It’s time for another conversation!
In 2014, the Bowen Island Community Foundation hosted the first “Vital Conversation”. Sixty enthusiastic Islanders gathered together to provide ideas and insights to create a clearer picture of our local needs, to identify priorities for individual and organizational action, and to guide the Foundation’s work for community granting. This initial Vital Conversation identified seven priority areas: public dialogue, community gathering place, healthcare services, civic pride, seniors and marginalized people, the environment, and mobility and transportation.
The report from the event (available on the Foundation’s website) was widely shared and whole-heartedly received among Island residents, community groups and the Municipality. To varying degrees, Bowen Islanders quickly stepped up and took action in all of the priority areas. While there is still much to be done, we can be proud of what we have collectively accomplished to date including: the Snug Cove Garden; the installation of solar panels at BICS; the addition of alternative energy education to the school curriculum; improvements to the local bus system and scheduling; and a new commuter parking lot in the Cove, to name but a few achievements.
After three years, it’s now time to come together for another Vital Conversation; time to revisit our Island needs and again identify and discuss what matters most to us. Insights provided by participants will again help shape our civic engagement and the Community Foundation’s future granting decisions, ensuring that these are based on the priorities identified by the community.
“Our community is powered by the people who live here. This is a chance to hear from a diverse range of Island residents about what matters to them. With this input, we can help facilitate actions that contribute to the quality of life of our island home,” says Co-Chair of the Vital Conversations Committee and Community Foundation Board Member Joanne Gassman.
Sixty Bowen Islanders will be invited to the September 9th Vital Conversation to discuss the types of projects and charitable initiatives that will help keep the community strong and make our island community an even better place to live. To ensure the attendees represent diverse ages, experiences, walks of life, and interests, some participants have already been invited. The remaining available seats will be randomly selected through a community-wide lottery.
If you are interested in attending and adding your voice to the conversation, please visit bowenfoundation.com/vital-conversations-2017/ to enter your name in the lottery by August 18th. The draw will take place on August 19th, and those selected will be notified on August 21st.
“What makes our community a great place to live? How can we make Bowen even better? These are some of the questions we hope to explore on September 9th, and from there, to identify priorities for action and ways to work together to achieve common goals. This is a chance to share ideas on how to enrich our community. We want to hear about the issues that matter to Bowen Islanders”, added Holly Graff, Co-Chair.
The Vital Conversation event will take place on Saturday, September 9th from 9am-12.30pm at Cates Hill Chapel at 661 Carter Road. For more information, please visit bowenfoundation.com.
Sign up today to help make a difference in the lives of your family and friends.
