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Denmark Community Resource Network Forum June 17, 2007

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Community Resource Network forum - Friday 8 June 2007

All members of the Denmark community were invited to attend a day long Community Forum on Friday 08 June 2007 that was hosted by the Denmark Health Community Project’s, Community Resource Network (CRN) committee.

More than 40 people aged from eight to 75 attended and among the Forum participants were seven Denmark High School students who also enthusiastically contributed their vision, thoughts and ideas.

The Aims of the Forum were to define the plan for a community centre so it becomes a shared vision which will have the potential to unite and empower our community; maximum the usefulness of a proposed community centre; and build a shared Philosophy, Mission, Values, Objectives and some broad strategies for a Community Resource Network.
codi-chontelle-sage-forum2007.jpg
Denmark High School student participants

Forum participants were invited to: contribute ideas; voice their needs and wants; suggest solutions and ways to meet their own needs [&/or those of their group]; and tell the CRN committee of skills they would like to learn and those they have to offer.

The Forum was a great success, achieving its aims and participant’s expectations.  The main outcomes included guidance for the CRN in community expectations of a community hub.  Participants worked together to generate Values statements and Visioning.  Common words and themes are: Welcoming, Sharing, Friendly, Safe, Fun, Central, Inclusive, Supportive and Respectful.  Participants indicated that for them the three most useful things from the day were: the ideas put forward; networking; and sharing vision and finding common ground exists.

Josephine Lebbing and Julie Quicke presented their original concepts that have been at the heart of the Community Resource Network and Hub model.  Josephine spoke of Volunteering Support & Community Group Development and Julie described her vision for an Information, Resources and Referral (a one stop shop for information) Service; all provided in a safe, non judgmental environment where people can be heard and confidentiality is assured.

An exercise that scanned and drew out the vast knowledge of the Forum participants about Denmark Environs has generated comprehensive lists that will avoid duplication of services and wasted or strained resources.  This knowledge will greatly assist planning and the setup of a Community Resource Network/Hub.  The activity clearly demonstrated an extensive number of stakeholders, potential partners and collaborators.

As a direct result of the Denmark High School students’ participation in the Forum, they have been invited to participate in the inaugural international conference: Children & Young People are Key Stakeholders .

The CRN working party/committee is meeting regularly and moving forward with the business of establishing a formal, sustainable entity.  Values and Vision statements contributed by the Forum participants are directly forming the Community Resource Network’s Mission, Vision and Values statements within the Business plan.

Forum participants who signed up on the day and others, who have expressed interest, are assisting the CRN members and building capacity through their diverse experience as proactive members of the Denmark Community.

The Community Resource Network thanks all who participated in the Denmark Community Forum on the day, those who would liked to have attended but couldn’t, and all who have offered and given   support - sometimes in unexpected and creative ways.

INTRODUCTION

In late 2006, responses to a survey conducted by the Healthway funded three-year Denmark Health Community Project indicated that the people of Denmark wanted increased access to information about local services to facilitate working together.  Poor communication processes and the lack of effective community consultation were flagged as priority issues effecting the health of the Denmark community.

On Friday 08 June 2007 a day long Community Forum was hosted by the Denmark Health Community Project’s, Community Resource Network committee.  More than 40 people aged from eight to seventy-five attended the morning session with about half able to stay on for the whole day.  Among the participants who enthusiastically contributed their thoughts and ideas at the Forum, were seven Denmark High School students.

All members of the Denmark community were invited to attend the Forum and the consultative action directly addressed three of the 12 Objectives of the Combined Denmark Healthy Community Project Action Plan 2007 – 2008:

Invitations

To reach as many of the Denmark community as possible the Community Resource Network (CRN) committee prepared and distributed a variety of Community Forum invitations including a poster and an advertisement that was run free of charge by the local newspaper “The Denmark Bulletin”.  Those who responded or made enquires were provided with a Briefing Paper (see Appendices 1-4).

On the day, most participants indicated that they had heard of the Community Forum by word of mouth and had found the Briefing Paper useful.

