The Link-Letter Sept. 27, 2013
v. 8-39
For more information click on the links
provided.
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INDEX
News for Agency Staff here
Events for Agency Staff here
Work Opportunities in the Senior-Serving Sector here
Items for Board Members here
Items for Seniors here
Volunteer/Work Opportunities for Seniors here
ESCC UPDATES
1. San San Sy and Kathleen Binnie have been hired by the Age Friendly
Edmonton Information and Communication Working Group to
research how Edmonton seniors access information. They have been
supplied with contact names and phone numbers for seniors organizations
and will be contacting some of you during the next few weeks. They also
hope to set up focus groups with professionals who serve older adults and
caregivers of older adults. The findings from this project will be helpful to
the entire seniors sector and ESCC members are urged to participate.
2. The Age Friendly Edmonton Healthy Aging Working Group’s goal is to
“ensure that seniors have a way to obtain education, knowledge and skills
needed to support their own health. We are creating a roster of free
Healthy Aging Information Sessions to be available to the senior
serving organizations in Edmonton” and “a list of host venues that are
able to host educational sessions for seniors.” For more information on
how to respond, go here.
3. The ESCC board of directors will hold a Meet the Candidates Breakfast
on Oct. 15 from 7:30 to 9 a.m. at the Chateau Louis Conference Centre,
11727 Kingsway. Executive directors and board members of ESCC
organizations are invited to speak with municipal council candidates about
issues of concern and interest to seniors and the senior-serving
sector. The deadline to register for this free event is Oct. 4. Email Rich
at memberservices@seniorscouncil.net or call 780-423-5635.
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NEWS FOR AGENCY STAFF
1. “Across the province, labour market pressures and an aging
workforce have created an environment where non-profit organizations
must prepare themselves for transitions in executive leadership in
order to continue their vital role. Turning Point is the result of Calgary
Chamber of Voluntary Organization's multi-stage research project
including a literature review and surveys of hundreds of existing and
emerging leaders in Alberta's non-profit sector.” For a report summary,
go here. For the full report, go here.
2. “The numbers show the people who do vote are the ones over 45. Unless
the Oct. 21 municipal election breaks statistical trends, with a rise in
voter participation and a larger percentage of adults 34 and under coming
out to vote, the candidate who can mobilize the 45-and-over vote has a
massive advantage.” To read more of Steve Sandor’s Avenue
Edmonton blog, go here.
3. Kaye Fallick, publisher of Australia's number one website for retirees and
director of the Toronto-based International Federation on Ageing,
advises the population that is poised to stop full-time work and does not
have enough money to meet the daily cost of living to start to fix their
financial problem by cutting spending. To read more and hear her
speak, go here.
4. “Imagine you’re reviewing a stack of proposals. Each comes from a
legitimate non-profit, each was submitted on time, and each includes the
right paperwork, signatures, and budget. Which will your foundation
fund?” To discover ways to get reviewers to believe in your proposal,
go here.
5. “If you assume that (staff) who derail a meeting are the problem and
the solution is to get them back on track or stop them from talking, you
may also be off-track. These team members’ behaviors are often a
symptom of larger team problems. Team members often make off-track
comments when there isn’t clear agreement on the meeting’s purpose or
process, or when the team doesn’t provide time to hear each team
member’s thoughts on a topic.” To read more of the Harvard Business
Review blog Dealing with Team Members who Derail Meetings, go here.
6. For a three-and-a-half minute animation explaining what “integrated
care” in the British health care system means for patients, go here. To
read David Oliver’s blog for the British Geriatrics Society on Making
Health and Care Fit for an Ageing Population, go here. David Oliver was
guest speaker at the Dr. Gerald Zetter Memorial Lecture Geriatric Grand
Rounds in Edmonton on Sept. 10.
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EVENTS FOR AGENCY STAFF
1. “Food security means all people at all times have physical and economic
access to adequate amounts of nutritious, safe, and culturally appropriate
foods.” On Oct. 1 from 8 to 10 a.m. at the Shaw Conference Centre, the
Edmonton Community Foundation and Edmonton Social Planning
Council will launch Vital Signs, “a report on food security in Edmonton”.
For an event poster, go here.
2. The Canadian Institute for Continuing Care Education and Research
will present the results of its Community Needs Driven Research Network
consultations on Oct. 8 from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. in Room 2-140 at the
Edmonton Clinic Health Academy, 11405 - 87 Avenue. “Participants will
increase their understanding of the organizational systems that both
support and inhibit responsive leadership behaviours. Recommendations
for strategic initiatives that cultivate responsive leadership practices will
be presented.” For more information, go here. To register, go here. You
can join the session through audio or video link if you cannot attend in
person.
