Regional Action Teams
The Regional Action Teams (formerly known as Regional Coordinating Groups) are composed of volunteer community members and stakeholder representatives who are committed to building healthy, active Indigenous communities through sport, physical activity, and recreation. The Regional Action Teams meet several times a year to:
- provide their leadership in the implementation of I·SPARC’s Provincial Strategy for Indigenous Sport, Physical Activity, and Recreation at the regional/community level
- help guide the work of the Regional Coordinator for their region
- support building a broader regional network of community and organizational stakeholders
- Sub-committees of the Regional Action Teams also help support processes such as annual Equipment Grant and/or Premier’s Awards adjudication processes
Membership
Regional Action Teams consist of nine (9) core community members together with other stakeholder representatives from within each regional network. The 9 core community members are appointed through a regional selection process, led by I·SPARC’s Board. Each region also populates their Action Team with other stakeholder representatives based on the priorities and make-up of the region.
Core Community Members (9)
- 3 individuals who are citizens/member of a British Columbia First Nation community
- 3 individuals who are citizens of the Métis Nation of British Columbia
- 3 individuals with Indigenous ancestry who are associated with a Friendship Centre or other Urban Indigenous organization
- I·SPARC Regional Coordinator
Note: 1 Regional Lead (Chair) and 2 Regional Vice Leads (Vice Chairs) are elected from among the 9 core community members.
Stakeholder Representatives
Stakeholder Representatives are identified by the Regional Coordinator and Core Community Members and consist of organizations/groups or individuals to complement the core community members. This may include representatives from First Nations Health Authority – Regional Health Hubs, Schools and/or School Districts, Indigenous Youth Organizations, Sport & Physical Activity Organizations, Health Authority, Recreation Commissions, and/or Social Service/Youth in Care Agencies.
I·SPARC is seeking individuals to be a part of our family of Regional Action Teams across the province.
There is an open application process to fill available positions in various Regional Action Teams. I·SPARC is seeking a total of nine individuals for each Regional Action Team, as per the membership eligibility above. Below is a summary of the positions still available.
INTERESTED APPLICANTS PLEASE CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION.
Background – Regional Action Teams
In order to ensure that each geographical area had the opportunity to establish its own priorities, in 2009 a regional engagement process was developed to allow for community input into the Provincial Strategy. That process helped to define the pillars and core priorities of the Strategy and reinforced the importance of building infrastructures to support regionally relevant priorities.
This process was been renewed on an annual basis. Through a self-directed, credible, open and representative engagement process, six Regional Committees were re-established each year to represent and serve all the First Nations, Metis Chartered Communities, and Aboriginal Friendship Centres within the geographic boundaries. The regional committees each elected leaders from among themselves to help with the planning, communication, organization and implementation of activities within their communities.
In May of 2020, I·SPARC incorporated into its own not-for-profit society. This milestone was achieved through the creation of a new governance framework. As a first step, I·SPARC established a Board of Directors. The next phase of development focused on the enhancement of our Regional structures.
Through 2021, I·SPARC embarked on a process to find passionate and skilled volunteers to join our Regional Action Teams, who’s focus is to build and develop sport, physical activity, and recreation opportunities. Qualified applicants were considered by I·SPARC’s Selection Committee and through this process a number of individuals were selected to create a Regional Action Team in each of the six regions in British Columbia. As of 2021/22, the Regional Action Teams replaced the Regional Committees.
Click here to see a pdf link of the Provincial Strategy.