June 21, 2024 Update: Implementation Plan

Dear OSPN Community,

Here is an update on the progress of our Strategic Planning Committee. The committee will meet on Thursday, June 27th, at 1 p.m. at MAX Ottawa to take the next crucial step in bringing our shared vision to life.

During this meeting, the committee will focus on translating our Four Strategic Directions into an Implementation Plan. This plan will provide a hands-on roadmap outlining the specific actions and initiatives we need to undertake over the next three years to achieve OSPN’s Strategic Objectives.

To facilitate this process, we have prepared four prefilled worksheets, each corresponding to one of the strategic directions (see them below this text in PDF format; these will be printed for our meeting on Thursday). These worksheets and examples will be the foundation for finalizing the Implementation Plan during the committee meeting.

Please review these documents before next week’s meeting and come prepared with your ideas and suggestions; thank you.

If you cannot attend the meeting in person, please remember that you can always share your thoughts and contributions by emailing us at ospncommunitycafe@gmail.com.

Thank you for your ongoing commitment to OSPN. Remember, everyone is welcome to attend these meetings, and we value the insights and perspectives of all our members.

Best regards,
Martin

June 10, 2024 Update

This week, on June 13th at 1pm, at MAX Ottawa, the Strategic Planning Committee will continue examining four more governance models:

1. OSPN Incorporating as a Provincial Not-for-Profit Organization (NGO)
2. OSPN Incorporating as an NGO and Partnering with an Existing Charity with a Similar Purpose
3. OSPN Remaining Informal and Partnering with an Existing Charity with a Similar Purpose
4. OSPN Becoming a chapter of a national organization – Senior Pride Network Canada

Please review the documents by clicking the buttons below to prepare for this meeting. For an easier orientation in all the governance models, please review the Governance Models for OSPN: Comparative Table HERE. If you have any comments or suggestions, please email us and/or attend the meeting on June 13th. A big thank you goes to the members of the Strategic Planning Committee for your continued support and involvement in OSPN.

Best regards,
Martin Krajcik (Consultant)
ospncommunitycafe@gmail.com

Choosing Organizational Models and Governance Structure

Shaping OSPN’s Future: Your Input Needed!

Hello OSPN Community,

The Strategic Planning Committee is excited to involve you in shaping OSPN’s future through a strategic planning process!

What We’ve Done:

• February 3rd: We held a Community Cafe to discuss the future of OSPN.
• March 2nd & 13th: Our committee reviewed OSPN’s mission and vision, brainstorming new versions that reflect our growing community. We’ll continue this process on March 28th.

Get Involved!

Help us develop the OSPN Strategic Plan to guide our direction and goals.

Here’s How:

Step 1: Review & Provide Feedback (One Week for Each Topic):

We’ll share key documents like the Vision & Mission Statements or Core Values on OSPN’s website for your feedback. You can:

• Review the document.
• Consider if it reflects your vision for OSPN.
• Suggest improvements or additional points.
• You can provide your feedback/ideas by emailing them to ospncommunitycafe@gmail.com

Step 2: Think Tank Discussion (In-Person Meeting):

Following the online feedback period, we’ll hold an in-person “think tank” meeting for each topic. Here’s what to expect:

• A consultant will present a revised document based on your online feedback.
• Open discussion for sharing thoughts and ideas.
• As a group, we will suggest further refinements.

Step 3: Final Touches & Approval:

The consultant will finalize the document based on all input. The recommended version will be presented to a WAGE Steering Committee for approval. Once approved, the final version will be posted on OSPN’s website.

Stay Informed and Join Us!

We’ll keep you updated through the OSPN newsletter and website. Want to participate in in-person Think Tanks?  Want to review and provide feedback on OSPN’s Vision, Mission and Values (coming soon below). Email us at ospncommunitycafe@gmail.com, or you can provide your feedback at the next in-person Think Tank meeting scheduled for March 28th at 1pm at MAX Ottawa, 400 rue, Cooper St, Suite 9004.

We appreciate your contribution! Together, we can build a strong and vibrant future for OSPN.
Warmly, The Strategic Planning Committee

Mission, Vision and Values

Vision:

We envision a community where older queers are celebrated, included, and empowered.

Mission:

We strive to achieve our Vision in the National Capital Region by:

• Fostering an inclusive, visible community and creating an environment where we can connect, support, and celebrate each other, and
• Working towards equitable access and full participation wherever we go, through advocacy and education.

