Round-Table 11.20.2017

Monday, November 20, 2017 | 6:30-8:30 p.m. | Connaught Public School, 28 Prince Street
Facilitated by Suzanne Veenstra, NPI Convener

• Introductions around the table with “rose and thorns” of Queenston
  
  • Rose
    
    • roundtable (5 mentions)
      
    • attempts to buy/clean up property next to Uhaul.
      
    • showing signs of improvement in the neighbourhood (3 mentions)
      
    • staircase on Gale Crescent
      
    • road construction/improvements
      
    • bike lanes on Queenston
      
    • neighbourhood association in Fitzgerald
      
    • people known by name
      
    • Westview Church
      
    • progress in the community….people want to see change
      
    • Barabite Elves – Salvation Army
      
    • diversity, colourful
      
  • Thorns
    
    • reputation of parks (drugs, crime, prostitution)
      
    • reputation of community (to outsiders)
      
    • diverse population can create challenges
      
    • 2 hours of public transit to Hamilton
      
    • litter
      
    • apathetic attitudes
      
    • graffiti on Goodwill building
      
  • Best thing in the neighbourhood
    
    • Connaught School
      
    • bike lanes
      
    • property care (curb appeal improvements)
      
    • Westview Centre for Women
      
    • people fixing up facades of houses
      
    • Gale Crescent Park (community garden, frisbee golf)
      
• Collective agreement reviewed
  
• Recap of Task Group planning for the November 30th Public Meeting
  
  • 4:30-6:30pm, gym of Connaught School
    
  • Roundtable participants come at 4pm
    
  • Maps to divide distribution of door knocker invites
    
  • Volunteers for various roles at the public meeting
    
    • info table,
      
    • surveys
      
    • flip charts
      
    • asset mapping
      
    • set up
      
    • pizza
      
    • clean up
      
    • door knocker invites
      

• Outcomes from public meeting discussed
  
  • How are we going to share the information we are gathering with the public?
    
    • ideas were website, facebook page, brochures,
      
  • Discussion to come to an agreement and post the timeline to our social media accounts, but first it was decided that we wanted to gather more community members into our roundtable before we make decisions collectively
    
• Instead of waiting until January, collectively we want to keep the momentum going! December 4th NEXT ROUNDTABLE and Saturday December 16, 9-11am Santa/Coffee/Hot Chocolate Meet and Greet in SMUN parking lot, propane campfire….invites to both of these events for everyone at the public meeting through fliers, personal invites.
  
• Matt from Hamilton shared how his community of Beasley has done community development over the last 10 years using Asset Based Community Development (ABCD).
  
  • The way we look at our neighbourhood, changing from looking at problems and improvements to engaging with what is good and what you want to see
    
  • His neighbourhood wanted
    
    • Healthier/safer
      
    • Connection
      
    • Business/economic improvement
      
    • Neigbourhood design
      
  • Hamilton Community Land Trust (born out of Beasley) purchases land for $1 and builds affordable housing
    
  • Limits – some issues not addressed, and always be aware of who is not at the table
    
  • Community benefit agreement (policy nerds)
    
  • Beasley has Police involved by giving 5 minute stat updates at beginning of meeting, and they stress positive relationship building
    
  • Do things outside together (coffee pour over, yard sales, Halloween parties, birthdays, etc…) community that works and celebrates together
    
• NEXT MEETING: Monday, December 4th
  
• NEXT MEET & GREET: Saturday, December 16