Democratic Engagement in Rural Canada

Democratic engagement is defined by the Community Index of Wellbeing as taking part in the democratic process through political institutions, organizations, and activities.  This month we are discussing how democratic engagement impacts rural communities, how it can make it better and how it links to other factors affecting quality of life.  Our two conversation leaders are Jacquie Fenske and Ken Merkel.

Raised by entrepreneurial parents Jacquie has developed a wealth of knowledge and experience. Her formal training includes a Bachelor of Education and a Commercial Copywriting Certificate.   Jacquie taught junior and senior High school for over a decade, served as a Strathcona County councillor for over 13 years as MLA for Fort Saskatchewan-Vegreville and as the Acting Leader for the Alberta Party. She is an active manager within the families’ Fifendekel Pie Shops Cafes in Edmonton, with a focus in the areas of marketing and public relations.

Jacquie currently serves as the chair for Elk Island Community Futures and is  on the board of Silver Skate Festival Her past board positions include the Alberta Association of Agricultural Societies, Alberta Innovates Health Solutions as well as local Ag society and sports boards. She has extensive committee experience on All-party committees of Public Accounts, Energy, and Communities and Families as well as a host of municipal committees including the Strathcona Agriculture Service Board where she served as chair for several terms.

Jacquie has a passion for promoting the opportunities the agriculture industry presents through food, events and innovation.  Her knowledge of politics, the food service industry and the potential to bring urban and rural Albertans together provides much of what motivates her to get involved. ​

Ken Merkel specializes in helping people and organizations dream beyond their limitations to find opportunity in exponential change caused by rapidly advancing technology, business models, and global context changes. He has created a methodology called SciFi Hive that combines science fiction thinking, diversity, and hive collaboration to create the ideal environment for coming up with truly new and unlimited futures. The process is being used in global events to collaboratively tackle big problems like the future of healthcare, food, travel, data monetization, etc... as well as within regions and corporations to create collective impact visions. Once you have a vision that was built by your group for your group, Ken is an expert in helping implement modern execution methodologies to move you quickly into realization of those visions.  Our massive transformational purpose is to inspire imaginations that will change the world.

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