HomeMy WebLinkAboutCSD-09-066 - Request for Neighbourhood Assoc Affiliation - Williamsburg CAREPORT
Report To:
Community Services Committee
Date of Meeting:
November 16, 2009
Submitted By:
Mark Hildebrand, Director Community Programs and
Services, ext. 2687
Prepared By: Natascha Voll, District Facilitator, Williamsburg Community
Centre ext 3171
Ward(s) Involved: Ward 4
Date of Report:
November 2, 2009
Report No.:
CSD-09-066
Subject:
REQUEST FOR NEIGHBOURHOOD ASSOCIATION
AFFILIATION –WILLIAMSBURG COMMUNITY
ASSOCIATION
RECOMMENDATION:
That Council approves the Williamsburg Community Association (WCA) as an affiliated
group with the City of Kitchener per the City’s Neighbourhood Association Affiliation
policy; and further,
That Council approves the addition of the Williamsburg Community Association as an
insured group in the City of Kitchener’s third party liability insurance program.
BACKGROUND:
To be recognized as an affiliated City of Kitchener Neighbourhood Association, a
neighbourhood group will have the following characteristics:
be a voluntary, not-for-profit, non-partisan, non-denominational group based in a
geographic neighbourhood within the borders of the City of Kitchener,
be inclusive of and responsive to the needs of the community within the specific
geographic area defined by that group,
be open to the public and make this known through communication to the residents of
that neighbourhood by, at a minimum, publishing a contact number or through other
means such as newsletter,
have some level of activity with, at minimum, a contact person, and
have some structure for accountability.
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Groups interested in forming new Neighbourhood Associations are to submit a letter to the
Director of Community Programs and Services that outlines the following information:
group name,
geographic boundaries,
name and contact information for one or more person who can receive communication
on behalf of the group, and
a brief statement of mission and main purpose as well as the types of activities it
provides.
When new applications are received, the following steps are taken:
1. The Director contacts the relevant Community Programs and Services District Facilitator,
2. The District Facilitator reviews the application to see if the group meets the eligibility
criteria,
3. If a Neighbourhood Association(s) already exists within that geographic area, the District
Facilitator will contact all relevant parties to identify if there are any issues and, if yes, to
initiate a process to address them,
4. The District Facilitator prepares a recommendation to the Community Services Committee
of Kitchener City Council.
REPORT:
A proposal has been submitted by the Williamsburg Community Association (WCA) to become
an affiliated City of Kitchener Neighbourhood Association.
The WCA is a non profit organization run by volunteers. The first community meeting was held
in April 2008. The organization was named in June 2008 and adopted its’ logo which was
designed by RBJ Schlegel. The logo represents the Williamsburg weigh-scale and is also the
logo that RBJ Schlegel uses for the Williamsburg Town Centre. For the past two years,
volunteers of the WCA and City of Kitchener staff have been working diligently to connect with
residents to determine what programs and services are needed in this diverse and exciting
community. The WCA represents a vehicle for getting the neighbors together, networking and
fostering a sense of safety in the Williamsburg community.
The WCA boundaries include residents living in the area between Highway 7/8 to the north,
Bleams Road to the south, Trussler Road to the west and Fischer Hallman Road to the East.
There are approximately 4500 families living within these boundaries.
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WCA’s first Annual General Meeting occurred on June 17 2009. At this meeting, the
constitution for the association was formally adopted and the first slate of Board members was
voted into office. The purpose of the Williamsburg Community Association, as identified by their
constitution, is:
to develop closer relations among residents, and a friendly community spirit within the
Williamsburg community;
To encourage and facilitate cooperation among organizations and agencies providing
service to the neighbourhoood;
To provide recreation activities within the geographic area of the community association
with the objective of encouraging participation of all residents in the area and in all age
groups; and
To preserve and enhance the quality of life in the Williamsburg neighbourhood.
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The WCA has regular monthly board meetings on the third Thursday of every month. Meetings
are open to all and community members are welcome to attend. Currently the WCA is working
to organize winter programs and events for the new Community centre.
The WCA currently has two ways in which they communicate with their residents:
Blog: http://www.williamsburgcommunityassociation.blogspot.com/ , and
E-mail: williamsburg.community@gmail.com
A Communications subcommittee made up of volunteers is responsible for monitoring and
updating these communication tools.
The WCA is a voluntary, not for profit, non-partisan, non-denominational group and has all the
required characteristics as outlined in the affiliation policy for the City of Kitchener
Neighbourhood Associations.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
There are no financial implications associated with adding this Association as an affiliate at this
time.
COMMUNICATIONS:
Once the Williamsburg Community Association has received formal acceptance by the City of
Kitchener as an affiliated neighbourhood association, they will be added to the City of Kitchener
web-site and Leisure Magazine, Neighborhood Association contact lists, the Mayor’s list of
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affiliated Neighborhood Associations, and the 3 party liability insurance list with Risk
Management.
ACKNOWLEDGED BY:
Pauline Houston, General Manager, Community Services
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