TIME

SESSION

Building Equity into Community Engagement Processes presented by Jodi Mucha and Patrick Ward

Stream: Access & Inclusion

There is a growing expectation among community members that they will be invited to provide more meaningful input into the decisions that affect them—and an expectation that the input they provide will meaningfully impact the final decision. This session is for recreation and parks leaders seeking to better integrate an equity lens into their public engagement efforts.

Cracking the Outdoor Learning Code presented by Ted Hagmeier and Carol Sheridan

Stream:  Parks & Open Spaces

An unexpected outcome of programming through a pandemic was the realization that the barriers we imagined to make outdoor recreation impractical don’t hold the same weight when indoor spaces are off limits. Shifting how you look at outdoor spaces as possible learning places and examining the real and imagined barriers to programming outdoors are a few of the steps we will cover to help you “Crack the Code” in your community. Join us and explore the role Recreation Leaders can play in ensuring all individuals and families “thrive outside” and have a strong connection to nature through outdoor opportunities for land-based learning.

Now More than Ever: Community Arts and Wellbeing presented by Brenda Weatherston

Stream: Access & Inclusion

KEY PRESENTATION: What Is It Time For? The Magic and Logic of Leadership Post-Pandemic presented by Christine McLeod

Stream: Leadership & Resilience

The magic and logic of leadership is such that at any given time we have to balance “sensing” and “doing” and in a post-pandemic world that balance is all the more important. The magic of leadership is when we are able to intuitively sense the answer to the question “What is it time for? (Which part of me needs to show up at this moment). The logic of leadership is how we use the tools and experience we have collected to make the magic happen.

You will improve your ability to quickly ask yourself “What is it time for?” You will learn a few go-to tools to pull out at a moment’s notice from your leadership toolkit-You will recognize (and avoid) the barriers that can get in the way of both the magic & the logic. Let's reconnect together on what leadership means for each of us in 2021 and beyond.

• Watch Christine's invitation for you to join her at Symposium (YouTube video).

Networking Social

Networking is one of the most invaluable experiences at Symposium.

Led by our planning committee, your peers, this is your opportunity to connect, share ideas, and have fun with your provincial counterparts from across the sector.

All delegates are welcome.

TIME

SESSION

Changing the Rules: New Approaches to Recreation Design presented by Paul Fast and Steven Kellock

Stream: Access & Inclusion

The Art of Mentoring presented by Dene Rossouw

Stream: Leadership & Resilience

Learn how to foster professional development in your learning using practical tools and skills of empowerment. The Art of Mentoring calls forth new possibilities through a mutual commitment based on respect and trust, and leads to more meaningful engagement and momentum at work.

KEY PRESENTATION: Increasing Our Resilience in Conflict – A Toolkit for All presented by Christine McLeod

Stream: Leadership & Resilience

In this interactive 2-hour workshop, prepare for many “ah ha!” moments as you better understand the impact of stress on yourself and others, equip yourself with powerful knowledge about conflict and discover your own conflict resolution style. Walk away more confident to lean into the opportunities that present themselves via conflict without as much emotion and with greater sense of empathy. The tools and the knowledge you will gain and leave with will help you in every single relationship you have - from your colleagues at work to family, friends and any other relationship that is meaningful in your life. This workshop includes a conflict style assessment.

In this session, participants will better understand the effects of stress on their mental and physical health as well as discover their natural and preferred conflict resolution style. They will also discover ways to avoid drama, discover the antidote to a culture of blame and walk away with a simple model to have better conversations in conflict.

• Watch Christine's invitation for you to join her at Symposium (YouTube video).

Annual General Meeting and Provincial Awards

Hear from BCRPA’s President and CEO as they reflect on this unique year and the plans ahead for 2021. Then stay and celebrate the sector's most innovative projects from around the province.

Networking Social

Networking is one of the most invaluable experiences at Symposium.

Led by our planning committee, your peers, this is your opportunity to connect, share ideas, and have fun with your provincial counterparts from across the sector.

All delegates are welcome.

TIME

SESSION

PANEL: COVID Opportunity: Activating Outdoor Spaces presented by Jordan Petrovics, Darren Peterson, Chris Babcock, and Gillian Drake

Stream: Parks & Open Spaces

This panel will share how local governments have responded to: the surge in park usage by activating the spaces, creating recreational opportunities, the need for covered outdoor spaces (Vancouver), the arts in the parks and on the streets (Kelowna), fitness in the parks (Bowen Island), and COVID twists to projects on the planning table (Golden).

Providing Dignity: Informed Outreach in Our Parks presented by Jess Thornbury, Nikki Page, and Kristen Kvakic

Streams: Access & Inclusion, and Parks & Open Spaces

British Columbia is in the midst of a housing crisis. In the absence of safe, affordable housing, there has been an increase in people sheltering in our parks and surrounding areas prompting the need for increased outreach and engagement. Given the stigma and harassment experienced daily by people who are homeless , there is a critical need for outreach and support services that centre on the dignity of those whom we seek to engage in our shelter and housing programs. This workshop will provide participants with a basic understanding of some of the root causes of homelessness and the challenges of being homeless,  as well as some ideas about what “good” engagement and outreach looks like in practice. Participants will leave the workshop with increased knowledge and some tools for engagement that honours the dignity of the individuals who experience homelessness and shelter in our parks.

Be a Good Guest, Honouring our Hosts, and Caring for Community  presented by Jim McLeod and Sarah Common

Stream: Access & Inclusion

Hives for Humanity Society has been building our pathways to governance, growing our own medicine through the culture of the hive, empowering the leadership of our community members, and working to decolonize our structures, hearts and minds every day, through our words, actions and ways of being together. What is the culture of the hive? How does this relate to calls to Truth and Reconciliation? How do we place ourselves in the context of this work, what tools do we use and create, who are our teachers, how do we listen deeply and act respectfully together? Join us on this journey to Being a Good Guest, Honouring our Hosts, and Caring for Community.

KEY PRESENTATION: Organized Chaos: Post COVID-19 Preparation Tools and New Mindset for Recreation and Parks presented by Jeff Willis

Stream: Leadership & Resilience

BC recreation and parks spaces and programs have become increasingly stuck in a polarizing and paralyzing “unknown or frozen zone”. The good news is the light at the end of tunnel is coming at us full speed as we prepare for a slow post COVID world reopening.  Obstacles have always been opportunities for those willing to change their mindset.
 
Step One - Is accepting Recreation and Parks has a critical role in supporting our communities through post COVID-19 process
Step Two – Get ready! It’s happening!
Step Three – Stop thinking 2019 is going to return – it’s not!
Step Four – Believe and prepare it will be better than ever before.
Step Five – Repeat!

This is the perfect time to add some creative juice and common sense knowledge to power up our energy levels to kick start our team’s readiness for welcoming our community back to our centres on a larger scale. Being organized, knowing your tools and being ready for the new normal while getting comfortable with a little chaos with the transition is necessary.
 
What does organized chaos mean? “A situation or place that seems to be in chaos, but has an underlying organization and pattern which is evident to those involved in the situation.”

Everyone needs a little shake up and chaos to inspire some creativity and let loose of some rigid thinking and functionality. This workshop is fast paced, practical and focused on giving you the straight goods, ideas and tools for preparing for what is next.
 
If anything – come to the workshop if you just want to start with having fun in your day.

• Watch Jeff's personal invitation for you to join him at Symposium (YouTube video).

Networking: Summary of Learnings and Applications

All delegates are welcome to attend this networking session where the planning committee will lead discussions on the learnings and applications gained through Symposium.