Heritage Ottawa Neighbourhood Heritage Keepers

Heritage Ottawa (HO) first introduced its Heritage Keeper Program in 2008. Neighbourhood Heritage Keepers are one or two HO members (not necessarily Directors) who have volunteered to assist HO within each major neighbourhood in Ottawa for the advance identification of heritage issues. As our ‘eyes and ears’ on the ground, Heritage Keepers play important roles in identifying built heritage at risk or other matters of interest to Heritage Ottawa, such as the designation of a building or creation of a heritage district. Our Heritage Keepers act as liaisons with local community associations, and help support HO advocacy or other activities linked to their neighbourhood.

The ‘territory’ of each HK is primarily defined by scope of each relevant community association and City Ward. Teams of two or more Heritage Keepers are placed in large areas under constant threat, such as Sandy Hill and Centretown. Our Heritage Keepers have been actively involved in activities such as studies for Heritage Conservation Districts and individual designations; public consultations for Community Design Plans, Infill Guidelines and other policy development; performing regular monitoring of heritage resources in their area; and assisting communities looking to protect the character and livability of their neighbourhood.

Heritage Keeper Guidelines

Reporting Relationship

Issues potentially requiring HO action should be reported promptly via email to the Heritage Keeper Program Coordinator, with a copy to the HO Office at info@heritageottawa.org. Issues requiring attention will be brought to the attention of the Advocacy Committee and/or Board, and an appropriate course of action will be determined. Heritage Keepers are not authorized to take action or to speak on behalf of HO without specific directions from the Coordinator or the HO Executive.

Heritage Keeper Enquiries

Heritage Keepers must direct enquiries on any matter (e.g., designations, legislation, demolition permits, heritage rating of buildings, bylaws, building permits, approval process/decisions, City Council and Committee meetings, property ownership, information sources, etc.) to the Coordinator or HO Executive. The Coordinator will consult with HO colleagues or City officials as required and will determine the appropriate response on behalf of HO.

Term of Appointment

Heritage Keepers are appointed at the pleasure of the HO Board, normally for a term of one year coincident with the HO fiscal year (April to March), with annual renewals at the discretion of the Board. Heritage Keepers must be members of HO in good standing.

Meetings with Coordinator/Board/Membership (AGM)

In order to minimize bureaucracy, there will be no regularly scheduled meetings of the Heritage Keepers, however such meetings may be called on an as required basis by the Coordinator or the HO Executive. An annual Training Session to provide resources, information and interaction between returning and new Heritage Keepers and the Board is held in early December each year. All Heritage Keepers are urged to attend the AGM of Heritage Ottawa so as to be introduced to the general membership.

Operational Protocol and Cautions

1. Heritage Keepers are encouraged to regularly tour their neighbourhoods so as to observe and report to HO on activities involving designated or non-designated heritage buildings/landscapes that could be of interest to HO.

2. Heritage Keepers may be asked by HO to visit a site of interest in their neighbourhood and to provide an activity report to HO.

3. Heritage Keepers are intended to generally act as the liaison between HO and those community associations forming part of the Heritage Keeper’s territory. Heritage Keepers will be introduced to these associations by a member of the HO Executive if desired.

4. Heritage Keepers should work through the Coordinator for reporting and making of enquiries unless advised otherwise by the Director.

5. Heritage Keepers making a neighbourhood tour or site visit must remain on City property unless specifically invited onto the property by the owner.

6. The Heritage Keepers may make reasonable, factual inquiries of the owner/contractors at a site of interest but must avoid any judgmental tone or line of enquiry. At the time of initial contact, the Heritage Keeper should identify themselves and state that they are interested in built heritage and are the volunteer neighbourhood Heritage Ottawa Heritage Keeper.

7. The Heritage Keepers may undertake research of information in the public domain in relation to sites of interest in their neighbourhood.

8. The Heritage Keepers must not speak/write on behalf of Heritage Ottawa without obtaining prior permission from the Coordinator or the HO Executive or the full Board of Directors as appropriate.

9. The Heritage Keepers will support any HO advocacy or other HO activity linked to their neighbourhood.

10. The Heritage Keepers must avoid any perceived or real conflict of interest in the performance of their role. If they become aware of such circumstances they must advise HO immediately.

11. If a Heritage Keeper takes photographs of a building they must do so in a manner that respects the privacy of individuals, such as not including persons or vehicle licence plates in any photos. Ideally, photos would be taken with the permission of the owners.

Prepared by W.R. Price, Secretary/Board Member/Coordinator of Heritage Keepers / Updated by Nancy Oakley, Heritage Keeper Program Coordinator / Updated: December, 20, 2011

Heritage Keepers 2011-2012:

Orleans:
Louis V.Patry
Diego Elizondo

Glebe and Dow’s Lake:
Bill Price
John McLeod
Andrew Elliott

Old Ottawa South:
Jean-Claude Dube
Kathy Krywicki

Old Ottawa East:
Laurie Smith

Byward Market/Lower Town:
Ian Ferguson
Chantal Bruvels

Centretown:
Nancy Oakley
Christienne Uchiyama

Rockcliffe/Lindenlea:
Louisa Coates

Sandy Hill:
Susan McLeod
Judy Deegan

Central Experimental Farm:
Julie Harris

Vanier:
Janik Aubin-Robert

Notre Dame Cemetery:
Jean Yves Pelletier

NCC Properties in Ottawa:
David Flemming

Bayswater/Civic Hospital:
Ken Elder

Hintonburg/Wellington East:
Linda Hoad

West of Island Park/North of Carling/Queensway:
David Jeanes

New Edinburgh:
Elizabeth Jorgensen
Richard Belliveau

Ottawa River Waterfront:
Mark Brandt (advisor)