The OAGSL is the sustainability advisory function of the OICRD, helping the OICRD board and pillar communities develop their knowledge and application of sustainability philosophy. The OAGSL membership meet monthly to discuss the progress the community has made moving towards the descriptions of success outlined in the Olds Strategic Sustainability Plan (OSSP) and the overall development of sustainability thinking within the community of Olds.
The OSSP was created by the OAGSL through an initial citizen engagement process that included over 200 citizens. The purpose of the OSSP is to provide a road map describing success in sustainability in the Town of Olds for community decision making. Members of the OAGSL spent 1000s of volunteer hours developing the OSSP from data provided by citizens. The OSSP was formally adopted by the OICRD formally endorsed by Town Council in February 2008. Since its creation the OSSP has been accepted by Council as the guiding document to inform all other Town Plans.
The OICRD is tasked with citizen engagement and renewal of the OSSP. It is important that community engagement occurs continually to keep the OSSP current and to demonstrate progress towards the community goals. It is critical to our democratic process and the sustainability of our community to have citizens actively participating in decision making. The OICRD is positioned to act as the conduit to Council communicating the wishes of the community.
The OAGSL supports the renewal process as requested by the OICRD. It is important that we continually find new ways to get feedback from the community. The OAGSL is committed to finding ways of connecting with the broadest range of citizenry possible and advising the OICRD on the best way to plan for the future based on the results. The next step is to develop community indicators of success and to connect them to tangible performance measures.
Terms of Reference
Olds Strategic Sustainability Plan 2011
DEFINITION OF SUSTAINABILITY
"In the broadest terms, sustainability can be defined as living in a way that meets our needs without undermining the ability of our children and our children's children to meet their needs."
AUMA Comprehensive Guide for Municipal Sustainability Planning
MANDATE
| The Olds Advisory Board for Sustainable Living (OAGSL), acting within its advisory capacity to the OICRD, is responsible to: |
| 1.1 |
Build capacity in the OICRD by providing information about and advising on sustainability at the Board, pillar and subcommittee level. |
| 1.2 |
Advise the OICRD on coaching and mentoring opportunities regarding sustainability. |
| 1.3 |
Advise the OICRD on measurement, evaluation, reporting and renewal processes for the OSSP. |
| 1.4 |
Advise the OICRD about areas in the OSSP that require attention. |
| 1.5 |
Advise on the alignment of potential projects and initiatives with the OSSP as requested by the OICRD. |
THREE-YEAR GOALS
The OICRD, through the recommendations of the OAGSL, will have:
- A renewed OSSP and a process for ongoing renewal of the OSSP in place.
- A community engagement process in place including all demographics and sectors of the community
- A program for sustainable learning that is being used within the Board and Committees of the OICRD.
- Partnership Action Plan Agreements (PAPAs) completed by 100% of OI membership, essential and associate members, and Pillar Committees
- The mandates and goals of the Pillar Committees aligned with the OICRD philosophy on sustainability.
- The CEDO as the clearly recognized access point for initiatives and ideas regarding sustainability
- A process for the facilitation of spontaneous partnerships
- An ongoing way to celebrate the successes and learn from the failures of the community
- A community sustainability asset inventory (talent bank, mapping) in place and utilized
Internal Goals of the OAGSL:
10. OAGSL will maintain a current approach to sustainability thinking.
If you are interested in any of these projects, please contact the OI Office at 403-586-4000.
