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Invitation to VAW Coordinating Committees in Ontario. Why a Provincial VAW Forum?. A chance to connect, learn and build knowledge A chance to plan our own agenda A place to recognize the expertise and good work that happens in communities
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Why a Provincial VAW Forum? • A chance to connect, learn and build knowledge • A chance to plan our own agenda • A place to recognize the expertise and good work that happens in communities • To reduce isolation and build a common vision and strategy
Background Email sent by Southwest Region VAW Coordinating Committee (SWRCC) to Ontario VAW CCs – September 2010 to ask 2 questions: • Do CCs think a provincial VAW forum is a good idea? • Will your committee support SWRCC submitting a proposal for Trillium funding? • 27 committees responded – Yes!
Background Trillium grant submitted Nov 2010 and approved – late February 2011 • MCSS funded a planning meeting in Toronto • March 29 & 30 • 20 committees represented • Settled on a purpose, 4 key themes for the forum • Established workgroups to organize the forum
Purpose of the Forum To create a provincial VAW network
What would success look like? • Representative attendance by diverse members and committees across the province • New knowledge to strengthen local coordination efforts • Shared projects that will have a provincial impact • New strategies and relationships for more inclusive and diverse committees and committee work
Forum Themes 1. We want to understand Coordinating Committees: • Who are we? • What are we working on? • What are our priorities? • How are we different / the same? Prepare for the Forum - Gather Information: Survey monkey will be used to gather information about committees prior to the forum / information will be shared to spark discussion among committees
Forum Themes 2. We want to know about projects and research Marketplace / Showcase The forum will include opportunities for committees to ‘show and tell’ about work they are doing and have done. • We will explore interest in provincial projects
Forum Themes 3. We want to know how committees work together: • Supporting a VAW focus that includes sexual violence partners • How inclusive are we? • What does collaboration look like? • Are there strategies for outreach for groups / people not represented at local tables? • Are there elephants in the room? • How can we collaborate more effectively? • How are the voices of women with lived experience included?
Forum Themes Dialogue The forum will include opportunities for dialogue, small groups and world café-type experiences
Forum Themes 4. How can we organize ourselves as a network? • How to use technology • Sustainability • Advocacy and activism • Inclusion and diversity • Maintaining connection Next Steps after the forum To be explored...
Who is invited? • 2 members of VAW CCs • Send your most passionate members who: • have an interest / talent for organizing • will be able to keep the fire going with your local committee after the forum • decision-makers Organizers will do additional outreach to invite Aboriginal groups, youth, newcomers, disAbled
Funding • Trillium funding will be divided among committees (total grant is $84k) • Organizers are looking for more funding for simultaneous translation • Travel funding will be limited to committees coming by air or rail • Registration fee $100 / per person • Additional participants $120 plus $100 reg. fee • Subsidies for groups not able to cover the fee
Other items • We want to include space into the agenda for people to talk and think – not a packed agenda • Optional offerings will be available – yoga / theatre / mindfulness / music • Agenda will be developed via teleconference – survey participants at the forum will have opportunities to suggest topics / discussions
What is needed? • Your interest and support • Plan to attend and identify who from your committee will come (2 people) • Consider setting funds aside from your VAWCC budget for attendance (registration and travel). • Participate in the survey monkey questions about your committee (coming soon) • Consider what you can showcase for the forum Marketplace
Need Information? Contact the Forum Organizers: Margaret MacPherson, m.macpherson@execulink.com Colleen Purdon cpurdon@bmts.com