Dec Update

Posted on: Dec 24 2009 | Posted in: ACE Announcements


DECEMBER UPDATE

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!! from ARPA’s ACE Communities core team…Carolyn, Carol, Heather, Rose, Janet and Brenda

In this issue:
1. 2009 IGNITE TOUR FEEDBACK
2. UPCOMING IGNITE TOURS IN 2010
3. SERVING OUR REC PRACTITIONERS IN ABORIGINAL COMMUNITIES
4. NEW ADDITIONS TO OUR DIGITAL LIBRARY
5. REVERSE MENTORING – CALL FOR YOUTH REPORTERS
6. UPCOMING COMMUNITY BUILDING WORKSHOPS
7. ENSURING STAYING POWER
8. WEBCASTS
9. BLOGGER HIGHLIGHTS
10.COMMUNITY ACHIEVEMENTS
11.NEW RESOURCES
12.SPRING RETREAT (Flight 2 and 3)
13.WE’RE TWITTERING
14.PROMOTING AN INVESTMENT IN PARKS, RECREATION, ARTS, CULTURE AND HERITAGE
15.YOUTH LEADERSHIP – THE ATCO CHALLENGE
16.CHRISTMAS HOURS
17.DEADLINE FOR NEWSLETTER SUBMISSION

1. 2009 IGNITE TOUR FEEDBACK
The ACE IGNITE TOUR for Flight 3 communities has started off with a bang! Nearly 800 people attended the events in Entwistle, Trochu, Chestermere, Nanton, and Killam. Although an interest in addressing the quality of life in their communities was the driving factor, those in attendance included a terrific cross section of representatives that included corporate, elected officials, FCSS, Health, Sport, Parks, Municipal, Recreation, Seniors, RCMP, Non-Profit organizations, public housing, service orgganizations and agriculture. Communities indicated their support by raising over $10,000 in both cash andin-kind contributions to support the initiative.
A sampling of comments from those involved included:
“A pat on the back and a kick in the butt at the same time.”– from a Trochu local leader.  “Reaffirmed that our community is not the only one in this place – just need to pull up our socks and get at it.”– from a local leader in Entwistle.
“The day turned out fantastic. People were invigorated by Ian’s speech; he had the crowd so involved in the discussion. People were there because they wanted to be and you could hear a pin drop sometimes. Good evening and felt a commitment from everyone there”. – from Killam
“Most people were still very pumped and emotional from the Ignite evening as you can see in the notes… still more Kleenex needed.”– from Killam.
A virtual high five to the local leaders, our ACE Ambassador Ian Hill and those from the ACE team who helped make it happen.

2. UPCOMING IGNITE TOURS IN 2010
As a reminder, the dates for the upcoming ACE IGNITE TOURS are: Vulcan – January 19, Longview – January 20, Alexis Nakota Sioux Nation – January 21, Innisfail – March 17, and Cold Lake – March 18.

3. SERVING OUR REC PRACTITIONERS IN ABORIGINAL COMMUNITIES
The official report outlining the learnings from the October ABORIGINAL RECREATION LEADERS SUMMIT has now been compiled.  We have also met recently with our partners the INDIGENOUS SPORT COUNCIL ALBERTA (ISCA) to discuss future actions following this Summit.  More on that in the new year and, if you are interested in receiving an e-copy of the report on the Summit, please email Janet Naclia at jnaclia@aceleaders.ca

4. NEW ADDITIONS TO OUR DIGITAL LIBRARY
We have just recently posted 6 new engaging PSAs compiled from Global TV from Flight 1 and 2 ACE leaders to our ACE Digital Library.  To see these videos highlighting Calling Lake, Didsbury, Eckville, and Olds see: http://acecommunities.ca/digital_media/

5. REVERSE MENTORING – CALL FOR YOUTH REPORTERS
One of the upcoming ACE Communities initiatives for 2010 is the creation of a YOUTH REPORTER PROGRAM.  We will soon be putting out a call for voluntary youth reporters to report on activities in all ACE Communities.  These youth-driven reports (whether they are written, photo-based, or videos) will be hosted as a blog on our ACE Communities website.The aim is a reverse-mentoring program where these youth will also provide technology-based mentoring to other community leaders while learning more about community building. Watch for the call in the new year or email Janet Naclia at jnaclia@aceleaders.ca if interested in receiving more info.