Forum Aims

The Aims of the Forum as stated in the Briefing Paper were:
With community input we aim to define the plan for a community centre so it becomes a shared vision which will have the potential to unite and empower our community;
By involving the broader community we aim to maximum the usefulness of a proposed community centre; and
To build a shared Philosophy, Mission, Values, Objectives and some broad strategies for a Community Resource Network.

Forum participants were invited to:

Forum Facilitation

The Denmark Health Community Project is an Associate Member of Learning Centre Link (LCL), the state association for Community, Neighbourhood and Learning Centres in WA.  LCL offer advice, information, networking opportunities and encouragement to assist with setting up new centres and help established centres to run programs that meet the needs of the community.  LCL, who offers guest speakers and trainers, provided two facilitators for the Forum.  Ground rules were established for the day and participants were invited to contribute freely; beginning with an expression of their expectations for the day.

Participant’s Expectations

As recorded on the day:

An Ideas Parking Bay was set up to capture ideas, arising from discussions, which were outside the central aims of the day.  People were encouraged to write down [park] their ideas on a large sheet of paper.  An additional benefit was that during the day fellow participants offered some solutions and responses to this sheet.  The Community Resource Network will continue this process; especially during planning and setup.

OUTCOMES

Values

Once again the Forum facilitators used a nominal group process and encouraged participants to record values statements on sticky notes.  The most common words used to express values were:

Welcoming 5
Sharing 4
Friendly 3
Safe 3
Fun 2
Central 2
Inclusive 2
Supportive 2
Respectful 2

A full list of the Values is Appended (5) .

Visioning

In five small groups, participants considered:  ‘What is it (the Community Hub) going to feel like?’  ‘What are the values underpinning your ideas?’  ‘What are some key words and phrases?’  They were asked to write an answer into one short sentence.

Five similar statements arose:

Presentation of Concepts

At this stage two concepts that have been the catalyst for, and form the basis of, the Community Resource Network were presented by their authors.

Josephine Lebbing spoke of the many passionate and skilled people in Denmark who give their time on a voluntary basis to community projects and groups.

The following are excerpts from Julie Quicke’s presentation.

Other Interest Groups
Other interest groups were then invited to outline their concepts.  Jim Lillywhite described the
Denmark High School projects for mentoring; education and training; and community partnerships and service.  It was as participants in this program that the seven Denmark High School students were able to contribute so vitally to the Forum.

Sarah Martin told Forum participants about WHIRL and brought many of the excellent books available.

Visual Representations

In answer to the question, “What will the Community Hub look like?” small groups gathered again and drew visual representations.

A member from each group then talked the participants through the visual concepts.  Each person was given three dots to stick onto the drawing that best fitted with their own perceptions.

Denmark Environs Scan

To avoid duplication of services and wasted or strained resources, a brainstorming exercise was undertaken where small groups moved between stations and wrote on large sheets of paper in response to the following questions:

The comprehensive lists gathered from this exercise will greatly assist planning and the setup of a Community Resource Network/Hub.  The exercise clearly demonstrated an extensive number of stakeholders, potential partners and collaborators.

Objectives

In order to further determine the community’s perceptions of a Community Hub participants were asked:

The following objectives, strategies and activities were put forward:

Evaluation

A Feedback Form (Appendix 6) was available to all Forum participants.  In those completed and returned, participants indicated that for them the three most useful things from the day were:

Community Resource Network committee is working with the seven Denmark community members who entered their contact details onto a form to indicate their willingness to contribute their skills and knowledge to the further development of the Community Resource Network following the Forum.

Unexpected Outcome

As a direct result of the Denmark High School students’ participation in the Forum, they have been invited to participate in the inaugural international conference: https://www.caypaks.com  This conference aims to attract upwards of 300 Australasian participants including children and young people from a wide range of life experience, practice, professional and research backgrounds.  Its purpose is to contribute significantly to our understanding of children, young people and their families in the community, and factors which impact on their wellbeing as stakeholders in policy, programs and service delivery.  The Conference will be a multi-faceted event showcasing latest research, practice and policy issues.

WHERE TO FROM HERE?

