Civic Engagement Archives

Leadership & Governance Resources

It’s been said: If the only tool you have is a hammer, every problem will look like a nail. In my world, this phrase can mean: If the only tools you have are rules of order, every problem can look like something that requires a motion, an amendment, a point of order, or an appeal…

The Heartbeat of Rural Communities: The Power of Volunteering

In the vast tapestry of our interconnected world, small rural communities often stand out as threads weaving the fabric of resilience and solidarity. Amidst the towering mountains, grasslands, and close-knit communities, the reliance on volunteering becomes evident as we take a look at what assets our rural communities foster and how many of them are…

Public Participation — a Conversation with Lisa Moilanen

Public participation — without it, democracy simply can’t function. The International Public Participation Association (IAP2) was established in the 1990s to help foster public participation. The organization’s British Columbia chapter partners with other organizations to provide training for the public, zeroing in on issues such as Dealing with Opposition & Outrage, and Public Participation for Decision…

BC Municipal Election Results 2018

The 2018 local elections are over. Here is a comprehensive listing of all the results, courtesy of CivicInfo BC. https://bc.localelections.ca/results/index_m.html

General Local Elections Tomorrow!

Don’t forget that tomorrow, Saturday, October 20, is local election day across BC. For some useful information, here’s a link to the Elections BC website.

Civic Engagement Goes Online in the Cowichan Valley

As we approach province-wide municipal and regional elections later this month, the subject of civic engagement looms large. Specifically, the common problem in rural communities across BC of a lack of civic engagement. How can local governments, often strapped for both time and resources, ensure the decisions they make on behalf of their constituents reflect…