Enhancing commUnity Pride
Communities that look successful are most likely to be successful and
BC Communities in Bloom is a program that helps Enhance commUnity Liveability.
A propos de vous
A propos de vous
Prénom
Catherine
Nom
Kennedy
URL Twitter
URL Facebook
A propos de votre organisation
Nom
BC Communities in Bloom
Pays
Canada, BC, Surrey
Country where this solution is creating social impact
Canada, BC
Region in BC where your solution creates social impact
Vancouver, Coast and Mountains, Vancouver Island, Thompson Okanagan, Northern British Columbia, Cariboo Chilcotin Coast, Kootenay Rockies, Columbia Basin.
Votre organisation est-elle une
organisation à but non lucratif
Depuis combien de temps votre organisation opère-t-elle ?
Plus 5 années
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Innovation
Sélectionnez la phase qui s'applique le mieux à votre solution
Stabilité (le projet a dépassé les premières étapes et obtient de bons résultats)
Depuis combien de temps le projet existe-t-il ?
En place depuis plus de 5 ans
The Need: Describe the need for your solution and the size and characteristics of the community(ies) your solution is engaging
From remote wilderness areas to bustling tourist havens throughout the province, the BC Communities in Bloom program helps registered participants identify, improve and celebrate their unique geography, history, environmental and horticulture assets through civic and citizen engagement.
Pairs of trained BC Communities in Bloom volunteer judges travel all areas of the province to meet with citizens who are eager to present their hometown’s best qualities.
First time participants will enhance their community’s liveability through their tidiness efforts, environmental actions, heritage conservation, urban forestry, landscaped areas and floral displays. And, for the experienced participant, reaching the 4 and 5-bloom mark provides the impetus for further recognition and accomplishments.
La solution: quelle solution proposez-vous ? Soyez précis !
BC Communities in Bloom is a province wide program that provides a framework for enhancing commUnity Liveability.
As a smaller non-profit that is typically challenged with resources, we rely on our team of well seasoned volunteers to bring a wealth of knowledge and contacts to our organization. Our strengths certainly are well rooted in our passion of helping communities celebrate their unique character.
The entire BC CiB program operates on a very slim budget while providing a service that municipalities value as a reasonable, cost efficient measurement of a community’s desirability as a place to live, work and visit.
UNIQUE POINTS:
Empowers citizens/local groups to work together to improve their community; Profile for Environmental, Horticultural and Heritage assets unique to the community;
CiB evaluation process views 80% of the community: Municipal, Business, Institutional and Residential areas. Creates a baseline for future improvements and national competition.
The Model: Walk us through a specific example of how your solution makes a difference; include the primary activities involved in your solution.
The BC Communities in Bloom program values a high level of co-operation between individuals, businesses, service clubs and local government to make visible improvements within their community. The judge’s evaluation report acknowledges the positive with valuable suggestions to help the community recognize their future potential.
Whether a community’s aim is increased tourism, general economic development or simply building civic pride, the face it presents to its citizens, and to others, is a key factor in achieving these goals. People and businesses want to be associated with a successful looking community, which is of particular importance to new residents, investors and visitors.
It is also true that citizens want real environmental integrity in their green spaces and respect for the geographical and regional heritage of their area. Achieving such integrity requires good horticultural practices and a visible valuing of the community’s heritage sends a reassuring message that the area honours its past thereby increasing its desirability as a destination for visitors, investment and most importantly residents.
SERVICES Impartial judges visit and grade the community on the criteria listed below and create a report:
Community Involvement
Tidiness Effort
Environmental Awareness
Heritage conservation
Urban Forestry
Landscaped (includes Turf and Groundcover areas)
Floral displays
Once judging is completed, each community receives a report containing specific recommendations to strengthen their community in each of the key criteria areas.
The Marketplace: Who are your peers and competitors? Identify others working to address the same needs as you and indicate what sets you apart from them.
The CiB evaluation program is unique, it has a number of levels: the first level (our Provincial organization) encourages new participants to start with simple improvements to reach a standard of quality before qualifying for the next stage (if desired); the second level is a national contest for best 5-Bloom communities to compete against ones of similar population size. There is an International level as well for advanced communities.
There are other organizations that offer recognition awards, but none that are “on the ground”, within the community, viewing 80% of the municipality using a pair of trained judges who evaluate on a set evaluation criteria with a standardized evaluation grid.
This Entry is about (Issues)
Impact social
Création de l'organisation : nous voulons tout savoir sur votre déclic. Expliquez-nous oú et quand les fondateurs se sont rendu compte que cette solution possédait un véritable potentiel pour changer le monde.
National beautification initiatives have flourished in Europe for decades and it was from those successful programs that Communities in Bloom took its inspiration. Beginning in 1995, the national CiB organization has grown to have most provinces hosting a provincial edition.
In 2005 it became important for our group to structure as a registered not-for-profit society. British Columbia Communities in Bloom (BC CiB) was formed to administrate all aspects of the provincial edition.
We are very proud of how our 'in Bloom' program contributes to the provinces's "Beautiful" reputation and "enhances commUnity liveability".
Using the collaborative power of local government, business, service clubs and citizens, it is this ‘Growing Together’ that enhances a community’s liveability. It is a transformation process that impacts many social, environmental and economic aspects of the community.
