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The Link-Letter April 20, 2012

v. 07-16

For more information click on the links provided.

New items are highlighted.

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. No items this week.

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NEWS FOR AGENCY STAFF

1. If you’re still mulling over how you are going to vote on Monday, check out a policy comparison document the Edmonton Chamber of Voluntary Organizations put together. It “takes the policies from each party and groups them according to topics that are important to the non-profit sector: topics such as poverty reduction and human rights”. To access this information, go here or click by topic: Health Care, Communities/Neighbourhoods, Education, Seniors, Nonprofit/Voluntary Sector, Aboriginals, Immigration, Human Rights, Poverty Reduction, Vulnerable Populations, Arts and Amateur Sport and Families and Children.

2. The Alberta Association of Seniors Centres, which was incorporated in May of 2011 and elected its first board of directors in September 2011, launched its website this week. “We are now inviting all seniors centres to join. Our mission is to promote visibility, growth, development, expansion and quality of seniors centres in Alberta through supports, services, advocacy, education, training, networking and resources development.” To access the website for more information, go here.

3. Edmonton SeniorNet is a project that has helped seniors “connect with friends, family and the community using internet applications such as Skype, Twitter and Facebook”. The program was funded by the New Horizons for Seniors Program and was administered at SAGE (Seniors Association of Greater Edmonton). The project addressed Action 3 under Goal 1 in the Social and Recreation Participation section of the Vision for an Age-Friendly Edmonton Action Plan: “Develop and/or facilitate the use of current and emerging technologies to connect seniors.” To find out more about the project and check out the media coverage it received, go here.

4. Canadian “seniors with complex health needs are getting, at best, a few more hours of home care a week than seniors with moderate needs to manage daily activities,” says a Montreal Gazette article on a Health Council of Canada report released this week. “The bulk of care usually falls on family members, many of whom are elderly and have severe chronic health problems of their own.” To read the article, go here. To read the report, go here.

5. Statistics Canada’s latest information on volunteering, released April 16, indicates less than half (47 per cent) of all Canadians participate. Albertans, however, are more engaged than the average Canadian, volunteering at a rate of 55 per cent in 2010. To read more, go here.

6. Statistics Canada released its latest report on charitable giving this week, based on 2010 data. To read the report, go here. Among its findings are that 91 per cent of people who perform 60 or more hours of volunteer work a year donate an average of $784 to charities. In comparison, 79 per cent of those who do not volunteer donate an average of $288.

7. “By the end of 2011, a majority of responding Canadian organizations (54 per cent) saw charitable receipts increase compared with 2010. There were no statistically significant differences by mission focus. However, smaller organizations (operating budgets below $1 million) reported increases in charitable receipts less often than larger organizations.” To read more of a Canadian Nonprofit Research Collaborative report on a survey conducted during the first two months of 2012 go here.

8. The Caledon Institute of Social Policy issued a thorough analysis this week of the federal government’s Budget 2012. “Raising the age at which seniors receive Old Age Security is a significant change in Canadian social policy,” the institute states. “We think this measure is unnecessary and ill-advised, and we offer some better policy alternatives.” To read the analysis, go here.

9. Idealware, a nonprofit that “provides thoroughly researched, impartial and accessible resources about software to help nonprofits make smart software decisions”, offers a free Nonprofit Social Media Policy Workbook you can download from its website. To do so, go here. The workbook is “designed to help you, as an organization, ask the important questions about social media, and take the next steps to growing a social culture”.

10. If you want to see if you missed valuable information by not attending the 2012 ASA Aging in America Conference, go here to check out the presentations. They’ve been posted online by the U.S. National Council on Aging and can be downloaded at no charge.

11. Alberta Arts Days has been renamed Alberta Culture Days to “help encourage broader participation and support the efforts of Alberta’s arts, heritage, non-profit/voluntary, multicultural and youth serving organizations”. Alberta Culture Days will run Sept. 28 to 30. Provincial funding of up to $20,000 is available to organizations wishing to become a feature celebration site. Up to $5,000 is available to host celebration sites. For more information, go here. The application deadline is May 8.

