History and Overview of Activities

The Southwest Alberta Sustainable Community Initiative (SASCI) began as a unique synergy group that included all stakeholders in the Pincher Creek area. The concept was developed through the Chamber of Economic Development, in response to a survey of the people in the area. On September 19, 2002, the original Steering Committee was charged with selecting an Executive Committee (later becoming the Board of Directors), at the request of over ninety stakeholders who attended a general forum. The Steering Committee was selected from community members who had expressed interest in participating in response to advertisements in the local media. The Board of Directors, from a variety of backgrounds and experiences, worked to shape the structure, function and direction of the group. This gathering of minds and passions directed SASCI's work to foster the long term sustainability of Southwest Alberta.

The original Board of Directors embodied the sectors identified as stakeholder groups in the Pincher Creek area. These sectors included: Agriculture, Community at Large, Environmental Organizations, First Nations, Forestry, Government/Regulatory Agencies, Oil & Gas, Renewable Energy, Small Business/Manufacturing/Construction, Social & Health, Tourism & Recreation.

The SASCI Resource and Administration Centre opened its doors at 1041 Hewetson Avenue in Pincher Creek in September, 2003. On October 17, 2003 SASCI was registered as a non-profit Society in the province of Alberta. On November 16, 2004 SASCI became a registered charity under the Income Tax Act. For the first few year, 70% of funding came from industry, with additional funds from the Town and M.D. of Pincher Creek. Currently, funding comes an administration fee for services provided to SASCI’s agent-partners, and from the Joint Council (Town and M.D. of Pincher Creek).

From inception to the present day, for SASCI to be effective, it is vital to protect and promote it's neutral position on all issues. SASCI's role is to provide information and to facilitate discussion, resulting in the community's increased ability to understand the issues around sustainability, and to make informed decisions. From time to time, when SASCI organizes and facilitates information sessions about certain issues, it has been assumed by some participants that SASCI represents a specific point of view on these issues. This is not an unexpected response from individuals who have very strong points of view themselves. SASCI will continue to pursue ways to bring the best, most balanced information it can find to the community, on issues of importance to the community, no matter how controversial the topic may be.