June 17 was a key moment for Metro Vancouver Alliance members. At our Delegates' Assembly, we discussed and voted on Housing and Climate campaign proposals that will guide our work with municipal election candidates this fall. The assembly provided members with the opportunity to help determine the priorities MVA will bring forward at our September assembly and to strengthen our collective voice ahead of the October municipal elections.

We had a great time at our March Foundations of Community Organizing Training, with over 20 participants coming together to build the foundations of what it takes to organize communities to take action. Relational meeting practice and modeling were a big hit among participants, as they offered a clear and accessible way to build relationships that bring people together and create collective power.

This two-day training brought together both members and non-members from organizations interested in developing organizing skills within their own communities. These trainings are not only impactful for the tools and lessons participants take away, but also for bringing together different actors across Metro Vancouver to connect and explore partnership opportunities.

The training was delivered with the support of MVA organizers, alongside organizers from Greater Victoria Acting Together and Greater Edmonton Alliance, who shared their practical experiences through stories that brought the theory behind community organizing to life.

Stay tuned for upcoming trainings, and if you’ve already taken this one, don’t miss the opportunity to take your learning journey to the next level by attending the 5-day regional training hosted by GVAT in Victoria this coming May.

On March 14, we set aside a Saturday morning to bring members and community leaders together to share and explore ideas for our Climate campaign. Members had the chance to listen to leaders and experts on the topics, and then discuss these ideas through table talks.

Powerful stories brought energy to the issues as we realized the tangible improvements to everyday life that can follow from local level climate adaptation. Bringing to the surface how climate is a factor that needs to be considered in all aspects of life, we learned how securing affordable and safe housing is a key part of the puzzle, especially in the face of heat domes. We also explored how youth can play a critical role in tackling climate change by creating fair, paid jobs in environmental and sustainability sectors.

We heard how improving transit can help reduce GHG emissions while unlocking broader benefits for housing and affordability. A powerful story that stayed with participants came from a health care worker who recalled a snowstorm, when she found herself caring for an entire supportive living home for an entire shift on her own due to staff shortages.

The Climate Research Action Team now has the task of gathering these insights and bringing forward a final proposal for discernment at the June 17 Delegates’ Assembly.

Thank you to everyone who joined us and actively participated in the discussions. It was a powerful group that would help shape the future of our communities.

With over 40 participants, we had an energetic and inspiring evening on February 25th at the Housing Civic Academy. Members and guest speakers shared current housing initiatives that could shape the direction of the housing campaign.

Participants also worked in small teams and brought their experiences to life through two-minute roundtable storytelling, sharing powerful stories about housing challenges and opportunities across our communities. In plenary, 10 stories were shared with the full room.

To close the evening, participants came together to identify key actions and projects that MVA could advance at this year’s Municipal Election Assembly.

The Housing Research Action Team will now begin investigating these proposals further and narrowing them down in preparation for the Delegates Assembly in June.

Thank you to everyone who joined us and contributed their energy, ideas, and stories.

Our society needs emerging leaders. MVA needs emerging leaders. And those leaders deserve strong mentoring and resources to grow their impact. That’s why we’re investing in younger leaders, not only for the work of Metro Vancouver Alliance (MVA), but also to strengthen their broader roles in society.