Who We Are
The North Bay and Area Social Planning Council is a not-for-profit, charitable organization reflecting the diversity of our community.
Our Purpose
The SPC exists in order to bring people together to address broad human needs and promote improvements in the overall quality of life of all people in our area.
What is social planning?
Social planning is a process that helps communities identify strengths and weaknesses, and determine ways to improve quality of life in the community.
What is involved in the social planning process?
Engaging Individuals
Ensuring all voices are heard. Learning from those who experience marginalization in our community and empowering them to be part of the solution.
Building Partnerships
Connecting community organizations and planning tables in an effort to respond to the needs of our community in a collaborative and strategic way. Maintaining, expanding, and strengthening these partnerships for greater outcomes and long-term success.
Gathering Information
Drawing on statistical data and lived experiences to demonstrate need, focus our response, and inform decision-makers on local conditions.
Facilitating the Coordination of Services
Supporting health and social services in working together and supporting each other, while working toward a seamless social service delivery system.
Raising Public Awareness
Providing opportunities for public discussion on critical issues that affect the well-being of our community, and educating our community on local needs and assets.
Advocating for Change
Drawing on its strength as an independent body, the SPC uses its engaged community members, partnerships and research to advocate for system, program and policy changes that promote social justice and improvements in the quality of life for people in North Bay and area.
The SPC can also function as a voice for the non-profit social service sector.
Board of Directors
Nancy Pilon, Chair
Linda Dube, Treasurer
Amy Campbell
Ann McCarthy
Priscilla Solomon
Tricia Mills
Linda Dube, Treasurer
Amy Campbell
Ann McCarthy
Priscilla Solomon
Tricia Mills
Our Commitment to North Bay and Area
Since its inception in 1993, the North Bay and Area Social Planning Council (SPC) has worked to promote progressive social policies, and address conditions and issues affecting people in North Bay and Area.
The SPC has been committed to providing opportunities for community members to come together and collectively respond to common concerns such as housing, homelessness, food security, transportation, children’s rights, and poverty reduction. Our organization provides facilitative and administration support to grassroots groups which allows them to move forward in responding to identified problems or gaps in our local social safety net.
The SPC has been committed to providing opportunities for community members to come together and collectively respond to common concerns such as housing, homelessness, food security, transportation, children’s rights, and poverty reduction. Our organization provides facilitative and administration support to grassroots groups which allows them to move forward in responding to identified problems or gaps in our local social safety net.
History of Achievements (2010-1993)
2011:
· Hosted Civic and Community Leaders’ Day with over 60 participants to discuss building a strong, dynamic and sustainable workforce in North Bay/Nipissing as part of the Regional Hub Project.
· Participated in the Regional Hub Reflection Sessions to create a framework for developing social planning councils.
· Provided input for the Northern Ontario Growth Plan.
· Submitted a motion to North Bay City Council to endorse the provincial Put Food in the Budget Campaign –urging a $100 monthly healthy food supplement for all adults receiving social assistance. The motion was passed by City Council.
· Submitted recommendations for the Social Assistance Review to commissioners Frances Lankin and Munir A. Sheikh.
· Submitted recommendations for the pre-budget consultations to Minister of Finance Dwight Duncan.
· Implemented an anti-racism and volunteer policy for the NBASPC.
· Completed 7 community education/awareness presentations including: Poverty Awareness Network of Nipissing University (PANN), Canadian Career College, OPP Veterans Association, Child Abuse Prevention Committee, Near North District School Board, North Bay City Council, and District of Nipissing Social Services Administration Board.
