A fibre optic network, Fair Trade designation, physician attraction, and an energy retailer that spends its profits on local projects – all things accomplished by the Olds Institute for Community and Regional Development.
And yet few realize it, some say.
For instance, Norm McInnis, Olds chief administrative officer and town representative on the OI board to council on July 11: "Fifteen years of doing awesome things in our community and still nobody knows what we do."
As the OI approaches its 15th birthday this September, the organization is exploring a possible name change. By then, the board wants to have a conversation with the public on how the OI can rebrand itself in a way that people can understand just what it does.
The OI is comprised of several volunteer committees focusing on everything from economic development, community lifestyle, to technology and sustainability.
As a result, people have difficulty pinning down what the OI is.
"Because we're involved with so many different things, sometimes people get confused. Are we one organization or a bunch of organizations," said Mitch Thompson, OI executive director.
"So that's part of this conversation we've been having. How do you recognize the contribution of the people, who've done tremendous work for the organization the last 15 years but also create a brand or name that's understood or is still empowering."
It's the word "institute" that makes the OI sound like it's a think-tank, McInnis said.
When they reach out to the public, they're looking for a name that better "reflects the spirit and the activities" of the group, he said.
How people can get involved with the organization is changing as well, shifting away from sitting on committees toward focusing their energy on a specific project. An example of that model is the splash park.
"We saw the value of having a committed group come together for a specific project and specific period of time and just dispersing and in the end we got a great new asset in our community," McInnis said.
"If you've got a great idea and you want support from the community, you can bring that project ahead. You make some commitments, we'll make some commitments and see if we can make it roll."
"How do you recognize the contribution of the people, who've done tremendous work for the organization the last 15 years but also create a brand or name that's understood or is still empowering." MITCH THOMPSON, Olds Institute executive director
