Rural Communities Leading

In 2007, the ALIA Institute convened a circle of forward-thinking leaders from government, community, and educational institutions to explore the nature of leadership capacity-building in rural Nova Scotia. What does leadership mean in a community context, and how is it cultivated? What initiatives have been shining examples in the past? What does a partnership look like in which the community is taking the lead and our institutions are serving as a resource? What are the strengths we are building on?

After a year of relationship-building, two community projects were launched in early 2009, with initial funding from Economic and Rural Development, and Health Promotion and Protection. In November 2009 the Rural Communities Leading initiative hosted a colloquium to widen the circle and share What We're Learning. In March 2010, an additional community project joined, along with another funding partner: Labour and Workforce Development.

Grassroots Think-Tank in Digby-Annapolis

In March 2009 a group convened of 15 actively engaged community members from a diversity of affiliations, including First Nations, African-Canadian, fishing, shellfish harvesting, the arts, business entrepreneurship, youth activism, and Community College staff. This group meets monthly around the question: What is needed to support and nurture the development of community-based leadership in rural Nova Scotia? In addition, the group is participating in leadership development pportunities that they have identified, in order to strengthen the capacity of individual members as well as the group as a whole. This group will also be taking the conversation into the larger community, using the collaborative leadership and community engagement skills they have acquired. The results of these conversations will be documented and shared with the partner group and their respective organizations. The Bay of Fundy Marine Resource Centre is managing this project.

An Innovative Leadership Curriculum in Northern Nova Scotia

In September 2009, 30 emerging leaders in Pictou, Antigonish, Guysbourgh, Inverness and Richmond counties embarked on a six-month intensive learning path that includes experiential seminars, self- directed activities, on-line learning modules, and group projects. Following a strengths-based approach, they created Personal Leadership Portfolios and a regional Asset Map. The purpose of the curriculum is for individuals to gain the self-understanding, strategic relationships, and regional and global perspectives they need to bring greater confidence and new thinking to present and future leadership roles in rural Nova Scotia. At the end of the six months they hosted a Leadership Forum to share their learning with the partner group and with their home communities. Participants included youth, entrepreneurs, not-for-profit managers, faith-based leaders, First Nations and elected officials. This project is managed by St. FX Extension Department in partnership with the Coady International Institute. The project was designed in consultation with representatives from the Regional Development Authorities, NS Community College, the business community, and the health sector. The curriculum will be run again this coming September and will included emerging leaders from Victoria County.

A Mentoring Initiative for Rural Women

In September 2010, eight communities in Southwest Nova Scotia will be invited to participate in a mentoring iniative for women. An identified mentor in each community will host four to six women for conversations and capacity building. Each group will use a strength based portfolio approach to develop their leadership skills with the objective of hosting larger community conversations together. As the project develops and relationships of trust are built, the second part of the project will see connections being forged between these groups of women with the intention that in turn, this will lead to intercommunity learning and capacity building. This project is managed by Nova Scotia Community College Burridge & Shelburne campuses.

Learning Partners

• ALIA Institute
• Nova Scotia Economic and Rural Development
• Nova Scotia Department of Health Promotion and Protection
• Nova Scotia Labour and Workforce Development
• St. Francis Xavier University Extension Department & the Coady International Institute
• Nova Scotia Community College (Shelburne, Burridge, and Annapolis Valley campuses)
• The Bay of Fundy Marine Resource Centre