2010:
· Initiated participation in the Social Planning Network of Ontario’s Community Capacity-Building Regional Hub Project during which the SPC will engage local stakeholders in the development of a social and economic development blueprint
· Coordinated the Social Audit 2010 – North Bay – as 1 of 28 communities participating in the
Interfaith Social Assistance Reform Coalition's Social Audit which evaluates the impacts of social policies on the lives of the most vulnerable people in Ontario
· Convening of the Poverty Reduction Working Group of Nipissing and its Communications Group, including providing administrative and community education support
· Member Agency of the Nipissing District Homelessness Partnership
· Participated in preparation for the launch of www.nowrongdoornipissing.ca (a housing and
homelessness community resource website) and Community Case Response Workshop
· Member Agency of the Nipissing District Children’s Services Planning Table 0-6 and its Coordination Working Group
2009:
· Convened the Poverty Reduction Working Group of Nipissing
· Member agency of the Nipissing District Homelessness Partnership supporting service integration initiatives,
networking and public education opportunities
· Provided support in organizing the Nipissing District Homelessness Partnership’s No Wrong Door: You are the Key Networking Event (Sept-Nov 2010)
· One-year funding received to hire an Executive Coordinator through the District of Nipissing Social Services Administration Board
· Operation of the RideShare Program (until June 2009)
· Participation in Nipissing University’s Mentorship Program’s Poverty Awareness Campaign
· Provided coordinating support to the North Bay Parent Advisory Committee
· Report: Making Ends Meet: Rider Satisfaction Survey Results, March 2009
· Report: RideShare Program Final Report and Evaluation, June 2009
2008:
· Funding received to hire a RideShare Coordinator through the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund
· Convening of the Provincial Consultation Working Group
· Implementation of the RideShare Pilot Program
· Grassroots Leadership Workshop - Nipissing University
· Extension of the RideShare Pilot Project
· Family Fun Day Fundraiser held at Les Compagnons - 100% of proceeds directly to the RideShare Program
· RideShare presentation given at the Rotary Club of Nipissing
· Partnership with student-run program “Meal Exchange” established
· Poverty Reduction Coalition-building meeting
· Town Hall – Poverty Reduction at the provincial and local levels
2007:
· Participation in the Kids and Community Reflections Session in Burlington in order to share and reflect with other Parent Advisory Committee members from four other project sites
· Creation and distribution of a Safe and Affordable Housing petition by PAC members
· Creation of the “PAC Manual” and “Specific Leadership Positions” of PAC members
· Completion of the Photovoice Boards, which graphically represents the most pervasive barriers to social
inclusion, as identified by parents
· Silent Auction and Bakesale held in May in order to raise funds for the RideShare program
· Social Planning Council Annual General Meeting – PAC members present
· RideShare Planning Session held with PAC members and community partners
· RideShare Design Session held with PAC members and community partners
· Development of all policies and procedures for the RideShare Pilot Program
· Elect a RideShare Coordinator (volunteer)
· RideShare media launch held in October
· Development of the RideShare Advisory Council in order to oversee the RideShare Pilot Program
· Creation of the RideShare video
· Report: Getting there is Half the Battle
· Report: RideShare Program – Phase I – summary
· Report: Community Escan: North Bay Kids
· Implementation of the RideShare Pilot Program – Phase I (October-December 2007)
2006:
· Hire a Facilitator/Researcher for the Kids and Community Project – Nicole Francoeur
· 13 roundtable discussions including over 130 low-income parents were facilitated in order to identify barriers to social inclusion
· 10 roundtable discussions including over 100 parents were facilitated in order to devise action plans to reduce barriers to social inclusion
· Social Planning Council Annual General Meeting – Nicole Francoeur presents
· Kids and Community Visioning Day held with over 50 parents and service providers in June
· Parent Advisory Committee (PAC) assembles and holds their first meeting in July at the Northern Lights Housing Co-op
· Parent Advisory Committee members discuss the barriers to social inclusion identified on the radio show “Social Insight with Lynn Bennett).
· Parent Advisory Committee secures bi-weekly meeting space at the Early Years Centre
· Parent Advisory Committee members travel to the Quinte Visioning day in October in order to present the North Bay PAC’s accomplishments and to act as a vehicle of inspiration
· PAC members write an article for the North Bay Nugget called, “Community Can Help Ease The Suffering of Poverty.”
· PAC members identify transportation as an action plan item, and produce and present a proposal for a RideShare Program to the District of Nipissing Social Services Administration Board (DNSSAB)
· PAC members write an article for the North Bay Nugget called, “Community Transportation Program Needed.”
