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 Conference Evaluation: Lessons Learned Below is an assembly of comments received from the post conference evaluation form in response to the following question about what participants felt they learned from the Celebrating Communities Conference. In reflecting on the conference since its conclusion, what would you say are the most important lessons learned from the conference? "The most important learning was the pride, hard work and dedication that exists across this great Province we live, work and play. Second was the history of the Mi'kmag (aboriginal) people. The collection of people from a wide variety of backgrounds and talents. Bringing them together....produced POSITIVE and motivating results." "I found it interesting that most non-native/provincial government agencies, etc. are not aware of what First Nation communities are doing and vice versa but both sides are willing to talk/work together, given the opportunity." "The opportunity to network was great. Mike Stolte's Matrix confirmed that our municipality is on the right course. Irondale Play had great messages." "That there is a lot of pride in Nova Scotia communities, and lots of other people out there like myself who feel very passionate about their home communities." "Just listening to others talk about their struggles or success stories makes you realize your not alone. They meet the same obstacles and have the same struggles and you have to get creative to help your community thrive and grow." "All of the presentations were good. I quite enjoyed the concurrent workshops and felt that both of the workshops I attended were very meaningful. The New Waterford Youth was a wonderful celebration of achievements in education that are happening in that community. The Cap Site presentation was filled with very useful for information. Especially for groups who are working together across distances, on voluntary boards or with few financial resources. I felt that these workshops were under-attended and that many people at the conference could have learned a great deal from these. My feeling is that people were rushing to attend workshops from previous presenters that had engaged them. This is not necessarily a draw back, just an observation. Perhaps providing a summary of what is to be presented at workshops would be helpful in the future as people would get a sense of what they could gain from attending particular workshop sessions." "I think there is a disconnect between government and communities. Communities should be left to decide their own future. Government should only provide support as needed/or when asked. Youth are not being listen to also youth are talked at instead of being listen to." "What seemed to be, on the surface at least and based on very little meaningful contact, the number of regional social and cultural distinctions that characterize Nova Scotian communities." "Communities that are stuck should start with small solution and that there are plenty of tools out there and expertise waiting to be engaged." "I found the interaction with delegates very useful. Hearing what issues are being faced by communities across the Province (often similar!) was very interesting. I particularly liked seeing younger delegates in attendance - keeping our youth is important and hearing (and listening!) what they have to say will help the Province as a whole reach that goal." "I gained a better understanding of the relationship of community development to the Nova Scotia government." "I think I was most impressed by the strides taken by the Aboriginal people of NS to address their economic and social issues." "Citizen engagement must be at the heart of any community development activity, and I am always excited to see so many people who actively care. A renewed hope and energy is what I always take away, when I spend time surrounded by community champions, as I did at the Celebrating Communities Conference." |
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