Get Involved
We all have a role to play in keeping the East Kootenay a strong and vibrant region.
Local and Zonal Immigration Partnerships/Réseau en Immigration (LIPs & ZIPs/RIFs) are community-based partnerships that:
- Develop and engage a multi-sector council, diverse immigrant advisory table and working groups to support the community’s settlement and integration priorities;
- Engage traditional and non-traditional partners in the inclusion of newcomers;
- Support community-level research and strategic planning;
- Strengthen local capacity to integrate newcomers; and
- Increase knowledge about newcomer needs, strengths and local strategies for support.
What can you do to promote welcoming attitudes and increase the full participation of newcomers throughout the East Kootenay region?
Share
Sharing information helps to illustrate all the amazing work being done by so many. The more we all know and understand, the better off we are to make informed decisions, to be active participants in our community, and to support one another in all of our efforts. Let us know of upcoming events, training, courses, projects etc. We would be happy to share this information through our networks and our various platforms.
Participate
The East Kootenay Zonal Immigration Partnership (EKZIP) continues to seek out engaged and enthusiastic collaborators – community organizations and individuals. Whether as a member on a working group or as a representative on the Regional Partnership Council; participating leads to positive, tangible outcomes for newcomers to Canada and the East Kootenay region and its communities. Contact us to discuss where your skills, experience, and enthusiasm can be best utilized.
Join the Regional Partnership Council or Newcomer Advisory Council
The EKZIP Regional Partnership Council (PC) is comprised of diverse representation from the business, community services, education, government, recreation, arts, culture and settlement sectors. The Partnership Council will work from a developed coordinated, comprehensive community strategic plan and action plan that meets the following objectives:
- To create communities that are welcoming and inclusive and inspire a deep sense of belonging;
- To support economic, social, cultural, and civic/political integration of newcomers living in the East Kootenay Region.
The EKZIP Newcomer Advisor Council provides first-hand experience and insight on living as an immigrant in the East Kootenay. This expertise will:
- Identify needs and gaps throughout the East Kootenays on what makes a welcoming and inclusive community
- Inform and support strategic and action planning by the EKZIP Council, working groups, and Coordinator.
For more information or to join the Partnership Council or Newcomer Advisory Council contact: ekzip@cbal.org
Community Members: Individuals and Organizations
As an individual, or as part of an organization, you have the ability to make a difference in your community!
We hope these tips spark ideas of how you can make meaningful actions that contribute to a Strong, Vibrant, Community. By no means is this an exhaustive list, just a way to help generate thoughts and ideas. If you are doing something that is not on this list, we would love for you to share it with us, we’ll share it through our networks via social media and other communication platforms.
Improve Integration
- Offer a tour of the neighbourhood
- Share Canadian culture and values with a newcomer. For example, talk about sports and customs
- Invite newcomers to come with you to Canadian cultural events and festivals. A list of events can be found on EKZIP Online Events Calendar
- Sports opportunities: Town of Golden Recreation Department; Columbia Valley Activities; Radium, Canal Flats; Cranbrook Recreation Department; Fernie, Sparwood, Elford Parks and Recreation
- Arts and culture programs: Kicking Horse Culture in Golden; CVArts in Windermere Valley; Cranbrook Arts and Culture; Fernie Elk Valley Arts and Culture
Improve Engagement
- Make yourself the “go-to” person for a newcomer if they have any questions
- Be a newcomer’s contact in case they need something. They might not have anyone
- Learn what organizations and resources are available in your community so you can help to make referrals and connections
- Share the successes of newcomers in your community, i.e., in community papers or at your place of worship
Support Diversity
- Learn some common phrases in a newcomers language
- Listen to a newcomers story
- Acknowledge news and events happening in home countries. Some newcomers have left turmoil and family/friends who may be suffering
- Chat with newcomers about the culture and background of their home country
- If you immigrated to Canada, share your story and experience with a newcomer. Help people understand the barriers and challenges new immigrants face
- Be patient with language barriers
- Learn cultural references and etiquette. Thumbs up might NOT mean OK to everyone
- Take the time to learn a newcomers name, and the proper way to pronounce it
- Learn some interesting demographic facts of your neighbourhood, i.e. the number of newcomers and their countries of birth
Volunteer
- Volunteer with a newcomer. Info available at Regional Connections
- Participate in initiatives and committees that are committed to building strong, vibrant communities
Business Owners
As an individual, or as part of an organization, you have the ability to make a difference in your community!
