HomeMy WebLinkAboutCompass Kitchener - 2023_08_02 COMPASS KITCHENER ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES
August 2, 2023 CITY OF KITCHENER
The Compass Kitchener Advisory Committee met this date, commencing at 4:03 p.m.
Present: J. Stephens-Wells, Chair
T. Glover, K. Brabazon, A. Forstmanis, L. Terry, L. Trumper and J. Young
Staff: A. Fritz-Walters, Engagement Program Manager—Strategic Planning
1. DISCLOSURE OF PECUNIARY INTEREST AND THE GENERAL NATURE THEREOF -NIL
2. FINAL PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT OF DRAFT STATEGIC PLAN—DISCUSS RESULTS
Compass Kitchener discussed the final public survey results and the following observations were
made:
• Response numbers for the survey 187 participants.
• Many participants were first timers to engaging with the Strategic Plan
• First graph was encouraging, with a large percentage of residents feeling like the City is
on the right track(27.7%strongly agreed; 47.8%).
• For those who participated previously in some form of engagement, the survey showed a
significant improvement in feeling their input had made a difference and feel the
community's priorities really form the goals and actions.
• Those under 40 years old are generally very positive towards the plan.
• Age demographic of 40+ had responses that seemed to vary more.
• People who identified as a marginalized group responded positively which is very
encouraging.
• Good representation of responses across all wards.
A. Fritz-Walters noted the Strategic Plan draft report goes to Council on August 14
3. STRATEGIC PLAN LAUNCH—BRAINSTORM HOW TO SHARE RESULTS
A. Fritz-Walters shared the status of the Strategic Plan approval and launch with Compass
Kitchener.
Final approval of the Strategic Plan by Council will take place on August 28. Plans for a news
release to the media, updates to the city's webpage, light communication.
Launch of the Strategic Plan is planned for late-October, which will include print material, a short
video describing the Strategic Plan to the public, a possible connection between the Strategic
Plan launch and the Mayor's annual State of the City Address with more information to come.
Mini campaigns are planned to keep the Strategic Plan alive in the community. Keeping goals
areas in mind at certain points throughout the four years to keep the community connected,
share success, and keep the conversation going beyond the launch.
Compass Kitchener brainstormed the following ideas on how to share results:
• Use community members, in photos/videos as spokespersons to talk about the goal
areas.
• Print and make available little booklets outlining the Strategic Plan (as done for the 2019-
2022 plan).
• Continue with the dashboard to give people a sense of progress made.
• If possible, pull in visions from citizen submissions for use in video or documents.
• Do a little video clip, using grass roots storytelling about why data collection and
evaluation is important or speaking to continue to engage the community.
• Use a social media approach that is branded, with viral videos, circulated by the City,that
get people to tune in using a humourous interviewer or personality who is entertaining,
engaging the audience while educating, and maybe ends with a tagline.
• Find an improv group that could record 12-15 video clips in one day for use on social
media.
• Consider a simple tagline like"Did you Know"?and an ending tagline like"Nowyou know!"
for the social media clips.
• Include a video clip from the social media idea in the news release.
COMPASS KITCHENER ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES
August 2, 2023 -2 - CITY OF KITCHENER
A. Fitz-Walters indicated she would pitch the ideas from Compass Kitchener to the City's
Communications team.
4. OTHER BUSINESS
J. Stephens-Wells shared with Compass Kitchener members that A. Fritz-Walters secured two
5-minute spots at the August 14 Council meeting for members of Compass Kitchener to share
a message about the Resident Panel and the Draft Strategic Plan. J. Stephens-Wells noted that
at the last meeting members outlined key points to make to Council regarding the Resident Panel
process added this year, and sought Committee members input regarding points to be made
regarding the Strategic Plan itself. The following points were identified:
o Received more citizen input into this strategic planning process than in the past (e.g.
street interviews, more interaction on Engage Kitchener re: the idea boards, addition of
the Resident Panel process).
o The plan reflects citizen priorities well.
o We appreciate the direction the City has taken and are pleased to see that the survey
results reflect a high level of support for the City's direction.
o Very pleased to see that development of metrics/indicators, with which to evaluate the
impact of Strategic Plan projects, has been incorporated into the process of development
of the Strategic Plan.
T. Glover offered to speak about the Resident Panel and J. Stephens-Wells offered to address
the Strategic Plan itself, representing Compass Kitchener at the August 14 meeting.
A. Fritz-Walters provided an update reporting that she spoke with the CAO's office and shared
Compass Kitchener's desire to function as a review panel as indicators and metrics are being
developed and provide feedback from a resident's perspective and noted it was very well-
received and a great way for the group to contribute and ensure we stay aligned with the
Strategic Plan visions and goals. A. Fritz-Walters also shared she is working with K. Dever on
creating list of potential indicators that we have data around and as they have things available
to share, they will bring them to a Compass meeting. If they have an initial overview to share,
they will provide an update on where things are in September.
A. Fritz-Walters also shared the new staff person taking over responsibility for Compass
Kitchener support may be introduced at the September Compass Kitchener meeting. The new
Senior Policy Advisor will be the ongoing support person beginning at the October meeting and
moving forward. The Compass Kitchener Committee members expressed again their desire to
have A. Fritz-Walters continue on in her role as Engagement Program Manager.
The minutes of the Compass Kitchener meeting held July 5, 2023 were reviewed.
5. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 5:15 pm.
A. Remillard
Committee Administrator