· Monthly Newsletters are sent out to parents and child and family serving organizations updating the progress of the Kids and Community Project
· Community survey assessing the widespread interest in action plans identified by the PAC created and distributed to community members
· Holiday fundraiser held in December in order to raise funds for additional PAC activities
2005:
· Application to Human Resources and Social Development Canada is successful
· Kids and Community Project to begin in 2006
2004:
· 36 Families participate in Living Quilt Community Garden downtown
· Public Forum "Child Poverty - it's everyone's business"
· Children First Roundtable (Child Poverty Task Force) formed
· RACY (Recreation Access for Children & Youth) Committee formed
· FREE Summer Fun Play Program run for the first time all summer in 3 low-income neighbourhoods
· Survive & Thrive reaches out to 200 participants
· Children First Charter created and endorsed by 5 Municipal Councils and all Roundtable Stakeholders
· 6 Groups of low-income families throughout district become partners in developing strategies
· Caring Community Week "Putting our Children First" coordinated - raised awareness about Child Poverty with 12 events
· 14 Service Clubs agree to Synchronized Service to make it easier to address needs of citizens and fill gaps in delivery
2003:
· CHAG (Community Homeownership Action Group) becomes incorporated
· CHAG Business Plan completed
· Public Forum "An End to Hunger - Making it Happen"
· 6 Kitchen Table Talks - self-help workshops
· Two Community Gardens formed "Living Quilt" downtown and "Our Place" at Bull & Quench
· Co-Chaired Quality of Life Sector for Blue Sky Economic Growth Corporation
· Developed and hosted Caring Community Week - raising awareness about poverty with 9 events throughout the City
· Town Hall Meeting - Child Poverty in Nipissing District
2002:
· Cooperative Office formed, Community Centre for Cooperative Action, renovations underway with volunteers
· Doubled memberships and donations and tripled volunteer involvement (value of volunteerism 95,920)
· Survive & Thrive expands to Sturgeon Falls
· Volunteer Centre becomes incorporated
· Good Food Box expands to South River, Jocko Point and Corbeil
· Neighbourhood Development Advisory Council formed
· Survey of Churches and Service Clubs completed (services provided and gaps identification)
· Virtual Volunteering Project commenced on behalf of the Volunteer Centre
· Youth Panel Discussion held
2001:
· Temporary 3 month Shut-Down
· CHAG (Community Housing Action Group) formed to increase the supply of safe & affordable housing
· Community Foundation start-up Committee formed - visited by Community Foundations Canada
· International Year of the Volunteer - Coordinated festivities and public forums
2000:
· Forum - Community Housing Solutions Phase II - Action Planning Process
· Report - "Homelessness in Nipissing District, One Step Forward"
· First Annual "Donor Buy-In Forum"
· Breakfast for Learning - Nutrition Workshop with Hunger Task Force
· Fourth Annual "Survive and Thrive in Hard Times" Seminar
· Cooperative AGM with six other agencies -"Understanding the Realities of Poverty
· Ongoing planning for the "Our Caring Community" project
· Evaluation and Environmental Scan of the Social Planning Council
· Board and Staff Strategic Planning Retreat
· Report- "Assets of Association: The Social Cohesion Among Selected
· Community Agencies / Organizations in the City of North Bay"
· Report - Quality of Life in North Bay, 2000
1999:
· Open House - new location, all new staff, new projects
· Report - "A Suicide Response Strategy for the City of North Bay"
· Church Groups collaborate to coordinate church food banks, community lunch and supper events
· Third Annual "Survive and Thrive in Hard Times" Seminar
· Report - "The Face of Homelessness in Nipissing District"
· Cooperative AGM - "Partnerships: What Makes Them Work?"