12. The 2012 Donner Canadian Foundation Awards for Excellence in the Delivery of Social Services application package is now available at . The deadline to apply is May 31. A total of $60,000 in cash awards is presented. “Finalists and award recipients will be profiled in our annual Non-Profit Performance Report publication. Organizations that score very highly in each category, but do not advance as finalists, will receive certificates of honourable mention. All participants receive performance information in return for completing our application.

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EVENTS FOR AGENCY STAFF

1. Creative Aging Calgary Society presents its third Creative Aging Calgary Symposium on April 26 at Mount Royal University. Keynote speakers are Jeff Nachtigall, creator of an “open art studio” model at Sherbrooke Community Centre in Saskatoon and inventor of a mobile painting device which turns a power wheelchair into a giant paintbrush (for information, go here) and David Dworkin, who began his career as a clarinetist for the American Symphony Orchestra and later built a Conductorcize fitness program around the high energy and intensity of classical music (for more information, go here). Symposium details are posted at creativeagingcalgary.ca.

2. “Too often our senior citizens and families struggle to find reliable services and resources to accommodate changing needs or to assist in distressful situations.” Wild Rose Caregivers will hold a scavenger hunt fundraiser, Hunt...For the Love of Seniors, on April 29 to highlight available resources and services and raise proceeds to donate to SAGE, the Seniors Association of Greater Edmonton. To register your team, contact kristen@ or go to .

3. “To stay competitive, non-profit leaders must understand, anticipate, and manage change. Like people, organizations go through lifecycles, from start-up to maturity, from an idea that solves a problem to a no-longer-needed institution.” To register for a free webinar at 12 p.m. on April 30 with Dr. John Brothers, an expert on non-profit development and assessment, go here. He will talk about how nonprofit leaders have used change as an opportunity to strengthen their organizations.

4. The SAGE Awards honouring the “outstanding achievements and contributions of seniors in our community” will be awarded on May 1 from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Sutton Place Hotel, 10235 – 101 Street, Edmonton. Tickets are $60 each. For an event poster, go here. For a ticket order form, go here. The awards are the Seniors Association of Greater Edmonton’s largest fundraising event of the year. It has sold-out in past years so it is advisable to purchase your tickets early.

5. The Alberta Centre for Active Living and Mount Royal University present a Physical Activity Forum in Edmonton on May 1 and in Calgary on May 3. Dr. Grant Schofield, Professor of Public Health at Auckland University of Technology in New Zealand, will focus on “new ways to get adults moving in their workplaces and children moving in our neighbourhoods”. Go here for more information and to register.

6. The Technology Training Centre at the University of Alberta is putting on a series of five free Wednesday lunch hour webinars beginning May 2. The series includes: Office Tips and Tricks, May 2; Outlook Tips and Tricks, May 9; Gmail Tips and Tricks, May 16; Better Power Point Design, May 23; and SharePoint Overview, May 30. To register for any or all of the sessions, go here.

7. The Canadian Mental Health Association’s Mental Health Week, May 7 to 13, encourages everyone to “learn, talk, reflect and engage with others on all issues related to mental health”. Edmonton’s planning committee is hosting events that include the city’s first De-Stress Fest. It invites community members to “learn how to maintain and enhance their mental health by participating in a variety of wellness activities from laughter yoga and Zumba to live music”. Other events include workshops and promotional activities. For a calendar of events, go here. For a DeStress Fest poster, go here. For more information and copies of Mental Health Week promotional materials, email sshantz@cmha-edmonton.ab.ca or call 780-414-6306.

8. Not-for-profit organizations interested in having a booth at a Celebrate Your Gift of Age Seniors Fair at the Capilano Mall from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on June 12 are asked to contact Shelley Romanyshyn by email at sromanyshyn@ or by fax at 780-469-4298. A table and two chairs will be provided at no cost. The deadline to apply for booth space is May 25. The focus of the fair is to “connect seniors and their families with the many health and wellness resources and programs available to them”. The event is being organized by the City of Edmonton, Edmonton Public Library, South East Edmonton Seniors Association (SEESA), Alberta Health Services and the mall.

9. The Project Management Masters Certification Program will be offered in Calgary June 19 to 21. For more information, go here. Tuition is $995 US. Register online, by calling toll-free 1-877-359-1110, or by sending your name and contact information via email to registrar@.

