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SDP Meeting: A Discussion on Quorum and Community Priorities
By Gabriel Meissener
Gabriel is a community journalist with FOCUS MEDIA ARTS CENTRE.
During a recent meeting of the Regent Park Social Development Plan (SDP), the main aim was to address pressing issues outlined in the agenda. However, the meeting took an unexpected turn as there wasn't enough attendance, also known as a quorum. What ensued was a debate on the importance of having a minimum number of participants.
The agenda for the meeting was comprehensive, touching upon various aspects of the SDP's ongoing initiatives. It included updates on the EED (Elections, Engagement, and Decision-making) elections, community building efforts, discussions on the ongoing project reporting structure, and a proposal to resume weekly meetings.
However, the meeting faced a challenge as attendance was below the minimum required for quorum. Quorum, defined as the minimum number of members required for voting to occur, became the focal point of the discussion. Some attendees questioned whether quorum was part of the terms of reference for the SDP while others argued that by voting without quorum it would annoy residents and lead to confusion.
The Regent Park Social Development Plan, which originated from extensive community consultations, has been instrumental in promoting social inclusion and cohesion during the neighbourhood's revitalization. In 2017, a comprehensive update was conducted, identifying 53 actions for implementation, 19 of which were prioritized for immediate attention. These actions aim to enhance the quality of life for Regent Park residents and are crucial for the neighbourhood's development.
Despite the quorum debate dominating the meeting, attendees acknowledged the importance of the SDP's initiatives in the community. The meeting emphasized the need for greater participation and commitment from stakeholders to ensure that the SDP continues to serve the best interests of Regent Park residents.
While the meeting did not proceed as planned due to the quorum issue, it underscored the significance for community engagement and commitment to the development of Regent Park. Future meetings will address the agenda of this meeting.
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FOCUS Media Arts Centre (FOCUS) is a not-for-profit organization that was established in 1990 to counter negative media stereotypes of low income communities and provide relevant information to residents living in the Regent Park area and surrounding communities.
We seek to empower marginalized individuals and under represented communities to have a voice, through the use of professional training, mentorships and participatory based media practices that enable the sharing of stories, experiences and perspectives on relevant matters and issues. In brief our mandate is to empower marginalized individuals and under-serviced communities to have a voice and tell their own stories.
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