CONCERTATION
The NDG Community Council works in partnership with a multitude of community organisations seeking concertation on projects & funding opportunities. This allows the Council to work as a collective with other organisations and to reinforce positive outcomes for the residents we ultimately serve. Each table, committee or working group has their own set of goals, all with one common outcome in mind: to improve the quality of life in the neighbourhood! Adding to the numerous local tables, the Council also participates in different ways on several regional regroupements.
What is CONCERTATION?
Concertation refers to a collaborative and coordinated effort to bring together various stakeholders, including community organizations, residents, and institutions, to work collectively on addressing local issues and challenges. It involves fostering dialogue, cooperation, and partnership among these different actors to identify common goals, set priorities, and implement initiatives that contribute to the well-being and development of the NDG community. In essence, concertation aims to create a unified and coordinated approach to community development and problem-solving, promoting a sense of shared responsibility and collaboration among all parties involved.
Table de Quartier: Building Community Engagement and Collaboration
The Table de Quartier is a multifaceted, permanent structure that mobilizes and brings together diverse stakeholders, including community organizations, associations, institutions, private entities, and citizens. Through a concerted approach, it engages participants in the planning, implementation, and monitoring stages of action plans. Embracing diverse perspectives, it seeks consensus to address community concerns.
Structured Governance and Sustainable Involvement
With concrete mechanisms in place, the Table de Quartier operates inclusively, attentively addressing community concerns and promoting the participation of local actors throughout its activities. Its governance model reflects a diversity of local actors, emphasizing its local roots and commitment to responding to community needs in a sustained manner.
Networking and Synergy Advocacy
The Table de Quartier values networking and synergy, facilitating the sharing of expertise to inform collaborative efforts and generate mobilizing action plans. It actively collaborates with other Tables de Quartier when addressing specific issues, fostering a sense of unity among various community groups.
Forum Animation and Shared Vision
Through various participation spaces, the Table de Quartier periodically encourages information exchange, fostering a common understanding of locally impactful issues. It stimulates discussions focused on concrete solution pathways.
Strategic Planning and Impactful Actions
The Table de Quartier strategically plans priorities through action plans. Based on local diagnoses, evolving social needs, and environmental analyses, it invites local actors, including citizens, to collectively establish priorities and work areas. The Table supports the creation of work committees for concrete actions, aiding their implementation, soliciting input from local actors, and facilitating goal attainment.
Documentation, Evaluation, and Self-Reflection
The Table de Quartier systematically documents and evaluates its operations and activities through self-assessment. Using a planning cycle, it assesses internal mechanisms, achievements, and impacts, encouraging member and partner participation in the evaluation process.
Collaboration Reflection with Local Partners
The Table de Quartier organizes periodic meetings with local partners, such as the borough and CIUSSS, to reflect on partnership conditions and collaborations within the Montreal Initiative. This ensures ongoing dialogue, alignment, and optimization of collaborative efforts for the betterment of the community.
The role of Community Organizers
Community organizers play a crucial role in concertation actions within a community. Their responsibilities include:
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Mobilization: Community organizers work to mobilize residents and community groups, encouraging them to get involved in concertation efforts. They promote participation in discussions, meetings, and activities related to community issues.
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Facilitation: Organizers facilitate meetings and discussions among diverse stakeholders, ensuring that different voices are heard and that the process is inclusive and democratic.
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Information Sharing: They provide information about the objectives and activities of concertation initiatives to the community, keeping residents informed and engaged.
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Building Partnerships: They work on building partnerships between various community groups, businesses, institutions, and residents, fostering collaboration and shared responsibility for community development.
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Empowerment: Organizers empower community members to take an active role in shaping the future of their neighborhood, encouraging them to become advocates for positive change.
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Feedback Collection: They collect feedback from residents and stakeholders, ensuring that their perspectives and ideas are integrated into concertation actions.
highlights
Throughout the year, the NDG Community Council has been vibrant with regular Round Table meetings, fostering open dialogue and engagement. These gatherings have become pivotal platforms for organizations to voice their concerns, and share ideas. To stay in the loop be sure to regularly check this space for updates on upcoming events and project launches.
TABLES & COMMITTEES & COALITIONS - ORGANOGRAM
The Intersectoral Table's primary function is to join forces with sectoral tables and groups dealing with housing, development, food security, youth or seniors, in order to integrate into a common vision all these issues that are both specific, but also similar, because they end up touching on the generic problems of fighting poverty and social inequality
Sectoral Tables convene diverse groups to deliberate on issues related to specific subjects, such as food security, or particular demographics, like youth. These tables provide a collaborative space where partners and interested stakeholders, recognizing the relevance of the subject to their sector, come together to share insights, strategies, and collectively address challenges.
The NDG Community Council actively seeks to enhance its presence within regional coalitions, recognizing the importance of collaboration and shared efforts. Whether as a dedicated member or an engaged participant, our commitment to participating in regional groups is driven by a desire to stay informed, contribute meaningfully, and forge connections that benefit the broader community.
TOOLS & RESOURCES FOR ORGANISATIONS
The Council is dedicated to providing robust tools and platforms that bolster the efforts of local organizations in fulfilling their missions. Our website serves as a valuable space for sharing information about these groups through an online resource center. To enhance connectivity and community engagement, we actively implement and support initiatives such as the Community Calendar, Newsletter, Radio and a dedicated Facebook group. These resources collectively contribute to fostering a vibrant and informed community, promoting collaboration, and amplifying the impact of local organizations in Notre-Dame-de-Grâce.
During the challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Council assumed a leadership role, swiftly adapting our community to the new reality. Recognizing the importance of maintaining connection, we transitioned our meetings to virtual platforms. Additionally, we diligently updated and communicated vital information to ensure residents remained informed and supported during these unprecedented circumstances. The Council remains committed to navigating these challenges with resilience and innovation, fostering a sense of community even in the face of adversity.