The Link-Letter Feb. 27, 2009
v. 4-08
For more information click on the links
provided or check out Resources for
Agencies and Event Details.
New items are highlighted.
NEWS FOR AGENCY STAFF
1. The ESCC has launched its new and improved website. Go to
www.seniorscouncil.net to check it out. You can now view and download
Mobilizing for Action: A Report to Create Culturally Responsive Pathways
for Isolated Immigrant Seniors, as well as watch Come On In, an
information video on seniors centres in Edmonton. Some of the website’s
new features are still in the construction stage. We will soon have the
capability of accepting on-line registrations for the Seniors Services
Conference 2009, to be held Sept. 24-25; our “find a ride” feature will
enable seniors, their family members, and senior-sector staff to search
for information on transportation service providers who are in a position
to meet their needs; and our restricted “for members only” section will
enable groups to access minutes of their meetings and discuss issues
and concerns through a blog feature. We’re pretty excited about the
improvements and welcome your feedback.
2. Free hard copies of Mobilizing for Action: A Report to Create Culturally
Responsive Pathways for Isolated Immigrant Seniors are available at the
ESCC office, #308, 10310 Jasper Avenue, for pick-up. Please phone or
email in advance to arrange a suitable time. The number of hard copies
available is limited so don’t delay in emailing rich@seniorscouncil.net or
calling 780-423-5635. If you wish us to mail you the report, we will have
to charge $10/copy due to the cost of sending out the 280+ page
document. If reprinting is required due to demand, the unbudgeted cost
of production and mailing will necessitate a charge of $25/copy.
3. The ESCC has completed its mileage reimbursement rate survey and
the results can be viewed here. We extend our thanks to all those who
participated. We now have a request to survey senior-sector staff about
their agency’s Christmas closure and vacation policies. To
participate, email rich@seniorscouncil.net and tell us whether you close
during the Christmas holiday season (for example, “closed noon Dec. 24
to Jan. 2”), how much vacation time staff get (for example, “three weeks
after one year of employment”), and whether you have an unpaid leave
policy (for example, “staff may take up to three weeks of unpaid leave
per year at the discretion of the executive director”). The deadline for
replies is noon on March 10 and we will report the results March 13.
4. Over the past two months, senior nonprofit sector staff and other key
stakeholders have met as a steering committee to develop the
foundations for a Workforce Strategy for Alberta’s Nonprofit and
Voluntary Sector. One of the first tasks of the project’s Workforce
Council will be to gain a fuller understanding of the workforce and
workplace initiatives currently underway. “We would like create an
inventory of initiatives to help facilitate developing connections and
building synergies. If you have a workforce, HR, workplace, leadership,
advocacy or related initiative currently (or soon to be) underway, please
forward a summary and contact information.” For information, to submit
the details of your workforce initiative or to discuss becoming a member
of the Workforce Council, contact Mike Grogan, Director, Workforce
Development, Calgary Chamber of Voluntary Organizations, at
mgrogan@calgarycvo.org. To read a February update on the initiative,
go here. For more information on the council’s goals and objectives, go
here.
5. The Active Living Coalition for Older Adults (ALCOA) is working on
developing a coordinated plan of action in conjunction with the Healthy
Aging in Canada Vision Paper. “One of the tasks is to gather information
from non-government organizations to determine their willingness to
participate in a plan (if approved and funding is available), and how they
could help to promote healthy aging in Canada.” ALCOA is also asking
organizations to rank the resources the coalition currently makes
available to them. To gather this information, ALCOA is asking seniorserving staff to go here to complete a short survey by March 5 and
send it to Patricia Clark, National Executive Director, Active Living
Coalition for Older Adults, by mail at P.O. Box 143, Shelburne, ON, L0N
1S0: fax at 519-925-3955; or email at alcoa3@ca.inter.net. For more
about the coalition, go to www.alcoa.ca.
6. “Between 10,000 and 12,000 of Canada's non-profits will fall victim to
the current economic downturn,” states a recent article in the Ottawa
Citizen. “While funding presents a problem, non-profits will go under
because ‘they want to do the same things the same way because they
don't want to look at partnerships’," says the CEO of the Wellesley
Institute, which focuses on urban health and social policy. To read the
article, go here.
7. The U.S.-based Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and Ashoka's
Changemakers are seeking nominees for their Designing for Better
Health competition. The contest will recognize individuals and institutions
that help people make better decisions regarding their health and the
health of others. The competition is open to all types of organizations
from all countries. The deadline for nominations is April 1. A panel of
judges will select 12 finalists, and online voters will chose three award
winners, each of which will receive $5,000.
8. The U.S. National Osteoporosis Foundation is celebrating its 25th
anniversary this year, and the organization is encouraging individuals to
visit its website and download its free 25 Ways to Prevent Falls checklist.
You will find it here. You can also find anniversary links on the same
page to 25 Facts About Your Bones and Osteoporosis, 25 Ways to
Improve Your Bone Health, 25 Ways to Feel Good About Yourself and 25
Calcium-Rich Foods.
