In last month’s newsletter we asked Rural Ontario Institute subscribers to rank their top 5 priorities from among a list of some 20 with respect to the rural community they were most familiar with.   We received 42 responses from all regions of rural Ontario and are sharing the results.   One way of looking at these results is to order the issues based on the number of people who include that issue among their top 5 concerns.  The graph below shows the “Top 12”  priorities according to that approach.  Not surprisingly given the recent recession and broad based job losses “Economic Diversification and Employment Opportunities” was among the 5 most important priorities for many respondents and received the most Top 5 rankings.    

 
The full survey responses are provided in this .pdf file.  SurveySummary_08012012.pdf (70.54 kb)   These results can be looked in several different ways – for example, through a weighted system where points are assigned according to their relative rank.  With that approach a different set of top 12 priorities emerges than simply ordering them based on the number of respondents choosing it among the top 5.
ROI Subscriber Priorities - Aug 2012.pdf (89.53 kb)  This type of analysis was supplied by Jeffrey Dixon at the Monieson Centre, Queen’s School of Business. 

Note:  The 42 respondents are not a statistically representative sample of rural opinion since they self-selected themselves and were not randomly selected. 

Norm Ragetlie, , Director, Policy & Stakeholder Engagement

The Ontario Nonprofit Network (ONN) is presenting its annual Conference on September 27th, 2012 entitled, “Policy to Practice.” The conference presents an exciting opportunity for the non-profit sector to come together to consult with highly knowledgeable sector experts, share experiences, and take action on our sector’s most critical and topical issues. The conference is designed to move policy into practice and is focused on what busy Executive Directors, board members and other sector leaders need to know to influence strategic work in their communities.  In addition, ONN is delighted to be able to offer a limited number of travel subsidies to encourage stakeholders from across the province to attend.  

For more information and to register for this worthwhile conference, check out the conference website at http://www.theonn.ca/conference-2012 .  The ‘early bird’ deadline is August 24^th, so don’t delay!

Make sure your impact is included in the 2012 Social Enterprise Survey for Ontario

The Canadian Community Economic Development Network (CCEDNet) requests your support in compiling a list of all rural social enterprises in Ontario for inclusion as part of a comprehensive provincial survey. The information gathered through this survey will be used to better understand and promote Social Enterprise in Ontario. Your contributions will make all the difference.

For the purposes of this survey, a social enterprise is a business venture owned or operated by a nonprofit organization that sells goods or provides services in the market for the purpose of creating a blended return on investment, both financial and social/environmental/cultural.

If your organization fits these criteria then sign up here. Share your insights and pave the way for a bright future for social enterprise in Ontario. 

The survey is part of the work of the LIAISOn  project funded through the Ontario Trillium Foundation and is based on similar mapping research being conducted across the country. 

For more information please contact Paul Chamberlain, Jo Flatt or Kate Daly ontario@ccednet-rcdec.ca or 416 760-2554

To be honest, when I first heard about the Provincial Government’s decision to cancel the successful “Slots at Racetrack Programme,” I didn’t think much of it at all.  I didn’t know much about the racing industry, and never realized just how significant the trickle down effect to Ontario’s local economies would be.  After attending a public meeting on May 29 hosted by the County of Wellington, I realized just how devastating this decision will be not only for the horse racing industry, but for local economies as well. 

I sat and listened for over two hours as one by one concerned members of the public went up to the microphone and shared very personal stories of how this decision will make a dramatic impact on their lives.  People from all walks of life got up and shared heartfelt thoughts and legitimate concerns.  We heard from racers, breeders, veterinarians, trainers, farmers, local business owners, racetrack employees, stall cleaning staff, University of Guelph professors and representatives from the Ontario Equestrian Federation and the Sunrise Therapeutic Riding and Learning Centre.

The County’s original intent was to create a written report with all the public comments, include financial statistics and send it to every member of Provincial Parliament, urging them to revisit this decision.  Listening to the all the comments inspired me to create this short documentary. A strong visual can have a lot of impact.  In my position, I have the ability to reach the masses and I really wanted to help share the stories of hard working Ontarians who feel helpless and are fearful of their future.  Many of the people I spoke with during the making of this film have been in the horse racing industry for their whole lives.  It’s all they know.  The horse racing industry is their life.  

The film is not political.  I knew that if I created a politically charged piece it wouldn’t be taken seriously and potentially the important message would be lost.  I want the Provincial Government and the media to watch it.  I want to keep this issue at the forefront.  Thousands of jobs are at risk.  Small businesses are at risk.  Horses are at risk.  I hope people watch the film, share it with others and contact their Member of Provincial Parliament asking them to “Restore the Programme.”

The County premiered the film on July 31 at The Bookshelf Cinema in Guelph, Ontario for media, horse racing industry people and political dignitaries.  Following the premiere, the film will be posted on YouTube and www.wellington.ca. The “Restore the Programme” documentary is a County of Wellington initiative.  Andrea Ravensdale produced the film and the footage was shot by Ironcloud Productions.

Guest Blogger: Andrea Ravensdale, Communications Manager, County of Wellington