Whistler community members are invited to join in a series of Community Conversations July 14, 16, 20 and 23 on Zoom in a new type of engagement format to help understand our individual and shared experiences through the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I am really excited to connect with and listen to our community in a new way. We want to build a solid understanding about what is happening in Whistler as we manage the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and look towards recovery,” said Mayor Jack Crompton. “The RMOW has been engaged with residents, business and community groups since the start of the pandemic but we want to hear from as many people as possible to really understand how COVID-19 is affecting all aspects of our community because we still may not know about some of those impacts. Our goal is to collaborate with the community on potential solutions to the challenges we face. Our challenges cannot be fixed unilaterally by the RMOW, or any level of government. This is an all-hands effort and it will take individuals, families, businesses, community groups and government to deliver a shared response that is up to the challenge.”
The four Community Conversations will focus on the four characteristics of Whistler’s shared Vision: Sense of Place, Environment, Tourism-based Economy and Community. Mayor Jack Crompton and CAO Ginny Cullen will host the conversations along with a guest community member for each characteristic.
Each Community Conversation will begin with a short overview from the Mayor, Cullen and guest community member before participants are guided into breakout rooms within Zoom to discuss specific questions. The RMOW will collect all of the feedback and use this information to help inform decision-making going forward.
Community members are being asked to start the conversation now by going to the Thoughtexchange platform at https://my.thoughtexchange.com/708646825
Through Thoughtexchange, participants will be asked to share their thoughts about “What are some of the things that have been top of your heart and mind or your observations and experience during Whistler’s COVID-19 experience?” After entering thoughts, participants are asked to rate thoughts shared by others. Thoughexchange’s platform uses the ratings to determine key issues, themes and the importance of the thoughts and ideas shared with the community.
Community Conversations schedule:
Sense of Place with guest community member Heather Paul
July 14: 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Environment with guest community member Mike Douglas
July 16: 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Tourism-based Economy with guest community member Danielle Kristmanson
July 20: 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Community with guest community member Chris Wrightson
July 23: 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Zoom details and registration information will be available at www.whistler.ca/communityconversations