OCOL - 3. Vitality indicators for the English-speaking community of Québec City

3. Vitality indicators for the English-speaking community of Québec City

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For each of the four target sectors for Québec City, i.e., youth, health and social services, arts and culture, and leadership and visibility, the task force constructed a vitality model (a logic model¹¹ with indicators and data sources) based on the main objective of supporting efforts to enhance vitality. As the term suggests, a logic model communicates the logic behind a sector—in effect, the rationale from beginning to end. The logic model’s purpose is to communicate the underlying set of assumptions or hypotheses that the community has about a sector and why certain activities, initiatives or programs will provide a course of action that is a good solution to an identified problem. The logic model depicts the situation in a visual way to convey the relationships between contextual factors and the inputs and processes that result in some form of outcome. The structure of the logic model helps to focus on outcomes (results) instead of outputs (activities).

The results define what is to be achieved and the indicators define what is to be observed in order to verify whether, or to what extent, progress is being made. Indicators are signposts of change—they enable the status of development outcomes and progress to be verified. The purpose of indicators is ultimately to support effective program planning, management and reporting. Indicators make it possible to demonstrate results, and can help produce results by providing a reference point for monitoring, decision making, stakeholder consultations and evaluation. Indicators are only intended to indicate—not to provide scientific proof or explanations about detailed change in all aspects of the program environment.

When selecting good indicators, the critical issue is credibility, not precision in measurement. The challenge lies in meaningfully capturing key changes, in other words, combining what is substantively relevant with what is practically feasible to monitor. The measurement of change should not take precedence over program activities that generate the changes to be measured. Ultimately, it is better to have indicators that provide approximate answers to some important questions than to have exact answers to many unimportant questions.

The following sections present the vitality models for each of the four sectors selected by the Québec City task force.

3.1 Youth

The vitality model for the youth sector focuses on two main areas of activity.

Research and promotion: The English-speaking community in the Québec City region expressed the need for greater analysis of job availability associated with language skills, and for promoting the information to retain and recruit youth in the area.

Planning and infrastructure: The Québec City Englishspeaking community believes there also needs to be more planning to establish the leadership and infrastructure base for providing more opportunity to youth, including educational partnerships, transportation services and community space.

In the medium term, the activities will provide youth with more employment and educational opportunities, and a greater sense of belonging.

In the long term, the Québec City English-speaking community will be strengthened and renewed through greater youth retention.

Indicators and data sources – Youth sector

Expect outcomes	Indicators	Data sources
Immediate: 1. Employers (business, institutions) adapt to accommodate English-speaking youth	Levels of recruiting activity: Employer participation in career events at English-speaking schools (booths) Employer outreach to English-speaking youth (i.e., brochures) Job postings in English media Job postings in French media promoting English proficiency/bilingualism as an asset Length of employment of English-speaking youth Comfort level of English-speaking youth in the workplace	Institutional administrative records Media coverage study Ibid. Surveys of businesses, youth (employed and unemployed) Attitudinal surveys of youth
Immediate: 2. Government is more aware (for purposes of hiring) of attributes of bilingual English-speaking youth	Government awareness levels and attitudes Incidence of government job postings in English media Incidence of government job postings in French media that promote English proficiency/bilingualism as an asset	Surveys of government personnel Media coverage study Ibid.
Immediate: 3. Partnerships and educational cooperation are fostered	Number and extent of educational partnerships for English-speaking youth (industrial, institutional, economic development)	Institutional administrative records
Immediate: 4. The institutional and service base is enhanced to serve English-speaking youth	Number of programs offered to English-speaking youth (including programs adapted to English-speaking youth from the French-speaking community) Youth participation in programs (see above) Attitudes of English-speaking youth regarding how well they are served	Institutional administrative records Ibid. Attitudinal surveys of youth
Immediate: 5. Increased solidarity between the English-speaking and French-speaking communities	Number and nature of cooperative youth initiatives between English-speaking and French-speaking community partners	Institutional administrative records
Immediate: 6. English-speaking youth have access to community space	Number of appropriate spaces/facilities available for use by English-speaking youth Awareness of these facilities by English-speaking youth/community groups Usage of these facilities for English-speaking youth activities	Census statistics Ibid., government and agency administrative records Ibid.
Intermediate: 7. Greater employment opportunities	English-speaking youth employment/underemployment levels English-speaking youth in government jobs Return rate of English-speaking youth (from outside studies) Entry rate in the job market of English-speaking youth from outside the region	Census statistics Ibid., government and agency administrative records Ibid. Ibid.
Intermediate: 8. Increased educational opportunities	Volume and variety of educational program offerings (including joint programs between English-speaking and French-speaking institutions) Enrolment of English-speaking youth in educational programs Flow through: English-speaking high school students staying for postsecondary education Exit-return rate of English-speaking youth from the region for post-secondary education Arrival of English-speaking youth from outside the region for post-secondary education	Institutional administrative records Ibid. Ibid. Ibid. Ibid.
Intermediate: 9. English-speaking youth have a greater sense of belonging	Youth participation in community events, social networks, cultural activities, boards of directors, etc. English-speaking youth awareness of English-speaking community services Attitudes of English-speaking youth and their families (including comfort levels with speaking English)	Community organization administrative records, participation rates Surveys of youth Attitudinal surveys
Final: 10. The English-speaking community will be strengthened and renewed through youth retention	Size of the English-speaking youth population relative to the total English-speaking community (percentage increase) Number of visible English-speaking youth leaders English and French media coverage of English-speaking youth	Census statistics Media coverage study, community organization administrative records Ibid.

