The Link-Letter Sept. 3, 2010
v. 5-35
For more information click on the links
provided.
New items are highlighted.
NEWS FOR AGENCY STAFF
1. The deadline for placing Christmas pre-orders with the In-Kind
Centre, a community initiative of the United Way of the Alberta Capital
Region, is Sept. 6. “The InKind Centre distributes goods and resources to
qualified charitable organizations. As an opportunity to help support our
community, businesses and individuals are encouraged to donate surplus
new and high quality used goods. Items accepted include computer
products, office supplies, equipment, furniture, and children's toys.” For a
copy of the order catalogue, go here.
2. “Is your nonprofit organization concerned about remaining relevant in the
changing demographics of the 21st century? Does your board of directors
reflect the cultural diversity of the community you serve? Can your
nonprofit organization provide the programs and services demanded by
your rapidly changing community?” Volunteer Alberta, NorQuest
College and Alberta Culture and Community Spirit are implementing
Intersections 2: Supporting Inclusive Organizational Governance,
a project to engage nonprofit/voluntary sector organizations (board
members and senior level managers) in organizational change to better
position themselves to welcome immigrants. For more information and to
register, go here, email rtollenaar@volunteeralberta.ab.ca, or call 780482-3300 ext. 222 or toll free 1-877-915-6336. The deadline is Sept.
22.
3. Techsoup Canada is offering eligible nonprofits donated copies of
Microsoft Office 2010 for an administration fee of $26 to $33. For more
information, including resources to help you decide if the software is right
for your organization, go to http://www.techsoupcanada.ca/.
EVENTS FOR AGENCY STAFF
1. Seniors Association of Greater Edmonton (SAGE) presents a lunch
and learn session on Palliative Care: End of Life Options on Sept. 14. The
cost is $25, including lunch at 11:30 a.m. and speaker Heather Jones, a
member of Alberta Health Services’ Edmonton Region North Palliative
Team, from 12 to 2 p.m. Registration closes Sept. 7. For more
information, call 780-423-5510. The Alberta College of Social Workers
recognizes this session as category B credits.
2. The Alzheimer Society of Alberta and Northwest Territories will
hold several Forget Me Not Information Receptions during the
coming months. “Join us for an hour and learn about current statistics,
the effects of Alzheimer’s disease, and future plans.” Lunch sessions are
scheduled for 12 to 1 p.m. on Sept. 14 and Oct. 27, and dinner sessions
will be held Sept. 23 and Oct. 20. All receptions are at 10531 Kingsway
Avenue, Edmonton. Space is limited so call 780-488-2266 or email
skeane@alzheimer.ab.ca to reserve your spot. For more information, go
to www.alzheimer.ab.ca.
3. Older adults die by suicide at a higher rate than the national average. To
combat this phenomenon, the U.S. Suicide Prevention Center is
hosting a webinar on Sept. 14 on preventing suicide among older
adults. The webinar reviews the research, risk and protective factors, and
effective suicide prevention strategies. In addition, it will specifically
address the issue of suicide risk and prevention in the context of
community programs and residential facilities. Click here to register.
4. Resources for Housing is the focus of the 211 Edmonton Networker
Meeting on Sept. 15. Confirm your attendance by phoning 2-1-1 or
emailing 211edmonton@thesupportnetwork.com. Meetings are from 9 to
11 a.m. at The Support Network, 400 The Baker Centre, 10025 – 106
Street. Included will be presentations by Vivian Creaser from homeEd and
Max Scharfenberger and Bernice Gordon from Capital Region Housing
Corporation.
5. The deadline to register for the Sept. 15 Creative Age Forum at the
Lister Conference Centre, University of Alberta campus, 87 Avenue and
116 Street, is Sept. 10. Subsidies are available to help cover the cost of
attending, if you’ve used up your professional development funding
allotment for this year or the $75 registration fee is simply too steep for
your organization. Call the Edmonton Seniors Coordinating Council at
780-423-5635. For a look at the agenda for Putting Research into
Action, go here. For more information, go here. And to register, go here.
6. The Alberta Human Rights Commission is offering Human Rights in
the Workplace workshops during the coming months. These are full-day
sessions that will “provide an overview of Alberta's human rights
legislation, in addition to covering three main topics: investigation of
harassment complaints, preventing harassment in the workplace, and
duty to accommodate”. The first workshop is in Edmonton on Sept. 15.
