Community Futures Lakeland is used to assisting the public through various programs and services, but right now they're hoping local residents will lend them a hand.
Up until Friday, March 10, the not-for-profit organization is hoping to get as many responses as possible to their online survey. They're asking people from across the Lakeland to share their thoughts on the current services and programs at Community Futures Lakeland, as well as what they should be offering.
“What we're looking for is a broader range of opinion from the community about what they've heard about us, and whether or not they have in fact used our services,” explained Phyllis Maki, general manager of Community Futures Lakeland Region.
Maki added that while they do random surveys on a regular basis, participants are only chosen from the list of loan clients they currently have. It's been over 17 years since they've garnered general feedback from the public.
“I'm looking for the good and the bad; the criticism of what it is that's lacking out there. The only way you can ever improve yourself is to know what you're doing good and what you're not doing so well at, then look at improving on it.”
Community Futures is a federally-funded program that was established around 25 years ago to assist small, rural communities when unemployment was high. It came to the Lakeland in 1997, and for the past 20 years has been serving all sides of entrepreneurialism.
“We are basically everything and anything entrepreneurial. That's training, assistance with business plans, marketing plans, bookkeeping – everything and anything that supports entrepreneurship in the region,” said Maki, noting that in addition to the loans, they also partner on the Biz Kids program that runs each summer and work with various community groups.
While the office is based in Bonnyville, Community Futures Lakeland serves a large geographical area, including Glendon, the MD, Cold Lake, Cold Lake First Nations, Elizabeth Métis Settlement, Fishing Lake, Frog Lake, and Kehewin.
This is one of the reasons they're doing the survey, to get a better understanding of what the outlying communities would like to see. Stemming from the results of the surveys, Maki, who also manages the Community Futures Lloydminster office, is planning on hiring someone who will focus on ensuring the needs are met in the rural areas outside of the main office.
“Once we get an idea of what a community is lacking or desiring, we can put a position description together for that person so we can get the best bang for our buck… so (the results) will actually be used to help develop their position on what it is we want them out in the community doing.”
The survey is designed for everyone, regardless of whether or not you've used or ever plan on using Community Futures programs and services. It poses questions such as what would benefit your community as a whole, and which programs would best assist in your community's economic development. Maki stressed that even if someone has never heard of their programs or services, they want to know that as well.
“I just really encourage people to participate in the survey. I realize there are thousands of surveys out there and people get bombarded with emails. The only way I truly think we can provide good services to the communities in the region is to get feedback from them.”
To participate in the survey, go to www.surveymonkey.com/r/cflakeland.
