Community Planning Information

We all have goals and plans that we want to see happen here in Pabineau.  By voicing our thoughts, we can learn to work together and plan a community that meets everyone's needs.

This process is organized in seven stages, but only works with the support of the Chief & Council and the involvement of the community.

1. Gathering background information:  Collect basic facts and perceptions about the community so that aspects which stand out as high and low points can be identified.  Land, People, Settlement, and Economics.

2. Identifying strengths & issues:  Concentrate on recording and understanding problems that need to be dealt with and opportunities that can be built on.

3. Researching root causes:  Probe strengths and issues to reveal the root causes and the consequences of taking no action.

4. Establishing a vision:  Establish a long term, ambitious and appropriate direction for the community.

5. Building a framework:  Translate the vision, issues and values into a blueprint for concerted action in terms of policies, administration, priority action areas, and physical improvements.

6. Developing an implementation strategy:  Establish a management structure, a process for identifying priorities, developing and funding projects so as to make a difference on the ground.

7. Monitoring the plan & projects:  Evaluate the impact of projects individually, the effects of planning as a whole, and revise the plan on an ongoing basis.

Community-based means that THE PLAN belongs to the residents.  It is not the Chief's Plan or the Band Manager's, but every ones.  This implies that three fundamental conditions must be met:

1. The Plan comes from the community.  The Vision, strategies, projects, initiatives are all based on the aspirations, values, resources,, potentials and spirit of residents.

2. The Plan is appropriated by the community.  The content of the Plan is widely understood, accepted and broadly defended.  It belongs to many, many people.

3. The Plan inspires and motivates the community.  It is memorable and provocative.  It is inclusive and engaging.  Its Vision and Framework are able to carry on beyond election cycles from one Chief and Council to the next.

Planning is something which the community does as opposed to something which is done the the community.

Stage 1: Gathering Background Information

Stage 2: Identifying Strengths & Issues

Stage 3: Researching Root Causes

Stage 4: Establishing a Vision

Stage 5: Building a Framework

Stage 6: Developing an Implementation Strategy

Stage 7: Monitoring the Plan & Projects