1998 – May 2001
A community-based strategic plan would facilitate sustainable socio-economic development, employment and an improved quality of life in the community. Fundamental to such a plan were the following elements:
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A shared vision for the community
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Chatham-Kent is a proud, proactive and progressive community committed to celebrating its diversity and ensuring a high quality of life for all of its people
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Six community objectives (all of these objectives are of equal importance): Health, Environment, Leadership, Economy, Heritage, and Learning
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Twenty-nine Strategic Directions to achieve the community's Expected Results
June 2001 – present
In addition, the following are critical to the successful implementation of a community –based strategic plan:
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Establishment of an Implementation Committee and a community development mission statement
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The Community Strategic Plan Implementation Committee will facilitate and promote community problem-solving by coordinating and developing all available resources for the betterment of the community and its people. Our mission is simple, yet profound: the Community Strategic Plan Implementation Committee seeks to bring people together from the community with resources to solve our common problems in collaboration with our community partners and preserve, maintain, and enhance our strong, healthy community
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Clear identification and description of the issues to be addressed on a priority basis
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Well defined goals, objectives and strategies
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An accountability framework that tasks the Implementation Committee with the responsibility to track, monitor and appraise the progress of the plan
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Broad community involvement and consensus
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Endorsement and support of the strategic plan by key businesses/organizations in the community
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An explicit role for the relevant community organizations (public, private, and voluntary) to be responsible and accountable for the implementation of the plan
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Communication to the community that each and every citizen has been empowered to facilitate change in the community