The Rural Voices Gathering 2024
Conversations on community driven solutions for rural health and wellness. November 20 – 27, 2024
The Rural Voices Gathering is an open and inclusive event welcoming everyone who lives, works or provides services in rural, remote, First Nations, and Métis communities across British Columbia. Co-hosted by the Rural Coordination Centre of BC (RCCbc), First Nations Health Authority, and Health Quality BC, this province-wide gathering is your opportunity to contribute to conversations and build connections that will shape the future of health and wellness in rural BC.
Register to attend The Rural Voices Gathering
Why Attend?
This event is for anyone passionate about improving rural health. Whether you are a community member, healthcare provider, administrator, policymaker, academic, local business, or organization, your voice matters. Together, we can drive meaningful system change that reflects the strengths and needs of our communities, guided by the Partnership Pentagram Plus framework, which brings together diverse perspectives to create holistic solutions.
The Gathering will hold space to share and celebrate progress and innovations, moving towards actionable commitments for improved health and wellness as individuals, communities, organizations and governments.
What We’ll Discuss:
- The Rural and Remote Health Strategy being developed by the BC Ministry of Health
- Transportation for health services
- Selection, education and training for health care providers from rural, remote, First Nations and Métis communities
- Hybrid, relationship-based health care including peer-to-peer virtual support, in-person and virtual patient consultations
In 2020, over 900 participants joined us for The BC Rural and First Nations Health and Wellness Summit. Building on that momentum, this year’s Rural Voices Gathering offers a platform to reflect, assess progress, explore the current context, and move forward together.
Who Should Be at the Table?
Creating sustainable change requires the voices of all partnership groups. These partnerships are crucial to ensuring the outcomes of this gathering lead to impactful, lasting change across BC’s rural health landscape.
Policymakers
Those responsible for creating and implementing health policies that shape the healthcare system.
Who Should Join?
- Government officials
- Legislative body members
- Health policy developers
Why Your Perspective Matters: Policymakers play a crucial role in shaping the landscape of healthcare through legislation and health policies. Your decisions impact funding, regulations, and the strategic direction of healthcare services. Join this group if you are involved in policy-making that affects rural, remote, and First Nations and Métis communities.
Health Administrators
Individuals who manage and oversee healthcare services, ensuring they meet the needs of the population.
Who Should Join?
- Healthcare facility managers
- Health service administrators
- Program directors in healthcare settings
Why Your Perspective Matters: Health Administrators ensure that health services are delivered efficiently, effectively, and equitably. If you manage healthcare operations or oversee the delivery of health services, your insights into system management and operational challenges are invaluable.
Healthcare Providers
Physicians, nurses, midwives and healthcare providers who deliver care directly to patients in rural, remote, First Nations or Métis communities in BC.
Who Should Join?
- Physicians, nurses and midwives
- Shared care providers
- Allied health professionals
Why Your Perspective Matters: Health providers are on the front lines of medical care and have direct contact with patients. Your experiences are critical in shaping practical, patient-centered health solutions. Join this group to share your firsthand knowledge of healthcare needs and barriers in rural settings.
Academics
Researchers and educators involved in health professions education and the development of evidence-based practices.
Who Should Join?
- University professors in health disciplines
- Health researchers
- Education program developers
Why Your Perspective Matters: Academics provide the research-based backbone for evidence-based practices and innovations in healthcare. If you are involved in health education or research, your perspective can drive improvements in how health education is tailored and delivered in rural and remote contexts.
Community Members
Residents and patients from rural, remote, First Nations or Métis communities, ensuring their voices are heard and they are actively involved in building community driven solutions.
Who Should Join?
- Residents and patients in rural, remote, First Nations or Métis communities in BC
- Community health foundations and organizations
- Local non-governmental organization leaders
Why Your Perspective Matters: Community members are the most affected by rural health policies and services. Your lived experiences and insights ensure that health solutions are culturally sensitive, relevant, and community-approved. Your voice is essential to ground discussions in reality and ensure that outcomes meet actual needs.
Linked Sectors
Industry and non-profit organizations that support the health system, contributing resources, expertise, and innovation.
Industry Partners
Who Should Join?