EVENTS FOR AGENCY STAFF
1. The 2009 Board Leadership Conference is Saturday, March 21, at
Grant MacEwan College, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. It’s geared for both
beginner and experienced board members of nonprofit/voluntary
organizations. Learn about media relations, fundraising, board
recruitment and succession planning, generative governance, cultural
diversity and more. For information, check the program schedule, FAQs
and conference poster. Registration is $55.30 per person. Register at
http://boardleadership09.eventbrite.com. For more information, call the
Resource Centre for Voluntary Organizations at 780-497-4780 or email
voluntarysectorevents@macewan.ca.
2. You are Not Alone: A Workshop for Seniors Who Care for Seniors
will be presented March 23, 10 a.m. to noon (with lunch to follow), at
the Edmonton General, 3Y, 11111 Jasper Avenue. The free session will
enable caregivers to meet others who share their experience, gain more
self-confidence, and learn new ways of handling difficult situations.
Presenter Maureen Osis is also willing to coach those who want to
become workshop leaders, and will meet with them right after the
workshop. To attend You are Not Alone, RSVP to Penny Olsen at 780482-8625 by March 13. Lunch is free. The workshop is sponsored by the
Adult Learning Knowledge Centre, an initiative of the Canadian
Council on Learning.
3. The Canadian Association for the Advancement of Women and
Sport and Physical Activity (CAAWS) is delivering a free Physical
Activity Opportunities and Challenges for Women 55-70 workshop
in Edmonton on March 27. “Women 55-70 realize that they need to
invest in their health now to stay healthy as they age. However, reaching
these women can be difficult. And current physical activity and sports
programming could do more to attract these women and keep them
involved. This free workshop will help shed light on the issue and provide
concrete direction for how to move forward.” The Alberta Centre for
Active Living is co-hosting this event. For more information, go here.
To RSVP, provide your name and job title, the name of your
organization, your phone number and e-mail address to Lynda
Matthews-Mackey at 780-427-6949 or lynda.matthewsmackey@ualberta.ca.
ITEMS FOR SENIORS
1. Edmonton Mayor Stephen Mandel has launched a Taskforce on
Community Safety and it’s inviting seniors and the agencies that work
with them to provide input. To gather this input on a “strategy and 10
year implementation plan to result in reduced crime and improved
safety,” plan to attend a March 4 session from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at
Westend Seniors Activity Centre, 9629 - 176 Street, or a March 9
session from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Strathcona Place Senior Centre, 10831
University Avenue. Space is limited so pre-registration is advised.
Register by contacting Michelle at place.logistics@yahoo.ca or by calling
780-499-2752. For more information, visit
www.edmonton.ca/safetytaskforce.
2. The City of Edmonton and University of Alberta have launched a pilot
project demonstrating the use of a citizen panel to gain public input into
the city’s planning and budgeting processes. The Edmonton Citizen
Panel will bring together 50 residents to develop a fuller understanding
of the city’s vision and strategic goals, and to discuss how to best use
city resources to realize these goals. The objective is to gain informed
citizen opinion for council to consider in the development of Edmonton’s
long-term budget. To view the first (9 to 10 a.m.) and last (3 to 4 p.m.)
hour of each of the sessions on a live webcast, go to
www.edmonton.ca/citizenpanel. Seniors can also join a Facebook group
and take part in a moderated discussion at
www.facebook.com/edmontoncitizenpanel. The sessions are March 7,
14, 21 and 28, and April 25.
3. ElderCare Edmonton is hosting a free session, Income Tax
Information for Seniors and Caregivers of Seniors, on March 11.
Two sessions, at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., will be held at Lifestyle Options
Terra Losa, 17203 - 99 Avenue, in the private dining room. Presenters
from Canada Revenue Agency will be in attendance. For more
information, contact Katrina Damer at 780-434-4747 ext 2 or
k.damer@eldercareedmonton.ca.
4. The Healthy Living Therapies Alberta Association, a non-profit
organization committed to making the services of wholistic therapists
available to the community, will hold a Wholistic Fair and Silent
Auction on March 14 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Allen Gray
Continuing Care Centre, 5005 - 28 Avenue, Edmonton. The fair will
include 30-minute health sessions, raffles and door prizes. For more
information call David at 780-504-6457, email geeyouareyou@shaw.ca;
or Marion at 780-988-7211, email mumcam@telus.net.
5. CARP Edmonton is inviting seniors with concerns about the Alberta
Pharmaceutical Strategy to attend “an important general meeting
on March 17, from 1 to 3 p.m., at Barnett House, 11010 - 142 Street.
The meeting will provide an opportunity for the expression of concerns
and suggestions. A forum “made up of several knowledgeable people
from seniors’ organizations” will share information and discuss
suggestions for CARP's proposal to the government. “This is your chance
to be heard. Seating is limited, so it is in your best interest to register
early. To register call 780-455-9727 or e-mail
carpedmontonbc@telus.net.
