Editor's note: See below for corrected website address. An incorrect address appeared in the Aug. 7th edition.
How does the Sunshine Coast measure up in the estimations of its citizens? For the first time ever, the community will have an opportunity to grade key elements of our society through a special project called Vital Signs.
A project spearheaded by Community Foundations of Canada, Vital Signs will essentially provide a snapshot of the community's quality of life. The driving force of the report card for the area is the Community Foundation of the Sunshine Coast.
Through the Foun-dation's website, all citizens of the Coast will have the ability to grade the community on 11 key social interests. The report will be important for all levels of government on the Sunshine Coast as well as the non-profit and education sectors.
Don Basham, Sunshine Coast Community Foun-dation board member, has spearheaded this project locally for our community.
"The power of Vital Signs is that it not only reports on issues that are measurable, accountable and of interest to the community, but it also gives the community the opportunity to participate in what we think is important to our quality of life," Basham said.
For many years Vital Signs in communities across Canada has provided insight into how well communities contribute to the emotional, physical and financial health of citizens, and this year the Sunshine Coast will be part of this massive undertaking.
A quick peek at the 2009 fields of interest reveal many topics readers of the Coast Reporter focus on every week in the paper. Now is a chance to grade the various indicators. This year the fields include: learning, safety, health and wellness, arts and culture, the gap between rich and poor, getting started, economic health, housing, environment, belonging and leadership, and getting around.
Up to now the various interest groups with expertise in these fields have had input as to what indicators they think are important. The various groups have met with the board of the Community Foundation to ensure important areas of concern to the Sunshine Coast are well covered.
And now it's up to you to have your say in this crucial exercise. You can make your voice known by going to www.sccfoundation.com between now and Aug. 14.
The results of this endeavour will be known in early fall. The launch date countrywide for Vital Signs is Oct. 6.
