A New Direction Locally and Nationally

The opportunity arose in 2006 to re-address the branding ‘look, feel and identity’ of the Wood Buffalo Safe/Healthy Community Network. This came about largely because the Safe Communities Foundation launched their “New Stories” initiative which included two main components: a new direction/ redefined roles, and new branding. It was felt locally that we could be valuable contributors to this process as well as reassess our own branding.

Nationally, much of the research, decision-making and reviews occurred throughout the year gathering input from partners, stakeholders, designated Safe Communities and the community-at-large. Locally, Nancy Stammers participated as 1 of 13 New Stories Planning Team members across Canada to review the feedback and information gathered and propose a new vision for designated Safe Communities across Canada and the support and interaction they receive from the National Safe Community Foundation. The proposal was then presented at the National Safe Communities Conference in Chatham/Kent, Ontario, including the new branding concept. Following the conference, a series of teleconferences were set up for Designated Safe Communities to outline the progress and facilitate input as the details evolved. Generally, the new direction has been received very supportively among the currently designated Safe Communities, especially since the focus is much more directed to community mobilization and fostering a sense of national unity. To date, the national and local update is as follows:

The New Story- In a movement towards COMMUNITY MOBILIZATION, the key areas of focus has been identified as the following:

1. Engage Leadership
2. Collect Research
3. Community Involvement
4. Sustainability

Name Change
Local		Safe Community Wood Buffalo (adopted December 2006) From Wood Buffalo Safe/Healthy Community Network
National		Safe Communities Canada (adopted Fall 2006) From Safe Communities Foundation
Legal Identity
Local		Will remain Wood Buffalo Safe/Healthy Community Network
National		Will remain Safe Communities Foundation
New Website
Local		www.safecommunitywb.ca
National		www.safecommunities.ca
New Logo
Local National