August ACE Update

Posted on: Aug 18 2009 | Posted in: ACE Announcements


Albertans make time for serious fun during the summer but as you will see, the exciting work of ACE Communities has also continued to move forward. In this issue:

1.  ACE Oversight Team
2.  Introducing our new Cultural Liaison
3.  Priorities for Children and Youth
4.  The Three Journeys Supported by ACE
5.  Celebrating Community Successes
6.  Welcome to Flight 3 Communities
7.  Technology in Rural Alberta
8.  Benefits Catalogue
9.  Blogger Updates
10.Mark Your Calendar

1. ACE OVERSIGHT TEAM
In a recent blog entitled “Forest and Trees”, ACE Director Brenda Herchmer wrote about the difference between those who are wired to think big picture (forest, system or intuitive) versus those who think factual or more evidence based (see http://brenda.herchmer.net/index.php?/site/comments/forest_or_trees/). While both sets of thinking are valuable, the role of the ACE Oversight Team is to provide more direction on the big picture so forest thinking is essential. We are delighted to report that this team consisting of Punch Jackson, Executive Director Alberta Public Library Service; Tony Kilbisky, CAO Town of Devon; Lois Harper, Creative City Board of Directors, Rick Curtis, ARPA Executive Director, and Tim Burton, ARPA President are off to a fine start in terms of providing this big picture thinking. Read Punch’s twitter posting after the first meeting http://twitter.com/punchj/status/2709431303 (and yes we’re very impressed to know he’s twittering!).

2. INTRODUCING OUR NEW CULTURAL LIAISON…JANET NACLIA
Born and raised in Fort McMurray, Janet Naclia has received a Bachelor Degree in Art and Design from the University of Alberta and a Masters Degree in Art History from the University of Toronto. After working in contemporary art galleries in Toronto, Janet moved overseas to spend three years in Ireland. While living in Belfast, she was the Managing Director for the Queen Street Studios and Gallery (N. Ireland’s oldest non-profit studio group) and worked on a public art/community outreach project commissioned by the Cavan County Council. Janet, also an arts columnist, has written art reviews for Canadian Art Magazine, Avenue Magazine, SWERVE Magazine, and CIRCA: Ireland’s Magazine on Contemporary Art.  Janet was also a regular arts writer for the Calgary Herald. While in Belfast, Janet hosted a series of exhibition talks at the Ormeau Baths Gallery, N. Ireland, as well as a series on curatorial strategies for the Basement Gallery in Dundalk, Ireland. Janet was also one of the founding members of Exposure: the Calgary/Banff Photography Festival. When not pursuing her art and cultural interests, Janet enjoys spending time with her artist husband Brian and their brood of basset hounds. Basset hound rescue and amateur boxing are currently her biggest extracurricular interests.

3. PRIORITIES FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH
We’ve written previously about KIDS AT HOPE and how we are working with this Arizona based program to implement their learnings in Alberta Communities. Here’s a thought-provoking posting from their Executive Director, Rick Miller, about the role and importance of leadership in shaping culture. Culture of course is what Kids at Hope is all about is – ensuring a culture where every child – no exception – is considered to be “at-hope” rather that “at-risk”.
See http://acecommunities.ca/announcements/kids-at-hope-discuss-management-vs-leadership/

Sharon McFall attended a workshop called CIRCLE OF COURAGE delivered by Dr. Martin Brokenleg on behalf of ACE. The Circle of Courage/Medicine Wheel is grounded in four universal growth needs of all children: belonging, mastery, independence and generosity. For more on this insightful approach see Sharon’s report at http://acecommunities.ca/images/uploads/circle_of_courage.pdf
Another great resource for youth is this manual focused on youth volunteers. Although written to engage youth volunteers in library settings, it provides sound strategies that could be applied in any setting. http://www.heartwood.ns.ca/tools/YouthVolunteers.pdf

4. THREE JOURNEYS
Although we know the support ACE has been able to provide at the grassroots level has been important and that it is generating results, it has been difficult to articulate exactly what it is we’re doing because each community is so unique. What’s clearer now is that the ACE team, in particular the community development coaches, are supporting three distinct journeys or paths within each community. Read more on Brenda’s Blog at http://brenda.herchmer.net/index.php?/site/comments/three_paths_to_an_active_creative_engaged_community/

