Endorsement of York Region Inclusion Charter
Diversity is one of Richmond Hill’s strengths as both a community and as an organization. And the Town prides itself on being inclusive by creating an environment where everyone can develop to their fullest potential, participate freely and live with respect, dignity and freedom from discrimination. With this in mind, Council endorsed York Region’s Inclusion Charter, along with a commitment statement of its own that details Richmond Hill’s unique actions to implement the inclusion charter within the organization. The Inclusion Charter for York Region is a community initiative that brings together businesses, community organizations, municipalities, police services, hospitals, school boards, conservation authorities and agencies with a common commitment to create an inclusive environment with equality for all who work, live and play here. The Charter supports Richmond Hill’s commitment to inclusion and enhances our ongoing work to attract and retain the best talent, promote innovation and provide an excellent service experience.  Richmond Hill’s Inclusion Charter states: Together with other participating organizations, The Town of Richmond Hill is committed to taking action to achieve the vision of the Charter in our organization and in the community. Richmond Hill celebrates its growing and diverse population and staff as a source of strength and vitality. Richmond Hill’s dedication to inclusion enhances its vision to be a place “where people come together to build their community.” For more information, contact Tricia Myatt, Manager, Workforce Planning, at tricia.myatt@richmondhill.ca or 905-771-5463. 

Richmond Hill Recognized for Communication Excellence
Richmond Hill Communication Service’s Division presented a number of national and international awards to Council that the team won this year. Communications staff, along with the internal clients they worked with, were was recognized with several industry awards for a wide range of projects, including the Gold Quill Merit Award from the International Association of Business Communicators (Gold Quill Awards are acknowledged as one of the most prestigious awards programs in the industry for excellence in strategic communication) and Gold Hermes Creative Awards for the Canada 150 Video, Creativity Connected Promotional Pieces and the Richmond Hill Skate Trail video.  The Canada 150 Banners Richmond Hill displayed along the Heritage Walk at Richmond Green last summer were recognized with a Hermes Honourable Mention. These awards reflect the collaborative effort between Communication Services and various divisions, including Event Services, Recreation and Culture, Public Works Operations and Strategic Initiatives. For more information, contact Meeta Gandhi, Director, Communication Services, at meeta.gandhi@richmondhill.ca or 905-771-6311.

Richmond Hill Introduces New Employee Strategy
At the Monday, September 17 Committee of the Whole meeting, Council received a presentation about Richmond Hill’s new Employee Strategy and an update on Workforce Planning. The new Employee Strategy details Richmond Hill’s vision for an ideal workplace, along with three goals and a number of actions to continue to build a healthy workplace. Actions include enhanced learning and development opportunities for staff, succession planning and other efforts to retain and attract the right staff with the right skills to ensure the Town continues providing quality services to its residents. Work to develop the workforce planning framework has already begun, including an approach to succession planning and career pathing, and management supports to implement these changes. For more information, contact Tricia Myatt, Manager, Workforce Planning, at tricia.myatt@richmondhill.ca or 905-771-5463.

Richmond Hill Abuzz with Bee City Designation
Richmond Hill has been recognized for its ongoing efforts and commitment to protect pollinators and their habitat with a Bee City Designation from Bee City Canada. The Town has a number of policies and initiatives in place to help pollinators, including an Official Plan policy to increase the percentage of native plants in town landscaping, such as milkweed; and a new Community Garden Policy that led to the establishment of a pollinator garden at the Mill Pond Gallery in 2018. In addition, through its Community Stewardship Program, volunteers plant thousands of native trees and wildflowers in parks and natural areas each year. Richmond Hill also has a Healthy Yards Program that offers residents the chance to purchase native plants for their own property at a subsidized cost. Richmond Hill is committed to continuing to create a healthy pollinator habitat, educating the community about the importance of pollinators and celebrating pollinators by building on initiatives already underway and exploring new opportunities. For more information, contact Maria Flores, Manager, Sustainability, at 905-771-5438 or maria.flores@richmondhill.ca or Ann Marie Farrugia, Manager, Natural Environment, at 905-771-5509 or annmarie.farrugia@richmondhill.ca.

Young Richmond Hill Entrepreneur Recognized
Each year, the William F. Bell Young Entrepreneur Award is presented to a young business person to recognize their entrepreneurial successes. This year, Joshua Gomes-Szoke, founder of Grass Stylists, was selected to receive the award. Joshua provided lawn mowing services to the community during the summer with assistance from the Ontario Summer Company Program. He achieved the most revenue amongst his colleagues and made a positive impression in the community, having his story covered in The Liberal. The William F. Bell Young Entrepreneur Award was established in honour of Richmond Hill’s longest-serving Mayor and long-time supporter of youth and business. In partnership with the Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade, Richmond Hill’s Small Business Enterprise Centre delivers the Summer Company Program, which, since 2004, has helped more than 130 young people explore entrepreneurship as a career option and launch summer businesses through the program. For more information, contact Graham Sue, Manager, Economic Development, at graham.sue@richmondhill.ca or 905-747-6515. Note: Photos are available upon request.