3.2 Health and social services

The vitality model for the health and social services sector focuses on three main areas of activity.

Research and planning: Health and social services are a priority for the Québec City English-speaking community, and they require more research to identify gaps and improve reporting when needs are not being met, to ensure continual planning.

Network and governance: The English-speaking community of Québec City believes that partners need to be identified, along with their structures and resources, to respond to health and social service needs.

Marketing and promotion: Promotional initiatives are required in conjunction with partners to ensure that individuals in the English-speaking community of Québec City take more responsibility for their own health.

In the medium term, the activities will lead to a full range of health and social services for the English-speaking community, as well as a community-governed network of resources and greater individual responsibility.

In the long term, the English-speaking community of Québec City will actively enjoy a healthier lifestyle, with the support of its community institutions.

Logic model: Québec City - Health and social services sector

Indicators and data sources – Health and social services sector

Expect outcomes	Indicators	Data sources
Immediate: 1. Gaps in health and social services needs for the English-speaking community are continually identified	Evidence of gaps in service	Surveys of clients, focus groups, institutional administrative records (usage information, i.e., wait times)
Immediate: 2. Network partners are in a stronger position to assess and respond to unmet English-speaking community health and social services needs	Nature and scope of agreements or arrangements between network partners (formal legal partnerships)	Surveys of key informants, institutional administrative records
Immediate: 3. Network partners support and promote the importance of an individual’s responsibility for their own health in the English-speaking community	Incidence of meetings and discussions between network partners Evidence of plans to promote individual responsibility within the English-speaking community Number and nature (i.e., reach) of promotional initiatives regarding the above Enabling structures and resources in place (i.e., translation budgets for promotion)	Institutional, agency and community organization administrative records Institutional and agency promotional materials Institutional and agency administrative records Ibid.
Intermediate: 4. The full range of health and social services needs for the English-speaking community are met	Availability of health and social services for the English-speaking community Perception levels within the health and social services sector regarding the extent to which English-speaking community needs are being met Perception levels within the English-speaking community regarding the extent to which its health and social services needs are not being met	Institutional and agency administrative records, client and key respondent surveys, interviews Client surveys and interviews, complaint reporting data Ibid.
Intermediate: 5. A community-governed network of public and community resources is recognized, maintained and cooperatively works together	Number of English-speakers (and their profiles) actively participating in the network Representation of the English-speaking community on regional health boards Written (legislative) commitment from provincial government to support the network Number of formal and long-term partnerships (in relation to potential or capacity)	Surveys; interviews with key respondents; institutional, agency and community organization administrative records Institutional, agency and community organization administrative records Government administrative records Institutional, agency and community organization administrative records
Intermediate: 6. Individuals in the English-speaking community take more responsibility for their own health	Percentage shift among the English-speaking community regarding standard health indicators (response to the public health campaign)	Population surveys, interviews, focus groups, census statistics
Final: 7. The English-speaking community is actively enjoying a healthier lifestyle supported by a community-governed health and social services network	Life expectancy in the English-speaking population Morbidity rates¹² Perceptions of the English-speaking community regarding its health in relation to the health and social services support system in place	Census statistics Ibid. Population surveys, interviews, focus groups

3.3 Arts and culture

The vitality model for the arts and culture sector focuses on three main areas of activity.

