Our Mission:

2. Our Mission: Council will see by the end of our presentation how Our Ramara�s mission fits within the missions of the Library, Chamber and TownshipCouncil will see by the end of our presentation how Our Ramara�s mission fits within the missions of the Library, Chamber and Township

3. To develop and maintain database and website (www.ourramara.com) To increase awareness of Ramara�s recreation, history, culture, tourism, businesses, government, social services, health, education and all community based organizations and associations To promote and encourage accessibility to all our information through all means possible To encourage and enhance community and economic development To facilitate and share information by linking community partners To foster and enhance civic pride and harmony throughout Ramara To capture and preserve the unique rural and progressive culture and character of Ramara Our Objectives: You were also given a copy of our Mission & Objectives in your package, so I won�t read through each Objective However, I would like to bring your attention to our website � CLICK ON LINK (acess Our Ramara & Community Calendar)You were also given a copy of our Mission & Objectives in your package, so I won�t read through each Objective However, I would like to bring your attention to our website � CLICK ON LINK (acess Our Ramara & Community Calendar)

4. Township of Ramara Provincial MPP Federal MP Ramara Township Public Library Board Ramara Chamber of Commerce Community Foundation of Orillia & Area Ontario�s Lake Country Mnjikaning First Nations Casino Rama Ramara Centre Board of Management The Local Web Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, Brechin Branch Information Orillia Friends of the Ramara Public Library Ontario Healthy Communities Coalition Orillia & Area Community Development Corporation Who was originally at the table? As you can see, this list represents the partners who initially joined our Coalition in the infancy stages of the project. Selected stakeholders were invited to table who either had a keen interest in the Our Ramara concept or whose mandate encompassed Ramara Township. As you can see, we have support from all levels of government.As you can see, this list represents the partners who initially joined our Coalition in the infancy stages of the project. Selected stakeholders were invited to table who either had a keen interest in the Our Ramara concept or whose mandate encompassed Ramara Township. As you can see, we have support from all levels of government.

5. Simcoe County District School Board, Trustee Ramara Township Recreation Co-ordinator Ramara Historical Society Ramara Trails Committee Ramara Community Policing Longford Mills Community Centre Brechin Lions Club Joyland Beach Community Centre Lagoon City Rotary Club Washago Community Centre Orillia & Area Arts Council North Mara Beach Association Ramona Agricultural Society Brechin Legion Who�s new at the table? Since June of 2003, we have had another 14 groups join us and have identified at least another 12 organizations who are not represented at the table right now.Since June of 2003, we have had another 14 groups join us and have identified at least another 12 organizations who are not represented at the table right now.

7. �Ramara Township Library strives to provide information and materials of an educational, cultural and recreational nature in a responsive and progressive manner� Library Mission: I�d first like to share with you our mission - READI�d first like to share with you our mission - READ