3. The Edmonton Coalition on Housing and Homelessness will host a
mayoral forum from noon to 1:30 p.m. on Oct. 8 at Norquest College,
10232 – 106 Street. The event will be moderated by CHED journalist
Scott Johnston and will provide an opportunity to “ask your questions on
issues related to housing”. For more information, go to www.ecohh.ca.
4. The Good Samaritan Society’s annual spirituality and wholeness
workshop will be held on Oct. 11 at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church
in Sherwood Park. The event will feature Dr. Robert Neimeyer on the
topic of Grief and the Quest for Meaning: The Spiritual Arc of Tragic Loss.
For more information and to register, go here.
5. The Edmonton Chamber of Voluntary Organizations will hold a
mayoral candidate forum from 7 to 9 p.m. on Oct. 15 at the Four
Points Sheraton, 7230 Argyll Road. The cost to attend is $10. Candidates
will make a brief presentation, respond to questions on specific issues and
address questions from the audience. To register, go here. For more
information, call Russ at 780-428-5487.
6. Homeward Trust Edmonton is seeking individual sponsors for its
Homeless Connect event on Oct. 20 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. “It is a oneday, broad-based, community inspired initiative that provides free
appropriate services to people experiencing homelessness or at-risk of
becoming homeless.” Seventy service providers connect with 1,500
guests at the event, held twice a year. To become a sponsor, go here.
7. This year’s Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital Foundation Spotlight on
Research Breakfast will be held Oct. 23 at 7 a.m. at Northlands. The
guest speaker, Dr. Jane McGonigal, is a game designer and futurist. For a
biography, go here. She will demonstrate “how Internet games can help
solve some of the biggest challenges facing our world”. The event will
include “interactive displays to showcase innovations such as virtual
reality and robotic systems which can improve rehabilitation across all
sectors”. For more information and to purchase tickets, go here.
8. Concordia University College of Alberta will hold its 2013 Volunteer
Fair on Oct. 23 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. “We want to give you the
opportunity to showcase your organization, meet face-to-face with
Concordia students and alumni, gain exposure and visibility in the
Edmonton community and recruit volunteers.” For more information and
a registration form, go here. The deadline for registration is Oct. 4.
9. The Alberta Association on Gerontology’s next networking dinner
on Oct. 23 will feature guest speakers Iris Neumann, Sandra Woodhead
Lyons and Sharon Read on the Institute of Continuing Care Education and
Research’s Community Needs Driven Research Network. The event, held
in the Faculty Club at the University of Alberta, begins with a cash bar at
5:30 p.m. and dinner at 6 p.m. For an event poster, go here. For a
registration form, go here. The deadline to register is Oct. 18.
10. The Edmonton Mennonite Centre for Newcomers is seeking
nominations for its eleventh annual Recognizing Immigrant Success
in Edmonton (RISE) Awards. “This is your opportunity to recognize
and celebrate the achievements and success of immigrant individuals or
groups who have shown commitment, innovation, and dedication to
achieving their goals on an individual, family and community level.” The
deadline for submissions is Dec. 31. For more information, go here.
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WORK OPPORTUNITIES IN THE SENIOR-SERVING SECTOR
1. No items this week.
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ITEMS FOR BOARD MEMBERS
1. Seniors Outreach Network Society needs a board president. SONS
“helps low-income seniors in northwest Edmonton. The ideal candidate
would be a senior, retired, with a flexible schedule. Must have knowledge
of and/or experience with non-profit board processes and preferably live
near our office. Other qualifications must include computer literacy,
connections in the community, being at ease at social events and with
promoting a cause, great communication skills and some financial
background and/or experience. We need someone with leadership
experience, either as an employer or manager, who is able to see the
strengths in others, encourage them and lead by example. A passion for
seniors' issues is a must!” To learn more, go here. To apply, email
gshaver@shaw.ca or send resume to Board President, #104, 11427 - 132
Street NW, Edmonton, T5M 1G2.
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ITEMS FOR SENIORS
1. Oct. 1 is National Seniors Day and CARP Edmonton invite all seniors
and organizations to join it in “recognizing the contributions made by
seniors to better their communities, families and workplaces”. A
ceremonial flag raising will occur at 12 p.m. at Edmonton City Hall.
“We hope you will be available to participate in this 30 minute event.”