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WORK OPPORTUNITIES IN THE SENIOR-SERVING SECTOR

1. The Edmonton Seniors Coordinating Council is recruiting for a project coordinator to work full time on contract to Dec. 31, with the possibility of extension. The successful applicant will work on two projects with member agencies in lead and support roles. For a complete job description, go here. For conditions of employment, go here. For more information about the ESCC, go to . Applicants are asked to forward their resumes by 9 a.m. on April 27 to Sheila Hallett at executivedirector@ or 780-428-3844 (fax).

2. Seniors Association of Greater Edmonton (SAGE) is seeking a fund development and community relations assistant (STEP student) for a 16-week project. The successful applicant will support organizations and individuals who plan and host fundraising events in support of SAGE. Areas of development include online donations/pledge mechanism, promotional material templates, and policy and procedures. Work will include identifying and meeting with prospective organizations, building relationships, promoting and presenting information, and prospecting new donors/hosts. The student will also “implement and populate a new fund development database/software package to allow SAGE to more effectively work with existing donors”. For a complete job description, go here. The closing date for applications is April 30.

3. Edmonton Meals on Wheels requires a permanent part time client services coordinator from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. weekdays. “Utilizing exceptional customer service skills you will respond to and follow up with client inquiries and meal delivery issues, schedule meal deliveries and volunteer activity, and complete accurate timely data entry. You will be a quick learner and work as a team member in a fast paced environment. You display exceptional problem solving skills and initiative. A clear police security check and vehicle are required. Excellent benefits package.” Send resume and cover letter to Meals on Wheels, 11111 - 103 Avenue, Edmonton, T5K 2P1; fax 780-424-5561 or email emow@. “No phone calls please.”

4. Edmonton Meals on Wheels requires a temporary client services coordinator to provide clients with optimum quality responses to their inquiries, schedule clients and volunteers, enter data, and resolve meal delivery issues. “You will be a quick learner and work as a team member in a fast paced environment. You display exceptional problem solving skills and initiative. A clear police security check and vehicle are required.” Send resume and cover letter to Meals on Wheels, 11111 - 103 Avenue, Edmonton, T5K 2P1; fax 780-424-5561 or email emow@. “No phone calls please.” This position is 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays from May 4 to Aug. 30.

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ITEMS FOR BOARD MEMBERS

1. Volunteer Alberta is selling a series of five books on board development produced by the Government of Alberta. The books deal with recruiting and developing effective board members, developing job descriptions, drafting and revising bylaws, dealing with the board’s financial responsibilities, and hiring and performance appraisal of the executive director. Each book is $10 to $15 but the entire series is available for $40. For more information, go here. To place an order, email rcvo@volunteeralberta.ab.ca or call Tim at 780-482-3300 ext 232.

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ITEMS FOR SENIORS

1. To check out Silver Times, a website that features basic health and wellness information for older adults, go to silvertimes.ca. The site has been developed by the Active Living Coalition for Older Adults, which strives to promote a society where all older Canadians are leading active lifestyles that contribute to their overall well-being.

2. The City of Edmonton’s Animal Care and Control Centre is seeking bedding and blankets for the animals within its facility. If you are part of a seniors group willing to do some knitting and sewing to make animals more comfortable, contact Keith Scott, coordinator for the ACCC at 780-496-5221. The centre will supply the materials.

3. Seniors on Screen is a series of videos featuring residents in Comfort Life retirement communities across Canada. “They’ll tell you how they dealt with typical issues such as the challenges of moving and adapting to new surroundings and they’ll take you inside their communities so you can see what really goes on.” To access the videos, go here. You’ll have to be patient, as they take a while to load.

4. Alberta’s chief electoral officer has expanded communications measures to provide electors with “all the information needed to vote in the April 23 provincial election”. To view the information online, go to elections.ab.ca.

5. The work of artists from the Fibre Art Association will be showcased during a Small Secret Places exhibition at the Jeff Allen Art Gallery at Strathcona Place Senior Centre, 10831 University Avenue (109 Street and 78 Avenue). The exhibition continues until April 24. It includes contributions from the Edmonton Traditional Rug Hookers Guild, Edmonton and District Quilters Guild and Edmonton Needlecraft Guild. Best viewing hours are 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 3 to 4 p.m. For more information call 780-433-5807.

