Editors note: This debate over community Governance models is of interest to Cortes Island residents given our past discussions of a Community Association.

The two candidates running for Regional Director of Area C, in the October 15 election, appear to have very different visions of how to govern. Robyn Mawhinney explained:

“I’m very focused on creating a Community Advisory Council to support the Director’s decision making process, a community advisory council with a broad spectrum of community voices. The other candidate, Marc Doll, is really focused on using his directorship as an opportunity to build a Community Association from the ground up. I’d like to talk about the difference between a Community Association and an Advisory Council and why I think there is quite a big difference.” 

“There are several benefits to an Advisory Council. The Director receives input from a broad spectrum of community voices. It has geographic and demographic representation. It also does not add a complex layer of work to Area C’s already limited volunteer base. The Advisory Council is meant to support the decision making process of the Director, brainstorm and discuss island centric solutions to big issues as well as sharing opinions on land use and zoning applications. A Community Advisory Council is a no cost process.”

“It’s really important that it has representation of the many diverse areas of Area C as well as representation of various areas within Quadra Island. The ages I would like to be represented: under thirties and elders, as well as those in between. I think it’s really important for various interest groups, or important groups on Quadra Island to have a voice at the Advisory Council as well. Those voices or areas I would consider to include would be tourism, silviculture, First Nations, business interests and environmental advocacy. I think all those voices are really important.”

“As a Director, I intend to support the community and our established island institutions that we already have. Things like Quadra Island Recreation Society, ICAN, Quadra Circle, Quadra Foundation. These groups are already doing great work on Quadra Island. There are so many islanders who are busily engaged in community volunteering, and I’m grateful that the Quadra Community Center provides an umbrella of support for many of these groups and committees.”

“On Read Island, there’s the Surge Narrows Community Association, which manages important projects. They’ve mentioned that they would love to find a way to have a paid community recreation organizer, something I’d look into researching as Director. My point is that there is great work being done in these organizations and through these organizations, and I see my role as director to support and strengthen this work.”

“An Advisory Council is intended to provide the Director with a range of thoughtful opinions while not adding a complex layer of volunteerism work to our already busy involved community. I think it’s important to tap into a range and intentionally broad spectrum of representation.”

“Historically, in my memory, a previous community association that was formed on Quadra Island was frequently in opposition to the Director. Apart from the costs and logistics, the Director is being elected to do the work, to take responsibility for decisions. 

“I am unequivocally committed to doing the work. To taking responsibility to listening to the community and reflecting that at the board level. I’m also dedicated and committed to amplifying community driven projects and advocating on important issues with other levels of government.” 

“On Quadra Island, there have been various residents and Community Associations over the years, and if there is an appetite for  organizing as an association I think that’s fantastic. As a Director, I would never stand in their way of organizing, and I would definitely attend and listen to the ideas and concerns being discussed.” 

“I would say that it sounds like a time consuming process to create such an organization and the work of the Director is already a substantial job.”

“I have concerns that creating an elected association board could be problematic and lead to a lot of strife between the Director and those elected members who may be advocating for decisions that the director doesn’t agree with.”

“There are many quiet voices and folks in precarious circumstances who would feel intimidated in standing up at an association meeting.”

“I believe that the Director is responsible for hearing and representing all the voices of the community. This is Quadra, Maurelle, Sonora, Read, Rendezvous, and many, many more. The voices of those who would stand for leadership in a Community Association, are they demographically and geographically representative, or rather are they folks who have an agenda they want to promote?”

“A Community Advisory Council is one piece of the community engagement. I also want to have focused open house meetings and invite digital input from folks who would prefer to share their engagement from home.”

“I think a Community Association is a very large and complex project to take on when beginning the role of Director and looking at all the work that a Director already has to take care of.” 

Top photo credit: The two candidates in Area C, Robyn Mawhinney and Marc Doll, speaking at the Heriot Bay Inn’s ‘University of Quadra.’ This Candidates forum was the kickoff to the 11th year of Pub Education.

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