One of the final activities of the Forum was to draw up a timeline of actions to take place within - two weeks, one month and two months.  The timeline is being used by the Community Resource Network committee to ensure that the expectations of the Forum participants are met.  For example within two weeks, information from Forum was collated and the Draft Report prepared.  Within one month a press article and email will be sent out regarding the Forum and by August 2007 a Draft Proposal will be under consideration by the CRN committee for a presentation to the Shire of Denmark regarding a Community Resource Network/Community Hub.

The CRN is defining the statements that will explain clearly the long term vision: WHAT will actually be done; WHAT values to work by; WHAT outcomes to aim for; HOW to achieve them; and HOW to measure success.

The Community Resource Network group are putting time and effort into the process of building strong business foundations for the Community Hub project.  Strong foundations will ensure the Hub will be viable and able to develop in step with the Denmark community, continuing to be relevant to the member’s needs and aspirations.

Alongside the planning process the CRN will be supporting community events which share the essence of the vision developed at the Denmark Community Forum.

Progress updates about the Community Resource Network (& Hub) will be sent on a regular basis - approx bi-monthly and usually via email - to interested community members, supporters and stakeholders.

APPENDIX ONE

Invitation

Community Resource Network

COMMUNITY FORUM

Developing the Denmark community through skill-sharing, training and support.

We are a group, under the umbrella of the Denmark Healthy Community Project, who share a vision for a community hub, a comfortable, friendly place to access information, to assist individuals and groups in meeting their needs and fulfilling their aspirations.

Our aim is to link people and groups who deliver similar or complimentary services, to become a network, sharing skills, knowledge and resources, and to promote volunteering.

Learning Centre Link (LCL), the state association for community, neighbourhood and learning centres in WA, are facilitating a one day visioning and planning forum to enable the community to develop shared values and objectives.

We need your input to refine the concept for a community hub so it becomes a great vision which will empower and unite our community. The day has been designed in two parts, first will be visioning and the second will be planning. We invite you to attend the whole day or just the first part of the day.

LCL will supply ongoing support to the Denmark Resource Network to open a community hub in a central location, in the near future. If you are interested in discovering more, and perhaps entering into deeper involvement, why not come along and hear more about this exciting concept.

* When: Friday 8th June 2007, between 9am to 4pm with refreshments provided.
* Where: Denmark Centre for Sustainable Living, South Coast Hwy next to TAFE

For more information please contact Josephine on 98483143
This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it   or Von on 98409122 or 98483310 This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it

Kindly take more flyers if you have friends who you believe will also be interested.

Registration essential, please hand the completed form to a Community Resource Network member, or in the box provided, or place it in Community Resource Network box in the Library

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Yes I am very interested in attending the Community Resource Network Forum on 8th June 2007 at the Denmark Centre for Sustainable Living.

Name ______________________________________Phone contact________________________

Email_______________________________________

Please tick …………full day……………part day
Please note a box is in the library for this tear-off form

APPENDIX TWO

Poster

COMMUNITY FORUM

PRESENTED BY LEARNING CENTRE LINK WA
IN THE    DENMARK CENTRE FOR SUSTAINABLE LIVING
SOUTH COAST HIGHWAY   NEXT TO TAFE
Park in high school car park
9AM TO 4PM    FRIDAY JUNE 8TH 2007

REFRESHMENTS PROVIDED
REGISTRATION ESSENTIAL
Deadline to register Wednesday 6th June 2007
Please book CHILD CARE

WE VALUE YOUR IDEAS IN ESTABLISHING A CENTRAL OFFICE TO CO-ORDINATE SERVICE PROVIDERS AND VOLUNTEERS PLEASE COME AND USE YOUR CHANCE FOR INPUT DURING THIS FORMATIVE STAGE

REGISTRATION FORMS IN LIBRARY
Or phone/email
9840 9122        HYPERLINK “mailto: This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it ” This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it

THIS IS A DENMARK HEALTHY COMMUNITY PROJECT INITIATIVE

APPENDIX THREE

Briefing Paper

Community Resource Network
(Working Title)

DENMARK COMMUNITY FORUM

Friday 08 June 2007
Centre for Sustainable Living Introduction
Responses to the Denmark Healthy Community Project (DHCP) survey in late 2006 indicated that the people of Denmark wanted to increase access to information about local services to facilitate working together. Poor communication processes and the lack of effective community consultation were also flagged as priority issues effecting the health of the Denmark community.