2. Edmonton International Film Festival offers a noon hour presentation
on the theme of Aging as part of its Lunch Box Shorts Series on Oct. 2
beginning at 12:10 p.m. at Empire City Centre 9. For $15 at the door,
you get to enjoy five short films and a Subway Sandwich box lunch. The
films are A Girl Named Elastika by Guillaume Blanchet, What the Eye
Doesn’t See by Natalia Mateo, Numbers & Friends by Alexander Carson,
Weather Girl, The by Carleen Kyle and Slomo by Joshua Izenberg.
3. Homeless Connect is looking for clean, gently used or new clothing for
both men and women, including pants, jeans, underwear, socks, shoes,
shirts, work boots, winter boots, hats and toques, gloves and scarves.
Drop off donations by Oct. 4 marked Homeless Connect at Bissell
Donation Drop-Off (near mail boxes), 5120 - 122 Street, Monday to
Saturday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Hope Mission, 9908 - 106 Avenue, Monday
to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Hope Mission Bargain Shoppe, 2403
Ellwood Drive, Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. and Saturday,
10:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.; and Millwoods Assembly, 2225 - 66 Street,
Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, call 780944-2979 or email akrautt@homewardtrust.ca.
4. Central Lions Seniors Association Welcome Back Dinner and Dance
featuring The Emeralds, Oct. 4 from 5 to 11:30 p.m. Roast beef, gravy,
lemon chicken, mashed potatoes, two salads, dessert, tea/coffee. Late
night snack, cash bar, 50/50 draw, door prizes. Tickets are $35 for CLSA
members and $40 for non-members. For more information call 780-4967369. Central Lions is located at 11113 – 113 Avenue, Edmonton.
5. Seniors Association of Greater Edmonton (SAGE) will visit the Great
White North Pumpkin Fair in Smokey Lake on Oct. 5. “In addition to
the gigantic pumpkins there is also a threshing demonstration, a farmers’
market, fair grounds, car show, delicious lunch and more!” The 2012
champion pumpkin set a new record by weighing in at 1,275 lbs. “This
day was capped off with a massive crane raising the giant fruit 100 feet
into the air, then sending it hurtling down to land on a car parked
beneath!” The deadline to register is Oct. 2. Call 780-701-9016. The
cost of transportation by Lions’ bus is $15. You must purchase your own
lunch and $10 gate admission.
6. Jewish Senior Citizens’ Centre, 10052 - 117 Street, Edmonton, offers
a Learning in Retirement Series starting on Oct. 7. Sessions include
Pop, Politics & Protest – Popular Music with a Social Conscience with D.T.
Baker; “Rockin” Artists of the Renaissance – How Renaissance and Early
Modern Artists Danced Around Power with Luciana Erregue-Sacchi;
Modernity, Morality and Democracy with Dr. David Wangler; and Israel
and Its Neighbours with Abe Silverman. For more information call 780488-4241 or email jdic@shaw.ca.
7. Strathcona Place Senior Centre will hold an Art Reception Open
House on Oct. 9 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. for an exhibition of watercolour
paintings from the Edmonton Japanese Cultural Centre. “Everyone is
welcome to come out and meet the artists.” The exhibit will be on display
Oct. 7 to 30, Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more
information call 780-433-5807. Strathcona Place Senior Centre is located
at 10831 University Avenue.
8. The Tri-Community (Stony Plain, Spruce Grove, Parkland County)
Seniors Committee will hold an Art of Aging Seniors’ Conference on
Oct. 10 from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Holy Trinity Catholic Church Hall in
Spruce Grove. Sessions include Travelling Solo, Exploring Your Creative
Side, A Few Simple Things to Improve Your Memory and Myths of Aging.
Tickets are $25/person, which includes morning snacks and lunch. For an
event poster, go here. For more information call 780-963-7406. The
conference includes entertainment and door prizes, including an excursion
valued at $199.50.
9. The Alberta Caregivers Association presents Compass for the
Caregiver workshops at North Edmonton Seniors Association, 7524
- 139 Avenue, on Thursdays Oct. 10 to Nov. 28 from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.
(call 780-496-6969); and South East Edmonton Seniors Association,
9350 - 82 Street, on Fridays Oct. 25 to Dec. 13 from 1 to 3 p.m. (call
780-468-1985). For more information, go here.
10. “Almost 15 per cent of Canadians are age 65 or older, according to the
2011 National Census. Are you prepared to become a caregiver? Learn
what to expect, how to manage and where to find help in Rick Lauber's
book, Caregiver's Guide for Canadians (Self-Counsel Press).” You can
meet the author and get your copy of his book signed from 12 to 4 p.m.
on Oct. 12 at Indigo - South Edmonton Common, 1837 - 99 Street.