8. Hub of information Identified a need Opportunity - partnership with Chamber - Trillium grant - staffing Our Ramara Chairperson Library Background: Since opening of Ramara Centre � received many requests for various types of info that we could not supply. Became �Info Hub� This identified a gap in our service and the library knew that we needed to provide the service There seemed to be no source for communications, especially with the loss of the local web newspaper Then, opportunity knocked! I was asked to attend a meeting with a couple Chamber members and the O/R concept was presented Knowing the community needs based on requests we were receiving at the library, I was thrilled with the concept and knew that this is what Ramara Township really needed. In addition, it was in line with the Library�s mission to provide information and would increase our profile in the community! The concept was then presented to the Library Board and they too approved our participation in the initiative knowing that it was a perfect match for the type of service we provide to the community. This would provide an opportunity for many community groups to come together, generate solutions and develop action plans to improve the cultural, economic, educational, recreational and social conditions of their community! And so the partnership began with the Ramara Chamber of Commerce. We knew that this was an ambitious endeavour and one that was going to take a great deal of work, but everyone involved was dedicated to seeing the project through to fruition! And so came another opportunity for the library to apply for a one-time Trillium grant. We were qualified to apply for up to a maximum of $15,000 and, upon submitting an application, were awarded $14,100. This enabled us to purchase the hardware for Our Ramara. A laptop computer (in fact, the one we�re using tonight!), a multi-functional printer & a web server for which to house the website & database. This provided us with the technical foundation of the project to build a website & database, collect the data & house all the information in a central location. In addition, it was hoped that the server would provide a revenue-generating opportunity for the library to locally host web sites; a service that is not currently offered in Ramara Township! Once we had the equipment in place, staffing was the next priority. The Chamber had hired an individual through HRDC�s Job Creation program and because they were the lead agency at the time, were able to offer her full administrative services for the O/R project! Having someone to handle the workload enabled us to make more progress. Unfortunately, her contract came to an end, and O/R had no finances to continue her employment. During that timeframe, we were able to obtain a 2-month co-op placement from the Orillia Learning Centre. The gentleman we selected, had a solid background in research & had recently completed a database course at TLC. During his 2 month placement, he was able to to search out a great deal of information & enter in into our database. As Chairperson of the �Our Ramara� Coalition, the library has played a leading role in the monthly meetings by creating & distributing Minutes & Agendas, participating on all Working Committees, recruiting new members to join our table and assisting with the development of grant applications. Since opening of Ramara Centre � received many requests for various types of info that we could not supply. Became �Info Hub� This identified a gap in our service and the library knew that we needed to provide the service There seemed to be no source for communications, especially with the loss of the local web newspaper Then, opportunity knocked! I was asked to attend a meeting with a couple Chamber members and the O/R concept was presented Knowing the community needs based on requests we were receiving at the library, I was thrilled with the concept and knew that this is what Ramara Township really needed. In addition, it was in line with the Library�s mission to provide information and would increase our profile in the community! The concept was then presented to the Library Board and they too approved our participation in the initiative knowing that it was a perfect match for the type of service we provide to the community. This would provide an opportunity for many community groups to come together, generate solutions and develop action plans to improve the cultural, economic, educational, recreational and social conditions of their community! And so the partnership began with the Ramara Chamber of Commerce. We knew that this was an ambitious endeavour and one that was going to take a great deal of work, but everyone involved was dedicated to seeing the project through to fruition! And so came another opportunity for the library to apply for a one-time Trillium grant. We were qualified to apply for up to a maximum of $15,000 and, upon submitting an application, were awarded $14,100. This enabled us to purchase the hardware for Our Ramara. A laptop computer (in fact, the one we�re using tonight!), a multi-functional printer & a web server for which to house the website & database. This provided us with the technical foundation of the project to build a website & database, collect the data & house all the information in a central location. In addition, it was hoped that the server would provide a revenue-generating opportunity for the library to locally host web sites; a service that is not currently offered in Ramara Township! Once we had the equipment in place, staffing was the next priority. The Chamber had hired an individual through HRDC�s Job Creation program and because they were the lead agency at the time, were able to offer her full administrative services for the O/R project! Having someone to handle the workload enabled us to make more progress. Unfortunately, her contract came to an end, and O/R had no finances to continue her employment. During that timeframe, we were able to obtain a 2-month co-op placement from the Orillia Learning Centre. The gentleman we selected, had a solid background in research & had recently completed a database course at TLC. During his 2 month placement, he was able to to search out a great deal of information & enter in into our database. As Chairperson of the �Our Ramara� Coalition, the library has played a leading role in the monthly meetings by creating & distributing Minutes & Agendas, participating on all Working Committees, recruiting new members to join our table and assisting with the development of grant applications.

