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Hamilton Hall building in the spring, with cherry blossom tree blooming.

Our Story

FWI

September 2011

President Patrick Deane issued an open letter to the McMaster Community, titled “Forward With Integrity”.

Forward With Integrity outlines the priorities that are to be the focus of the University’s efforts over the next decade.

Community Engagement was outlined as one of these priorities.

 

February 2012

Community Engagement Task Force

A Community Engagement Task Force was formed with members who represented a broad range of community experience and were given the task of considering ways in which community engagement (CE) could be embedded into the culture of the University.

The Community Engagement Task Force Position Paper highlighted the wealth of CE initiatives, both curricular and co‐curricular, involving McMaster faculty, staff, students, alumni and retirees and stated that “In order to better coordinate these activities and align them with the academic mission, the University must develop a broad understanding of the definition of CE and its underlying principles as well as a cohesive strategy on which to focus its efforts.”

Photo of the top of University Hall with a McMaster flag flying. In the background you can see the Niagara escarpment.
McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
Photograph of Hamilton skyline, used for our newsletter.

October 2013

As recommended by the CE Task Force, the Network for Community-Campus Partnerships was created.

The Network for Community-Campus Partnerships is the structure that supports McMaster’s work with our community partners to achieve our collectively-developed goals. Managed by the Office of Community Engagement, the Network will foster ongoing relationship-building between community and University partners through a variety of approaches to take on short-term actions that focus on the pillars of community engagement in contributing to work towards our long-term goals. ​

June 2015 – June 2016

Strategic Plan Consultations and Launch

In June 2015, the Network launched a strategic planning process to develop a 2016-2021 strategic plan—this document is the culmination of this collaborative effort, setting the direction for the next 5 years of community engagement at McMaster.

Community Engagement Strategic Plan 2016-2021
Hamilton Hall
The CONNECTION logo

2016-2020

 

2021 & Beyond

Our current strategic plan includes:

Key Strategies

Building relationships and connecting the dots between regional, national, global networks, Hamilton, and McMaster.

Building community engagement capacity through tools, programs, and infrastructure.

Intended Impact

Developing 500 community-engaged partnerships by 2025.

Ultimate Impact

Inclusive sustainable greater Hamilton.

OCE Theory of Change Infographic. Key Strategies: Build relationships and connect the dots. Build community engagement capacity through tools, programs, and infrastructure. Intended Impact: 500 Community-Engaged Partnerships by 2025. Ultimate Impact: Inclusive sustainable greater Hamilton.