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Strategic Planning Process Report
Skawenni:io Tsi Iehwennahotahkwa Kahnawake Library
Strategic Planning Process Report
March 30th, 2010
Compiled by: Emma Sobel
Process Overview
Workshop Outcomes
Next Steps
Workshop Data
The Board of Directors of the Skawenni:io Tsi Iehwennahnotahkhwa Kahnawake Library met with Emma Sobel, a student consultant at Concordia University, over a period of three months to co-develop a workshop that would help conversations to be held about:
The future of the library and its place in the community
How the board would work
What the board would work towards
A method called the Technology of Participation® (Institute of Cultural Affairs) was chosen as a way to have these conversations. The method uses index cards to gather individual answers to a question in order to build consensus by creating a bigger picture out of everyone’s individual ideas. It was chosen because it is a process that is participative and democratic and therefore aligned with cultural values.
The Board of Directors first used the Technology of Participation® process to define hoped for outcomes from the workshop. The Board was asked to write individual answers to the question:
What are all the things we hope will come out of the workshop?
After discussing and building a bigger picture out of their ideas, group goals were defined as follows:
Engaging Community
Enthusiasm
Committed Board Members
Clarity
A Board Structure
Core Funding
On March 30th, 2010, twenty-eight people participated in a workshop with the following objectives in relation to the goals previously established by the Board of Directors:
To discover and discuss the importance of a Library in our community.
To get community input into the ways the Library can serve the community.
To discuss what the Library board would need to do to fulfill community objectives.
To be able to take this information and work with it later to continue developing the library in service of the community.
To discover who from the community might be interested in helping.
In light of these objectives, participants used index cards to answer a series of questions in a three part workshop.
Workshop Part 1- The Current Place of the Library
What are all the ways the Library has had an impact on the community?
What are all the ways the Library could have an impact on the community?
What are all the ways the community has had an impact in the Library?
What are all the ways the community could have an impact on the Library?
Workshop Part 2- Vision for the Community:
What are all the ways the Library can serve the community?
Workshop Part 3- Vision for the Library Board:
What are all the things that should happen to fulfill the community vision?
Individual answers were written on index cards. These cards were then moved around by the group based on commonalities in order to create a bigger picture and vision that could be worked towards.
Participants then discussed next steps in order to implement these visions after exploring where there was both sufficient passion and urgency in relation to the work that needs to be done.
Community Vision for the Library
The following is a summary of the discussions regarding the community vision for the Library.
The Kahnawake Library can serve the community by:
Providing a Gathering Place
Some elements of this include:
Being a neutral, safe, community space
Being a part of / hub for a network of partnered organizations
Being a place to meet where people want to go
Showcasing Kahnawake Expressions
Some elements of this include:
Being a place to exhibit and learn about Kahnawake art, culture and language in an interactive way
Being a place to learn about things outside the community
Being A Circle of Communication
Some elements of this include:
Setting up ways of communicating with the community
Setting up ways of getting information out to the community
Being A Place for Enlightenment
Some elements of this include:
Finding ways for people to learn and be inspired
Bringing generations together to learn from each other
Developing new programs that make learning positive
Being A Place to Exchange Knowledge and Learning
Some elements of this include:
Promoting literacy
Providing tutoring
Promoting and teaching the Mohawk language
Being a place that supports the advancement of education
Being A Place where One can Find the Documents
Some elements of this include:
Being the holder of Kahnawake history and ancestry
Being a research center
Being a neutral space to keep records
The following is a summary of the discussions regarding the vision for the Library Board of Directors and Volunteers. For specific data please see page 13.
In order to fulfill the community vision for the Library, we need:
Secured Long Term Funding
Some elements of this include:
More space
A permanent source of funding
A business to compliment the Library
Note: The discussion around this item included the idea that community ownership was closely linked to funding of the Library.
