Community Transit Nova Scotia, AGMJune 16th, 2011

Nova Scotia is changing dramatically:Population is declining & agingSeniors will increase by over 70% by 2026Youth projected to continue decreasing

Transit will become even more important!

Without engaged, connected communities:Youth will continue to leaveSeniors will be either more isolated and/or more attracted to urban areas (rural isolation)

Our choice to act:now (Proactive) VS later (Reactive)

Nova Scotia

Transit providers:

Who are you?What do you bring to the community? What role do you play?

What do people in community say about you?What they say reflects how you engage your communityCould someone in your community tell me about you?

Transit is NOT about moving people around…

it is about connecting people!

Engaged Communities

How are you engaging your community?

Your target markets: Who are they? Where are they? What do they need? What are their barriers? How can you help overcome these barriers?

How often are you in front of people who are not already

clients?

Never assume people know who you are or what you do!

Engaged Communities

Who is your target market? ------ Everybody

Where are they? ----- Everywhere

Common sales mistake… pre-screening people based on their assumed potential to

be customers!!

Engaged Communities

Engaged Communities

How do you see yourself…?1.Service2.Business3.Part of the transportation system4.Key component of a healthy, active & vibrant community

Self-identity is a key component of how you present yourself or your business to others!

How is your community connected? Events, identity

What is your relationship to these connections?

How can you be a catalyst for connection and a leader for change?

If you are to be a catalyst in a community, you can’t be just

another business/service!

Connected Communities

Galvanizing power of community Community buy-in One voice versus many Maximizing resources (local provincial)

“Great leaders are not those who do many things, they are those around whom much

gets done!”

BTW… if you are here, you already ARE a leader!!

Connected Communities

Governments (Local, Provincial) Not just feasibility studies & grant applications Appeal to gov bodies across multiple sectors

Local Community Local initiatives Members of the community - Champions

Voice of the people As you advocate for them, they can be the voice you

need! Policy is reactive to public pressure

Connections

Photo: Hiroko Masuike for The New York Times

Broadway Ave, New York City

Photo: Hiroko Masuike for The New York Times

Broadway Ave, New York City

“Bill Sayers, 76, has been coming to Times Square his whole life. He said he never imagined he would be lounging in sun in the middle of Broadway.”

Photo: Damon Winter/The New York Times

“Thinking Outside The Box”

Land Mines

Form a structural barrier to development in 3rd world6,000 people walked on a land mine last year

Tuberculosis

Killed 1.9 million people last yearWHO diagnosis method only 40-60% reliable

“Thinking Outside The Box”

Bart Weetjens

Former Industrial engineerPassion for Africa & small animals

Highly sustainable! Provides local jobs 60% of current cost

1-day vs 7 mins

Community

Discussion