A Coalition of local leaders and community members have been working together with a focus of healthy living and active living. An important piece of this Coalition's approach is collaborative action which mirror's ACE Communities' focus as well. This group further reflects collaboration by incorporating research, strategic planning, relationship and partnership building. These aspects have made several successes for the Coalition and the community as a whole.
How did the Coalition make collaboration work in the community and amongst the groups? At one point, a World Cafe was held. Participants provided input on next steps by rotating in groups from table to table, discussing themed questions at each table and coming to consensus on their answers. Because the groups read and responded to each others' ideas, the session resulted in a rich bank of material for planning. And, of course, with any cafe good food was involved!
Linking, advocating, facilitating, and educating are four key intended areas that were indicated through a community meeting in Camrose. Some important actions from these areas were a healthy vending maching policy within all City of Camrose facilities, a Go To Book that centralizes many informaiton/promotion pieces on healthy lifestyle options in Camrose, a new logo and an amazing professional development seminar with Ian Hill for health care and business professionals.
What does this all mean in the end? It indicates that a group of dedicated, motivated, and action orientated community members are working together to make Camrose more active, creative, and engaged in several ways.
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