Revitalizing capacity for structured and sustainable recreation programs and projects is moving forward. The first steps have been getting the necessary infrastructure, resources and capacity in place, while beginning to make use of underused and neglected spaces in and around the complex. Much is being accomplished thanks to the work of dedicated volunteers who have been stepping up to make things happen.
1. Community Engagement: Saturday Morning Meetings and Working Groups
The Recreation Committee is pleased to announce the success of our new community meeting schedule. Sessions are now held every Saturday at 10:00 AM. Community groups and programs like Art Borups Corners and Melgund Recreation, Arts and Culture are also active in shaping and supporting programming.
This specific time was chosen to align with the community’s “garbage run” routine, making it convenient for residents to stop by while already out and about. These meetings have proven exceptionally productive, serving as a central hub where various community programs and projects can align. By bringing all stakeholders together at once, we are seeing accelerated progress on local initiatives and a stronger sense of communal synergy.
2. Digital Presence: Website Enhancements
Our new community website is officially live and functional. As we move into the next phase of our digital strategy, we are focusing on consistent content updates to keep the site fresh and informative.
Call for Submissions:
We want the website to reflect the heart of Melgund. Residents are encouraged to contribute by sending in photos of:
- Local community events and gatherings
- Scenery and nature from around town
- Historical landmarks or “day-in-the-life” moments
Your contributions help make the site a true digital home for our community.
3. Information Management: Google Workspace Integration
To ensure the long-term continuity of our organizational knowledge, we have established a Google Workspace through the new local non-profit, Melgund Recreation, Arts and Culture.
Benefits of this Transition:
- Institutional Memory: By using common e-mail addresses and Shared Drives, we ensure that years of vital correspondence and documentation stay within the committee rather than being lost in personal accounts when board members transition.
- Brand Identity: Standardized email addresses and templates will help build a professional and unified brand identity for our community.
- Collaboration: Real-time document sharing and calendar synchronization will streamline project management.
Next Steps: We recognize that new tools come with a learning curve. The committee will soon be planning training sessions to assist members and volunteers in navigating these Google tools effectively.
4. Creative Tools: Canva Pro for Non-Profits
Through our Melgund Recreation, Arts and Culture non-profit program, we have secured 50 licenses for Canva Pro.
Canva is a powerful, user-friendly design tool used globally by communities, organizations, and artists. These licenses are a fantastic resource for our local groups to create professional-grade posters, social media graphics, and promotional materials. This initiative aims to empower our local artists and volunteers with the tools they need to bring their creative projects to life and effectively communicate community news.
5. Upcoming Activities: Digital Skills Workshops
To ensure everyone can make the most of our new resources, we will be hosting a series of small, hands-on workshops. These sessions are designed for anyone interested in learning how to use:
- WordPress: Learn how to update and contribute to our community website.
- Canva: Master the basics of graphic design for posters and events.
- Digital Productivity Tools: An introduction to Google Workspace and other collaborative software.
Stay tuned for specific dates and times for these sessions.
6. Facility Updates: The Downstairs Meeting Space
A massive thank you is owed to the volunteers and community members who dedicated their time to revitalizing our downstairs area.
What was once an unused and neglected space has been transformed into a vibrant, multi-functional meeting room. This facility is now ready to serve the town as both a:
- Community Meeting Space: For local groups, clubs, and social gatherings.
- Business Centre: Providing a professional environment for local administrative needs or remote work support.
7. Library Restoration: The Reading Area
We are excited to share that the community Reading Area is being restored. Prior to the flood, our hall housed a small library that was sadly mostly destroyed. However, we have successfully salvaged and brought in two of the original bookshelves and have begun rebuilding the collection.
A growing selection of books and DVDs is now available for the community to enjoy. We are actively seeking donations to help fill our shelves; contributions of gently-used books are most welcome and can be dropped off directly at the hall.
8. Heritage Preservation: Digitization of Community History
Work has officially started on collecting and digitizing Melgund’s community history and heritage. To restore a sense of “pride in place,” we are planning several exhibitions and placemaking activities to begin this spring.
As part of this digital preservation effort, a dedicated database has been created to catalog our historical assets. A new online portal will be available soon, allowing the community to explore and contribute to our shared collections.
9. Funding and Programming: Upcoming Grants
We are currently focusing our efforts on the Ontario Trillium Fund (OTF) Capital Grant, with a submission deadline of March 4.
This grant represents a significant opportunity for Melgund. If successful, the funding will be used to support:
- Infrastructure Improvements: Physical upgrades to our community facilities.
- Equipment Acquisition: Purchasing the necessary tools to support ongoing and future community projects and recreation programs.
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