Décrivez le but de votre initiative, en insistant sur les résultats que vous souhaitez obtenir
BC CiB works as the catalyst to enhance the overall image of British Columbia by helping participants become the best, most attractive and liveable communities within our province and Canada.
Jusqu'à ce jour, quels résultats a obtenu votre projet ?
Each year over 30 communities in British Columbia participate in the ‘in Bloom’ program that involves thousands of volunteers; on average these CiB action groups contribute over $10,000 worth of time and in-kind donations to many meaningful projects within their hometowns.
Provincially, over ½ million residents benefit from the impacts of these volunteer driven initiatives. More than 100 BC communities have participated since its inception, and 70 since 2005, when the BC Communities in Bloom Society formed to administrate the provincial edition.
Quelles sont vos prévisions en termes d'impact au cours des cinq prochaines années ?
We will continue to reach new communities and attract past participants to come back into the evaluated provincial program to 'tune' up their appearance.
One of our future goals is to help communities document their CiB efforts so that volunteer efforts, projects and improvements are recorded to provide them with a clear cost benefit analysis of the value of the CiB program when they are looking for support and funding. (this will help us too)
We also desire to improve linkages to other provincial organizations and government to become a recognized tool for regional economic development and tourism.
Les meilleures propositions possèdent un programme solide détaillant leurs prévisions pour atteindre et suivre leurs objectifs de croissance. Identifiez vos objectifs à 6 mois pour accroître vos résultats
Définissez les trois tâches principales à accomplir pour atteindre ces objectifs à six mois
Tâche 1
Develop a social media presence
Tâche 2
Document all volunteer contributions and project values (Statistics for CBA)
Tâche 3
Continue working with the BC Garden Tourism Council to develop a NEW Sector for Garden Tourism
Et maintenant, voyez les choses en plus grand ! Identifiez vos objectifs à 12 mois
Définissez les trois tâches principales à accomplir pour atteindre vos objectifs à 12 mois
Tâche 1
Revisit our Strategic Plan, update goals
Tâche 2
Develop a special BC CiB Awards & Conference to celebrate its 10th Anniversary
Tâche 3
Develop linkages to other organizations to be recognized for the valuable service the CiB program provides
Viabilité
Quels sont vos différents partenariats ?
We have an excellent relationship with BC Landscape & Nursery Association, as they were instrumental in our becoming a society. They have provided financial and administrative support since 2004. Limited support now, to encourage becoming a self sustaining organization.
We also have a number of long time Sponsors: Urban Systems and the BC Provincial Capital Commission have been with us since 2004 as well.
Newer sponsor Teck, and past sponsors Fort St. John and Spectra Energy have liked the program for its community aspects.
Tourism BC and BC Recreation & Parks are $0 supporters.
Are you currently targeting other specific populations, locations, or markets for your solution? If so, where and why?
BC CiB is looking for a consistent source of funding from a variety of organizations and government who benefit from our expertise and program.
Because municipal budgets are stretched thin (just participating in the CiB program involves more volunteer contributions than money) they cannot be a funding source.
BC CiB will approach the UBCM, Municipal Finance Authority, BC Assessment and the BC Ministry of Community, Sport & Culture Development as well as the Real Estate Foundation to help support a valuable program that does so much for communities in this province.
Quel environnement et quels facteurs organisationnels internes font la réussite de votre projet ?
We raise funds for this primarily volunteer organization through: registrations (20%), memberships (3%), sponsorships (36%), Other Income (6%) and recently completed a horticulture industry grant (35%).
This just covers the costs of training judges, providing transportation and accommodation for the judges to get to and from the communities, an Awards presentation (Host community organizes the Conference portion) a part-time administrator and bookkeeper (contractors) as well as the promotion of the program within the province. Yearly budget $60,000.
Our organization operates independent of the national CiB program so that we can provide a valuable service to BC municipalities.
Expliquez plus en détails les besoins et les offres indiqués ci-dessus ou proposez un type d'aide non mentionné dans la liste
We are proud of our regional representation, our volunteer Directors & Judges come from around the province, which creates a financial mixed blessing! Building relationships with other provincial organizations may help with administrative resources, and is an option we are open to.
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 | il y a 42 semaines April Dutheil said: Thanks for answering my question Catherine. It sounds like a great approach to community building, co-celebrations. -Aprol about this Competition Entry. - lire plus > |
| il y a 42 semaines Catherine Kennedy said: BC CiB Participants have Community Gardens that are recognized and contribute to evaluation marks within a number of our criteria. We do ... about this Competition Entry. - lire plus > |
| il y a 42 semaines April Dutheil said: Thank you for submitting your entry to BC Ideas. Has BC Communities in Bloom facilitated any community garden initiatives? about this Competition Entry. - lire plus > |
| il y a 45 semaines Catherine Kennedy updated this Competition Entry. |
| il y a 48 semaines Catherine Kennedy updated this Competition Entry. |
| il y a 48 semaines Catherine Kennedy updated this Competition Entry. |
| il y a 51 semaines Catherine Kennedy updated this Competition Entry. |
| il y a 51 semaines Catherine Kennedy submitted this idea. |