It’s really good to see everyone and thank you for the opportunity to give public input [to the Cowichan Valley Regional District committee of the whole] on R3 this morning. It’s a report from the Communications and Engagement Division regarding a Community Satisfaction Survey.
Well, first of all, it’s a privilege to come here week after week to put a face on public input and it’s so much a part of my heart to go where the people are, and for everyone around this table to be super plugged-in to their communities.
And, I just want to say that it doesn’t seem as authentic to be mined for data as it is to be sat down with over a cup of coffee on a day-to-day basis in my community to learn from each other.
I’ve been walking the streets as a litterpicker, as a planter for pollinators, as a professional community volunteer through Rotary International, and I’ve come to learn over the last few years about what the hopes and fears of my little corner of the ‘shire look like.
And these days I don’t know if I even saw it reflected in the survey criteria that was done five years ago.
Which is a real concern for vandalism.
We are dealing with super impacts to the budgets. We have people that are afraid to do good things in our community whether it's murals, whether it’s installations, because they think it’s going to be destroyed or defaced or dumped on.
We can’t let the trolls win, is what I’m saying.
We need to be kudo-driven communities.
We need to have that feedback that allows people to feel empowered to have those collaborative conversations, in a sit-down atmosphere.
And so, my written input suggested that perhaps this money could be better spent as an economic driver in the community, to allow for a tab at every cafe and every patio throughout the regional district, so that you could do drop-in coffee times with your constituents and have that be an ongoing, organic conversation that builds relationships.
Because I’m here today with my orange shirt on to say that I practice reconciliation through Nuts’amaat Shqwaluwun that we all move forward together in a good way, even the ones that aren’t technology-savvy, or the elders of our community — that you need to draw that knowledge out of them.
I’d like to end on a tribute to a stalwart volunteer from Mill Bay, the late Shirley Walker, and she wrote an article called Mill Bay Musings which talks about that coffee shop culture. How people share in the conversation and laughter. That newcomers feel a sense of renewed belonging. They discuss their hobbies, as well as the things that bring them quality of life.
I believe that *that* contributes hugely to community satisfaction. Thank you.
Kim Barnard
Shawnigan Lake