Core Values:

1. Human Rights and Safety: We champion human rights, promote social justice, and advocate for the well-being of older queers.
2. Empowerment and Resilience: Our programs aim to empower us to manage our well-being proactively and promote our autonomy. We recognize the inherent strengths of older queers.
3. Diversity and Inclusion: We celebrate the rich tapestry of identities and abilities within the older queer population.
4. Collaboration and Respect: We believe in achieving our goals through working with allies, stakeholders, and the broader community.
5. Privacy: We respect the right to privacy of all members and support everyone’s decision regarding disclosure of their sexual orientation and/or gender identity.

How We Work Together at Ottawa Senior Pride Network

Welcome to an inclusive and welcoming space! This guide helps us all work together effectively and respectfully. Here’s what matters most:

• Respect and Dignity: Everyone deserves to be treated respectfully, even when we disagree.
• Active Listening: Pay close attention to others and avoid interrupting. We all have valuable contributions.
• Open-Mindedness: Embrace the diversity of experience and perspectives within our group.
• Confidentiality: Maintain privacy by keeping committee discussions confidential.
• Punctuality: Respect everyone’s time by being on time for meetings.
• Considerate Interactions: We promote kindness and inclusivity. Everyone is welcome here!
• Sharing the Floor: Allow everyone to contribute to meetings and discussions.
• Shared Responsibility: We are all responsible for creating a positive and productive environment.
• Flexibility and Adaptation: Be willing to adjust to different communication styles and approaches.

Open Communication:

If something feels wrong, don’t hesitate to speak up! Address concerns directly but politely. If something is unclear, ask for clarification. We can work together to resolve any issues.

Focus on:

• Clear and Respectful Communication: Expressing ourselves thoughtfully and actively listening to different perspectives fosters understanding.
• Constructive Conversations: Engaging in discussions that build understanding and solutions, even with disagreements.

With these guiding principles as our foundation, we can continue creating a thriving and supportive OSPN.

OSPN’s Four Key Directions

1. Build a Strong Organizational Foundation: Define a clear vision, mission, and goals. Implement a more defined governance structure and a roadmap for achieving it. Ideas include establishing committees, diversifying leadership with clearly defined roles, improving communication channels, having a queer senior dedicated open space, and hiring staff.

2. Fostering a Welcoming and Inclusive Community: Expand social activities catering to diverse interests and abilities to promote and support accessibility for queer seniors. Nurture connections and partnerships within our queer community and with allies of all ages to assist in achieving our goals. Address the specific needs of older marginalized and underserved groups, like BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour) seniors, transgender and non-binary individuals. Members with limited financial resources are a key concern.

3. Amplify Advocacy, Visibility and Education for Queer Seniors: Strengthen advocacy efforts on senior care issues. Influence enhancement of policies. Raise awareness about the unique challenges faced by our community in housing, health care, and community support services.

4. Increase Access to Information for the Older Queer Community: Network with other queer and seniors organizations. Provide access to a centralized online resource hub for housing, healthcare, legal support, and other relevant topics. Provide access to training and supports specific to queer seniors around technology. Increase online presence and combat misinformation.

OSPN’s Four Strategic Objectives

1. Build a Strong Organizational Foundation:

• 1.1: Define a clear vision and mission. Align goals with community needs. Develop a roadmap for achieving them.
• 1.2: Implement a more defined structure with specific roles, committees, and leadership positions.
• 1.3: Develop a human resource management strategy that includes paid staff and/or volunteers.
• 1.4: Explore diverse funding opportunities through grants, fundraising, and potential corporate structure channels.

2. Foster a Welcoming and Inclusive Community:

• 2.1: Expand and diversify activities and events to inform, connect, and entertain queer seniors, regardless of identity, ability, background, and age.
• 2.2: Build partnerships and collaborations in order to address the specific needs of marginalized and underserved communities like BIPOC and trans and gender diverse (TGD) seniors.
• 2.3: Foster intergenerational connections, collaboration, and knowledge sharing between younger and older queer populations and allies.

3. Amplify Advocacy, Visibility, and Education for Queer Seniors: 

• 3.1: Strengthen advocacy efforts on queer rights and senior care issues to influence programming, governance, services, and policies and raise awareness, particularly about housing and healthcare.
• 3.2: Increase the visibility of queer seniors through community involvement and OSPN’s resources.
• 3.3: Educate the broader community about the issues and experiences of older 2SLGBTQI+ individuals to create safer and more inclusive environments.

4. Increase Access to Information for the Other Queer Community: 

• 4.1: Develop an online guide to current resources for housing, healthcare, legal support, and other relevant topics for older queer people.
• 4.2: Offer support and information to help queer seniors access resources safely and effectively.
• 4.3: Expand outreach to rural communities, ensuring inclusivity and accessibility of resources.
• 4.4: Improve OSPN’s internal and external communication channels for information and inquiries.