Exploring Community Level Governance
Thursday, October 16, 2003 from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. at the Burnaby Association for Community Inclusion [2702 Norland Avenue in Burnaby]

The Interim Authority for Community Living British Columbia, in partnership with the BC Association for Community Living [BCACL] and the Community Living Coalition [CLC] is pleased to announce a joint workshop that will explore the concept and implementation of community level governance.  As part of its work in designing a new community service and support system for adults with developmental disabilities, and children with special needs and their families, the Interim Authority has begun to think about how governance of the permanent community living authority can be extended to local communities throughout the province. 

John Lord, a researcher, community organizer and parent from Ontario will facilitate this workshop to work with community members to define the key elements in developing successful community governance.

As well, Doug Walls, acting CEO of the Interim Authority, will present the Interim Authority Board’s current thinking on this important topic, including:

1. Evolution of governance – how do we recognize and empower it at the community level?
2. Form of governance – what could it look like and is it the same for all communities?
3. Role – what are possible areas of responsibility?
4. Membership – who might be involved in community governance and how do we acknowledge or appoint them?
5. Maintaining independence – how do we avoid compromising the independence built into the future system?
6. Decision-making – how could it work?

The session will also examine 4 factors that are key to securing and maintaining community involvement:

1. Transparency of budget and expenditures.
2. Input into budget and spending priorities.
3. Input into selection and retention of staff.
4. Encouragement and support for local creativity and innovation.

This workshop will be the first in a series of workshops that the Interim Authority will hold in partnership with the BCACL and the CLC in communities across BC.  Dates and locations of meetings outside the lower mainland will be announced in the near future.

BCACL has a limited amount of funding in its Pathways to Citizenship Project [funded by HRDC] available to assist a number of family members and self-advocates to attend the workshop. For information and to apply for a travel subsidy, please contact Athena Adan at BCACL at 604-875-1119 or aadan@bcacl.org by October 6^th.

Space is limited so please RSVP to Darcy at 604-660-3450 or darcy.barr@interimauthorityclbc.ca.  We look forward to your participation in this workshop!

Interim Authority for Community Living British Columbia - www.interimauthorityclbc.ca
British Columbia Association for Community Living - www.bcacl.org 
Community Living Coalition - www.communitylivingcoalition.bc.ca