Community Ownership
Some elements of this include:
Engaged and committed community volunteers
Community awareness and use of the Library
Belief in the potential of the Library in the community
To Serve the Community by Providing Current Resources
Some elements of this include:
Providing workshops on job searching
Providing access to new technologies
Providing books and information
Communication Teamwork
Some elements of this include:
Being a coordinated team of people
Having good communication between board, staff and volunteers
Having committed leadership
The Roots of the Tree: Our Principles and Values
Some elements of this include:
Continued commitment
Celebrating successes
Determination, resilience and tenacity
Being supportive of each other
To Create a Focused Plan for Growth
Some elements of this include:
Have and action plan
Have consistent discussions
Set goals
Monitor and measure steps
The recommended next step, as discussed by workshop participants, is to create a focused plan for growth using elements of these two visions and building on discussions from the workshop.
This recommendation is based upon the balance of passion and urgency that participants felt toward this particular vision element as well as the connections between elements (illustrated below) that make creating a focused plan a logical starting point.
Community Vision
Providing a Gathering Place
Being A Circle of Communication
Being A Place to Exchange Knowledge and Learning
Showcasing Kahnawake Expressions
Being A Place for Enlightenment
Being A Place where One can Find the Documents
Board Vision
To Create a Focused Plan for Growth
The Roots of the Tree: Our Principles and Values
Communication Teamwork
To Serve the Community by Providing Current Resources
Community Ownership
Secured Long Term Funding
The result of working together on the plan according to principles and values will result in better communication and teamwork. Better communication and teamwork will also reinforce principles and values and lead to better execution of the plan.
Successful implementation of this vision will free the board to work together toward the community vision. The elements of the community vision will begin to reinforce each other as they come into being, eventually allowing a dynamic and collaborative relationship to be built between the Library and the community. The community will support and participate in the future of the Library at the same time as the Library is supporting and participating in the future of the community.
Community Vision for the Library
Focus Question: What are all the ways the Library can Serve the Community?
Providing a Gathering Place
A Place where one can Find the Documents
Showcasing Kahnawake Expressions
A Circle of Communication
A Place for Enlightenment
A Place to Exchange Knowledge and Learning
Central clearinghouse
Research center
Kids art. Make a calendar
Facebook group
(info and advertising)
Make learning positive
Volunteer tutoring
Become part of community network (organizational)
Geneology
Art Exhibit
Create Calendar
Profile native authors
Promote literacy in Kahien’keha language
Interactive
Hold all research on Kahnawake
Teach culture
Newsletter
Cultural events
Supporting education
Seminars
Community data base ( ie. Geneology, gov. docs, history)
Flute pottery basket
Addressing wants Library
Collaborate with daycares (sbs and home based)
Tutor
A place to meet
Geneology
Strengthening Kanien’keha
Communication
Source of discovery
Teach parents how to read to their children
Collaborate with community schools
Neutral location for all
Birth documents
Marriage documents
Public Documents
Cultural appreciation
Wall of fame autograph book
Programs/activities for all ages
Allowing those who pursue education a range of resources
Opportunities for socializing
House all birth/marriage documents
Beadwork regalia kustowa
Broadcast Novel reading via K103
Invite schools/
classes
Linkages to other schools
Store/provide access to historical info
e.g research data
Exhibits
Literacy programs for:
Children
Youth
Adults
Creative uses of “free time”
Linkages to cultural center
Bulletin board for job opportunities etc.