· Skills Development & Empowerment Workshops - Launching a Home-based Business,
· What's for Supper, Coping with Change, Resources for Learning, How to Plan a Budget
· Volunteer Centre of North Bay and Area, opens doors at 375 Main St. West
· Community Needs Assessments
· Child Poverty in Nipissing District, Fact Sheet
· Community Services Directory - initiated whole community approach
· Report - Quality of Life in North Bay, 1999
· Forum - Community Housing Solutions Phase I
· "Our Caring Community" - form committee (December) to begin planning process
1998:
· Skill Development Workshops - Household Budgeting, Affordable Family Nutrition
· Second Annual "Survive and Thrive in Hard Times" Seminar
· Quality of Life Indicator Project for North Bay
· Steering Committee to plan for a Volunteer Centre in North Bay & Area
· Report - "Impacts of a Casino on the North Bay Community
· Hire New Coordinator - Lynn Ann Lauriault
· Report - Quality of Life in North Bay, 1998
· Formed Initiatives Against Homelessness committee
1997:
· Moved to rented Offices in the Sibbitt Centre, 269 Main Street West
· Community Forum - Visioning Day for Hunger Task Force
· Survey - "Social Impacts of Job Loss on Area Families"
· First Annual "Survive and Thrive in Hard Times" Seminar
· Survey - "Feasibility of a Volunteer Centre"
· Workshop - "Alternatives to Food Bank Use"
· Self Help Fair
· Employment Adjustment Workshop - "Employment, Stress & Security"
1996:
· January 2, Articles of Incorporation
· Survey of Churches and Service Clubs
· Community Forum: "Towards an Shared Vision of Community Services"
· Hunger Task Force established
· First Annual General Meeting
1995:
· Hire a Coordinator - Sr. Shirley Caicco
· Office space gratis, Window of Opportunity and Community Counselling Centre
1993:
· Authority from Priority No. 9 of the City of North Bay Corporate Strategic Plan to conduct a social planning process towards the establishment of a Social Planning Council
· Hosted Civic and Community Leaders’ Day with over 60 participants to discuss building a strong, dynamic and sustainable workforce in North Bay/Nipissing as part of the Regional Hub Project.
· Participated in the Regional Hub Reflection Sessions to create a framework for developing social planning councils.
· Provided input for the Northern Ontario Growth Plan.
· Submitted a motion to North Bay City Council to endorse the provincial Put Food in the Budget Campaign –urging a $100 monthly healthy food supplement for all adults receiving social assistance. The motion was passed by City Council.
· Submitted recommendations for the Social Assistance Review to commissioners Frances Lankin and Munir A. Sheikh.
· Submitted recommendations for the pre-budget consultations to Minister of Finance Dwight Duncan.
· Implemented an anti-racism and volunteer policy for the NBASPC.
· Completed 7 community education/awareness presentations including: Poverty Awareness Network of Nipissing University (PANN), Canadian Career College, OPP Veterans Association, Child Abuse Prevention Committee, Near North District School Board, North Bay City Council, and District of Nipissing Social Services Administration Board.
2010:
· Initiated participation in the Social Planning Network of Ontario’s Community Capacity-Building Regional Hub Project during which the SPC will engage local stakeholders in the development of a social and economic development blueprint
· Coordinated the Social Audit 2010 – North Bay – as 1 of 28 communities participating in the
Interfaith Social Assistance Reform Coalition's Social Audit which evaluates the impacts of social policies on the lives of the most vulnerable people in Ontario
· Convening of the Poverty Reduction Working Group of Nipissing and its Communications Group, including providing administrative and community education support
· Member Agency of the Nipissing District Homelessness Partnership
· Participated in preparation for the launch of www.nowrongdoornipissing.ca (a housing and
homelessness community resource website) and Community Case Response Workshop
· Member Agency of the Nipissing District Children’s Services Planning Table 0-6 and its Coordination Working Group
2009:
· Convened the Poverty Reduction Working Group of Nipissing
· Member agency of the Nipissing District Homelessness Partnership supporting service integration initiatives,
networking and public education opportunities
· Provided support in organizing the Nipissing District Homelessness Partnership’s No Wrong Door: You are the Key Networking Event (Sept-Nov 2010)
· One-year funding received to hire an Executive Coordinator through the District of Nipissing Social Services Administration Board
· Operation of the RideShare Program (until June 2009)
· Participation in Nipissing University’s Mentorship Program’s Poverty Awareness Campaign
· Provided coordinating support to the North Bay Parent Advisory Committee
