A thriving city is more than just its infrastructure and development—it is its people, the sense of belonging, and the shared responsibility for building a vibrant, engaged community. As mayor of Chestermere, one of my greatest priorities was fostering a deep sense of community engagement. I strongly believe that when residents are actively involved in the decision-making process and in the activities that shape their city, it not only strengthens the social fabric but also makes the city a more cohesive and resilient place.
Engagement is key to creating a city where people feel they have a voice, where neighbors support each other, and where citizens can work together to tackle challenges. Over the years, Chestermere has grown rapidly, and with that growth comes both opportunities and challenges. My approach was to leverage the strength of our community—its people—to ensure that we could face these challenges and make the most of new opportunities together. This required fostering connections between residents, local organizations, and the city government to create a collective sense of ownership and responsibility.
A Culture of Volunteering: The Heartbeat of Chestermere
One of the pillars of community engagement in Chestermere has always been the spirit of volunteerism. Chestermere is home to countless volunteers who dedicate their time and energy to improving the city in ways large and small. Whether it’s through organizing community events, helping with local charities, or volunteering with schools and sports organizations, Chestermere residents have always shown a deep commitment to their community.
During my time as mayor, I worked to strengthen this culture of volunteerism by creating more opportunities for residents to get involved. I introduced initiatives that made it easier for people to find volunteer opportunities in their areas of interest. Whether residents wanted to get involved in environmental cleanups, food drives, or youth programs, I wanted to ensure that there was something for everyone. We partnered with local organizations to create a volunteer directory and hosted annual volunteer appreciation events to celebrate the contributions of those who made a difference.
Building on this, we also encouraged businesses and schools to become involved in community service. By engaging youth in volunteerism, we not only gave them a chance to make a positive impact on their city but also instilled a sense of civic duty that would last a lifetime. Volunteering isn’t just about giving back; it’s about building connections, understanding the needs of others, and fostering a culture of collaboration.
Town Halls and Open Forums: Creating Space for Dialogue
Communication and transparency are vital to fostering community engagement. As mayor, I made it a point to create regular opportunities for residents to engage directly with the city government. One of the most important ways we did this was through town halls and open forums. These events gave residents a chance to voice their concerns, ask questions, and provide feedback on key issues affecting the city.
But town halls weren’t just about listening; they were about collaboration. I didn’t just want to hear from residents—I wanted to engage with them, brainstorm solutions together, and ensure that their voices were truly shaping the decisions we made. We held town halls on a variety of topics, from infrastructure and public safety to parks and recreation. These gatherings provided a platform for residents to express their views on everything from policy changes to the development of new community spaces.
In these settings, people from different backgrounds and perspectives could come together, discuss their concerns, and work towards a solution that reflected the needs of the broader community. It wasn’t always easy—there were often heated debates and differing opinions—but the key was fostering a respectful environment where everyone could speak freely and be heard.
Moreover, we didn’t just hold town halls in the evenings when people were available. We also held online forums and surveys to ensure that those who couldn’t attend in person still had an opportunity to participate. By diversifying the ways in which we communicated with residents, we made it possible for more people to get involved, no matter their schedule or preferred method of communication.
Community Events: Celebrating Chestermere’s Diversity and Spirit
One of the most fun and effective ways to foster community engagement was through events that celebrated the spirit and diversity of Chestermere. Over the years, we worked to expand the number of community festivals and events that brought residents together for fun, fellowship, and celebration. From the annual Chestermere Family Day to summer festivals, parades, and charity events, these occasions became a way for people to connect with their neighbors, support local businesses, and enjoy the unique cultural fabric that defines Chestermere.
We also worked to support events that celebrated the diversity of our community. Chestermere is home to people from many different cultural backgrounds, and one of the things that made our city special was this rich diversity. During my tenure, I encouraged cultural organizations to host events that showcased their traditions, food, music, and art. This not only provided opportunities for cross-cultural learning but also helped to create a greater sense of belonging among all residents.
I always saw community events as an opportunity to bring people together, break down barriers, and celebrate what makes Chestermere unique. These events weren’t just about having a good time—they were about building a sense of pride in our city and reinforcing the idea that we are all part of something bigger than ourselves.
Youth Engagement: Empowering the Next Generation
One of the most important ways to strengthen the social fabric of Chestermere is by investing in youth engagement. The next generation is the future of our city, and it was always a priority of mine to make sure young people felt empowered and involved in the community.
We developed a number of programs aimed at encouraging youth participation in community life. This included youth advisory councils, leadership training programs, and youth-specific volunteer opportunities. These initiatives helped young people not only get involved but also take on leadership roles in the city, ensuring that their voices were heard and their ideas could help shape the future of Chestermere.
I also worked to support youth in accessing mentorship and skill-building opportunities. By connecting young people with experienced professionals, we helped them build a stronger sense of purpose and engagement, while also providing them with tools to become future leaders in their community.
In addition, Chestermere’s recreational programs for youth continued to thrive under my leadership. We made sure that there were ample opportunities for young people to participate in sports, arts, and cultural activities, allowing them to stay active and engaged with their peers while building lasting friendships. These programs were more than just extracurricular activities—they were spaces for youth to grow, connect, and develop a sense of pride in their community.
Building Stronger Partnerships with Local Organizations
Chestermere’s strength has always come from its residents, but the city’s community fabric is also woven together by the efforts of local organizations. Nonprofits, faith-based groups, service clubs, and small businesses all play a critical role in making Chestermere the welcoming, vibrant place it is.
Throughout my time in office, I worked to strengthen partnerships with these organizations. Whether it was providing funding for community programs, supporting local food banks, or collaborating with businesses to sponsor events, the city and local organizations worked hand-in-hand to ensure that Chestermere remained a place where people could thrive.
I also worked to build relationships with neighboring communities and regional organizations to tackle larger challenges that affected our collective well-being. From regional transportation projects to inter-community events, fostering these partnerships was essential to ensuring that Chestermere’s voice was heard at the regional and provincial levels.
Conclusion: A City Built on Engagement
Looking back, I am incredibly proud of the strong sense of community engagement we cultivated in Chestermere during my time as mayor. Through volunteerism, town halls, community events, youth engagement, and partnerships with local organizations, we created a city where people felt they had a voice, a role to play, and a deep sense of belonging.
Community engagement isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s a necessity for a thriving, resilient city. It strengthens the social fabric, fosters trust, and enables us to tackle challenges together. I am confident that the culture of engagement we built will continue to shape Chestermere for years to come, making it a city where every resident can feel connected, supported, and empowered to contribute to the community they love.