Agenda Gathering Presentations & Reports  
         
 

Gathering Energy Creates Action Teams, Action Plans and Momentum
Post-Gathering Media Release:  November 2, 2005

SASKATOON-Energy from 187 delegates at Action Saskatchewan’s ‘The Gathering’  resulted in no less than 10 actions plans and 10 action teams determined to design a future that is founded on Saskatchewan’s strengths of caring and kindness (individually and collectively) cooperation (coming together for a common cause), experiencing nature (reverence for the land) and celebration (celebrating our strengths every year).  

“Energy is the word,” said Co-Chairman Art Whetstone. “If we carry this energy forward we will leave Alberta in the dust.” 

“I’ve attended many conferences but nothing equaled this,” added Co-Chairman Warren Michelson. “People came to contribute and made commitments evidenced by the formation of action plans and action teams.” 

The action plans and teams were formed around ten design principles created by delegates at the October 26th & 27th event in Saskatoon. 

The design principles are:

  1. Sustainable Agriculture
  2. Social and Cultural Inclusion
  3. Business Climate
  4. Environmental Sustainability and Development
  5. Leadership
  6. Value Added Resources
  7. Education and Training
  8. Research and Innovation in Health Care
  9. Technology Strategy
  10. Attitude

Prior to October 26th and 27th, 41 group interviews were conducted in 15 communities. From this, Saskatchewan’s cornerstone strengths were identified. Contributors were, communities, volunteers, community based organizations, youth, seniors, education, industry, aboriginals and the public sector.

Equally, of the 187 delegates in attendance, a spectrum of Saskatchewan was represented including the credit unions, the arts, agriculture, health, law enforcement, mining, First Nations, Métis, public servants, crown corporations, business, professional associations and tourism.

“The benefit of such a diverse group is that they are the ones who will continue their own momentum,” said Clay Dowling, former past president of the Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce and a member of the steering committee. “In fact, business was under represented.”

Deliverables from ‘The Gathering’ also included the creation of three scenarios of the future. Presented with statistical and survey information by Sask Trends Monitor and SIGMA Analytics respectively, delegates then put forward their ideas, thoughts and dreams for Saskatchewan in the year 2015.

Preliminary “scenario sketches” were presented at the end of the first day. One scenario had Saskatchewan remain the same with little or no change. A second had Saskatchewan with modest growth. The third had Saskatchewan grow to a population of 1.3 million by 2015. From the written submissions gathered, fully embellished scenarios will be drafted and distributed to all delegates by mid-November.

“Because delegates represent such a cross-section of Saskatchewan, the completed scenarios will be applicable and useful for all groups and organizations in their strategic planning,” said Doug Fast and Gregg Cochlan of Strategic Intelligence Group, who facilitated the scenario building session.

The generation of the three scenarios was listed by Co-Chairman Art Whetstone as one of ‘The Gatherings’ accomplishments. “They were generated on hard socio-economic facts drawn from our research,’ he said. “This assures a high degree of authenticity and plausibility.”

“We now have a better understanding of what makes us tick,” said Whetstone in adding to the list of accomplishments. “We have hard proof of what binds us regardless of our place and role in the Saskatchewan community.”

Whetstone said that in addition to the 10 areas of action with 10 action teams, just as importantly, the building blocks are in place for an over-arching vision of Saskatchewan and our place in the world.

 “100 years ago our vision was the bread basket of the world,” said Whetstone. “Today, we need a new vision.”

Next steps for ‘The Gathering’ are to commence the work of the action teams, publish a draft vision and move to a final version sometime before Christmas.

Future Action Saskatchewan ‘The Gatherings’ are in the offing. Teams will present status reports and the way forward will be plotted based on statistical research.

“The level of activity and discussion was solid,” said Ted Hillstead, President of the Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce. “Delegates’ evaluation forms contained comments such as ‘I felt like I contributed something valuable to the process and ‘This could be Saskatchewan’s TSN turning point’.”

“People are willing to move forward,” concluded Hillstead.

For further information please contact the Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce.

 Download printer friendly copy of Gathering 2005 promotional brochure