We are a group of people who have come together through the DHCP to discuss ideas for a community/ volunteer/ information and resource centre in Denmark. The working title we are using is Community Resource Network (CRN). We share a vision for a community hub, a place to share skills, access information, resources, training and support to assist people and groups to realise and work towards meeting their needs and aspirations.

By developing partnerships with individuals, groups or organisations we aim to become a network that saves people time and energy and delivers countless benefits by having a single point of contact.  Very importantly, this shared space would foster unity in our community.

At the Forum, we want to create the philosophical foundations for a community hub. We will define our vision and values statements which will provide a framework in which we will work.

We will begin to work out the basic service and operational details. What do people believe is needed in Denmark in the way of a community resource hub? What will this place look like? Then we’ll consider what needs to be done, where we start and who is going to do what.

In time, as we become established and build a good track record, we envisage different areas of the hub will develop. These may be in the form of new complementary services, partnerships, projects or groups. They would share similar visions, values or target groups and may come under the CRN umbrella, be independent, or just share a building.

At this stage the concept for the Community Resource Network (CRN) is made up of two service areas:

Volunteering & Community Group Development

There are over 70 community groups in Denmark and many community projects all covering a wide range of interest areas. All needing a range of resources, including volunteers with specific skills.

This service aims to gather together resources and develop a pool of volunteers, mentors, facilitators and trainers who have an interest or specialized skills, in areas which can be utilized by community groups and projects.

Individuals and groups are invited to express their needs for accessing resources, support and training in areas such as: volunteer management; legal obligations; insurance; risk management; financial management; grants applications; sponsorship; and fundraising.

We also aim to celebrate and promote volunteering and raise the profile of all the different ways people participate and contribute to our community for no monetary reward. Some of the ideas that have been discussed are: an online database where community groups and projects can promote themselves and their volunteers; a ‘Volunteers Ball’ and public or community art projects to celebrate the volunteer contribution to the community.

Information, Resource & Referral

There is an amazing amount of information ‘out there’, but for many varied and complex reasons some people find accessing that information difficult or even impossible.

This service aims to develop networks that empower individuals by giving supported access to information and resources and referral to appropriate service providers.  We will provide confidential assistance and support, tailored to each person’s individual needs at a personal, face to face meeting or via the telephone with trained staff, and on a website.

Networking with groups and organisations will ensure services will not be duplicated. Where another service is able to respond to the persons needs, they will be referred on to that particular service.

People may need to access information, resources or service providers around issues regarding: law/family law; housing/tenants; family and relationships; education and training; health and mental health; support groups; emergency relief; domestic violence.

It is expected that these will grow and change according to the requirements of the community.
Over time we will begin to get a picture of what type of services and support are lacking in our community and have the concrete evidence to inform us on addressing these short falls.

This Forum is facilitated by Learning Centre Link

Learning Centre Link is the state association for Community, Neighbourhood and Learning Centres in WA.  Their role is to offer advice, information, networking opportunities and encouragement.  To assist with setting up new centres and help established centres to run programs that meet the needs of the community.  And they can provide guest speakers, trainers and facilitators.

‘We aim to define a plan for a community hub so it becomes a shared vision which will have the potential to empower individuals and unite our community’

By getting together with the broader community we aim to maximum the usefulness of a proposed community hub.

As community members and forum participants you are invited to:

  • contribute ideas
  • voice your needs and wants
  • suggest solutions and ways to meet the needs of you &/or your group
  • tell us of  the skills you would like to learn and those you have to offer.

Your ideas will build a shared vision, underpinning values, objectives and some broad strategies for a Community Resource Network and centre.

“When you don’t find common ground, differences become barriers.
When common ground is achieved, differences are appreciated.”

