Here is our Partners Newsletter. All news about heathly way of life in our Memphremagog MRC

1. SUMMARY
It’s happening right here!
Gala 2
Wiki 3
Citizen Participation 4
Did you know ?
Transition to Kindergarten 5
Info & links
Croquarium : 6
À table!!! : 6
Parents’ tools: 6
Let’s talk about social skills : 6
1
Bulletin
des
Partenaires
Contact
Memphré en
Mouvement
1011, rue Sherbrooke
Magog J1X 2T2
Tél. : 819 847 3034
Tél. : 819 446 5005
Isabelle
Denis
Twitter : @MemenMouvement
Facebook
Site Internet
Rédaction
Denis Delbois agent de liaison et de communication
Isabelle Mercieca coordonatrice MeM
ÉDITORIAL : The development of cities and towns entails
new challenges. Besides the various issues relating to urban
planning, we’ve seen a growing interest over the past few
decades in ecological issues and in the creation of environments
that promote healthy lifestyles.
What began as a purely ecological notion has evolved into one that
is much more holistic and which puts the emphasis on structuring
the “city” around its people.
For environmental reasons, as well as economic and social ones,
these principles need to be part of any urban development
framework.
The various consultation committees have become great tools in
helping municipalities decide which actions to put into place. These
consultation processes take into account public opinion and lead to
the prioritization and harmonization of development.
There has also been a great deal of talk about changes in practices
with respect to environments that promote healthy lifestyles, but
these notions are still somewhat vague.
On this subject, the first Healthy Lifestyle Gala will take place on
June 18. The winning projects will be those that feature a global
approach in the development of municipalities and communities.
While consultation committees offer citizens the opportunity to share
their views, we know that informal meetings can sometimes yield
better results... one such occasion is Neighbours Day. People
seldom take the time to come together and talk. Yet dialogue allows
people to increase their collective intelligence and find solutions
together.
Communities must however meet another challenge: that of
innovation.
«Innovation has nothing to do with how many Resource & Development
dollars you have... It’s about the people you have, how you’re led, and
how much you get it». Steve Jobs, Fortune magazine, 1998.
The usual standards are changing, as are the practices and
processes. And there’s no shortage of toolkits on the subject. In
light of this fact, the group of partners has launched an online
platform that brings together the practices and know-how that have
been developed in our territory as well as success stories from other
areas.
Some of the tools you’ll find on the platform might just be those of a
Gala award recipient!
Check your emails; wiki authorizations will be issued gradually...
PartnersNewsletter,June2015
Partners
Newsletter

2. It’s happening right here!
Gala
The first Healthy Lifestyle Gala will take place at the Vieux Clocher in Magog on June
18.
During this event, organizations and municipalities whose actions promoted
environments that foster healthy lifestyles will be rewarded.
But beyond rewards and recognition, beyond celebrations and increasing awareness,
there seem to be signs that a change is coming.
A change in practices, in ways of thinking, that will strike a better balance between an
environment that is viable and one that is liveable, not to mention more equitable.
This gala will highlight stakeholders who succeeded in bringing together highly
motivated teams. As a result of their talent, their perseverance, and most importantly
their vision, they were able to innovate.
Collaboration and consolidation made it possible to strengthen projects so that they
might become sustainable.
Thanks to projects aimed at promoting healthy lifestyles, people’s prospects will
continue to improve. In fact, based on anticipated results, we could expect to attract
new families to the area and, more importantly, to keep families and youth here.
Taking action with respect to healthy lifestyles allows us to develop our communities
with a greater degree of openness.
Looking at things in a new light, thinking holistically and refocussing on the individual
constitute an innovative way of developing more endogenous communities that
respect the balance between the economic, social and ecological aspects of
development.
Until that day comes, the whole team invites you to the Vieux Clocher in Magog, on
June 18, to discover the projects that were submitted and to dream of the
possibilities...
2
It’s happening right here
PartnersNewsletter,June2015

