Most projects that Millier Dickinson Blais becomes involved with incorporate some form of
stakeholder or community consultation. We work closely with our clients to identify the
most appropriate manner to involve a broad cross-section of a business and municipal
community. Specific techniques include focus groups, one-on-one interviews and “Town
Hall” meetings/presentations.
Some clients are interested in a broader perspective and have asked us to incorporate
methods to gain this understanding. Such techniques would include Internet-based
surveys, “street beat” surveys and “mystery shopping”.
Recent projects that have involved very extensive community consultation include Pan-
Northern Investment Attraction Strategy, City of Calgary and County of Elgin Economic
Development Strategy.
Community Capacity Building & Training
Millier Dickinson Blais has worked with a range of communities and community
organizations to examine organizational strengths and weaknesses and individual skills in
a manner that increases community “capacity” – the ability to achieve goals and objectives
in a tangible way. Recent work in this area has included capacity-building efforts with the
Venture Niagara Community Futures Development Corporation and Municipality of
Merrickville-Wolford.
Volunteer Recruitment & Support
Millier Dickinson Blais’ partners have worked to help communities understand new and
effective strategies for recruiting, managing and retaining volunteers. This includes the
development of a dotmocracy process used in communities from Annapolis Royal, Nova
Scotia to Port Dalhousie in the Niagara Region of Ontario.
2007 Millier Dickinson Blais. All rights reserved.