“The responsibility of creating the opportunity to share our diversity
belongs with each of us.”

“No matter how uncomfortable it is, if we do not share our stories and concepts,
we do not have the right to blame people for never knowing the way we think.”

Sandra Krempl
The Five Dimensions of Community

Stage One - Establish a physical space in a central location where the Community Resource Network can begin setting up the basic operational infrastructure and develop relationships within the community.

Future services could include: space for meetings, classes, workshops, interest & discussion groups, childcare, office, storage & exhibition spaces.

Volunteering & Community Group/Project Development

Information, Resource & Referral

Stage Two

APPENDIX FOUR

Advertisement

COMMUNITY RESOURCE NETWORK
COMMUNITY FORUM Presented by Learning Centre Link
We need you and your ideas.
Friday 8th June 2007 from 9am to 4pm
including refreshments
Centre for Sustainable Living South Coast Highway
(Next to TAFE park at high school)
The Community Resource Network is due to be opened soon in central Denmark
and now is the time to establish a sound foundation.
We value your attendance and invite you to attend this forum.
Please register latest Wednesday 6th June 2007
YES, Please register my name for the LCL forum on 8 June 2007
at the Denmark Centre for Sustainable Living.

Please place this slip in the box provided in the Library or phone/email
Von 9840 9122 or This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it
Full Day or Half Day
Name:………………………..
Phone:……………………….
Email:………………………..
Childcare: Yes (please book)  No  Please tick:

APPENDIX FIVE

Values List

Fun x2

Inclusive x2

Confidential

Friendly x3

Access for all

Accountable

Friendship

For people of all ages and social groups.

Transparent

Welcoming x5

Across ages

Sustainable

Welcoming to new community members

Activities for seniors

Committed

Comfort zone

New citizens being included

Stability

No pressure

Accessible

Pro-active

Respectful x2

Easy – access

Active

Respect

Central x2

Simple – easy to operate and interface

Accepting

Access (all areas!)

 

Appreciation

Easily accessible

Meeting Place

Safe x3

Community Access

A heart and brain centre

Caring

Open

Forum, resource & information centre

Clever

Open to everyone

Exhibition space

Patient

People centered

Coordinating services

Nurturing

Differences Valued

Pulling the volunteers together

Compassion

Equality

Assisting other groups when/if needed

Helpful

Belonging to and valuing all people

A forum for community decision making

Hope

Community owned

A strong voice in the community

Honesty

Community participation

Learning

Tolerance

Community philosophy

Teaching

Non-judgmental

Community self reliance

Networking

Impartial (Non-judgmental)

Helping each other as a community

Opportunities

Grounded

Helping each other

 

Supportive x2

Working together

Focused

Support re: education and training

Participation

Solutions focus

Support integrate

Unity

Broad focus

Support service

Sense of community

All encompassing

Supports parents / children

Sense of belonging

All equal importance – art, social, health.

Support

Belonging

All the community expressions are encapsulated

Meet needs

A feeling of belonging to a active group

 

 

Cooperate to see new ideas come to fruition

Healthy

Empowering

A haven for all to touch base.

Physical health

Empower individuals

Share their point of view

Mental health

Self help

Any suggestion is considered

 

 

 

 

Sharing x4

Environmentally aware

 

Sharing ideas

Environmental care

 

Sharing knowledge

Water conservator

 

Sharing skills

Energy efficient

Resourceful

Resource sharing

 

Informative

(back to Visioning )

crn-forum-8-june-2007-group.jpg

APPENDIX SIX

Evaluation Form

Denmark Community Forum

Friday 08 June 2007

Where did you first hear about the Forum?
Poster         Denmark Bulletin        Word of mouth

Why did you come?  Feel free to also write on the back of this page…

Was the briefing paper useful?

YES            NO                   I didn’t receive one

For you, what were the 3 most useful things from today?

1.

2.
3.

I will tell others about or use the service for…
I will offer my skills to help set up the Community Hub
Thank you; please write your name on the sign on form

Regarding the event, did the following suit you?
YES    NO    Comments

Day
Venue

Did you need child care?