Library walls decorated with Kahnawake art
Project
Have Kanienkeha reading programs and book clubs
Provide peaceful atmosphere
Be the holder of Kahnawake history
Showcase kahnawake artisits
Hold events
Coin day
Information sessions
Conferences (non-Anpolitical)
Site visit
Bookstore
Ancestry history
Library environment interactive
Speakers
(authors) forum
Insight
Reading group for teens
Ancestry information
Door way for learning about things and ideas outside of the community
Events
Creative writing competition
Reading group for adults
Community data base info
Art cultural lessons
Inspire young people
Show and tell
Partnerships with the Kahnawake education center
History
An art center
Generations “rapprochement”
Mix physical and educational activities
Reading groups for youth
Have all public documents
“neutral location”
Prophecy theme
Creative reading/writing events (storytelling, poetry reading)
French club
Partnership with KOR for cultural initiatives
Help us reach potential
Promote literacy
Location for gathering of minds-discussion
Contests on research projects
Children’s programs
Universal appeal
“window” to the outside world
Extra-curricular
activities
A place where youth will
Story writing
Literacy
want to hang out
Place for family oriented gatherings
Reading week
No t.v, no video games, no computer
Conference class workshops
Chess club
Continue to teach children
Literacy programs
Address wants
Book reviews by authors
Stage placements for college, university
Café
More author visits
Offer tutoring
Neutral organization
Book of the week adult reading groups
Read-a-thons
Network hub “bring people together” +organizations
Promote historical events/culture of Kahnawake
Adult reading group
Provide gathering place
Source of discovery
Partnership with tutors
Catalyst to develop teamwork among organizations
To give and to get knowledge
Spelling bee
A “safe” place for everyone
Promote inspiring individuals who have done a lot for our community
Future of the Mohawk language
Support community an organizational visions
Author visits/book clubs
Providing freedom and options for community members to pursue their goals
Network with each other
Culture workshops
After school homework help
Kahnawake corner
Writing workshops
Promote story telling
Reading area
Kahnawake
coffee/muffins
youth-place to go study, gather, learn
Quiet place to study/research
Providing access to information and educational resources
Convenient hours
Mobile book bus
Sponsor writing contest
Story telling
Lang/arts
What are all the things that should happen in order to achieve the community vision?
P= passion (indicated by purple stickers)
U- urgency (indicated by red stickers)
Secured Long Term Funding
P: 5
U: 28
Community Ownership
P: 26
U: 21
Serves Community by Providing Current Resources
P: 0
U: 0
Communication Teamwork
P: 12
U: 12
The Roots of the Tree: Our Principles and Values
P: 30
U: 10
Create a Focused Plan for Growth
P: 13
U: 25
More advertising in the media
Investment of interest
Mobile library
More self-promotion (clubs,orgs, endorsements)
Tell the story
Graphically represent these goals
More space
Belief in the potential of community to make things happen
Language booths
Co-ordinate
Time
Concrete project
Donations
Times (engagement)
Access
Board-staff volunteers-work together
Support each other
Deliver results
Other means of finance
More community outreach
Learning forums
Leadership involvement
Continued commitment
Have stats (use, members)
MCK permanent funding
Persons must purchase membership!
Sell books
Link the resources of the organization
Determination
Timeline
A bigger building
Membership drive
Books for purchase
Work together
Our resilience and tenacity=strength
Know who’s gonna do what
Community fund resources
Increase community awareness of existing library services
Audio books
Good communication mechanisms
Celebrate successes
Identify significant markers (goals)
Secure funding
Recruit community leadership from diverse areas
Learning to use the internet courses
Integrative approaches
Have a plan
(short, medium, long)
Microfiche donation-save sapce
Think of the children
Inter-library loans (inclu.universities)
Remain inclusive
Prioritize steps to goal
Guaranteed funding
Board recruitment-for diverse membership
Good communications
Solid reporting
Permanent source of funding
Volunteers
Access to technologies
Collaboration btw. Schools, library and cultural center
Actions plan
Core funding
Get community buy-in
Offer an array of literature
Get the word out
Keep community updated/informed (accountable)
Start a business to complement library
School field trips to library
Internet Access
Collaborative team
Consistent discussions
A business plan for revenue
Enthusiastic volunteers
Guest speakers on labour market information
Stay focused
Pow-wow booths sell promotional items. Books,CD’s, coffee cups etc.
