Invitation to VAW Coordinating Committees in Ontario
Why a Provincial VAW Forum?• A chance to connect, learn and build
knowledge• A chance to plan our own agenda • A place to recognize the expertise and good
work that happens in communities• To reduce isolation and build a common vision
and strategy
BackgroundEmail sent by Southwest Region VAW Coordinating Committee (SWRCC) to Ontario VAW CCs – September 2010 to ask 2 questions:
1.Do CCs think a provincial VAW forum is a good idea?2.Will your committee support SWRCC submitting a proposal for Trillium funding?
•27 committees responded – Yes!
BackgroundTrillium grant submitted Nov 2010 and approved
– late February 2011• MCSS funded a planning meeting in Toronto
– March 29 & 30– 20 committees represented– Settled on a purpose, 4 key themes for the forum – Established workgroups to organize the forum
Purpose of the Forum
To create a provincial VAW network
What would success look like?• Representative attendance by diverse
members and committees across the province• New knowledge to strengthen local
coordination efforts• Shared projects that will have a provincial
impact• New strategies and relationships for more
inclusive and diverse committees and committee work
Forum Themes1. We want to understand Coordinating Committees:
– Who are we? – What are we working on? – What are our priorities?– How are we different / the same?
Prepare for the Forum - Gather Information:Survey monkey will be used to gather information
about committees prior to the forum / information will be shared to spark discussion among committees
Forum Themes2. We want to know about projects and research
Marketplace / ShowcaseThe forum will include opportunities for
committees to ‘show and tell’ about work they are doing and have done.
• We will explore interest in provincial projects
Forum Themes3. We want to know how committees work
together:– Supporting a VAW focus that includes sexual
violence partners – How inclusive are we? – What does collaboration look like?– Are there strategies for outreach for groups / people
not represented at local tables?– Are there elephants in the room?– How can we collaborate more effectively?– How are the voices of women with lived experience
included?
Forum Themes
DialogueThe forum will include opportunities for dialogue, small groups and world café-type experiences
Forum Themes4. How can we organize ourselves as a network?
– How to use technology– Sustainability– Advocacy and activism– Inclusion and diversity– Maintaining connection
Next Steps after the forumTo be explored...
Who is invited?• 2 members of VAW CCs• Send your most passionate members who:
– have an interest / talent for organizing– will be able to keep the fire going with your local committee after the forum– decision-makers
Organizers will do additional outreach to invite Aboriginal groups, youth, newcomers, disAbled
Funding• Trillium funding will be divided among committees (total grant is $84k)
– Organizers are looking for more funding for simultaneous translation
• Travel funding will be limited to committees coming by air or rail• Registration fee $100 / per person
– Additional participants $120 plus $100 reg. fee
• Subsidies for groups not able to cover the fee
Other items • We want to include space into the agenda for people to talk and think – not a packed agenda• Optional offerings will be available – yoga / theatre / mindfulness / music• Agenda will be developed via teleconference – survey participants at the forum will have opportunities to suggest topics / discussions
What is needed?• Your interest and support• Plan to attend and identify who from your
committee will come (2 people)• Consider setting funds aside from your VAWCC
budget for attendance (registration and travel).• Participate in the survey monkey questions about
your committee (coming soon)• Consider what you can showcase for the forum
Marketplace
Need Information?
Contact the Forum Organizers:
Margaret MacPherson, [email protected]
Colleen Purdon [email protected]