Read more by going here.
7. The Edmonton Chamber of Voluntary Organizations has purchased
the SectorCast Series of webinars from Imagine Canada and will
broadcast them free this fall, beginning on Sept. 15. “These web/audio
conferences are designed to give participants an opportunity to share and
discuss of-the-moment issues affecting the nonprofit and charitable
sector.” For more information and to sign up, go here. The webinars will
be shown at Sprucewood Public Library, 11555 - 95 Street.
8. Alberta Arts Days, Sept. 17-19, provide opportunities to discover,
experience and celebrate arts and culture. Last year, hundreds of
community groups and organizations partnered to offer 571 events in 116
communities. For resources to help you get started in hosting an event,
go here. To visit the Alberta Culture Calendar to find out about other
events, go here. To submit your events to the calendar, go here.
9. The Mediation and Restorative Justice Centre is offering Managing
Interpersonal Conflict workshop series in Edmonton beginning Sept.
18 at the Stanley Milner Library next to Sir Winston Churchill Square. The
first workshops are Communicating Through Conflict, from 9:30 a.m. to
12:30 p.m., and Style Matters, from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Registration for
each workshop is $10 or you can register for the entire series for $25. To
register, call 780-423-0896 or go to www.mrjc.ca. There are three
workshops in each series for the next three months.
10. Grey Matters, the 2010 Seniors Services Conference, will be held
Sept. 23-24 at the Deerfoot Inn and Casino in Calgary. Hosted by
Calgary Seniors Resource Society in partnership with Alberta
Seniors and Community Supports, the conference is “an opportunity
for individuals who work with seniors to network and learn more about
the programs, services and issues important to seniors”. Registration is
$245. For more information and to register, go here.
11. The Edmonton Chamber of Voluntary Organizations is offering a
workshop on Sept. 23 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the Stanley Milner Library
for non-profit organizations thinking of becoming a registered charity.
“This workshop will help you to focus on the issues and steps required.”
The cost if $10 for ECVO members and $15 for non-members. The
presenters are San San Sy and Lesley Conley of Charity Central. For
more information and to register, go here.
12. The U.S. National Center On Aging’s National Institute of Senior
Centers presents a free webinar on Sept. 23 at 3:30 p.m. “Christine
Beatty, director of Madison Senior Center in Madison, WI, will discuss
essentials for successful senior center leadership, tips for connecting with
the community you serve, and ways to engage and mobilize seniors aged
50+.” To register, go here.
13. Meals on Wheels Edmonton will hold The Grape Escape: Uncorking
California wine tasting and silent auction fundraising event at 7 p.m.
on Sept. 23 at Edmonton BMW, 7450 Roper Road. For tickets call 780429-2020. For more information, go to
www.mealsonwheelsedmonton.org.
14. Volunteer Edmonton is holding a workshop series on Welcoming
Newcomers to Canada in the Workplace beginning Sept. 24. The modules
are Understanding the Context of Immigration, Awareness of Difference
in the Workplace, Checking Assumptions and Challenging Stereotypes,
Receiving Newcomers to Your Workplace, Providing Ongoing Support to
Newcomers in the Workplace and Reviewing Policies and Procedures. The
presenters are Zenobia Jamal and Evelyn Hamdon of Zenev Educational
Consultants. Sessions are 9 a.m. to noon Fridays. Participants must
commit to all six. Registration is $315, including GST, materials and
refreshments. Register here or contact Evelyn at 780-732-6655 or
epham@volunteeredmonton.com to pay by cheque.
15. Canadian Professional Management Services will offer “essential
half day management skills programs” in Edmonton on Sept 27, 28 and
29. Featured programs are Managing People for First Time Supervisors,
Dealing with Workplace Conflict, Developing Leadership Skills, Using
Progressive Discipline, Enhancing Employee Performance, and
Understanding Labour & Employment Law. For more information, call 1888-452-6422. To register online go here.
16. Two sessions on compliance with Canada Revenue Agency
fundraising and receipting guidelines are being offered Sept. 30.
Understanding CRA’s Fundraising Guidelines and More will be held from 9
a.m. to 12 p.m. and The Dos and Don’ts of Charitable Receipting will
follow from 1 to 4:30 p.m. The cost is $25 per session or $40 for both
sessions and lunch. For more information and to register, go here.