Volunteer students from universities for tutors
Workshops on job search
Set goals
Owista
Persons must give of self and/or what s/he can to support and sustain library
Workshops
Website
Elected council must core fund. Library and lead others with $ to follow
Recruit 10 volunteers a month
Be progressive and proactive in development
Monitor and measure steps
Newsletter sponsors
Persons must visit
Information center (tourism)
Schedule
advertisement
library
Look outside
Community involvement
Clearinghouse for information
Accountability
Obtain charitable number
Community support
Research
Set priorities
More staff
Internet connectivity and usage
Identify strengths and weaknesses
Willing participants
Cultural information/resources
Set and monitor goals
Volunteers
Study “skills” resource
Long term realistic programs
New board members
Providing language materials
Make a plan
Frequent engagement with the community
As a trusted resource “up to date”
Transparency
Community support
Support school projects
To start one step at a time
Community library promotion
Documentation center
Responsibility
Community awareness
Provide latest books
Volunteers
A specific section for the unemployed
Increase community value for library services
French resources
Access point for info
Online research
What are all the ways the Library has had or could have an impact on the community?
What are all the ways the community has or could have an impact on the Library?
Keeps children learning
Increased learning
Helped school children with projects
Provided an alternative to sports
Raise community awareness
Art workshop interactive with storytelling
Develop teamwork among similar organizations
Bring authors to Kahnawake
Encourage people to write
Increased knowledge
Place to do research
Future programs
Youth will discover its importance
Engage parents and children
Close to the people
Resources for students
Books are important
Promote reading
Literacy programs could help adults to read
Children’s reading summer groups gave children confidence in reading
Have children’s art on display it can bring in families
It exists!
Adequate $ guarantees stress free continuance
Another gathering place
Provides peaceful and quiet place
Addressed needs to be incorporated
Donations
Strong participation
Outpouring of support
Promote participation
Force behind its beginning
Participate in literary events
Positive support
Promote the value
Shaped a resource unique to itself
Sharing
Increase usage
More people get involved
Through continuous collaboration
Donating valuable reading material
Volunteer
Support
Support
Make “learning” a group activity not just an individual one
High expectations
Active
Helping
Have a library event “reading week” theme
Financial support
Financial support
Requesting services
Positive alternative to couch potato syndrome
Share- information
Education
Be part of it
Expand literacy programs
Literacy
Love for learning
Unifying force “neutral”
It can be done
Inspiring
Motivation
Power in voice of our youth
Grass Roots
Involvement
Expanding Horizons
More accessibility to various forms of literacy
Positive extra curricular activity
Helped children learn to read
Knowledge
Increase reading, decrease video games
Develop projects of interest
Bring generations together
Potentially part of community network
Increased profile of importance of learning
Consistent (reliable) educational resources
Heighten reading levels
Reflection and learning
Discovery
Exposure
More impact with adult/teen book clubs
Creative fundraising
People volunteer
Support for its “creation” and on-going life
Good relations
Financial aid
Expantion
Kahnawake’s resilient nature
Bring students
A place to increase social issues
Promote as a family activity
Embraced concept
Promote Library
Provide direction
Continued support
Involved
Man power
Increase patronage
Financial support
Teamwork
Core funding
Supporting
Supported great cause
More funding
Involvement
Support
Consider the future
Question to university students
Community support financially
Brian Deer classification system
New material
Childrens book clubs have been one of the biggest positive impact
Murder most foul
Window to the past
Window to the present
Easy access to information
It promotes literacy
Engaging a diverse range of Kahnawakeh-non to ensure a sense of community ownership
Make it more accessible and welcoming to those who may not have used it
Quiet, safe environment
Quiet place for adults
Could serve as T.R.C
Promotes love of reading
Discovery
Children reach their potential
Connects us to past generations
Broadens world view
Provides a space for creative thought
Encouraged literacy
Promotes creativity-children’s book club
Place for children
Highlight issues
More activities
Bring people together
Promotion
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