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Southland Community Visioning
PAST FORUM
Call Me Southland
Final Report
SoF returned to meet members of the community and other stakeholders in late March 2023 and present the draft report. We have now updated and finalised the report to take into account feedback given and have circulated the report to appropriate stakeholders.
Call Me Southland
What is the ‘Call Me Southland’ project?
The project is a series of conversations with communities about taking control of what their future should look like, thinking beyond present day constraints, setting priorities, and taking action. We also look to the past to make sure customs, traditions and treasures are embedded in the future.
Our workshops are a bit quirky and involve a really good conversation with no pre-determined or hidden agendas. Councils often ask communities about their vision and values and capture words like ‘thriving, cohesive, vibrant and multicultural’ but no-one can tell you what that looks like in 30 years for Nightcaps or Wyndham because they are focussed on today’s issues.
Our belief is that if you can’t describe the future you want, how can you ever get there? Attending one of the workshops in your locality and telling us what long-term success looks like to you is possibly the most important two hours you can spend this year as we turn those ‘vision and value’ words into real world outcomes.
Our workshops are designed to lead unconstrained, blue-sky thinking with a series of open questions and fun to participate in exercises. We never have an agenda, other than the large blank pieces of paper and post it notes that we turn up with. We have some amazing conversations along the way, share a few snacks and leave with everyone having had their chance to have their say.
Shaping our Future, a not-for-profit community visioning organisation has been funded to help Southland District communities describe what long term success really looks like, and what the first actions towards that future should be.
What’s Involved?
We’re holding 8 two hour facilitated public workshops across the district as below: –
- FRIDAY 22 JULY: Athol 11-1 pm then Lumsden 6-8pm
- SATURDAY 23 JULY: Wyndham 11-1 pm then Winton 6-8pm
- SUNDAY 24 JULY: Stewart Island 11-1pm then Riverton 6-8pm
- MONDAY 25 JULY: Nightcaps 11-1pm then Te Anau 6-8pm
We also plan visit the 6 high school colleges to capture the youth voice, run a version of the workshop online and run an online survey for anyone that couldn’t attend a workshop.
Once all the findings have been collated, we will present them back to the community for validation before finalising a report. The output will provide decision-makers (at all levels across the community) with clear direction about the future that the community wants to work towards.
Why You Should Attend a Workshop
- We know people fear that things they value will disappear. They fear that their future life in rural communities is decided by the urban centres. This is a great chance to talk about these issues and find solutions.
- The process helps local communities take control of their future. It’s very empowering for a community to set the agenda and describe long term success.
- Because this project is all about supporting and strengthening our local community, we know people find it a really worthwhile and satisfying way to give a couple of hours of their time.
To book a space at a workshop, email [email protected]
