Making Shift Happen: ReConnecting and ReImagining Us

Hello!

ReImagine West Shore is a registered non-profit society founded by a team of change-makers who aim to connect community members and help nurture some of the behavioural changes we all need to make in response to the “Climate Emergency”.

By organizing community conversations, events, campaigns, and initiatives that embrace change creatively, we believe we can positively contribute to our region’s collective mission of building a more climate-conscious society where sustainable behaviours are the norm.

Why is social and behavioural change critical in response to climate change?

Because it drives attitudes and the actions we take ... or don’t take.

By targeting behavioural change, we CAN:

• Cheerlead: Inform and encourage the adoption of more sustainable practices, like conserving energy, reducing waste, shopping local, and using green transportation.
• Strengthen: Help build citizen resilience and capacity to adapt to the changing climate (extreme weather events, sustainable agriculture, and water conservation).
• Respect: Acknowledge how climate change disproportionately affects vulnerable populations and prioritize solution-sharing that considers the needs and capacities of all members of society.
• Collaborate: Work with other community organizations, individuals, and the business sector on local initiatives which celebrate sustainable and more connected living.

ReImagine’s Community Work Plan

Our proposed Community Work Plan for 2024 is intended to provide support for increased public engagement in Food Security, Beyond Blue Box Recycling, Energy Conservation/Zero Carbon Energy, Green Transportation, Nature Stewardship and Conservation, and Conscientious Consumption/Developing a Local Circular Economy. Here’s what we are currently planning to help inspire and enable positive change ...

WINTER (January - March)

• ReImagining Your West Shore BIG Community Conversation, Launch of our 2024 Program Calendar and Results of our Making Shift Happen Survey (January 27)
• Stop Getting Wasted (Public Meet-up) Learning how to Go Beyond the Blue Box to keep more waste out of the landfill. (February 10)
• Repair Cafe West Shore Repurpose THIS and Fix/Mend THAT! (February 25)
• West Shore Seedy Saturday Get set for the growing season with helpful tips and seeds to get you started! (March 9)

SPRING (April - June)

• Spring Sustainable Living Fair A one-stop pop-up info stop to help folks find their fit for sustainable living. (April 27)
• ReImagine Fashion | “It Takes a Village” For Grade 9-12 Students in looking to Put the Boots to Fast Fashion: A Sustainable Style Challenge and Showcase during the Sustainable Living Fair (April)
• 3 ReImagine Community Meet-ups/Pop-ups (Connecting with community at Music in the Park events, Farmers Markets, etc.)
• ReImagine Your Summer Vacay It’s all about the experience, right? How to lighten your footprint and still have a great time.
• How’s It Growing? - Novice Gardener Check-in: Making the Most of Your H20 (How to conserve when things get HOT!)

SUMMER (July - September)

• ReImagine Power | Power Play Plugging into clean energy solutions that fit your lifestyle. (July)
• 2 Get Cooking Demos/Pop-ups Easy and in-season ... humble local ingredients are transformed into delectable delights for sampling!
• 3 ReImagine Community Meet-ups/Pop-ups (Connecting with community at Music in the Park events, Farmers Markets, etc.)
• Harvest Supper Potluck Global flavours/Local ingredients - an opportunity for community members to gather together and share stories and their tasty traditions.
• Get Canned! Learn how to make the most of what you grow or glean ... connect with canning and other terrific ways to preserve the fresh flavours of the season.

FALL (October - December)

• ReImagine Entertaining Helpful holiday $olutions just in time for Thanksgiving! Be a DIY influencer!
• GO LOCAL West Shore Food Summit Connecting West Shore farmers and producers with our growing population of urban consumers for shared learning.
• Green Friday Shop LOCAL Tip Sheet connecting holiday shoppers with sustainable shopping options.
• 2024 ReImagine West Shore Holiday “Nice” List Festive Meet-up to help spread some inspiration and good cheer with stories about local people taking action to save money and live more sustainable lives.

Our pitch ...

ReImagine West Shore is seeking your support for our year-long program of community conversations, activities, and events being planned for 2024, which aim to build community while actively making climate shift happen.

It will take a team effort to unite the West Shore in a meaningful and measurable citizen response to the “Climate Emergency” and the toll it is increasingly taking on the wellbeing of our community.

We hope you will embrace this opportunity to ReImagine the West Shore together with us and become a sponsor of this important grassroots community initiative.

Ways you can support our quest ...

Amplify

Help spread the word Commit to sharing ReImagine West Shore event/activity messages on your organization’s social channels.

In-Kind

Spaces & Places Our work often requires a physical location to deliver a workshop or host a meeting/event. The generous provision of free venue access can help us get the biggest bang for every buck we raise.

Funding

Help Us Cover Costs Grants, sponsorships, and donations received by ReImagine West Shore are used to support community outreach efforts, from our website to production costs associated with hosted meetings, events, and other public engagement activities.

about our leadership team

Our seasoned leadership team is comprised of positive change-makers who care deeply about the West Shore.

We are proven leaders who understand the value of community collaboration and have the know how to deliver engaging events and special initiatives in support of grassroots climate action.

Cindy Moyer PRESIDENT

Cindy is a communications professional and a dynamic community leader with experience in business, government, education, and the cultural industries, including the development of outreach and engagement strategies, tactics, and tools to help people manage change.

Her local community non-profit work includes the leadership of Climate Action West Shore (CRD EcoStar Award winner) while a director with the WestShore Chamber of Commerce.

Gwen Snyder TREASURER

Gwen ran the Royal Bay Bakery, a successful and award-winning family food enterprise in Colwood, for over 20 years, and has served as a director on multiple non-profit boards.

A significant edible landscape in Gwen’s Garden provides an organic source of ingredients she transforms into healthy products she loves to share. Gwen cultivates authentic connections striving to build an inclusive community culture that leaves no one behind.

Shannon Carman VICE-PRESIDENT & SECRETARY

Shannon has a background in communications, as well as experience in administration (Metchosin Farm, Ragnarock Studios, Coast Collective) grant writing, bookkeeping, and social media.

She has served on various executives including as PAC President of Hans Helgesen Elementary and as the Chair of the Healthy Communities Advisory Select Committee for Metchosin Council. Shannon grew up on the West Shore and is now raising her two young daughters here.

Vision

A thriving, equitable, and resilient West Shore community of climate-conscious people where sustainable behaviours are part of our mainstream way of life.

Mission

We’re on a mission to host public conversations, gatherings, and events which connect people with each other and some of the simple changes we can make to build a more caring and sustainable future for the citizens of Colwood, Highlands, Langford, Metchosin, and View Royal, British Columbia.

ReImagine West Shore is unified by a common set of Values

Respect

Treating others with kindness, empathy, and understanding, valuing their perspectives, and upholding their dignity and rights.

Integrity

Acting with honesty, ethics, and consistency, aligning our actions with our values and principles - “Walking the Talk”.

Innovation

Embracing creativity, exploring new ideas, and finding novel solutions to challenges, fostering a culture of constant learning, adaptation, and positive change.

Collaboration

Working together, leveraging diverse strengths and expertise, building strong relationships and partnerships, and achieving shared goals through effective communication and cooperation.

In closing ...

It will take a team effort to unite the West Shore in a meaningful and measurable citizen response to the “Climate Emergency” and the toll it is increasingly taking on the wellbeing of our community.

We hope you will embrace this opportunity to ReImagine the West Shore together with us.

Thank you!

We would be delighted to answer any questions you may have.

Presented by: ReImagine West Shore Community Society