17. Volunteer Alberta is holding a presentation and networking lunch on
Tuesday, Oct. 19, featuring David La Piana, a leading expert on
nonprofit/voluntary sector management and governance. He is the author
of the widely read report Convergence: How Five Trends Will Reshape the
Social Sector. Why Collaboration is Just Not Enough: Learning from
Convergence is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at The Matrix Hotel,
10640 -100 Ave., Edmonton. The cost is $60 for VA members and $70 for
non-member (includes seminar and lunch). To register, go here.
18. The Resource Centre for Voluntary Organizations offers a Grant
Writing Workshop on Saturday, Oct. 23, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
at Grant MacEwan University, Alberta College Campus, Room 409, 10050
MacDonald Drive, Edmonton. The registration fee is $60 and includes a
continental breakfast and lunch. For more information and to register, go
here.
19. The Resource Centre for Voluntary Organizations offers Fund Raising
Success: Where to Start & How to Build It with speaker Tim Haak on
Saturday, Nov. 6, from 8:30 a.m. to p.m. at Grant MacEwan University,
Alberta College Campus, Room 409, 10050 MacDonald Drive, Edmonton.
Registration is $60 and includes a continental breakfast and lunch. For
more information and to register, go here.
20. Volunteer Alberta, The Co-operators and Alberta Culture and
Community Spirit are offering a Risk Management Strategies &
Tactics Seminar in Edmonton on Nov. 18 from 1:30 to 4 p.m. and in
Calgary on Nov. 23 from 6 to 8:30 p.m. For more information and to
register for the Edmonton seminar, go here. For more on the Calgary
seminar, go here.
WORK OPPORTUNITIES IN THE SENIOR-SERVING SECTOR
Mill Woods Seniors Activity Centre is looking for a program
coordinator. The successful application will work with a volunteer-based
program committee to support and supervise community recreation, social,
and education programs for seniors 55 years of age and older. “You will
develop schedules, allocate space, and keep records of fees, petty cash,
inventory and supplies, along with other miscellaneous duties.”
Requirements include a college diploma or university degree, familiarity
with the needs and issues of Edmonton seniors, and proficiency with MS
Office applications. Submit resumes to pearl.millwoodsseniors@msn.com or
to Mill Woods Seniors Activity Centre, 2nd Floor, 7207 - 28 Avenue,
Edmonton, T6K 3Z3.
ITEMS FOR SENIORS
1. The Alberta League Encouraging Storytelling and Fort Edmonton
Park present their 22nd annual Storytelling Festival, Cultures Connect,
Sept. 5-6. Storytelling sessions both days from 1 to 5 p.m. are included
in the cost of park admission. A Sunday evening concert at 8 p.m. will
feature storytellers from Halifax, Vancouver, Northwest Territories,
Saskatoon, Regina and Edmonton, as well as music by singer-songwriter
Maria Dunn. Concert tickets $15 in advance or $16 at the door. For
tickets and more information about workshops and events, phone 780932-4409 or email talesedmonton@hotmail.com.
2. The Edmonton Chamber of Voluntary Organizations is offering a
Better Board Meetings session on Sept. 8 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the
Stanley Milner Public Library. “This session is about planning and
conducting effective board meetings so that decisions are made,
information is shared and time is used well. Participants will receive a
planning checklist and an agenda template.” The cost is $15 for ECVO
members and $20 for non-members. The presenter is Hilary Rose, a
trained facilitator and consultant to not-for-profit and publicly funded
organizations. For more information and to register, go here.
3. The City of Edmonton’s free seniors skate starts up again on Sept. 9
from 12:15 to 1:30 p.m. at the Kinsmen Twin Arenas, 1979 - 111 Street,
and continues Thursdays until the end of March (with the exception of
Nov. 11 and Dec. 30). Seniors skate is for individuals 65 years of age
and up. Helmets are required. No sticks or pucks allowed. The maximum
number of skaters allowed in the rink is 100. For more information,
contact Glenn Kissick, seniors’ rep for the Riverbend Community
League, at 780-758-5198 or email hgkissick@shaw.ca.
4. The Bernadette N. Swan Social Care Foundation invites you to share
in an inspiring celebration of the importance of grandparents' roles in
intergenerational relationships. Recipients of Grandparents Awards of
Distinction will be honoured at a gala banquet and silent auction on
Saturday, Sept. 11, at the Delta Edmonton Centre Suite Hotel, 10222 102 Street. Tickets are $80 per adult ($30 tax deductable). For
information and to purchase tickets go to http://bnsscf.org, email
bnsscf5@yahoo.ca or call 780-761-0881.
