homes and where we work. Parks, playgrounds, public buildings, community centres, town squares, sidewalk patios – even public transportation encourages social interaction not found at work or in our regular home settings. The imagineCALGARY Partnership is about helping to create and affirm ‘great good places’ for Calgary.”

The All Partner Meeting will take place on Wed., Mar. 24th, from 10 a.m. to noon at the Fish Creek Library, 11161 Bonaventure Drive SE).

There is no cost to attend the All Partner Meeting, but space is limited. Please register in advance by emailing John Lewis at john@intelligentfutures.ca.

Look for a full recap of the event in the April edition of the imagineCALGARY e-news.