A Dream in 2006
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| "How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world." -Anne Frank |
The Victoria Community Health Co-operative began as everything does—as a dream. 3 years ago, 3 friends met in a clinic waiting room one evening to brainstorm a vision of a Community Integrative Health Center that addressed health in its broadest contexts—physical, emotional, spiritual, social, environmental. By April 2006, the conversation included an MD, a Homeopath, an administrative specialist and a co-operative developer. As we began talking to other health practitioners, friends, family and others at different community events, we realized that there was a thirst for a health co-op model in Victoria and the values that so inspired us in the first place.
Core Group Forms in 2007
In January 2007, a Core Group was formed to begin the process of defining our vision, researching the experience of other health co-ops and community health initiatives, and to begin to look at community needs and values with respect to health and wellness. We had long conversations with other health co-ops such as Community First in Nelson, BC, and the Regina Community Clinic in Regina. We organized our first Community Forum on May 5, 2007 to share our vision, what we had learned, and to listen to the 50 or so attendees share with us their ideas and concerns and excitement. We had another presentation of our vision at the Body Healy Integrative Medicine conference at UVic end May that year, and began to realize that there was a broad range of support for a Health Co-operative that focused on Integrative Medicine, environmental sustainability, and community wellness.
Steering Committee and Community Forums
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| Mark Sherman has been instrumental in moving the co-operative forward. |
In July 2007 we gathered a talented and passionate Steering Committee of 7 people to help continue co-creating this vision with our community. The Steering Committee oversaw a variety of working groups that consisted of Steering Comittee members as well as other interested people:
• Health Education
• Birthing Center
• Health Practitioner collective
• Funding and fundraising
• Community Forum Committee
• Co-operative development
The Steering Committee was drawn from a diverse and integrated group of people with different perspectives on the health care system in Victoria and with different expertise: physicians, administrative/event producing specialists, co-op developers, British-trained osteopaths, reiki practitioners, yoga instructors, health researchers, herbalists, mid-wives, fundraisers, counsellors, psychologists, naturopaths, community activists, investors, students, business people, website developers and others.
At each of our community events, we continued to gather a list of community members who were interested in being involved and supported our vision, and by the end of Summer 2007 we had a e-mail list of over 80 people, a rack card, and a blogsite to better communicate with our growing community.
Our second Community Forum was in Fernwood in October 2007 which was attended by over 80 people and was a huge success. As the momentum of interest continued to grow, we gathered in December to create a Story Board which was to be our visioning template to carry us into the future.
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| The story board showed a visonary timeline of the co-operative's growth and planned accomplishments. |
More Progress in 2008
2008 was a busy year. The Steering Committee and working groups continued to reach into our communities with health education events, community forums (in different parts of the city), and a Birthing Centre Initiative. On April 29, 2008, we incorporated as the Victoria Community Health Co-operative. Shortly afterward, at a community forum in Victoria West, we gained our first official co-op members. We began offering a health education series at Pacific Rim College in May, and started collaborating with Central Middle School to create a Back to Basics Health curriculum for pre-teen students. We gathered a health practitioner group of over 25 people interested in working together for community health education and service.
Our First AGM
The Victoria Community Health Co-operative gathered as members and interested public at Fairfield United Church on July 4, 2008 for our first General Meeting where our Board of Directors was acclaimed. In the year following, our first Board of 9 committed co-op members worked hard to create the programs and services that represent our collective vision.
Our Co-op Continues to Grow
Today, we have nurtured community and business partners in Victoria and begun drafting our Business Plan to take us into our common future. In November of 2008, we opened our first Community Wellness Clinic and we continue to expand the programs, services and benefits of membership. We hope to continue our community education efforts and to expand our integrative community clinics for the benefit of those who can not easily access certain health care modalities. We are as strong as our membership. We welcome your participation in helping to create our vision into a reality over the next few years.
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| Starting with three friends the co-operative, has grown to embrace a wide group of diverse people. |
