Community Conversations

The City of Kitchener is looking for local community organizations to host small‑group conversations with residents. Community organizations are recognized as experts in reaching and engaging their communities. These conversations take place in trusted, familiar spaces and are led by organizations that already have strong relationships with their communities.  

Participating organizations host a short, focused conversation using City‑provided questions and tools, then share anonymized feedback with the City. The insights gathered will help shape the City of Kitchener’s 2027–2030 Strategic Plan. 

Role

We are seeking community organizations to act as Community Conversation Hosts. In this role, your organization will convene residents from a specific community or lived‑experience group to share their perspectives, priorities, and values related to Kitchener’s future. 

A trusted community connector 

Hosts use their existing spaces, relationships, cultural knowledge, and community trust to bring together residents who may not typically participate in City‑led engagement. 

A facilitator of respectful dialogue 

Hosts create a safe, welcoming environment where participants feel comfortable sharing their views. Conversations are guided by City‑provided questions. 

A contributor to City decision-making

By documenting and submitting anonymized notes from the conversation, host organizations ensure community perspectives directly support the development the City’s strategic priorities, goals, and actions. 

Responsibilities 

Each selected organization will be responsible for: 

• Hosting a community conversation using City‑provided discussion questions within their existing space (in-person or virtually) 
• Convening 6–12 participants who: 
  • Self‑identify as members of the community group(s) the eligible organization serves 
  • Live, work, own a business, or study in Kitchener
• Facilitating a conversation of approximately 30 minutes in a respectful and inclusive manner to ask 2-3 questions. We encourage applicants to convene folks by building off of activities or groups they may already be running. 
• Using the City’s consultation toolkit, including:  
  • Standard discussion questions 
  • Facilitation tips
  • Participant consent and privacy guidance 
  • A note‑taking template 
• Taking notes during the session  
• Submitting de-identified notes (no names or identifying information) to the City before July 10, 2026 

We are especially interested in organizations that: 

• Have trusted relationships with the communities they serve 
• Engage residents whose voices are often missing from City processes
• Are comfortable facilitating small‑group conversations 
• Can meet the project timeline and reporting requirements 
• Serve communities across Kitchener 

Eligible Community Organizations

Organizations must serve at least one of the following communities and be able to host a conversation with Kitchener community members: 

• 2SLGBTQIA+ Communities
• Black Communities 
• Indigenous Communities
• Newcomers or Refugees 
• Older Adults 
• Persons with Disabilities 
• Persons with Low Income 
• Racialized Communities – South Asian 
• Racialized Communities – Other 
• Religious Minorities 

Organizations may identify with and serve more than one community.  

Compensation

Each selected organization will receive: 

• $300 honorarium for planning, hosting, facilitating and sharing conversation notes (for the organization) 
• $15 Kitchener Market voucher for each participant (up to 12 participants) 

Selection Process

Eligible organizations will be selected through a lottery‑based process, grouped by community category. This approach ensures fairness, transparency, and a diversity of community perspectives. If a selected organization is unable to participate, another eligible organization will be drawn. 

Next Steps

Interested organizations are invited to complete an Expression of Interest form to confirm eligibility and capacity to host a conversation. There are no scoring or ranking questions. All organizations will be notified regardless of the outcome.