Participants at the Windsor-Essex ChangeCamp generate discussion topics.

This past Saturday, three dozen dedicated Windsorites gathered to discuss the city. The forum, dubbed Windsor-Essex ChangeCamp, took place in the Fred Israel Auditorium at the Windsor Public Library’s main branch on Ouellette Avenue.

The morning began with coffee and donuts (as any good conference should), but quickly evolved into the “unconference” format used across the province in similar “camps” geared toward instigating positive change. Organizer Mita Williams even felt embarassed by beginning the unconference with a slide show.

The concept of a ChangeCamp is deceptively simple. We started out by generating discussion topics; each participant wrote ideas down onto colourful sheets of paper. The sheets were then slotted onto a grid divided between discussion groups and time slots. The day’s schedule included three “breakout” sessions where these topics were discussed, with time set aside for reports from each of the five group. All in all, 18 discussions took place, with participants mingling between topics as they please.

Nicole Noel, one of the event's organizers, plays Vanna White with the ChangeCamp discussion grid.

Even though were encouraged to float around the room, adding to discussions we were interested in and forgoing those that didn’t hold our attention, I found it difficult to leave a conversation once it got going. My first session was about making Windsor a healthier, more active city.

Discussion ranged from cycling to dog parks and back again. There was even talk of converting some of the city’s underused tennis courts into floor hockey pads; a move that would more accurately reflect Windsorite’s sporting scene. Councillor Caroline Postma (the only current council member to participate) supported this suggestion, and even said she’d mention it at an upcoming council meeting. Just one example of how open discussion can be effective.

Adam Vasey reports on increasing local sustainability, while city councilor Caroline Postma looks on.

The second session for me was dedicated to cycling in the city. We asked ourselves why more people don’t ride their bikes, how to get improvements in cycling infrastructure accomplished and how to make Windsorites feel safer while cycling the city’s streets.

The third topic of discussion for me was increasing Windsor’s awareness of its First Nation population. It was fascinating, listening to two aboriginal women speak so passionately of their heritage, their connection to the earth and of how Windsor is roughly 25 years behind when it comes to promoting the Indian community. The two women want to get a local branch of the Canadian Alliance in Solidarity with Native Peoples started here, and by using social media and a local radio presence, they hope to introduce more Windsorites to the Native community and culture.

The other discussions that took place are listed here:

Session #1 – Collaborate and Reducing Duplicate Efforts, Local Sustainability, Regional Government, Social Inclusion, Promoting a Healthy and Active Windsor, Windsor Hackerspace

Session #2 – Welcoming Immigrants, Local Food and Tourism, the Riverfront, Positivity in Windsor, Open Government

Session #3 – What is your Windsor Gem?, Re-Invigorating Downtown Through Business, Aboriginal Awareness, Transit Improvements, the Downtown Windsor Farmers’ Market, Maximizing Windsor’s Cultural Assets

You can see a more in-depth summary of what was talked about at the Windsor-Essex ChangeCamp website. The Windsor Star also has a great article about the event in today’s paper.