WCS tidbits
We're excited to share: WCS Engagement + Planning will be at the Mountain Town Planners Summit in Rossland in October. This annual Summit is a gathering of local government staff and other experts in timely, mountain planning hot topics. Cheeying will be co-leading...
New housing resources from WCS
Many communities wonder about the benefits and administrative requirements of setting up a municipal housing organization. They also have questions about coming legislation requiring all municipalities to allow secondary suites and increased density in residential...
Reconciliation and Indigenous Tourism – Investments with a huge payback
An ongoing journey to restore and uphold right relations The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (TRC) report defines reconciliation as, “an ongoing process of establishing and maintaining respectful relationships.” That reconciliation requires a commitment...
Having better conversations about hot topics
Community or public engagement is an essential part of most successful planning projects or decision-making initiatives. When it comes to hot topics that are polarizing, leading community engagement can be especially challenging. Here are some best practices that can...
Anti-racism, Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion (AR-EDI) – from Awareness to Action
Where is your organization at on its anti-racism, equity, diversity, & inclusion journey? Anti-racism, equity, diversity, and inclusion (AR-EDI) (see also EDI, JEDI, or DEI) are essential principles of fair, just, and thriving societies. They are necessary to...
Popsicles and 15-Minute Communities Funding
The Popsicle Test While there are many ways to measure the safety and walkability of a neighbourhood the “popsicle test” beats the heat every time. If you haven’t heard of it, the “popsicle test” is a personal assessment of whether an 8-year-old child can walk a few...
Telling Better Stories Through Evaluation Part 2
In a previous blog post, we explored the crucial role evaluation plays in telling a compelling program or project story. Here's a simple step-by-step process for setting up an evaluation that works for your organization – and helps you tell the story of why you do...
Short staffed? Filling the vacancies and succession planning go hand in hand
Having recently led a strategic planning process for a non-profit dealing with critical staffing challenges, and with our organization (WCS) looking to expand our team – not to mention the ongoing news and anecdotal accounts of staffing shortages through most sectors...
The evolving role of public libraries
WCS Engagement + Planning has been assisting various public libraries with strategic planning. At the core of the strategic planning process is developing a shared vision and mission for the library, including the unique role it plays in the community it serves. ...
You’re Not Alone: Joining a Community of Practice
What's a Community of Practice? Have you ever felt that you’re the only person in the world facing particular challenges? That no one else is dealing with the same issues you’re dealing with every day? That you’d better come up with a solution since no one else has...
The Two Loops Model for Thinking About and Supporting Systems Change
We recently helped to facilitate the Climate Caucus Summit 2023 held in Richmond, BC. One of the presenters, Andrea Reimer, former Vancouver City Councilor and founder of Tawâw Strategies, introduced us to the ‘Two Loops’ theory of change. The model, depicted below...
Telling Better Stories Through Evaluation
Once upon a time there was a small, but mighty organization whose skilled and dedicated staff worked tirelessly. They provided exceptional programs, services, and/or community benefit. The end. As unsatisfying as this story is, this is the sort of tale told when...