We hope these tips spark ideas of how you can make meaningful actions that contribute to a Strong, Vibrant, Community.
By no means is this an exhaustive list, just a way to help generate thoughts and ideas. If you are doing something that is not on this list, we would love for you to share it with us, we’ll share it through our networks via social media and other communication platforms.
Improve Integration
- Match up newcomers (buddy system) with another staff member to act as confidant, mentor or ‘go to person’ for any questions about the community, and help integrate the newcomer into the social life of the community
- Make a concerted effort to get staff members (especially new staff) involved in community functions
- As part of new staff member orientation, make special efforts to have him/her and his/her family attend community events or functions, as a way to get to know the community
- Provide on-the-job language training (try English at Work)
Improve Engagement
- Provide newcomers with basic information about the community and help introduce them to people in the community that can help them…such as the librarian, the municipal administrator, the economic development officer, the recreation director, etc.
- Connect with agencies that provide support to employers and employees such as Training and Employment Services; WorkBC; Go2HR.
- Hiring? Check out our Employer Services
Support Diversity
- Host a diversity lunch and invite a newcomer to speak at your workplace.
- Consider having newcomer volunteers in your business/organization. This is a great way for newcomers to gain work experience and connect and contribute to the community.
- Connect new immigrants with your friends and colleagues with similar professional backgrounds.
- Consider Workplace Cultural Diversity Training through Go2HR, COTR, CBAL, WorkBC
Volunteer
- If you speak another language, help develop multilingual resources at your workplace, register as an interpreter with CBAL Volunteer/Mentor Program.
- Participate in initiatives and committees that are committed to building a strong, vibrant community such as local service clubs or the East Kootenay Zonal Immigration Partnership
Community Leaders
As an individual, a municipal leader or as part of an organization, you have the ability to make a difference in your community!
We hope this tip sheet sparks ideas of how you can make meaningful actions that contribute to a Strong, Vibrant, Community. By no means is this an exhaustive list, just a way to help generate thoughts and ideas. If you are doing something that is not on any of these lists, we would love for you to share it with us, we’ll share it through our networks via social media and other communication platforms.
Improve Integration
- When planning major community events, get input from newcomers and try to include newcomers in events (showcasing cultural displays, that can include food, special skills, dance). Contact CBAL if you need help locating newcomers in your community
Improve Engagement
- Ensure that basic information about community groups and community services is available in hard copy and on community websites.
- Provide current, readily accessible information on community services and things to see and do in the area, as well as community and regional events
- When community groups are looking for volunteers or wanting new people to get involved in community projects, provide a simple volunteer job description for each task. Don’t expect newcomers to know how your organization has always done things and be open to new ideas
- ‘Word of mouth’ advertising is not a reliable source of communication when reaching new comers in your community. Online or print versions of local events, free activities, social opportunities, community events, religious or faith-based activities, are not easily accessible unless posted on a public event calendar
Support Diversity
- Learn how to say ‘hello’ in the newcomers language
- Volunteer groups need to ask newcomers to help – don’t expect newcomers to come to you. If newcomers have offered to help, be receptive to new ideas and new ways of doing things.
- Become informed about new cultures in the community and create, on an ongoing basis, ways of integrating new cultures, activities and newcomers interests into the community. Connect with your local settlement agencies for ways to work together: CBAL; Welcome BC
Volunteer
- Participate in initiatives, organizations, networks, and committees that are committed to building a strong, vibrant community such as service clubs – Kinsmen, Rotary, Community Connections Volunteer Program, and the East Kootenay Zonal Immigration Partnership