· Report: Making Ends Meet: Rider Satisfaction Survey Results, March 2009
· Report: RideShare Program Final Report and Evaluation, June 2009
2008:
· Funding received to hire a RideShare Coordinator through the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund
· Convening of the Provincial Consultation Working Group
· Implementation of the RideShare Pilot Program
· Grassroots Leadership Workshop - Nipissing University
· Extension of the RideShare Pilot Project
· Family Fun Day Fundraiser held at Les Compagnons - 100% of proceeds directly to the RideShare Program
· RideShare presentation given at the Rotary Club of Nipissing
· Partnership with student-run program “Meal Exchange” established
· Poverty Reduction Coalition-building meeting
· Town Hall – Poverty Reduction at the provincial and local levels
2007:
· Participation in the Kids and Community Reflections Session in Burlington in order to share and reflect with other Parent Advisory Committee members from four other project sites
· Creation and distribution of a Safe and Affordable Housing petition by PAC members
· Creation of the “PAC Manual” and “Specific Leadership Positions” of PAC members
· Completion of the Photovoice Boards, which graphically represents the most pervasive barriers to social
inclusion, as identified by parents
· Silent Auction and Bakesale held in May in order to raise funds for the RideShare program
· Social Planning Council Annual General Meeting – PAC members present
· RideShare Planning Session held with PAC members and community partners
· RideShare Design Session held with PAC members and community partners
· Development of all policies and procedures for the RideShare Pilot Program
· Elect a RideShare Coordinator (volunteer)
· RideShare media launch held in October
· Development of the RideShare Advisory Council in order to oversee the RideShare Pilot Program
· Creation of the RideShare video
· Report: Getting there is Half the Battle
· Report: RideShare Program – Phase I – summary
· Report: Community Escan: North Bay Kids
· Implementation of the RideShare Pilot Program – Phase I (October-December 2007)
2006:
· Hire a Facilitator/Researcher for the Kids and Community Project – Nicole Francoeur
· 13 roundtable discussions including over 130 low-income parents were facilitated in order to identify barriers to social inclusion
· 10 roundtable discussions including over 100 parents were facilitated in order to devise action plans to reduce barriers to social inclusion
· Social Planning Council Annual General Meeting – Nicole Francoeur presents
· Kids and Community Visioning Day held with over 50 parents and service providers in June
· Parent Advisory Committee (PAC) assembles and holds their first meeting in July at the Northern Lights Housing Co-op
· Parent Advisory Committee members discuss the barriers to social inclusion identified on the radio show “Social Insight with Lynn Bennett).
· Parent Advisory Committee secures bi-weekly meeting space at the Early Years Centre
· Parent Advisory Committee members travel to the Quinte Visioning day in October in order to present the North Bay PAC’s accomplishments and to act as a vehicle of inspiration
· PAC members write an article for the North Bay Nugget called, “Community Can Help Ease The Suffering of Poverty.”
· PAC members identify transportation as an action plan item, and produce and present a proposal for a RideShare Program to the District of Nipissing Social Services Administration Board (DNSSAB)
· PAC members write an article for the North Bay Nugget called, “Community Transportation Program Needed.”
· Monthly Newsletters are sent out to parents and child and family serving organizations updating the progress of the Kids and Community Project
· Community survey assessing the widespread interest in action plans identified by the PAC created and distributed to community members
· Holiday fundraiser held in December in order to raise funds for additional PAC activities
2005:
· Application to Human Resources and Social Development Canada is successful
· Kids and Community Project to begin in 2006
2004:
· 36 Families participate in Living Quilt Community Garden downtown
· Public Forum "Child Poverty - it's everyone's business"
· Children First Roundtable (Child Poverty Task Force) formed
· RACY (Recreation Access for Children & Youth) Committee formed
· FREE Summer Fun Play Program run for the first time all summer in 3 low-income neighbourhoods
· Survive & Thrive reaches out to 200 participants
· Children First Charter created and endorsed by 5 Municipal Councils and all Roundtable Stakeholders
· 6 Groups of low-income families throughout district become partners in developing strategies
· Caring Community Week "Putting our Children First" coordinated - raised awareness about Child Poverty with 12 events