Are you currently a volunteer?       YES            NO

Are you currently in paid employment?

NO        YES    Fulltime     Part-time           Casual

AGE GROUP                                    GENDER    M    F

under 18

19-25
26-35
36-45
46-55
56-65
66-75
76-85
86 or over
Thank you very much for your time and enthusiasm.

FEEDBACK

“You can do what I cannot do.  I can do what you cannot do.
Together we can do great things.”          Mother Teresa

The Health Community Project team and the Community Resource Network greatly appreciate your interest and attendance today.
Please help us with future planning by answering a few questions

And now please, a little about you to help us with our records…

The activities of the morning sought community input into the role of a shared community hub or centre; what it might look like and how it could function to support the whole community.  Within this context small group exercises encouraged interaction and elicited participant’s Expectations, Values and Vision.

Information Resource & Referral Service

Welcome and thankyou for your support.  My name is Julie Quicke. I am a full time student with Albany TAFE, studying for a Diploma in Community Welfare.  I am a member of the Denmark Community Resource Network, under the umbrella of the Denmark Health Community Project.

I have a passion for setting up a service offering information, support and referral.  My vision is to make available the tools for individuals to take control of their lives and have the opportunity to live a healthy life.  By healthy I refer to not only the absence of disease but the embracing of physical, mental and social wellbeing.

There is an amazing amount of information out there but for some people, accessing that information or even being aware of its existence is not possible or may simply seem impossible.  Some people have complex issues, for them tracking down information can become a full time job; with little success.

I am proposing a ONE STOP SHOP FRONT a supermarket of information in a safe, non-judgmental environment where people can be heard and confidentiality is assured.

This service aims to develop networks that empower individuals by giving supported access to information, resources and referral to appropriate service providers.

Enquiries to:
Josephine Lebbing

Denmark Healthy Community Project

Volunteering & Community Group Development

Denmark is full of passionate and skilled people.  Many of them are involved in the 70+ community groups or the many community projects which cover a wide range of interest areas.  They all give of their time and expertise on a voluntary basis.

I know there are more people out there who are looking for the right opportunity for them to contribute to our community; and new ones arriving all the time!  I am keen to find ways to match them up with groups or projects that can make use of their individual skills and interests.  That may be through promoting existing pathways, such as the Albany and Regional Volunteer Resource Centre, or creating new ones.

I would also like to set up a central place where people and groups can access resources that assist them to develop their capacity to reach their goals and aspirations; and support them to use those resources.

Finally I’d like to look at ways to celebrate and promote volunteering and raise the profile of all the different ways people participate in and contribute to our community.

In setting up this service I believe a healthy dose of time dedicated to planning as well as to passionate discussion is required to make this an exciting and viable venture.

I shared an idea with other Denmark women to develop a Women’s Health Information Resource Library (WHIRL) at the Denmark Library. We wanted to apply for a grant to buy books. I needed information on how to apply for a grant and an Incorporated Association to act as an umbrella organisation who would be the grant applicant on behalf of the WHIRL project.

I became a member of DEIC (Denmark Education and Innovation Centre) and they took on WHIRL, with me as the Project Manager (I imagine that the Denmark Community Resource Network would have been the ideal place to take my idea if it were operational at the time).

We applied for and received a $4,250 grant from Lottery West for books and posters (which will raise community awareness of the WHIRL project).

The library will contain books on a wide range of mental, social, personal, medical, spiritual and physical health issues for women.

Two thirds of the books have been ordered and half of those have arrived. I have brought those here today to share with everyone and I will really appreciate any comments or critique, and suggestions of books to purchase with the remaining money.
crn-forum-8-june-2007-thebeginning-june-2007.jpg
Sarah Martin can be contacted on 9848 1971 or email  This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it   © 2007 Denmark Today - a Denmark WA Learning Community project :: Joomla! is Free Software released under crn-forum-8-june-2007-participants.jpgcrn-forum-amelia.jpg

Over 40 people from the Denmark community attended the Forum with ages ranging from 8 - 85 years!

crn-forum-juliepresent.jpg

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