3. Wiki
At a time where everything is digital, the Memphré en Mouvement team wanted to
create a platform for its tools, articles, films and other documents, that everyone could
access. Therefore, we set up a platform that will allow you to access the data bank
that we started when we formed our partners group so that you can choose what you
need for a given activity.
Some of you have already had the opportunity to use the beta version. In the coming
months, other sections will be open.
These first versions allow us to make adjustments in response to challenges that arise
in making information available without overwhelming you with data or multiplying
existing data.
We want our platform to be as simple as possible to allow you quick access to the
information. We’re currently working on a structure that will facilitate intuitive
navigation. You’ll soon be getting links to tutorials that will guide you during your first
uses.
Eventually, this wiki tool will be open to a few of you so you can add to it.
At the moment, a few schools and municipalities, along with the early childhood
network, have access to it. It features a wiki on gardening workshops and one on the
transition to kindergarten. The tools that are currently available can be downloaded or
viewed on YouTube.
Moreover, we’ll soon be introducing a dedicated channel where you can find tutorials
on various tools.
But that’s another step…
3
It’s happening right here
PartnersNewsletter,June2015

4. Citizen Participation
A meeting was held last April 16 to discuss citizen participation at the town or
municipal level with the OEDC’s Committee for the Advancement of Practices.
There were two guests of honour: Mr. Gaston Michaud, a man who’s invested in his
community and is a fervent defender of local development; and Mr. Michel Plourde, the
Mayor of Danville, who performs his duties as an elected official with an open mind.
It’s important to mention that communities are structured differently than municipalities.
However, if all the council members manage to pool their qualifications, skills and
know-how, we’re in business!
If elected officials and citizens combine forces, if they acknowledge their
complementary skills and demonstrate openness and understanding, we’ll have to add
a few chairs at Municipal Council meetings.
Humour plays a crucial role in all this, as does the political will and flexibility to see an
idea or project change along the way. Leaders don’t all have a seat on the municipal
council, but they can be our allies. Generally, they know how to turn ideas into action
and are more familiar with the history of the municipality and its residents than anyone
else.
The catalyst in this case is a sense of belonging. So let’s start with Mr. Michaud’s
famous line: «I need you...» And let’s remember that as stakeholders, we offer people
support, which gives them back a sense of power and leads to greater well-being.
When you restore people’s decision-making power and the power to act, you make
them feel appreciated and included, which improves the collective well-being.
4
It’s happening right here
PartnersNewsletter,June2015

5. Did you know ?
Transition to Kindergarten
Since 2006, many actions have been put in place in the Magog community with
respect to the transition to school. Despite this, there are still fundamental issues
surrounding the transition period.
A meeting was held on April 20 of this year to bring together those directly concerned
by this issue (parents and partners from different sectors).
The goal was to begin a collective debate on two issues of particular concern to many
stakeholders, namely the need to reach out to children who don’t attend any kind of
program and the need to foster better cooperation between parents and organizations
(such as daycare and school).
This brainstorming session allowed us to look at our practices and to come up with
courses of action to tackle these issues. Among other things, the stakeholders
discussed the importance of consolidating cooperation and communication between
organizations from different sectors, while stressing the fact that the transition to
school is a shared responsibility of the community, and must not rest solely on the
shoulders of a few stakeholders.
While it can be a challenge to put in place measures to reach out to all families, the
stakeholders were satisfied with this meeting, having appreciated this time out to look
at these important issues and discuss them with a variety of stakeholders.
The priority areas that were identified on April 20 will be the subject of discussions and
decisions in upcoming meetings of the Kindergarten Transition Committee in order to
develop an action plan that will go a step further in fostering a positive school entry for
children in the Memphremagog Regional Municipal County.
Pascale Gendron Daigneault, ps.éd, Conseillère pédagogique en petite enfance
5
PartnersNewsletter,June2015
Did you know ?

6. Info & links
Croquarium :
Jeunes Pousses becomes Croquarium…. and they change our website!
http://www.croquarium.ca
À table!!! :
Here are 24 healthy and simple recipes to introduce young and old to cooking.
http://fondationolo.ca/je-suis-un-parent/cuisiner/recettes/
Parents’ tools:
Naître et Grandir has all kinds of information on its website for parents with toddlers: activity
ideas, feature articles, information on child development, etc. Check it out and tell others about
it!
For example, you’ll find a feature article on balancing work and family:
http://naitreetgrandir.com/fr/dossier/conciliation-travail-famille/
Let’s talk about social skills :
As well as tips for parents to help their child acquire the social skills for each developmental
stage:
http://naitreetgrandir.com/fr/dossier/habilete-sociale/
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Info & links
PartnersNewsletter,June2015
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