· 14 Service Clubs agree to Synchronized Service to make it easier to address needs of citizens and fill gaps in delivery
2003:
· CHAG (Community Homeownership Action Group) becomes incorporated
· CHAG Business Plan completed
· Public Forum "An End to Hunger - Making it Happen"
· 6 Kitchen Table Talks - self-help workshops
· Two Community Gardens formed "Living Quilt" downtown and "Our Place" at Bull & Quench
· Co-Chaired Quality of Life Sector for Blue Sky Economic Growth Corporation
· Developed and hosted Caring Community Week - raising awareness about poverty with 9 events throughout the City
· Town Hall Meeting - Child Poverty in Nipissing District
2002:
· Cooperative Office formed, Community Centre for Cooperative Action, renovations underway with volunteers
· Doubled memberships and donations and tripled volunteer involvement (value of volunteerism 95,920)
· Survive & Thrive expands to Sturgeon Falls
· Volunteer Centre becomes incorporated
· Good Food Box expands to South River, Jocko Point and Corbeil
· Neighbourhood Development Advisory Council formed
· Survey of Churches and Service Clubs completed (services provided and gaps identification)
· Virtual Volunteering Project commenced on behalf of the Volunteer Centre
· Youth Panel Discussion held
2001:
· Temporary 3 month Shut-Down
· CHAG (Community Housing Action Group) formed to increase the supply of safe & affordable housing
· Community Foundation start-up Committee formed - visited by Community Foundations Canada
· International Year of the Volunteer - Coordinated festivities and public forums
2000:
· Forum - Community Housing Solutions Phase II - Action Planning Process
· Report - "Homelessness in Nipissing District, One Step Forward"
· First Annual "Donor Buy-In Forum"
· Breakfast for Learning - Nutrition Workshop with Hunger Task Force
· Fourth Annual "Survive and Thrive in Hard Times" Seminar
· Cooperative AGM with six other agencies -"Understanding the Realities of Poverty
· Ongoing planning for the "Our Caring Community" project
· Evaluation and Environmental Scan of the Social Planning Council
· Board and Staff Strategic Planning Retreat
· Report- "Assets of Association: The Social Cohesion Among Selected
· Community Agencies / Organizations in the City of North Bay"
· Report - Quality of Life in North Bay, 2000
1999:
· Open House - new location, all new staff, new projects
· Report - "A Suicide Response Strategy for the City of North Bay"
· Church Groups collaborate to coordinate church food banks, community lunch and supper events
· Third Annual "Survive and Thrive in Hard Times" Seminar
· Report - "The Face of Homelessness in Nipissing District"
· Cooperative AGM - "Partnerships: What Makes Them Work?"
· Skills Development & Empowerment Workshops - Launching a Home-based Business,
· What's for Supper, Coping with Change, Resources for Learning, How to Plan a Budget
· Volunteer Centre of North Bay and Area, opens doors at 375 Main St. West
· Community Needs Assessments
· Child Poverty in Nipissing District, Fact Sheet
· Community Services Directory - initiated whole community approach
· Report - Quality of Life in North Bay, 1999
· Forum - Community Housing Solutions Phase I
· "Our Caring Community" - form committee (December) to begin planning process
1998:
· Skill Development Workshops - Household Budgeting, Affordable Family Nutrition
· Second Annual "Survive and Thrive in Hard Times" Seminar
· Quality of Life Indicator Project for North Bay
· Steering Committee to plan for a Volunteer Centre in North Bay & Area
· Report - "Impacts of a Casino on the North Bay Community
· Hire New Coordinator - Lynn Ann Lauriault
· Report - Quality of Life in North Bay, 1998
· Formed Initiatives Against Homelessness committee
1997:
· Moved to rented Offices in the Sibbitt Centre, 269 Main Street West
· Community Forum - Visioning Day for Hunger Task Force
· Survey - "Social Impacts of Job Loss on Area Families"
· First Annual "Survive and Thrive in Hard Times" Seminar
· Survey - "Feasibility of a Volunteer Centre"
· Workshop - "Alternatives to Food Bank Use"
· Self Help Fair
· Employment Adjustment Workshop - "Employment, Stress & Security"
1996:
· January 2, Articles of Incorporation
· Survey of Churches and Service Clubs
· Community Forum: "Towards an Shared Vision of Community Services"
· Hunger Task Force established
· First Annual General Meeting
1995:
· Hire a Coordinator - Sr. Shirley Caicco
· Office space gratis, Window of Opportunity and Community Counselling Centre
1993:
· Authority from Priority No. 9 of the City of North Bay Corporate Strategic Plan to conduct a social planning process towards the establishment of a Social Planning Council
Click one of the following links to view the Social Planning Council's Anti-Racism and/or Volunteer Involvement Policy:
| NBASPC Anti Racism Policy.pdf |
| Canadian Code for Volunteer Involvement.pdf |