Research and development: Members of the English-speaking community feel there is a need for further research on English-language arts and culture in the Québec City region. This will determine priorities for the sector.

Marketing and promotion: Members of the Québec City English-speaking community believe that a series of measures are required to better inform the community of what is happening in the sector. This will result in more availability of facilities and greater exchange between artistic communities.

Networking: The arts and culture sector requires more structure in its operations and representations, both within the English-speaking community and outside with the French-speaking community. This will result in greater exchange among artistic communities and the generation of partnerships.

In the medium term, the activities will lead to a broader range of English-language artistic activities, greater levels of community participation and the incorporation of arts and culture as an important value in the education sector.

In the long term, the English-speaking community of the Québec City region will experience individual and collective well-being from a more valued and supported arts and culture sector.

Logic model: Québec City - Arts and culture sector

Indicators and data sources – Arts and culture sector

Expected outcomes	Indicators	Data sources
Immediate: 1. Research and development priorities are articulated and promoted	Publication of recent research studies that define key issues of relevance to the English-speaking arts and culture sector Dissemination of these studies or research results to individuals or groups working within the English-speaking arts and culture sector and to other key stakeholders (i.e., government) Common understanding within the English-speaking arts and culture sector of development priorities (opinions coincide)	Institutional, agency and cultural organization administrative records Interviews with key respondents Cultural organization administrative records, interviews with key respondents
Immediate: 2. Greater access to and availability of space and venues	Awareness of existing space and venues available to the English-speaking community Use of existing space and venues for cultural activities that serve the English-speaking community Number of new spaces and venues created for cultural activities that serve the English-speaking community	Community surveys, interviews with key respondents Cultural organization administrative records Cultural organization administrative records, media coverage study
Immediate: 3. Increased solidarity between English-speaking and French-speaking arts and culture sectors	Number and nature of collaborative efforts between English-speaking cultural groups (productions, events, meetings) Creation of, and support for (such as membership), a regional English-speaking arts and culture umbrella group (part of ELAN) Attitudes of English-speaking cultural groups (comfort levels) regarding collaboration	Institutional, agency and cultural organization administrative records Cultural organization administrative records Surveys of cultural organizations, interviews with key respondents
Immediate: 4. Growing network of outside partners with an interest in English-speaking arts and culture	Number and nature of collaborative efforts with partners outside the English-speaking arts and culture sector (i.e., community learning centres, government, education, corporate sponsors) Perceptions within the sector and among outside partners regarding cooperation	Institutional, agency and cultural organization administrative records Surveys of partners, interviews with key respondents
Intermediate: 5. Broader range of cultural products and activities	Expansion of activities by existing English-speaking arts and culture groups Overall volume of cultural activity serving the English-speaking community Emergence (number and size) of new cultural groups Employment (number of jobs) in the English-speaking arts and culture sector	Institutional, agency and cultural organization administrative records Ibid. Cultural organization administrative records, media coverage study Government, institutional, agency and cultural organization administrative records
Intermediate: 6. Increased participation in cultural events and activities	Overall levels of English-speaking audience/visitor participation Number of new English-speaking audience members/visitors Number of English-speaking volunteers supporting the English-speaking arts and culture sector	Institutional, agency and cultural organization administrative records Ibid. Cultural organization administrative records
Intermediate: 7. The education sector values arts and culture	Arts and culture are part of the English-language core curriculum (all levels) Number and availability of arts and culture educational programs for the English-speaking community Enrolment of English speakers in the above (all ages)	Institutional administrative records, interviews with key respondents Ibid. Ibid.
Final 8. A highly valued and supported arts and culture sector contributes to the individual and collective well-being of the English-speaking community	Levels of financial support to the English-speaking arts and culture sector (all sources) Extent of media coverage of the English-speaking arts and culture sector (regional and beyond) Attitudes among members of the English-speaking community regarding arts and culture in their lives	Government, agency and cultural organization administrative records Media coverage study Community surveys, focus groups, interviews with key informants

3.4 Leadership and visibility

The vitality model for leadership and visibility focuses on two main areas of activity.