5. The 15th annual Parkinson SuperWalk, a 3 km/5 km walk or run
event, will be held Sept. 11 at Rundle Park, 2903 - 113 Avenue,
Edmonton. There is no cost to enter but participants are expected to
obtain a minimum of $50 in pledges. Register online, stating your
fundraising goal, at www.parkinsonsuperwalk.ca. Pre-register in person
at the Running Room, 8537 - 109 Street, Sept. 8 to 10, 4 to 8 p.m.
Registration on the day of the event begins at 8:30 a.m. and the
walk/run begins at 10 a.m. To volunteer, contact Laura Mason at 780342-8985 or lauramason@parkinsonalberta.ca.
6. Seniors Assisted Transportation Society (SATS) will hold its sixth
annual Grandparents Day Celebration Brunch on Sunday, Sept. 12,
at Santa Maria Goretti Community Centre, 11050 - 90 Street, Edmonton.
Doors open at 11 a.m. Tickets are $40. Included will be a seven course
meal, silent auction, rock/paper/scissors contest, caricature artist Laurel
Hawkswell, entertainment and a 50/50 ticket draw. For information, call
780-732-1221, email info@satsofedmonton.org or go to
www.satsofedmonton.org.
7. CARP Edmonton Chapter will hold a general meeting on Thursday,
Sept. 16, at the Old Timer’s Cabin, 9430 - 99 Street (Old Scona Road),
Edmonton. Registration is 12.30 to 1 p.m. and the meeting and a
presentation on Fitness to Drive are from 1 to 3 p.m. Bonnie Dobbs,
PhD, associate professor in the Department of Family Medicine at the
University of Alberta, will discuss “the importance of determining a
person’s suitability to drive a motor vehicle based on a their level of
wellness rather than an arbitrary age. She has been involved in the
development of a screening test to identify at risk drivers and will review
the process.” To register for the meeting, contact
carp.edmonton@shaw.ca or call Bernice at 780-450-4802.
8. Calder Seniors Drop In Centre is inviting seniors throughout
Edmonton to participate in its Mary Hogg Military Whist Tournament
on Friday, Sept. 17, beginning at 10 a.m. The first 30 teams will be
accepted. Players must be members of the Alberta Senior Citizens Sport
and Recreation Association, also known as Alberta 55 Plus (membership
is $30 per year: go here for more information). To register for the
tournament, call Mona at 780-377-3268 or Helen at 780-452-4295. The
deadline is Sept. 10.
9. The Edmonton and Area Land Trust will show Ghost Bird, a “unique
documentary film”, on Sept. 23 at 7 p.m. at the Royal Alberta
Museum. The cost is $25. The film examines the ivory-billed
woodpecker’s “rediscovery” and “the unsettling territory of human
ambition and wishful thinking”. Macleans magazine calls the movie
“comic, mesmerizing and deeply poignant”, adding it “casts a spell while
telling a story and building a case”. Refreshments provided. Advance
tickets only. Mail cheques to The Edmonton and Area Land Trust, c/o Joel
van Huizen, 5512 - 90 Avenue, Edmonton, T6B 0N9. For information
about the EALT, go to www.ealt.ca. For more on the movie, go here.
10. The artistic talents of instructors and students at Strathcona Place
Senior Centre are featured at the Jeff Allen Gallery, 10831 University
Avenue, Edmonton, until Sept. 23. Included are paintings in
watercolour, acrylic, oils and collage; fabric art; and pottery and
woodwork, both practical and decorative. Gallery hours are 9 a.m. to 4
p.m. Monday through Thursday.
11. Alberta Culture and Community Spirit wants to “honour
extraordinary Albertans whose volunteer achievements have contributed
to the well-being of their community and fellow community members” by
presenting six of them with Stars of Alberta Volunteer Awards. Two
recipients will be seniors. The nomination deadline is Sept. 24. For
information, go here. The presentations will occur on or around
International Volunteer Day, Dec. 5.
12. On Sunday, Sept. 26, Edmontonians are invited to enjoy free
admission at “select” City of Edmonton owned and operated attractions
and leisure, sport and fitness facilities. Free admission is from 10 a.m. to
6 p.m. For a list of the participating venues, go here.
