Renfrew and Lanark Counties Welcoming Network
Shaping Our Community
Working Group Purpose
Our aim is to foster stronger relationships, forge meaningful connections, and cultivate trust among newcomers, refugees, international students, and immigrants within the Lanark and Renfrew County areas.
We strive to achieve this by creating an inclusive space for active listening, understanding diverse needs, and providing tailored services based on the collective experience, research, and knowledge of our collaborative working group. We are committed to driving our goals forward through collaborative efforts, emphasizing a proactive approach to addressing challenges and leveraging past experiences to inform our actions.
Group Goals
- Build better relationships, connections and bonds with newcomers in the Lanark and Renfrew County areas.
- Creating a space for active listening, recognizing needs and connection.
- Supporting and empowering newcomers by enhancing access to employment and career development opportunities in our communities.
Objectives
- Offer recommendations for programs, initiatives, and activities aimed at fostering a welcoming and supportive environment for newcomers, refugees, international students, and immigrants while respecting diverse cultures and promoting inclusivity.
- Collaborate to promote the unity and inclusion of the immigrant community within the Lanark and Renfrew County areas, emphasizing respect for diverse cultures and fostering a sense of belonging.
- Contribute to local research efforts to identify how services can effectively assist newcomers and immigrants in settling within Lanark and Renfrew Counties, with a focus on embracing cultural diversity and honoring individual experiences.
Membership Structure
10 – 15 members from various communities across Lanark & Renfrew Counties who identify as:
- A newcomer to Canada
- A refugee or protected person
- An international student
- An employed, unemployed, or underemployed temporary resident with a valid:
- Work Permit or
- Temporary Foreign Work Permit
- Hold a Permanent Resident card
- Immigrated to Canada and live in Lanark County or Renfrew County
Membership Commitment
- This is a voluntary position. In recognition of a member’s commitment, an honorarium will be given to each member for meetings attended.
- Attend and actively participate in 12 meetings per year (once per month)
- Monthly meetings take place through a combination of online and in-person meeting formats determined by members.
- Meetings will be for 1-hour unless previously agreed upon to be longer.
- Group members are asked to maintain active participation. If a member misses three (3) consecutive meeting without prior notice or contact, they will be contacted by the LIP team to discuss ongoing involvement with the group.
- Inform LIP in advance if you will not be able to attend the meeting
- Members are appointed for a period of at least one year (with the possibility of extension).
- Decisions will be made by consensus of 50 + 1 through formal vote.
- Develop and maintain a climate where mutual respect, support, trust, courtesy, teamwork, creativity, and a sense of humor are valued.
- Maintain a high degree of professionalism and confidentiality. Respect the individual worth and dignity of other members and LIP staff and always work together to achieve a common vision for Lanark and Renfrew County.
Conflict of Interest
- Committee members should have good judgment and values. If there’s a disagreement or situation that might seem like one, members need to be honest and open to make a fair decision.
- If a member might gain something personally from a decision, they must say so to avoid a conflict of interest.
- If a conflict of interest happens, that person should leave the meeting and not take part in deciding on the matter, even if it’s online.
Meet Our Members
COMMUNITY SERVICES