Capacity building: Members of the Québec City English-speaking community feel they need to build leadership capacity by recruiting and training new leaders, particularly youth, and by providing support for language training. This will increase participation and volunteer rates, and help existing leaders work more effectively.

Communications and marketing: Members of the Québec City English-speaking community would like more exchange with the French-speaking community, as well as increased media coverage and promotional efforts. This will enhance dialogue with the French-speaking community and lead to increased awareness of the English-speaking community.

In the medium term, the activities will lead to a renewal of community leadership, greater interaction between English- and French-speaking communities, and better access to leaders by the English-speaking community.

In the long term, the English-speaking community of Québec City will benefit from an effective, visible and representative leadership.

Logic model: Québec City - Leadership and visibility sector

Indicators and data sources – Leadership and visibility sector

Expected outcomes	Indicators	Data sources
Immediate: 1. Increased participation in, and appropriate governance of, English-speaking community organizations and institutions	Membership or recruitment levels of English-speaking community organizations (i.e., increase in number of new volunteers) Incidence of leadership training initiatives offered and used by English-speaking community members and organizations Number of English-speaking community organizations operating with healthy governance policies (i.e., appropriate rotation patterns for board members, board member diversity with respect to age)	Community organization administrative records Ibid. Ibid.
Immediate: 2. Increased capacity of English-speaking leaders	Availability and use of support tools to assist English-speaking leaders in representing the community (i.e., workshops, briefing materials) French-language proficiency levels of English-speaking leaders (board members)	Community organization administrative records, interviews with key respondents Interviews with key respondents
Immediate: 3. Effective and ongoing dialogue with the French-speaking community	Number of French speakers on English-speaking community boards Number of English speakers on French-speaking community boards Number and nature of collaborative efforts (events, activities, meetings) between the English- and French-speaking communities	Community organization administrative records Ibid. Ibid.
Immediate: 4. Greater awareness and use of English-speaking community resources	Number of inquiries made to English-speaking community organizations for services, information, etc. Volume of services delivered to the English-speaking community	Community organization administrative records Ibid.
Intermediate: 5. Community leadership is renewed	Decline in incidence of leader (volunteer) fatigue and burnout (appropriate levels of cross-participation between boards/ committees) Greater age diversity of the leadership base (balanced) Appropriate/healthy rotation of leaders (movement on and off boards)	Community organization administrative records, interviews with key respondents Ibid. Ibid.
Intermediate: 6. English-speaking community leadership is known within both English- and French-speaking communities	Levels of awareness among the English-speaking population regarding leadership Levels of awareness among the French-speaking community population regarding English-speaking community leadership Levels of awareness among English- and French-language media (i.e., journalists) regarding English-speaking community leadership Number of inquiries or requests on the part of English- and French-language media to English-speaking community leaders	Community surveys, interviews, focus groups Interviews with key respondents, community surveys, focus groups Media coverage study, interviews with key respondents Community organization administrative records
Intermediate: 7. English-speaking community leaders are accessible	Incidence of English-speaking community leaders meeting with individuals and organizations Responsiveness of English-speaking community leaders to requests (i.e., in a timely manner) Participation of English-speaking community leaders in activities of the English- and French-speaking communities	Community organization administrative records Ibid., community surveys Community organization administrative records
Final 8. The English-speaking community has effective, visible and representative leadership	Presence and placement of English-speaking representatives in government Timely adoption and uptake of policy/changes on key strategic issues affecting the English-speaking community Extent to which opinions and positions of the English-speaking community and their leaders coincide Perceptions regarding individual cultural identity and sense of belonging (subjective vitality) Ease of access to politicians by the English-speaking community	Government administrative records, media coverage study Ibid. Community surveys, interviews with key respondents, focus groups, media coverage study Community surveys, focus groups, media coverage study Interviews with key respondents, media coverage study

Notes

¹¹ The logic model and indicators were adapted from Connie C. Schmitz and Beverly A. Parsons, Everything You Wanted to Know About Logic Models But Were Afraid to Ask, prepared for the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, and Carter McNamara, Guidelines and Framework for Designing Basic Logic Model, prepared by Authenticity Consulting, LLC for www.managementhelp.org.

¹² Morbidity rates: proportion expressed in a percentage, of the people who are sick in the total population.

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