10. �Promote Eastern Lake Country business through the enhancement of economic and community prosperity� Regional, community, business Chamber initiated Staffing Strategic process � Coalition & support Chamber Background:

12. �Ramara Council will provide guidance through its Official Plan, policies, budget process and service delivery to assist and help direct all stakeholders in a way that the community may achieve this vision by working cooperatively. Our Vision will remain foremost in our minds as we provide services for our community and plan for growth� Township Mission:

13. Participation in community consultation Resolution of June, 2003 Support - Steering & Working committees - Virtual Town Hall Township Background:

15. Staffing Visit to Collingwood Database development - 211 Website development Logo creation Events calendar� Virtual Town Hall Since June 2003: So, what have we accomplished since our last visit to Council a year ago? We then had the fortune to apply for a CAP grant and was able to attain $8,000 for supplies, software & a person to upgrade & maintain our website, as well as to deliver computer training! We had the great fortunate to hire an individual who had a wealth of computer experience and creative skills! In addition to her CAP functions, she was able to administratively support the �Our Ramara� project and her knowledge and skills has proven to be invaluable! Unfortunately, the grant money has run out & so has her contract position. See Janice�s handout As an outcome from our visit to Collingwood and the resources they were able to share, we were able to streamline our database. We were also assured that our information could be distributed to other information referral centres (i.e., Information Orillia for 211) in a usable format AND without duplication! As I shared with you earlier, we now have a register domain for our new website (donated by Caffary Technologies). We have uploaded whatever information we can to-date and it is hoped that we will obtain additional funding to hire a person to continue developing the site & database. Julie will expand further on this a little later. Yes, we even have a beautiful logo for our project, which is at the top of ever slide you see. This design was developed by the library�s CAP worker, which saved us a great deal of time & money. The logo is meant to represent who we are and be inclusive of Ramara. As you can see, we have the bridge at the Atherley narrows, including the fishing weirs, a farm to represent the farming industry & rocks to represent the aggregate industry. The letters are in blue to tie in all the water that surrounds our Township! The Coalition, as a whole, is very proud of our new logo! As you will recall, when we were on the website earlier, I was also able to show you a link to our Events Calendar. This is an interim calendar until the Virtual Town Hall is up & running. The VTH is an integral part of the �Our Ramara� initiative and we look forward to the launch so community groups can promote their events. In addition, the Township will attract more traffic to their website. Janice McKinnon, who is not able to be here tonight, has supplied us with a few samples so that Council can see how it will work upon completion. She has asked me to inform Council that a detailed presentation of the Virtual Town Hall is forthcoming. So, what have we accomplished since our last visit to Council a year ago? We then had the fortune to apply for a CAP grant and was able to attain $8,000 for supplies, software & a person to upgrade & maintain our website, as well as to deliver computer training! We had the great fortunate to hire an individual who had a wealth of computer experience and creative skills! In addition to her CAP functions, she was able to administratively support the �Our Ramara� project and her knowledge and skills has proven to be invaluable! Unfortunately, the grant money has run out & so has her contract position. See Janice�s handout As an outcome from our visit to Collingwood and the resources they were able to share, we were able to streamline our database. We were also assured that our information could be distributed to other information referral centres (i.e., Information Orillia for 211) in a usable format AND without duplication! As I shared with you earlier, we now have a register domain for our new website (donated by Caffary Technologies). We have uploaded whatever information we can to-date and it is hoped that we will obtain additional funding to hire a person to continue developing the site & database. Julie will expand further on this a little later. Yes, we even have a beautiful logo for our project, which is at the top of ever slide you see. This design was developed by the library�s CAP worker, which saved us a great deal of time & money. The logo is meant to represent who we are and be inclusive of Ramara. As you can see, we have the bridge at the Atherley narrows, including the fishing weirs, a farm to represent the farming industry & rocks to represent the aggregate industry. The letters are in blue to tie in all the water that surrounds our Township! The Coalition, as a whole, is very proud of our new logo! As you will recall, when we were on the website earlier, I was also able to show you a link to our Events Calendar. This is an interim calendar until the Virtual Town Hall is up & running. The VTH is an integral part of the �Our Ramara� initiative and we look forward to the launch so community groups can promote their events. In addition, the Township will attract more traffic to their website. Janice McKinnon, who is not able to be here tonight, has supplied us with a few samples so that Council can see how it will work upon completion. She has asked me to inform Council that a detailed presentation of the Virtual Town Hall is forthcoming.

19. Funding - Knowledge-Based Economy - Rural Secretariat - Ontario Trillium Foundation Raising our profile Festival Sustainability Where do we go from here?