Over the course of one day in May of 2010, BOB held a community consultation in which residents, various representatives from government, governance bodies, community agencies and business leaders offered their input concerning the future role of BOB. Through a series of workshops discerning both the value of BOB and the potential areas in which BOB was perceived as being most useful the following was decided:

BOB was delighted with the community’s input, enthusiasm and encouragement at the May 12^th community consultation.  After further review with staff and the Board, BOB has determined its most valued role within the community is to remain a connector/convener for business opportunities within the inner city.

To this end, and complementing the activities of other inner city organizations, this means the following:

1. BOB will continue to support the connection of businesses to the inner city.
2. BOB will continue to support the connection of all levels of government to the inner city.
3. BOB will continue to maintain employment support programs.

We also heard from the consultation that it is not in the community’s best interest for BOB to initiate a social enterprise.  The rationale being that such a social enterprise would compete with existing services within the community and potentially undermine the role of BOB as a connector in the community.   It is not BOB’s intention to compete with other inner city organizations, but instead to complement and connect.

As mentioned in the consultation session, BOB faces many of the same funding challenges of other inner city organizations.   We have decided to pursue our activities on a transaction basis – fee for service, consulting and/or retainer.

In fulfilling BOB’s role in the community, we will increase community membership on the BOB Board by 3 members.  In addition, to further improve BOB’s role as a business connector, we will increase board membership with business representation by another 2 additional members.  We will make the additions gradually to facilitate adjustment and proper orientation with the organization.

Finally and most importantly, BOB will continue to support and encourage businesses that have shown a history of positive environmental, social or cultural sustainability.   BOB believes that positive economic development in the inner city is best developed by organizations that support principles of sustainability.

We think it is important to conduct additional community consultations to further refine this strategic direction.   These additional consultations will be conducted on a regular basis throughout the year.

We welcome your continued input.

-This response to the findings of the community consultation held in May 2010 is available as a PDF on the BOB Website.