13. The Summer Conversation Café identified “reading financial
statements” as an area of knowledge/training that would help senior
centre board members to be more successful in their roles. In response,
the Edmonton Seniors Coordinating Council has organized a
presentation for board members of non-profit organizations on Sept. 27
from 2 to 4:30 p.m. at the South East Edmonton Seniors
Association Activity Centre, 9350 - 82 Street. The presenter is Hilary
Rose, a chartered accountant, trained facilitator and board, committee
and executive member with a number of not-for-profit organizations.
RSVP to rich@seniorscouncil.net or call 780-423-5635 by noon on Sept.
20. The presentation is limited to 30 people.
14. The Resource Centre for Voluntary Organizations offers a
Strengthening Volunteer Boards session on Saturday, Oct. 2, from
8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Grant MacEwan University, Room 627, Alberta
College Campus, 10050 MacDonald Drive, Edmonton. The registration
fee is $35 and includes a continental breakfast and lunch. For more
information and to register, go here.
15. The Jewish Drop-in Centre, in partnership with Minerva Senior
Studies Institute at Grant MacEwan University, presents four Learning
in Retirement six-week lecture series from Oct. 4 to Nov. 18. The
series are Women in the Classical World, The Problem of Human
Happiness, Schumann & Chopin and The Shapers of Our Theology:
Jewish Philosophers of the Middle Ages. The cost for each course is $60.
The registration deadline is Sept. 28. For more information and to
obtain a registration form, go here.
16. One of the biggest mistakes seniors can make about estate planning
is to assume they do not need a plan. “Do you have an up-to-date will,
power of attorney and personal directive documents? Join us at the Don
Wheaton Family YMCA on Wednesday, Oct. 13, from 11:30 a.m. to
1:30 p.m. for an information session. Lunch is provided.” YMCA members
are admitted free and cost for non-members is $10. RSVP to Janet
Tryhuba at jtryhuba@edmonton.ymca.ca or call 780-423-9602.
17. Volunteer Alberta presents David La Piana, a leading expert on
nonprofit/voluntary sector management and governance, and author of
the widely read report Convergence: How Five Trends Will Reshape the
Social Sector, on Oct. 19 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Northern Jubilee
Auditorium in Edmonton. The cost to attend Learning from
Convergence: A Session for Board Leaders is $20 for VA members
and $25 for non-members. To register, go here.
VOLUNTEER/WORK OPPORTUNITIES FOR SENIORS
1. Cityfarm is looking for volunteer growing assistants. “Our Little
Green Thumbs indoor gardening program will be starting up in early
January. We will be offering volunteer training sessions from October to
December. Growing assistants help a teacher or child care agency leader
set up an indoor garden before Christmas.” In January and February,
volunteers help participants sow seeds and transplant seedlings. For the
remainder of the school year, they assist with occasional maintenance,
gardening activities and clean-up, and may also give phone/e-mail
advice. “A green thumb is not a pre-requisite. However, gardening
experience and a passion for children and youth is an asset.” Contact
Claudia at claudia@city-farm.org before Sept. 10 for more information
and a volunteer application form.
2. Catholic Social Services is looking for English as a Second Language
conversation practice tutor volunteers to help new immigrants
practise and improve their English speaking skills. Free, two-hour, drop-in
ESL practice groups operate at seven public libraries (Stanley Milner,
Woodcroft, Whitemud Crossing, Londonderry Mall, Mill Woods Town
Centre, and Lois Hole Library). “Mature, friendly, reliable volunteers with
good communication and listening skills, who can work with people from
diverse cultures, are needed.” Daytime, evening or Saturday placements
available. Training, materials and support provided. For more information,
contact Keith Fedoruk at 780-432-1137 or
volunteer@catholicsocialservices.ab.ca.
3. The University of Alberta Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical
Sciences is looking for seniors willing to help first year students gain
experience in talking and listening to people who regularly use
medications. Participants are asked to speak with small groups of eight
students for 30 minutes twice. “Specifically, the pharmacy students will
be asking questions about your medical condition, how it has impacted
your life, the medication(s) you use and your interactions with
pharmacists.” The sessions are Monday, Sept. 20, and Wednesday,
Sept. 22, from 2 to 3 p.m. in Room 4156, Dentistry/Pharmacy Centre,
University of Alberta. For more information call Kristen Kulak at 780-4927729 or email kkulak@pharmacy.ualberta.ca.