By Dimitrije Martinovic
Dimitrije is a community Journalist with FOCUS MEDIA ARTS CENTRE

On the evening of May 23, the SDP Planning Committee gathered from 5 PM to 7 PM to forge a strategic path for community development and stakeholder engagement. The meeting, held at the community center, drew a diverse group of committee members, city staff, and community representatives, all driven by a shared commitment to fostering collaboration and inclusivity.

The Planning Committee plays a critical role in advising the SDP Stakeholders Table on strategic direction and action priorities. This involves aligning inter-committee efforts, coordinating activities, and ensuring meaningful stakeholder and resident engagement. The committee’s core responsibilities include:
*     Supporting the effectiveness of SDP Stakeholder Table meetings.
*     Preparing the four workgroups for their reporting duties.
*     Addressing urgent requirements and requests.
*     Providing necessary information and expertise for informed decision-making.
*     Developing facilitation approaches to enhance stakeholder engagement in discussions and decisions.
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The meeting featured vibrant discussions on several critical topics, reflecting the committee’s dedication to comprehensive community planning.

Walied Khogali Ali (SDP Co-Chair of Community Working Group, Stakeholder Table, and  CBOWG) stressed the need for more lead time in planning and called for additional funding and resources to ensure the success of community events. Elena Mehrzad Tagizadeh (EED Co-Chair),  suggested engaging the community in fundraising efforts to address pressing issues like food insecurity. Gail Lynch (Regent Park resident) raised an important question about the target number of people the committee aims to engage, advocating for clear community practices that facilitate inclusive discussions.

Deany Peters (Regent Park Community Health Centre), emphasized the importance of being intentional about promoting social cohesion and inclusion within the community. Meanwhile, Michael Rosenberg (group co-facilitator and Regent Park resident), proposed shifting the focus from listing accomplishments to considering broader SDP goals. Sher Khan (Community Specialist Dixon Hall), highlighted the potential for combining overlapping projects to use resources more efficiently.

Adonis Huggins (ED Focus Media Arts Centre), pointed out the necessity of having clear objectives and measurable targets for community projects, such as those organized for Black History Month. He stressed that having specific goals, like the number of vendors and attendees, would improve project effectiveness.

The committee reviewed the Regent Park SDP Strategic Plan Workbook, focusing on the accomplishments and future directions of various working groups. This review highlighted the need for clear goals and consistent tracking of progress. The importance of recognizing diverse community interests, including those of mothers, seniors, and youth, was also discussed.

Walied Khogali Ali emphasized the significance of documenting grassroots collaborations and ensuring that community voices are integral to planning processes. This documentation is crucial for discussions about funding and rezoning, making sure that residents are not an afterthought.

The meeting concluded with a consensus on the need for more frequent and structured meetings to achieve the committee’s goals. Michael noted that only 25% of the planned work had been completed, indicating the need for additional sessions. The next meeting is scheduled for June 6, with members encouraged to continue contributing their inputs outside formal sessions.

Michael urged the working groups to take their work back to their respective teams, gather more input, and come prepared for detailed discussions at the next meeting. Adonis echoed this sentiment, encouraging attendees to share their ideas and feedback continually.

The meeting was well-attended, with notable participants including Sarah Jane, Kaitlyn, Miguel, Marlene, Deany, Joel, Sher, Sonia Yang, Elena, Walied, Adonis, Ines, Touhida, Hajia, Murshida, Lisa, Colin (EED co-chair), Gail, Hajia, Shesna, Rabia, Amina Dibe, Michael, and phone participants Guy, George, Shirley, and Mojtaba from RPSAG.

This meeting marked a significant step forward in the committee’s mission to foster a cohesive and engaged community through strategic planning and collaborative efforts. As the SDP Planning Committee continues its work, the emphasis remains on inclusivity, clear goal-setting, and active community participation, ensuring that every voice is heard and valued in the journey toward community development.