Widespread Community Participationis essential to envisioning a common future and an understanding of our management of growth contained within the Regional Growth Strategy. Working meaningfully together, in a collaborative and cooperative way, through a process informed by regional residents, First Nations, local governments, elected officials, provincial and federal agencies, and interested stakeholders, will ensure that that our shared vision will be defined through capturing the diverse perspectives and interests present within the Region. Meaningful participation at key points throughout the process is essential to successful development of the Regional Growth Strategy and building the trust and relationships necessary for implementation.

The RGS Participation Plan focuses on establishing a collective direction on managing growth over the next 20 years. Key points of participation are on:

• the issues and opportunities facing the Region;
• the long term goals and priorities;
• alternatives for managing growth;
• a preferred growth management alternative; and,
• the draft Regional Growth Strategy.

The purpose of this Participation Plan is to guide the efforts of the North Okanagan Regional District (RDNO) Board of Directors as it gathers input and feedback for use in the development of a Regional Growth Strategy. As required by the Section 855 (2) of the Local Government Act, the RDNO will provide opportunities for extensive, early, and ongoing public participation with residents, stakeholders, local governments, First Nations, and other government agencies.

The goals of the Participation Plan are to ensure widespread and meaningful participation within the Regional Growth Strategy process and to maintain focus on the issues that the broader community identifies as most important, to develop regional vision; goals, objectives and strategies that will help develop informed decisions about the desired future of the Region.

The four broad goals of the Participation Plan are to:

• Ensure that all communities, residents and stakeholders in the North Okanagan have an opportunity to gain an understanding of the process and be able to provide input into it;
• Communicate to raise awareness about the Regional Growth Strategy, facilitate interest and discussion on growth management issues and priorities, and inform about opportunities to participate;
• Gather input and feedback through a variety of means, including public meetings, elected officials' forums, surveys and other methods of participation; and
• Present input and feedback in a manner that informs the development of the Regional Growth Strategy.

Details of the Participation Plan (300Kb PDF) can be found in the report RDNO Regional Growth Strategy Participation Plan (2009). The Seniors’ Engagement Strategy (765KB PDF) and Youth Engagement Strategy (100Kb PDF) are essential components of our approach to participation.