11. GeriActors is starting a new Drop-in Drama program on Tuesdays,
Oct. 15 to Dec. 10, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at SAGE, 15 Sir Winston
Churchill Square. The program is intended for older adults age 55+. “Join
us for eight weeks of theatre, storytelling and fun. No experience
required.” The cost is a $2 drop-in fee. For more information, go here,
call 780-248-1556 or email geriactors.friends@gmail.com.
12. The Alberta Caregivers Association will hold a Mad Hatter Spoons
Tournament on Oct. 17 from 5:30 to 9 p.m. at SEESA, 9350 - 82
Street, Edmonton. Tickets are $50. The event includes a $500 first prize,
door prizes and trophies, dinner, dessert and one drink (cash bar
available). For tickets contact Bonnie at 780-453-5088.
13. Mill Woods Seniors Activity Centre's annual fundraiser Autumn in
the Woods will be held on Oct. 18 at Woodvale Banquet Facility, 4540 50 Street, Edmonton. The event includes dinner, entertainment and a
silent auction. Tickets are $50 for non-members and $40 per person if
you buy eight or more. To purchase tickets call Glenda at 780-496-2997
or go here if you wish to use a credit card.
14. Multicultural Women and Seniors Services Association will hold
its thirteenth, “ladies only” Interfaith Multicultural Celebration at 6:30
p.m. on Oct. 19 at Meridian Banquet Hall, 4820 – 76 Avenue, Edmonton.
This year’s theme is Service to Humanity. Tickets are $20 until Oct. 12
and $25 thereafter. For an event poster, go here.
15. “Edmontonians may cast their vote using a special (mail-in) ballot if
they are an eligible voter and unable to make it to an advanced vote or
Election Day (Oct. 21) voting station because they are physically
incapacitated, out of town or an election worker, candidate, official agent
or scrutineer located at a voting station other than the one for their
designated place of residence.” To find out if you are an eligible voter,
go here. To find out the dates and times for advanced votes, go here.
For instructions on how to vote at a voting station, go here. For
information on how to request and use a special (mail-in) ballot, go here
or call 780-442-8683.
16. Home Instead Senior Care will offer a free Family Caregiver
Alzheimer's Dementia Care Workshop on Oct. 26 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
at Westend Seniors Activity Centre, 9629 – 176 Street, Edmonton. “This
workshop will help you learn the causes of Alzheimer's and other
dementias, recognize the symptoms, discover how the diseases are
diagnosed, and understand more about the behaviours common with
Alzheimer's and other dementias.” To RSVP, email
shawn.turcotte@homeinstead.com or call 780-439-9990. For more
information, go here.
17. A new seniors lounge developed by the City of Edmonton and
SouthWest Edmonton Seniors Association will open in Terwilligar on
Nov. 4 from 12 to 4 p.m. “Visit for a cup of coffee, great conversation
and to find out more about future activities. For volunteer opportunities,
call 587-987-3200 or email swedmontonseniors@gmail.com.”
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VOLUNTEER/WORK OPPORTUNITIES FOR SENIORS
1. Edmonton Mennonite Centre for Newcomers is seeking participants
for its Seniors Volunteering to Support Newcomers project. It is targeting
seniors who are willing to volunteer to teach painting and creative
writing and to mentor immigrants and youth. “The program could be
grown to include dance, cooking and photography. Seniors will help in
planning and executing the project. They will be consultants who help to
define the size, scope and costs.” The EMCN is located at 11713 - 82
Street. For more information, contact Tarek Zaki at tzaki@emcn.ab.ca or
780-423-9692.
2. Homeless Connect, an event that annually attracts more than 1,500
guests, needs volunteers to serve as registration attendants, guides,
greeters, break assistants, social media participants and more. “If you are
a passionate about ending homelessness in Edmonton, volunteering at
Homeless Connect is a great way to get involved.” For a registration
form, go here. The event is Oct. 20. The application deadline is Oct. 11.
Volunteer orientation is Oct. 19.
3. Edmonton seniors are invited to “work the election” on Oct. 21.
Available positions include presiding deputy, assistant presiding
deputy, tabulator clerk, ballot clerk, deputy returning officer and
standby worker. For complete job descriptions and information on how
to apply, call 780-442-8683 or go here. Compensation for the positions
ranges from $75 to $955.
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