A party is being organized to celebrate the hand and heart work that is the life blood of Powell River.
On Friday, May 10, the fourth annual Chamber of Commoners will take place to acknowledge non-profits and people-based groups who support the community. This is an evening of festivity centred around Commoners’ Choice Awards, local unsung heroes often overlooked, and a chance to change focus away from a monetary-based economy driving the community’s wealth. “For our awards this year, we’d like to challenge this community to expand our notion of what the economy is and what keeps it running,” said Janet Newbury, one of the event organizers.
Newbury is speaking about the community economy approach. It is defined as the production and distribution of all goods and services, including economic contributions as diverse as growing and preserving food, volunteering for a sports team or fire department, looking after the neighbour’s children, carpooling, maintaining trails, collecting trash, volunteering for community radio and trading goods or labour, just to mention a few.
All of these efforts are what the community relies upon, not just the transference of financial wealth. The community economy approach also encourages pooling resources rather than competing for them. “Learning to partner and work together with what we have is increasingly important,” said Newbury.
The approach recognises the parts of the economy that sustain the community. “Instead of investing outside our community,” she explained, “we could invest within the community to bolster our economy by sustaining what’s already here and working.”
The Commoners’ Choice Awards have five categories: uncommon elder, uncommon youth, uncommon business, uncommon group or organization, and extraordinarily uncommon commoner. Nominations are being accepted until May 6 and can be created by writing up to 250 words about why the person chosen deserves the award, and sending the submission, using the award category as the subject line, to [email protected].
There is also time for groups and organizations to reserve a table. “The tables are a place for the community to interact with your group,” said Newbury. “We hope people will think of ways to invite participation, such as asking people to help with a task like folding brochures or planting seeds, inspiring people to create by colouring a poster or sign, or just by offering people something such as a free hug.” Tables can be reserved by sending the organizers an email and putting “table reservation” in the subject line.
Chamber of Commoners takes place from 8 pm to midnight at Cranberry Seniors’ Centre. A suggested donation of $5 is payable at the door, but nobody will be turned away. Snacks will be provided, there will be a cash bar, live music and a ride-share board. For more information, readers can visit the chamber’s Facebook page.
“This is a party, not a meeting,” added Newbury.
