REPORT TO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
TO:	Mayor and Members of Council
FROM:	Jim Baird, Commissioner of Development Services Stephen Chait, Director of Economic Development
PREPARED BY:	Stephen Chait, Director of Economic Development
DATE OF MEETING:	2006-Jan-24
SUBJECT:	Knowledge Community Sub-Committee

RECOMMENDATION:

That the report entitled “Knowledge Community Sub-Committee” be received,

That the recommended Terms of Reference and 2006 implementation program be approved,

That the Director of Economic Development, the Director of the Varley Gallery, and the CEO of Markham Public Libraries be authorized to work with the Sub-Committee to implement the program,

And that Ms. E. Huggins be retained to guide the launch of “Creativity & Innovation Week” April 15 – 21 in Markham at a cost not to exceed $12,500 to be funded from within the 2006 Knowledge Community capital account.

BACKGROUND:

Early in 2004 the Town of Markham established a “Knowledge Community Task Force” co-chaired by Councillor Virgilio and Councillor Horchik. The establishment of the Task Force provided a focus for examining the state of the Town’s knowledge-based infrastructure and the needs and opportunities for enhancing its condition as a strategy for improving Markham’s economic competitiveness and quality of life. A draft plan of action was approved by Council in February 2004, and invitations were sent to a broad cross-section of the Markham community to attend the first Task Force meeting. The first Task Force meeting was held in mid 2004 and generated a broad base of support for the Knowledge Community initiative as well as a wide variety of proposed initiatives. Over the balance of 2004 the Mayor, Co-Chairs and members of Town Staff met individually and with several Task Force meeting participants to discuss appropriate next steps. In 2005 the Task Force devoted its efforts to defining its purposes, refining its objectives, and scoping out practical initiatives that could capture the interest of the potential stakeholders. Copies of the minutes of these meetings are attached to this report.

OPTIONS/DISCUSSION:

The Knowledge Community Sub-Committee has adopted a new Terms of Reference to guide its work.

Composition

Reporting to the Town of Markham Economic Development Committee, the Knowledge Community Sub-Committee shall be comprised of twelve (12) members and three (3) members-at-large to be drawn from the Town of Markham Council, York Technology Association, Colleges and Universities, the Markham Board of Trade, School Boards, federal and provincial government, the environmental issues field, and Markham-based industries and businesses.

Meetings of the Knowledge Community Sub-Committee can proceed in the absence of quorum.

Term of Office

The term of office shall be until November 2006, with the option of an additional period.

Mission Statement for Markham as a Knowledge Community

To develop, promote and support the concepts of learning and innovation; thereby improving the quality of the economic and social life of Markham; and in so doing seek to serve all residents and stakeholders.

Charter

To identify, develop and promote opportunities to advance Markham as a Knowledge Community.

This charter will be realized through the following activities and initiatives of the committee;

• Fostering the creation of learning and innovation networks and partnerships within Markham
• Identification of new opportunities to celebrate and promote innovation and learning
• Identify opportunities to align the Knowledge Community with other initiatives in Markham
• Research, compare and share global best practices in knowledge communities and lifelong learning
• Establishment of linkages with other knowledge communities
• Fostering public/private partnerships in innovation and learning
• Identifying opportunities to assist socially and economically excluded individuals and groups
• Identification of opportunities for utilization of existing infrastructures and the creation of new accessible locales (virtual and physical)
• Promote public awareness of Markham as a Knowledge Community
• To identify standards promoted by other municipalities fostering a learning environment and to develop and establish Markham as a leader (with appropriate benchmark criteria)

Participation by non-voting members

• Non-voting members may be engaged to assist and/or advise the Knowledge Community Sub-Committee

Remuneration

None

Frequency of Meetings

The Knowledge Community Sub-Committee will meet at the call of the Chair, as required.

The Sub-Committee recommends that in 2006 the Town engage in “Creativity & Innovation Week” as its first significant Knowledge Community initiative.

The Sub-Committee regards the Knowledge Community initiative as having great strategic value to enhancing the Markham economy and quality of life. It is of relevance to all members of the Markham community regardless of age, gender, and economic status, and to the many businesses and stakeholders who choose to invest in Markham’s future. In researching definitions of what a Knowledge Community is, it is clear that it is not restricted to technology and business interests, rather it includes artistic and cultural expressions and embraces innovation in all its forms. A brief compendium of sources of information about Knowledge Communities and the leveraging of knowledge as a competitive advantage is presented in Attachment 3 to this report.

In order to launch the Knowledge Community initiative in a way that efficiently touches as many people as possible, engages them in thoughtful/meaningful activity, and fosters personal commitment to knowledge-building, creativity, and innovation (the cornerstones of the Knowledge Community), the Sub-Committee reviewed a variety of concepts and projects, including:

1. Conducting research into knowledge communities and best practices. Initial research suggests that the “Intelligent Community Forum” in New York City, and established think-tanks such as the Conference Board of Canada may be good candidates for sourcing relevant information and benchmark data.

2. Focusing on promoting enhancements to community infrastructure and services, such as the ”One York” project.

3. Selecting a globally proven example of how to foster and celebrate the principles of “Knowledge Community”, and devoting the Sub-Committee’s work in 2006 to launching this example in Markham and establishing it as an annual and growing focus for years to come. The example selected by the Sub-Committee is “Creativity & Innovation Week”.

“Creativity and Innovation Week” is an established program of events, celebrations and award-giving that could serve to promote the Knowledge Community initiative in Markham and to showcase the Knowledge Community to the GTA and beyond. First established as “Creativity and Innovation Day” in Toronto in 2001, the program is now celebrated every year on April 21^st in 43 countries worldwide. Leading companies (including Markham companies such as Bell and Pfizer, and Richmond Hill’s Lego), cultural and educational institutions and entrepreneurs are becoming involved with this program. It is based on partnerships and has already proven (in Toronto) to be able to engage people of all ages and backgrounds, and can serve as a valuable showcase as well as an attraction. The Sub-Committee proposes to involve Markham in the plans for the GTA’s 2006 Creativity and Innovation Week (April 15-21).

