Page 11 - Reaching New Heights - Volume 5

LIVING LEADING

THROUGH A PANDEMIC OF CHANGE

On March 11, we quietly passed the one-year anniversary of the
declaration of the COVID-19 pandemic. Our daily routines have
changed in many ways. The pandemic has impacted the way
we see the world we live in and how we operate in it.
As the guidelines and restrictions of Manitoba’s COVID-19
response continue to fluctuate, it’s important to look back
and see how Southport has taken on the challenge of
living through a pandemic.
“The entire world has been impacted by COVID-19 and
we have all learned to adapt in these unprecedented
times,” says Peggy May, CEO of Southport who outlined the
many initiatives Southport has carried out over the past year.
One of the first and most comprehensive changes enacted by local
leadership was to take the jarring step of closing doors, and while
“in person” interaction was dramatically and necessarily decreased,
communication increased. The transition to online communication
and a general increase in online presence was paramount.
Customers were reached in new and various ways in an effort to
support all community members and ensure it was business Operations for Southport’s management have changed, it’s true, but
“as usual” as much as possible. the changes, embraced with a positive mindset, have actually been
creative and fun.
Social media moved from a supplementary communication tool to
a thriving touch point, making up the frontline of engagement. “As with most businesses, virtual meetings increased and
Social media continues to be a vital way to communicate with Southport’s carbon footprint has decreased as we use online and
people, offer the most current information, facilitate connectivity other resources more efficiently,” says May. “We even held our first
with and between residents, and promote wellness through virtual AGM in June 2020, which was met with great success.”
awareness of positive at-home and outdoor recreation options.
Communications, economic development and official operations
Embracing change has been challenging, but it certainly hasn’t aren’t the only areas receiving intentional focus for support during
all been bad. Over the past year, Southport was able to leverage the pandemic.
success, watching projects take off, even as they perhaps took a Organizing appropriately distanced - or outdoor - staff and client
different turn than what was first envisioned. meetings was one way Southport could begin to adapt to the new
“This past year, Southport has taken advantage of the subsidiary working conditions. Working from home or through virtual platforms
programs laid out by the federal and provincial governments and became routine, and staff team-building exercises went virtual as
because of this funding, we were able to hire a record number of well. Teams of staff members helped to organize online escape
summer students to support Southport’s operations,” said May. rooms and continue positive social engagement among colleagues
with online games and quizzes.
“In 2020, we also assumed operation of the Southport Golf Club.
When we temporarily closed the doors of our recreation centre, we Community activities were also adapted wherever possible. In the
were able to relocate several staff to the golf club to keep our staff fall, “reverse” trick or treating was proposed. Southport organized
employed, while also enhancing the services at Southport Golf Club.” the safe resource gathering and socially distanced delivery of candy
packages to every residential household within the community.
Southport also partnered with community leaders to create a
Portage Economic Response Team (PERT) to create a foundation of Just like adapting to do trick or treating differently, we are learning
ideas to support local businesses. to do things in ways that benefit the most amount of people in a
group, not just a few. COVID-19 will be the biggest challenge that
One of the most exciting initiatives is Southport’s new, affordable
Business Incubator Space. Southport and its affiliates have many people will face in their lifetime.
repurposed vacant office space to support businesses affected Acknowledging successes from the past year’s hardships can
by COVID-19 and businesses that are starting up during the definitely help people manage stress and bring forward hope.
pandemic. The program includes subsidized office space, History shows us how resilient human beings are, as we have
shared-use facilities and resources such as office supplies and adapted throughout history and continue to adapt. Choosing to
equipment, to overcome difficulties or obstacles created by change with an attitude of positivity can be recognized as the
COVID-19. More information about this program is available on resilience of the human spirit, or as it is known in our community,
the Southport website: www.southport.ca. the Southport spirit.

Southport: Reaching New Heights 11