All it takes is a vision and some initiative to get your ideas heard.
Tannis McCarthy is a Barrie resident who is concerned about children’s safety walking to and from school – as we hope we all are, but she’s taking action! Tannis started a petition to the City for a Crossing Guard Program, and was hoping for 500 signatures. But that petition has received over 1000 to date, and that number is growing steadily.
With this momentum, Tannis is now going to be presenting her ideas and petition to the City's Community Safety Committee on June 21. And from today's article at Simcoe.com, it sounds like at least one member of the Committee will be paying attention. This is what happens when “just one person” sees a need in our city and decides to take action – never be dissuaded from having your voice heard by those elected to represent… well, our voices!
We’ve been happy to help Tannis navigate her first presentation to City Hall, but the initiative and hard work is all hers. We’re always pleased to see people getting engaged and making a difference!
If you ever need guidance in how to get your voices heard at City Hall, or just a pep talk before you give a deputation or presentation, please reach out to Engage Barrie Organization – many of our members have been through those steps themselves, and are happy to share what they’ve learned along the way.
We’re also starting to put together some tutorials that will be made public on our website – how to prepare for a deputation, which levels of government are responsible for which issues, and many more. What are some of the things you’ve always wanted to know about getting your voice heard by our elected representatives? Add your answer to the comments or DM, or email us at admin@engagebarrie.org – we want to help take away the mysteries and barriers to people getting engaged in their local democracy.
And if you’re curious about watching resident engagement in action, Tannis will be giving her presentation to the Community Safety Committee on June 21 at 5pm – you can watch live at City Hall, or on the City’s YouTube channel, youtube.com/citybarrie. You can learn more about her Crossing Guard campaign via her petition at https://www.change.org/p/initiate-a-crossing-guard-program-in-barrie-to-keep-our-children-safe. (Again, Tannis just came to us for advice on her presentation – this work and campaign is all hers.)
“Just one person” CAN get heard at City Hall – just ask Tannis! And just as she did, please feel free to reach out to us if you’ve got ideas to help create an equitable community, empowered people, and engaged local democracy. Your voices matter!