As indicated in the exhibit above, the week will be launched with the Leonardo Da Vinci Awards event in Toronto. As a sponsor of one of the awards (innovation award), the Town of Markham will receive media and participant attention across the GTA and on the worldwide web. Details about the 2006 program are presented below:

Markham Creativity & Innovation Week April 15 -21, 2005

Scope of Work

Overall Objective:

To position and raise awareness of Creativity & Innovation Week as a key Brand within Markham’s portfolio of events, services and activities provided to Markham constituents.

To position and raise awareness of the Markham Brand as a leading participant and supporter of Creativity & Innovation Week within the Toronto GTA and throughout the world where possible.

Business:

- MBT Innovation luncheon event

- Collaborate with Pfizer, and encourage other Markham based companies to participate

- MBT and York Technology Council promotion of the week to members – online resources, speakers list and mobile unit available

Schools:

- Package to Public and Catholic Board schools in Markham inviting participation – resources and posters available on line

Libraries/Arts/Cultural Community:

- Markham Arts & Cultural Venues encouraged to banner existing events under Markham Creativity and Innovation Week

- Markham Libraries to take leadership role

Residents:

- Markham Economist and Sun 2 page spread and promo through the Markham page with on line resources to celebrate at home on April 21 (YRNG sells ads). Town uses Town page in the paper to promote and refer residents to on line resources.

Town of Markham Proclamation of Markham's Creativity and Innovation Week, media event, Web site:

- Partners and Key Participants: Committee members, Markham Arts Council, Rogers and Markham Economist and Sun and Creativity and Innovation Day http://www.creativityday.ca/index.php

- Markham to host Markham specific Creativity & Innovation Week web page

Creativity & Innovation Week to include Markham events on CIW site

Leonardo da Vinci Awards Event:

- Four categories of arts, entrepreneurship, business and education April 15

- Committee members encouraged to submit nominations for awards

- Markham to sponsor the entrepreneurship award for $2,500

- Dr. Stan Shapson, York University and John Ryerson, Varley Gallery are on the judging panels

Knowledge Community Sub-Committee members:

- Encourage your companies/organizations to participate (resources available)

- Commit to participating as individuals

Project Management and Materials:

- CIW to project manage providing Public relations plan and coordination

implementation of the program and materials costs.

- Town of Markham Communications Group to implement.

The Sub-Committee has recruited Ms E. Huggins (Chair, Creativity & Innovation Week; and also Chair, Leonardo da Vinci Awards for Creativity and Innovation) as the consultant to the Town of Markham. Ms Huggins has presented her proposal for assisting the Town in this project, and the Sub-Committee recommends that the Town retain her for this purpose. As this is the first time for the Town to take part and to promote involvement in the Creativity & Innovation Week program, the role and expertise of Ms Huggins will be particularly helpful. It is anticipated that as a result of her input and training of Sub-Committee members and Town staff, it may be possible to reduce our dependence on consultant assistance in future years.

Among the measurables to be delivered by this initiative are the following:

• A Council proclamation
• A benchmark in 2006 for web hits for school, business and residents
• A benchmark for number of businesses participating
• A benchmark for school and class participation
• A commitment by the Markham Board of Trade to partner in this initiative
• A commitment by the Markham Arts Council to partner in this initiative
• A minimum of $20,000 in media editorial coverage
• Plus media commitment from the Economist and Sun, and from Rogers
• A legacy of web based and printable materials capable of being used in 2007

In addition, the Sub-Committee will play an active role in the process of developing the Town’s “Competitiveness Strategy”.

The Knowledge Community is an important theme of exploration in the development of the Town’s new economic development strategy. The Knowledge Community Sub-Committee will be involved in providing input and guidance to the development of the Town’s “Competitiveness Strategy” over the course of the year.

FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS:

The Knowledge Community has requested a 2006 capital budget of $35,000 to fund its initiatives in 2006. This cost for retaining Ms E. Huggins to lead in the promotion of “Creativity & Innovation Week” in Markham will be a maximum of $12,500.00 plus GST based on the following break-out of costs:

Item/Action Mgt Days Coordination Days

Develop marketing plan & critical path 3.0 0.5

Implementation of the plan 6.0 6.0

Progress & assessment reports 1.0 0.5

Total days 10.0 7.0

Per diem rate $900 $500

Total fee $9,000 $3,500

The cost to the Town for out of pocket expenses is estimated to total $6,000.00 for the following items:

Sponsorship of the Leonardo Da Vinci awards $2,500

Print reproduction and promotion materials $4,000

In total the Sub-Committee proposes to commit $16,500 for these expenditures to be funded from the 2006 capital budget, Knowledge Community account.

ENGAGE 21ST CONSIDERATIONS:

The Knowledge Community initiative is consistent with the Town’s economic development and community goals.

BUSINESS UNITS CONSULTED AND AFFECTED:

Several Department Directors representing all three Commissions have been consulted in the drafting of this report.

ATTACHMENTS:

1. October 26, 2005 Minutes of the Knowledge Community Sub-Committee Meeting.

2. November 23, 2005 Minutes of the Knowledge Community Sub-Committee Meeting.

3. A compendium of information about Knowledge Communities and Knowledge as a source of competitive advantage

4. Creativity and Innovation Week.

Stephen Chait, Ec.D., CMC Director of Economic Development

Jim Baird, M.C.I.P., R.P.P. Commissioner of Development Services

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