“When community groups, parents and others visit the school to participate in community activities and use the school’s facilities, they develop a sense of interest and ownership in local education. More public interest in and ownership of educational issues can only strengthen our education system.”

— Dr. Mordechai Rozanski,
Chair, Education Equality Task Force,
December, 2002

Introduction

This handbook was developed by the SPACE coalition (Save Public Access to Community Space Everywhere) as a handbook to assist parents, volunteers, youth, and other citizens to share their concerns about rising rental fees and the ever-shrinking space available for community programs in schools and other public buildings in Ontario.

You can use this handbook for planning presentations or meetings or for dealing with the media. It includes guidelines and tips aimed at making your meetings run smoothly, and delivering presentations that leave a lasting impression. At the back of this handbook is a checklist to help you evaluate the success of your meetings and presentations.

Naturally, our goal is to preserve and expand community access to schools and other public facilities so that many valuable volunteer and community-based activities and services can continue to be enjoyed by Ontarians.

While we know the important contributions these activities and the volunteers who deliver them make to our communities, others may not. Our task is to tell that story passionately, and to clearly deliver our message to as many people as possible.

Please keep in touch with the SPACE coalition. We are a growing organization with contact in many communities. Please let us know about your activities and how we can help each other to reach our common goal.

Much success!