Action plans get underway at strategy session

By Joan Janzen

The Town of Oyen held a community development strategy session on Thursday evening, February 16th, at the FCSS Community Centre. The session was a follow-up to their November 2022 session and online community strategizing survey. At that time, those in attendance focused on creating better opportunities using the assets present in Oyen.

Nancy Christianson, from the Town of Oyen, said the data gleaned from the online surveys resulted in almost 100 opportunities people had identified. Natalie Gibson, a consultant with InnoVisions and Associates, grouped the ideas into different themes. “Business, agriculture and education opportunities were the top three,” Nancy said.

PHOTO: There was a good turnout at the community development strategy session last Thursday. 

She was excited to see people from the Prairie Rose School Division in attendance, and there was much discussion on education, scholarships and bursaries. It was announced that the health care aid program is returning to the high school, which gives students an excellent start to get into the medical field and earn a credit for the course.

Earlier that afternoon, Natalie and Nancy visited residents at the senior lodge. As a result, nineteen residents accepted their invitation to attend the meeting later that evening.

Debbie Ross, CAO at the Town of Oyen, said, “The seniors had lots of really good input because they have a totally different perspective and have a lot more experience. We wanted to tap into that experience.”

Natalie didn’t waste any time putting those in attendance to work. They were put in groups of ten at each of the four tables in the room, representing different themes. Each group constructed an action plan and decided who they could connect with to help make their opportunities a reality. “We had more accountability at this session,” Nancy noted.

Debbie said leads were identified in each group that would help pull the team together as they began working on their particular project. People around the table were really engaged, many continuing to strategize until 9:30 or 10:00 that evening.

“Each group will be meeting in the next thirty days and coming up with an action plan,” Debbie said. After the 30-day time period, Natalie will connect with the groups to see how their plans are progressing. Follow-up is vital because, as Nancy explained so well, “People can have ideas, but you want to follow through with them.”

The Town of Oyen has excellent facilities and groups, which, when connected, have the potential to build more opportunities. “We need to capitalize on our assets,” Nancy said.

“It takes a community to make things happen; it isn’t just up to town council,” Debbie said. “People in the community need to be a part of the solution.”