Building & Supporting Community Hubs together in Calgary
On February 27, 2018, the CDLI [Meet Up] hosted the first in a series of conversations on Building and Supporting Community Hubs in Calgary. CDLI collaborated with the Community Hubs Collaborative to both introduce and discuss the Community Hubs by Design Toolkit, and other hubs resources, to examine steps to creating and sustaining Community Hubs. Below are some highlights from the group discussions.
On Getting Started (Step 1)
Important considerations in this step
1. Learn more about your community | 2. Think about how your hub will fit in
Some important to-do’s/tasks when creating a community hub:
Build awareness in the community.
Know your local community & needs.
Spend time at community events, find out what is important to people.
Research what are people calling 211 (distress) for.
Personal contact with residents (i.e. door knocking) trumps putting up signs & ads.
Note: A hub shouldn’t duplicate what’s already there.
Some ideas of what a hub should include and initial engagement with community/ residents:
Provide programming that’s needed – e.g. give people/ especially youth a place to go and have something to do.
Conduct community audit/asset mapping of what’s in the community.
Don’t reinvent the wheel – speak to those who have tried things in the past.
Have programming that applies to all ages, realize that some things like a community garden appeal to different generations.
Find and pursue common community goals.
On Building your Team (step 2)
Important considerations in this step
1. Set up a working group | 2. Recruit people to your group
Ideas for good strategies when organizing a team to champion the work:
Schools could be considered a champion for a local hub.
Recognise champions before & after support for initiative is achieved.
Find people/entities with common interests and ensure synergies.
When building a team, you must include those impacted (i.e. Team = those that live there).
On Defining your Vision (step 3)
Important considerations in this step
1. Know your core values | 2. Write some sample visions | 3. Choose a vision together
Start with core values for creating a community vision:
Core values helps to create a positive space; engenders humility, diversity and commonality.
Visions create buy-in and shared ownership, which is what is needed. Core values grounds you.
Values tell you how to get your vision and help to understand the community.
Values help you set boundaries, your path & scope.
Values help you filter opportunities and find common ground.
A good process (that is not rushed nor prolonged) for drafting and finalizing a shared vision for a hub:
A wide range of voices need to be represented.
There needs to be shared understanding.
Define scope/Specify around what you an accomplish together.
Buy-in and arriving at commonality, etc. takes patience and time.
Start with your goals/ objectives and work backwards.
Some expected success/ challenges:
Mutual respect around different beliefs and values.
Defining how to come to collective agreement.
Patience with the process.
People cross boundaries over time – clarify around organization/community.
Power dynamics could hinder progress.
On Designing the Hub (step 4)
Important considerations in this step
1. Firm up your hub model and purpose | 2. Decide how you’ll sustain your hub
3. Identify potential partners | 4. Know if any laws affect your hub | 5. Scope out possible gathering places
Ideas around how to design hubs:
Repurpose existing spaces e.g. libraries, schools, community associations, etc.
Focus on making/designing hubs welcoming to all in a variety of ways.
Think about proximity to residents, make the distance is walkable.
Include programs but also encourage people to ‘stay after’ or ‘linger’ after formal activities.
Hub is a reimagining of community centers. A hub is a place where we shift from consumer to ‘active participant’, ‘creator’, ‘contributor’, ‘producer’.
The ideal hubs require a mind shift – physical design should reflect this.
Focus in on schools:
This needs direction/agreement from YYCCC and both boards of trustees.
Learn from other major institutions (other school boards, CPL, etc.).
Learn to overcome blocks of practical concerns/ fear of change.
Rethinking outcomes measurements and evaluation:
Need to know and agree on what are the metrics/measurement indicators.
Important to consider what is sustainable in the ethos of neighboring.
Hub’s function, purpose and location aligned with the community needs and expectations:
Don’t overdesign.
Iterate through trial & error to get a good starting point.
Need flexibility and local responsiveness, troubles by external funding.
Some ways of sustaining and getting ongoing support for the community hub in the long run:
Think about a successful hubs implication on areas like public health, active citizenship, social capital, etc.
Using existing investments: schools, community associations, etc.
Schools in particular are under utilized.
We have the money, resources and assets need to rethink allocation and mandate.
Policies, laws or community-by laws that could affect the hub:
The ‘loitering’ regulations prevents residents gathering.
Need to find/know flexibility in existing rules/bylaws via communication & strengthening relationships.
Find locations & contexts that are a fit.
Ensure good neighbour agreement as this helps.
On Launching the Hub (step 5)
Important considerations in this step
1. Decide how the hub will be governed | 2. Decide how you’ll promote the hub
Different governance structures that may work for community hubs:
Steering committee
Community informed
Resident informed
Backbone organization
Board/ coalition
Ways to promote your hub with the least resources:
Get help from family friends
Use community papers/newsletter
Seek out one-on-one contact
Attend local events
Ensue shared accessibility or space