6. The Seniors Assisted Transportation Society of Greater Edmonton
will hold its third annual Walker-a-thon on March 25 at Londonderry
Mall from 8 to 9:30 a.m. The event is a casual one or two kilometre walk
that raises funds to enable SATS to continue helping walking older
seniors receive volunteer driving support. “People using walkers are
extra welcome but everyone is welcome.” Participants raise funds
through pledges of support from co-workers, friends or family members.
Tax receipts will be issued for “any support over $10”. Pledge sheets are
available by going to www.satsofedmonton.org, emailing
info@satsofedmonton.org or by calling 780-732-1221.
7. The Seniors Assisted Transportation Society of Greater Edmonton
wants to know what seniors do when they do nothing. The focus of SATS’
Senior Idle trademark televised event isn’t a talent competition or
contest, however, it’s socializing. For a “request to participate” form and
more information, go to www.satsofedmonton.org, email
info@satsofedmonton.org or call 780-732-1221.
8. Make Tax Time Pay (MTTP) is willing to provide low income seniors
with free volunteer assistance to prepare their taxes. To find the
MTTP site nearest to you, call 2-1-1. All MTTP sites offer tax preparation
services at no charge. There are 24 sites throughout Edmonton that are
open from March to April. The sites do appointments, drop offs and walk
ins, and also offer assistance in Spanish, French and other languages.
Some sites are wheelchair accessible. Click here to see if you qualify for
free assistance. Assistance in completing tax forms is also provided by
the Seniors Assisted Transportation Society of Greater Edmonton
(SATS), the Seniors Association of Greater Edmonton (SAGE) and
The Salvation Army Edmonton.
9. If you are keen on exploring healthy eating, join Edmonton Meals on
Wheels’ registered dietician for a lively monthly discussion. The first
session, Colour Your Plate, will be April 7 and will include tips on the
benefits of brightly coloured vegetables and fruit. Samples will be
provided. “Bring your questions and ideas so you can learn, share, laugh
and enjoy. Bring your own bag lunch or enjoy our meal of the day for
only $2.25. Tea and coffee is complementary.” The session runs from
noon to 12:45 p.m. at Edmonton Meals on Wheels, 11111-103 Ave.
Parking is free. Register or receive more information by calling 780-4292020. Each session is limited to 15 people.
VOLUNTEER/WORK OPPORTUNITIES FOR SENIORS
1. The Salvation Army Edmonton Community and Family Services is
looking for volunteers to prepare income tax returns for low-income
families and individuals taxes at the Stanley Milner Branch of the
Edmonton Public Library. Hours and days are flexible between 9 a.m. and
3 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. If there is enough
interest, extending the program into evening hours and/or Saturdays will
be considered. “There will be loads of training beforehand.” For more
information, contact volunteer coordinator Stacy Diggle-Krawchuk by
calling 780-412-2635 or emailing Stacy_DiggleKrawchuk@can.salvationarmy.org.
2. Seniors are being invited to make a difference in the life of a child by
becoming volunteer Big Brothers and Big Sisters for as little as one
hour a week. “Bigs and Littles meet in their community to share fun
activities, stories and a little bit of themselves.” Or they meet once a
week or every other week at the Little’s school “to talk and have fun. It’s
not about being a tutor, it’s about being a friend.” For more information,
call 780-424-8181 or go to www.bbbsedmonton.org.
3. STARS Air Rescue’s Edmonton base is looking for enthusiastic seniors to
join its volunteer team. “Volunteers assist the STARS Foundation with
special events, casinos, administration, merchandise sales and base
tours.” Volunteers contribute to keeping fundraising costs low and enable
as much money as possible to be directed toward STARS’ patient care
program. “We provide a complete orientation and many opportunities for
personal growth.” Volunteers benefit through personal skills development,
new friendships, and “a sense of achievement and personal satisfaction in
helping a community-based non-profit organization”. If you are interested
in volunteering, contact STARS Edmonton volunteer manager Nafisa
Taimuri by phone at 780-732-3002, fax at 780-447-5493 or email at
ntaimuri@stars.ca. For more information about STARS, go to
www.stars.ca.
4. The Works Art & Design Festival is looking for volunteers who are
available June 19 to July 1 for 13 days of “visual art, live music, and
free fun” at Sir Winston Churchill Square. Volunteers select their
schedule, according to when they are available and the jobs they prefer.
From being an exhibit attendant to greeting the public and teaching
children how to make fun art, 15 different positions are available. Perks
include “enhancing your knowledge of local and international visual art,
meeting fascinating people, building marketable skills, receiving prize
awards, attending the wrap-up party, and generally having a great time
in the summer”. For more information contact Caitlynn Cummings at 780426-2122 ext. 230 or volunteer2@theworks.ab.ca, or go here and
download an application.
5. SAGE is seeking income tax preparers to assist in its income tax program
for low income adults during March and April. Volunteers will assist clients
in the preparation of their annual income tax return, and must have
computer skills, good communication skills and an understanding of
preparing income tax returns. A 3.5 hour shift during a weekday morning
is needed. Contact the volunteer coordinator for information by emailing
fswendseid@mysage.ca or phoning 780-701-9015.