5. COMMUNITY ACHIEVEMENTS
Providing an example of stellar community leadership, Carol Ohler and Shelly Starman from SANGUDO (population 385), raised over $200,000 in cash and in-kind donations and recruited 200 volunteers to build a playground, a beachball volleyball court, a skateboard park and much more. As if that weren’t impressive enough, they did it all in one day! Watch this short video to gain a better understanding of the inspirational journey of the Spirit of Sangudo http://www.viddler.com/explore/ltbk/videos/37/
About a year and a half ago, as part of ACE, over 50 citizens of CALLING LAKE came together to envision their future and build on their strengths. Their resulting community strategic plan was an ambitious one but together with ACE Leader Angie Lightning, they have managed to complete over 90% of their plan. They see the vision and principles as being important in guiding their efforts and keeping them on track. For a video illustrating one of their initiatives – their recent successful youth conference see http://www.viddler.com/explore/bherchmer/videos/14/2.516/
DRAYTON VALLEY’S youth group – Rokkit – is having great success. A recent meeting involved over 40 youth as well as elected officials working together to provide input and direction on their skate board park expansion.

HINTON is doing a terrific job of moving their concept of a Community Garden and Greenhouse forward. Town Council has endorsed land allocation and are now approaching the federal government on their behalf to use crown land for the gardens.
Check out these wonderful photos from IRRICANA where work is being done on their community garden and trail development http://acecommunities.ca/main/gallery/
Congratulations also to SYLVAN LAKE AND HIGH LEVEL who have been selected as two of 13 communities from across Canada for $10,000 Kool-Aid Smile awards by Let Them Be Kids to help enhance an existing playground. All 13 builds will take place on Sept. 26, 2009. The CelebrACE High Level group who initiated their application have advised their build will take place snow or no snow on the ground. To learn more about Let Them Be Kids Day and how you can take part by sharing what you’re personal commitment will be for that day to further the cause visit http://www.ltbk.ca/kids/index.php/testday/
With concerns about declining volunteers, ACE Didsbury has focused on delivering a number of workshops slated for October 7-8th with Linda Graff entitled Rural Volunteerism-Caring for the Heart of our Communities. For more details see http://docs.google.com/View?id=dd87p7kt_11fm69tvf5  

6. WELCOME TO FLIGHT 3 COMMUNITIES
Representatives of the 10 new Flight 3 communities (Alexis Nakota Sioux Nation, Town of Chestermere & SE Rockyview, Cold Lake, Entwistle, Innisfail, Killam, Longview, Nanton, Trochu, Vulcan) took time this week for an orientation teleconference call. Our initial impression is that they are a group of keeners with an excellent sense of humour. To learn more about these communities check out our new google map at http://acecommunities.ca/map/  Flight 3A Communities will connect this week to learn more about how they can be involved.

7. TECHNOLOGY IN RURAL COMMUNITIES
The Government of Canada wants to know about your Internet access as they work to bring broadband Internet service to rural Canadians. You can help them understand where high-speed Internet access currently exists. Find your location on the map and complete the feedback form. http://www.ic.gc.ca/app/sitt/bbmap/hm.html?lng=eng
And, while we’re on the subject of technology, if you ignore the shock value of the language, this excellent powerpoint explains why you simply can not ignore social media. See
http://www.slideshare.net/mzkagan/what-the-fk-is-social-media-one-year-later?utm_source=MailingList&utm_medium=email&utm_content=brenda@herchmer.net&utm_campaign=Newsletter 2009 Aug 1

8. BENEFITS CATALOGUE
Contrary to what some might think, the Benefits Catalogue is not a flavour of the week. It is instead foundational to the profession of recreation and parks in that it is a collection of evidence (now over 700 studies) documenting 50 specific benefits or outcomes that the field has the potential to deliver. If we are to ensure that recreation, parks, arts, culture, and heritage are seen as essential and relevant in our communities, we must become much more outcomes focused. Now undergoing extensive beta-testing, it will be launched at a plenary at the ARPA conference October 29-31 in Lake Louise. Stay tuned.

9. BLOGGER HIGHLIGHTS
You’ll find a lot of interesting stories and insights this month from our ACE bloggers at
http://acecommunities.ca/ace-bloggers/

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10. MARK YOUR CALENDAR
Tuesday August 18th
Coaches and Team Teleconference 12:00-1:00

Community Leaders Teleconference (Flights 1 and 2)1:00-2:00 for the community leaders and team
Wednesday August 19th 10:00-3:00

New Contractors Orientation
Thursday August 20

Teleconference 1:00-2:30
Flight 3A Associate Communities

Thursday September 3rd
ACE Staff Planning Meeting

Monday September 14th
All day face-to-face meeting with ACE staff and coaches
Red Deer

September 22, 23, 24
Leaders Retreat
Flight 3 Communities Sylvan Lake

October 1 & 2
Aboriginal Recreation Directors Summit

October 29- October 31
ARPA Conference

November 27 & 28
ARPA Provincial Forum

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