6. The Edmonton and District Historical Society will hold its annual John Rowand Night and Dance at the University of Alberta Faculty Club at 6 p.m. on April 24. This year’s speaker is Dr. Gerhard Ens and his topic is The View from Fort Edmonton: The HBC Fur Trade, 1795 to 1821. Advance ticket purchase is required. Call 780-439-2797 or e-mail info@historicedmonton.ca. For information about EDHS and its provincial affiliation, go to historicedmonton.ca and .

7. The Ital-Canadian Seniors Association will open its bocce courts to seniors across the city of Edmonton from 1 to 2:45 p.m. on the last Friday of each month beginning April 27. “Bocce games will be free of charge and we will also offer free refreshments, such as coffee and juices.” To ensure space is available, as only 24 seniors can be accommodated at any given time, pre-registration is required. Phone 780-424-1255 or email itcansrs@. Seniors must have their own transportation to get to and from the courts.

8. The prevalent theme of an exhibition of artwork by Aboriginal artists at the Royal Alberta Museum is storytelling. “These are stories that have been shared by the elders, stories of a search for understanding and meaning, stories of identity and belonging, and stories retold to preserve a threatened culture.” The Narrative Quest exhibition is available to the public until April 29. For more information, go here.

9. The City of Edmonton’s Neighbourhood Engagement Strategy Grant provides up to $2,500 for projects developed by neighbourhood groups. For “tips and tools for bringing the people in your neighbourhood together” go here. The grant application deadline is April 30.

10. E4C offers low income seniors free income tax preparation services and assistance applying for benefits throughout March and April. For details, go here.

11. Edmonton Meals on Wheels is asking gardeners and farmers to plant an extra row of produce this year. Its Grow a Row campaign enables EMW to provide fresh, local meals to seniors and housebound Edmontonians. Donated produce (rhubarb, beets, squashes, zucchini, carrots, potatoes etc.) and herbs are accepted throughout the growing season. Gardeners are welcome to pick up a bag of compostable items (vegetable peelings) that can be added to compost and used as fertilizer. Meals on Wheels is located at 11111 - 103 Avenue and is open weekdays between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. For more information, call 780-429-2020.

12. The Alberta Quality of Life Commission will hold a Caring for Caregivers free public information session at 7 p.m. on May 8 at 8421 – 101 Avenue (pastoral and administrative offices of the Catholic Archdiocese of Edmonton). “Learn about the experience of a caregiver, the challenges and joys of caregiving, the importance of self-care as a caregiver, and the growing caregiver industry.” Guest speaker will be Rick Lauber, author of Caregiver’s Guide for Canadians and Alberta Caregivers Association board member.

13. The Alberta Caregivers Association offers its COMPASS for Caregivers workshop at its Fulton Place School campus, 10310 – 56 Street, Edmonton, on Wednesdays from 7 to 9 p.m., May 9 to June 27. Call 780-453-5088 to register. The workshop “provides a safe and understanding environment to help you reduce stress, decrease guilt, learn how to get the most out of the system, and begin to care for yourself. COMPASS is lead by former caregivers.” For more information, go to .

14. Straight Edge Theatre, a non-profit society formed in January of this year to provide “innovative and inspirational” performing arts experiences in a wholesome and welcoming environment, presents Forever Plaid May 14 to 22 at Avenue Theatre, 9030 – 118 Avenue, Edmonton. The show is based on musical groups such as The Four Aces and The Four Freshman from the 1950s/60s and is a tribute to the “oldies but goodies” music from that era. Tickets are $15 dollars in advance and $20 at the door. To purchase them go to .

15. “Delicious meal, stimulating thoughts, Edmonton in Bloom - How We Can Help: join CARP Edmonton Chapter 13 at our annual general meeting for a super value lunch for $13, a review of last year and a preview of CARP’s next year’s activities, and a presentation on what makes Edmonton a Communities in Bloom champion.” Members, friends and guests are invited to attend May 17 from 11.30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Old Timers Cabin, 9430 - 99 Street (Scona Road). For more information, contact Bernice at 780-450-4802 or carp.edmonton@. Registration is required.

16. Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) will be offered in Edmonton on May 24 and 25 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Catholic Social Services East Office, 8212 – 118 Avenue. The cost is $185 per person. “This workshop is helpful to all people who wish to understand what people at risk of suicide are needing from the caregiver. This model does not assess risk but takes the view that all people who are having thoughts of suicide need some type of intervention.” For more information, go here. To register, contact Kari Boult at 780-420-6081 or kari.boult@catholicsocialservices.ab.ca.

17. To book a table for the sale and display of items at the Multicultural Women and Seniors Services Association’s bazaar and mela at the North Millbourne Community Hall, 980 Millbourne Road East, Edmonton, on June 3 from 12 to 5 p.m., call 780-465-2992 or email culture@. The cost is $35 before May 24 and $45 thereafter. The deadline for booking tables is May 31.

18. The Multicultural Women and Seniors Services Association will celebrate Seniors Week with a bazaar and mela at the North Millbourne Community Hall, 980 Millbourne Road East, Edmonton, on June 3 from 12 to 5 p.m. The event will include a photography contest, with categories for seniors age 60 and older, and one for women of all ages. All submissions must be 8 in. X 10 in. and must have been taken by the entrant. The event will also include a painting exhibition, gift items, clothing, jewellry, lunch and snacks. For more information, call 780-465-2992 or email culture@.

19. The Arthritis Society Walk to Fight Arthritis will be held in Edmonton on June 10 beginning at Sir Wilfrid Laurier Park, 13221 Buena Vista Road. To register, donate and for more information, go to walktofightarthritis.ca, contact Jolyne De Marco at jdemarco@ab.arthritis.ca or call 780-424-1740. The walk is one or five kilometres and is intended to be a “fun-filled family event”.

20. Seniors who are still able to cook for themselves may wish to check out Wecan. It’s a 17-year-old non-profit society whose focus is to “provide healthy groceries for a reasonable cost”. Every month it organizes a group-buy for close to 30 depots in and around Edmonton. Membership is $5 annually, which entitles you to buy a meat basket for $15 (consisting of three kinds of freshly frozen meat), a produce basket for $10 (consisting of three kinds of fruit and three kinds of vegetables) or a full basket for $25. Once a month members go to their depot and pick up their groceries (no delivery system is in place). For more information, go .

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VOLUNTEER/WORK OPPORTUNITIES FOR SENIORS

1. Northlands has a couple of part-time positions its human resources department thinks seniors may be interested in filling. To find out more about becoming an event ambassador, go here. To find out more about becoming a pari mutuel cashier, go here.

2. Canadian Paraplegic Association of Alberta is looking for regional reps for the placement/collection of product displays. Independence, willingness to travel and design/execute routes, reliable vehicle, people skills, inventory control skills and proven stability are a must. “Position offers flexibility of self-employment for mature applicant. Established commission-based income of $20,000 to $40,000+.” Send information or resume to brenda@, fax 1-888-556-6728 or call 1-877-767-9546 ext. 2.

3. The Arthritis Society is looking for volunteers who have a “passion for helping those people who live with the pain of arthritis every day. You can make a difference by facilitating educational programs and empowering people to take charge of their disease, and by providing knowledge and improving their quality of life. Programs offered include Arthritis 101, Arthritis Self Management, Chronic Pain Management, and Joint Health in the Workplace.” To volunteer, contact the society at 1-800-321-1433 or info@abarthritis.ca.

4. The Kaleido Family Arts Festival will be held Sept. 7 to 9 on 118 Avenue. To line up volunteers for the event, Arts on the Ave is holding a kickoff dinner at 6 p.m. on May 30 at the Alberta Avenue Community League hall, 9210 – 118 Avenue. “We’ll let you know what’s new this year and how you can be involved.” To RSVP for the dinner, go here.

5. ATB Financial Classic is looking for volunteers as part of a Professional Canadian Golf Tour event at the Windermere Golf and Country Club in southwest Edmonton from June 18 to 24. Positions available include scoring, marshal, admissions, volunteer services, media and on-course services (they are also looking for caddies, which are paid positions). For detailed volunteer descriptions and to register as a volunteer, visit . For more information, contact me Heather Verdonk by email at hverdonk@ or by cell at 780-984-0308.

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