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Laura Ryser and Greg Halseth

The Long Road between Small Towns: Barriers to Building Community Development Partnerships in Rural BC. Laura Ryser and Greg Halseth. OBAC Region. Outline. Rural restructuring Partnership issues Methodology Network gaps Barriers to developing partnerships Policy implications.

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Laura Ryser and Greg Halseth

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  1. The Long Road between Small Towns: Barriers to Building Community Development Partnerships in Rural BC Laura Ryser and Greg Halseth

  2. OBAC Region

  3. Outline • Rural restructuring • Partnership issues • Methodology • Network gaps • Barriers to developing partnerships • Policy implications

  4. Rural Restructuring • Began in 1980s • More responsibilities downloaded to local governments • More calls for local gov’t staff to form strategic partnerships • Partnerships critical to strengthen local and regional capacities

  5. Partnerships Issues Partnerships increasingly important to: • pool resources and obtain expertise • address complex problems Defining partnerships: • Compatible goals • Shared risk / accountability • Clear management structures Equally involved in decision-making and governance • Financial contribution ≠ partnership • Even distribution of resources, responsibilities, and benefits

  6. Building Partnerships • Partnerships built through: • Social cohesion • Opportunities for interaction • Developing well-worn paths • Social capital • Trust / confidence • Networks of support, information, and resources

  7. Partnership Challenges Infrastructure • Isolation and limited communication infrastructure Human Resources • Limited staff and time • Partnership activities not incorporated into job roles and expectations • Limited leadership • Lack of succession planning strategies

  8. OBAC Region

  9. Methodology Questions: • To assess routine interaction • Gov’t, First Nations, economic development, and community groups • To identify network / partnership activities • To assess trust amongst networks Analysis: • Responses coded / categorized to identify patterns and themes.

  10. Routine Interaction • Routine interaction with: • Neighbouring local / regional district gov’ts • MLAs / Ministry of Community Services • Leading employer • Education / health care groups • Voluntary groups • Media • Limited / no interaction with: • First Nations band council / tribal council • Economic alliances • Industrial associations

  11. Activities I General Support • Advice and support • Sharing information • Discuss common issues • Updates • Research and training • Funding • Understand funding processes

  12. Activities II Targeted Support • Regulation and policy development • Developing by-laws • Physical and social Infrastructure • Joint regional infrastructure • Economic development initiatives • Regional development initiatives • Tourism strategies • Employment transition programs

  13. Developing Trust I Sharing Resources • Human resources • Access to staff support / free labour • Board participation • Funding • Provide financial support / donations • Assist with fundraising • Infrastructure • Shared space / equipment

  14. Developing Trust II Operations • Advice and support • Ability to follow through • Competent, committed staff • Completed tasks / projects • Shared responsibilities • To deliver services • Communications • Time made for discussion • Quick responses to requests

  15. Barriers to Building Partnerships I Resources • Lack of human resources • Out-migration of professionals / skilled labour • Lack of skills / capacity • Fewer leaders • Recruitment / retention issues • Inactive groups • Funding • Difficulty receiving timely funding • Lack of long-term funding programs

  16. Barriers to Building Partnerships II Operations • Slow processes • Inability to follow through • Limited availability • No attendance at meetings • Job tasks not completed • Lack of communication • Slow responses • Information / plans are not shared

  17. Barriers to Building Partnerships III Power • Lack of influence • Decisions not made locally • Lack of political will to support initiatives

  18. Policy Implications I Human Resources • Support training programs • Encourage succession planning strategies • Support institutional learning habits Meetings and Personal Contact • Support more opportunities for formal and informal interaction

  19. Policy Implications II Innovation • Support / share success stories of innovation • Regional economic development officer Funding • Need long-term funding programs • Special funding to acquire more staff • Promote funding opportunities to local groups • Common sense funding applications and reporting procedures • Flexible funding programs

  20. Policy Implications III Relationships with First Nations • More communication with band and tribal councils • Support First Nations liaison positions • Encourage local groups to attend First Nations meetings • Arrange transportation for First Nations representatives • Support including First Nations representatives in local and regional endeavours

  21. 3333 University Way, Prince George, BC, Canada V2N 4Z9 http://www.unbc.ca/cdi Dr. Greg Halseth, Acting Director Phone: (250) 960 - 5826 Fax: (250) 960 - 6533 Email: halseth@unbc.ca Community Development Institute (CDI)

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