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We are pleased to share our 2008 Red Deer's Vital Signs report with you - members of our community! Publishing its first Vital Signs report card in 2007, the Red Deer & District Community Foundation strives to meet a
unique mandate of being "a community catalyst committed to growing a
legacy which strengthens the quality of life in Red Deer and surrounding
area".
Over time, and by working closely with individuals and organizations, we have developed a deep understanding of the many issues that affect all of
us. Vital Signs is a long-term initiative which affords us the opportunity to
convene the community. It invites respectful conversations about long-term
community directions that may be difficult to discuss or plan.
Vital Signs enhances the role that we have filled in this community for the past 19 years. How does it help us achieve that? By collecting and compiling good quality, relevant statistics and data about opportunities and
issues currently facing Red Deer, not only can the Community Foundation
Board of Directors make better, more strategic decisions; the organization
can develop and offer programs that are designed to better meet the needs
and desires of the whole community.
Vital Signs has, and will continue to,
strengthened our role as a grantmaker. It serves us in our fund development
efforts. It helps us understand the realities of the organizations we fund, which ensures our donors' funds are used effectively. Simply put, Vital Signs informs all of our work as we serve the whole community.
This year's Vital Signs report has two significant changes - the addition of "Innovation" as an issue area, and an expansion of the anecdotal comments
sections of our on-line survey.
As we consider the strength of our current
economy and reflect on the sustainability of the region and province in the
future, our community's leaders believe diversification and innovation are of critical importance. Including this issue area in our annual report will allow
us to monitor our progress towards accomplishing this objective.
Innovative thinking is the key to our adaptability in times of change. These indicators discuss topics that impact our community directly and
indirectly. This collection of comments, ideas and opinions reflect the
passion and innovation in our community. This report is more than
responses to indicators - what breathes life into this report is the passion.
The Board and staff of our community foundation thanks our community
graders for taking the extra time to complete this extra task - by publishing
a distillation of their comments we honour the range of emotion and
experience that they have brought this year's Vital Signs work.
We look forward to hearing about the conversations sparked by this year's Vital Signs report - please let us know how you plan to use it! Give
us feedback now and throughout the coming year - remember, indicators
of community wellness become evident and change all of the time! Let us
know what you would like included in future Vital Signs surveys.
We look
forward to working with YOU to make Red Deer an even better place to live, work and play!
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