It's been nearly six months since VOICE starting working on behalf of young adults on the Coast and it seems great strides have been made.
"I think one of the most exciting parts is that whenever I see any community leaders on the Coast they are very interested in what VOICE is doing and very supportive," said Silas White one of the founding directors of VOICE.
VOICE was formed to address the lack of support for young adults, as was identified in a 2009 Vital Signs report published by the Sunshine Coast Community Foundation.
From that report a task force was struck, which then came up with a draft plan to attract, retain and engage young adults on the Coast.
VOICE took up the cause officially on Feb. 24 when they held their first public meeting.
From that meeting the group agreed to focus on three key strategic directions: developing a Coast-wide branding strategy, empowering the younger generation and diversifying employment opportunities.
White said the group has been working hard in all three areas, but said many initiatives involve more than one strategic direction.
In the realm of advocacy White points to meetings with local governments and staff at Capilano University as steps in the right direction. Talks included ways to attract and retain young workers, how to get young people involved in government committees, how to encourage more entertainment options on the Coast and ways to engage the younger generation.
White said VOICE has also been invited to work with the Coast-wide economic development group, which is hoped will start up soon.
"I think quite a lot of that discussion has shifted toward the importance of having young people on the Coast and working people on the Coast," White added.
He feels the Coast-wide branding strategy is being influenced by VOICE every time they meet with decision-making bodies.
"Just the fact that the younger demographic is recognized by those groups kind of makes the brand for the Sunshine Coast broader," he said.
VOICE is also working on branding through creating a new website at www.voiceonthecoast.com.
The website is up in a preliminary way right now, directing people to the group's Facebook page, but White wants to see it become much more in the future.
"It will develop into more of a social media outlet itself that will include surveys, include discussion forums and Web 2.0, which is a more interactive website where people will be able to log in with profiles. It will be an interactive community for the Sunshine Coast," White said.
Members of VOICE have just finished the business plan needed to launch the interactive website, which they hope to have on-line in the fall.
Currently one of the group's surveys is available on the website, as well as on their Facebook page and White hopes young people all over the Coast will take the time to fill it out.
"The survey's important because it will be included in the next Vital Signs, which will come out in the fall," he said. "The last Vital Signs two years ago had quite a large impact in influencing community decisions. It was the best compilation of information on the Coast that I think anyone's had in a long time. So it's very important to be involved in that."
One of the questions on that survey has landed VOICE a meeting with the Minister of Advanced Education next week.
"We'll talk about the results of the survey so far because there's a post secondary question and there is just strong interest on the Sunshine Coast in expanding post secondary opportunities here," White said.
VOICE has been very active in promoting events that might appeal to young adults on the Coast through their Facebook page.
"We have over 500 monthly users on that page, sometimes participating in polls. We had a poll just asking what people want to see more of on the Sunshine Coast and we received 2,400 votes just in the first three days," White said.
The group has also hosted some events for young adults like the federal election all-candidates meeting.
"I think it worked well to engage the younger people who may not necessarily vote in every election," White said.
VOICE is actively involved in the Synchronicity Festival this weekend which is a two-day carnival with live music, an outdoor circus, an artisan and farmers market, children's tent, art installations, food and wine and information booths.
"I think it's a festival that really epitomizes what VOICE stands for in just really promoting the Sunshine Coast as a place where the arts thrive and innovation thrives and I think that's what will ultimately attract and keep more young people here," White said.
There is a lot going on, but there is still much to do and the team of six that sit on the VOICE steering committee are planning another community meeting for September to reach out to more young adults and hopefully solicit more help.