- Representatives from sectors like farming, mining, logging, and fishing
- Business owners in rural areas
- Industry leaders impacting rural health
Why Your Perspective Matters: Industry partners influence the economic and social landscapes of rural communities. Your participation is key to integrating industry-specific health concerns and opportunities into broader health initiatives, ensuring that economic activities support rather than hinder community well-being.
Non-profit Organizations
Who Should Join?
- Non-profit health organizations
- Community service providers
- Advocacy groups focusing on rural health
Why Your Perspective Matters: Non-profits often bridge gaps in health services and advocate for underserved populations. Your involvement is crucial in crafting strategies that are inclusive and representative of diverse community needs, leveraging your expertise in service delivery and community engagement.
Event Format
The Rural Voices Gathering will be held virtually via Zoom on November 20 and 27th, with local, in-person community discussion groups to meet between the virtual dates.
Community discussion groups will be assigned and/or coordinated following registration. If you are part of a pre-existing group, all members wishing to attend are encouraged to register individually. Groups may include those who share geography, interests, practice, circumstances and/or objectives.
November 20 | 8:30am-12:00pm (Virtual)
Join virtually to participate in dialogue focused on the topics listed above, with plenaries and facilitated break out rooms.
This session will utilize the describe/discover and dream phases of the appreciative inquiry process.
Open invitation to anyone living, working or providing services to a rural, remote, First Nations or Métis community.
In-Person Community Discussions | Various dates
Between the virtual dates, smaller community discussion groups will meet locally, in-person to continue with collaborative dialogue.
RCCbc will support the facilitation of these groups, with more details sent out ahead of the Gathering.
November 27 | 8:30am-12:00pm (Virtual)
Join virtually to continue discussions, with plenaries and facilitated break out rooms.
This session will utilize the design and delivery phases of the appreciative inquiry process.
Open invitation to anyone living, working or providing services to a rural, remote, First Nations or Métis community.
Don’t miss out on this opportunity to help shape the future of rural health in BC. Register now to bring your voice to the Rural Voices Gathering as a participant and/or a facilitator. Participation in both sessions is strongly encouraged, but not mandatory. Further details will be sent out to all registrants ahead of the Gathering.
Interested in acting as a facilitator for your group or community table?
RCCbc is looking for individuals to help facilitate the in-person community discussions and/or the virtual, province-wide sessions. Facilitation training will be provided ahead of the gatherings, with funding available to cover travel and expenses to attend a one-day training session in Vancouver.
Register to attend The Rural Voices Gathering
Learn more about facilitator Training
In addition to participants, RCCbc is also looking for individuals who are interested in facilitating an in-person community discussion group and/or a smaller breakout discussion group during the virtual sessions.
Group facilitators will be responsible for bringing together and scheduling their in-person community discussion group. Those facilitating the virtual sessions will have the opportunity to facilitate discussions and/or support note taking.
Training will be provided to facilitators as a half day in-person workshop held in Vancouver, with travel and expenses covered by RCCbc. Multiple date options will be available leading up to the Gathering.
These training sessions will cover:
- Appreciative Inquiry
- Deliberative Dialogue
- Breathing and Weaving
- The Partnership Pentagram Plus and recruitment of perspectives
- Virtual facilitation skills including using Zoom and automated meeting notes
- Group management
Share our facilitator invitation (download PDF) →
To express interest in being a facilitator, please register and respond ‘yes’ where prompted.
Invite your community, group or organization to join the Gathering
To ensure all rural voices are given the opportunity to contribute to these important discussions, we encourage you to help spread the word within your community and amongst peers.
There is no limit to the number of people who can register and we are keen to hear from multiple perspectives within any one community, group or organization.
Ahead of the Gathering, each attendee will be sent personalized links to join the virtual sessions and assigned to different breakout groups, so please ensure that each individual wishing to participate is registered separately.
Share information about the Gathering using these resources and templates: View promotional resources for the Rural Voices Gathering
Contact us
For more information, contact Alice Muirhead, Director, Engagement and Outreach: [email protected] or [email protected]
To reach us by phone, please call:
Direct: 1 (604) 738-8222 | Toll-free: 1 (877) 908-8222