6. UPCOMING COMMUNITY BUILDING WORKSHOPS
ACE Communities’ next community building workshop will be in OKOTOKS on January 9th.  This workshop will introduce the Community Leaders Toolkit as well as other ACE and ARPA resources and programs. Please email Carolyn Mead, Community Liaison, with any questions or interest: cmead@aceleaders.ca.  Or for more info see this link: http://docs.google.com/Doc?docid=0AWDV09_nQBGJZGc3dHEzeHhfNzdoa2IzZnNxYg&hl=en
Upcoming 2010 community building workshops to date include: Red Deer County – January 20; Mannville – January 23; Jasper – February 19; Airdrie & Irricana (co-host) – March 2; , Drumheller – March 4; Special Area 4 Samda – March 17; Kitscoty – March 18; Fort Saskatchewan – March 20; St. Albert – April 17; Wood Buffalo (TBD).

7. ENSURING WE HAVE STAYING POWER
From the very beginning of ACE Communities, ARPA has been committed to ensuring a lasting legacy. As a result everything being put into place has been viewed through a lens of sustainability. We’re happy to report that while we’ve been busy developing a lot of pieces of the puzzle, the picture on the top of the puzzle box is finally becoming clear. Such puzzle pieces as the support being provided on the ground for ACE Communities, the Benefits Catalogue, the trends analysis work, the professional development opportunities, standards for service excellence etc. are all being brought together under an emerging vision for a Centre of Excellence.   

8. BLOGGER HIGHLIGHTS
Capturing the community and the holiday spirit is a timely theme in many blogs lately!  For insight into this topic see bloggers Les Brost’s OUR CHRISTMAS GIFT – http://conversationcatalyst.blogspot.com/2009/12/our-christmas-gift.html Brend,a Herchmer’s CABBAGE ROLLS AND TRIFLE – http://brenda.herchmer.net/index.php?/site/cabbage_rolls_and_trifle/ and J,anet Naclia’s NOT YOUR USUAL RESOLUTION – http://artsandculturewithace.blogspot.com/2009/12/not-your-usual-resolution.html
Also make a note to check out: Carolyn Mead’s WHAT ARE YOUR DAILY BOOKENDS? – http://rollinghillsalberta.blogspot.com/2009/12/what-are-your-daily-bookends.html Barb ,Pedersen’s FACILITATE FOR POWERFUL CONVERSATIONS – http://barbpedersen.blogspot.com/2009/12/facilitate-for-powerful-conversations.html and K,aren Driedger’s AN HOUR BEFORE A HAIRCUT – http://karendriedger.blogspot.com/2009/12/hour-before-haircut.html

9. WEBCASTS
Starting in January 2010, Ian Hill and guests will discuss each of the 6 competencies for community leaders in a monthly webcast.This webcast will take place on the last Friday of each month at 10:00 am over the next six months. Mark these dates on your calendar:  January 29, February 26, March 26, April 30, May 28, and June 25.

10. COMMUNITY ACHIEVEMENTS
Nanton’s in the news! Congratulations to NANTON for their amazing ACE Ignite event on December 3rd! Just out of the gate and they have already received coverage in their local paper, the Nanton News. ACE Communities was proud to have been the cover story. Please see these links to follow the coverage of Nanton’s activities:  http://www.nantonnews.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?archive=true&e=2210310
CALLING LAKE’s community leader Angela Lightning and 43 residents successfully completed the Handling Food Safely Training provided by Health Services. At least 20 of those involved were youth from Team ACE. Team ACE will also be operating the concession at the rink in Calling Lake beginning immediately! This is a project designed to help youth find ways of contributing positively to the community while learning a skill and making some money.
Kathyrn Badry in CAMROSE, with the help of her colleagues, has completed an outline for a Healthy Workplace Recognition Award program.  This program will see businesses being presented with support, resources and recognition for contributing to the promotion of a healthy lifestyle in the workplace.  The initial lauch of the program was held December 3rd at the annual Christmas social for the Chamber of Commerce.
LETHBRIDGE will be partnering with Alberta Centre for Active Living (ACAL) to host a presentation on barriers and solutions to physical activity in February 2010.  They will also be co-hosting a Physical Activity forum with ACAL in June to promote active transportation.  Also on the plate, is an event with the ‘Urban Farmer” Ron Berezan from Edmonton to do a presentation in Lethbridge around edible landscaping and community gardening.
Approximately 120 people attended KILLAM’s Ignite Event this month where they raised over $300 as well as donations of food for their food bank.  Killam also used this event to recognize several of their community volunteers and to raise money for a fund for a local youth.

11. NEW RESOURCES
ACE Communities is diligently adding new resources for community development on our website. Examples include: Alberta Pond Hockey, Art in the Park, and Culture Days. Also check out the ‘Arts, Culture, & Heritage’ Resource section and ‘Training Opportunities’ section for weekly updates. Check these out at: http://acecommunities.ca/

12. SPRING RETREAT (Flight 2 and 3)
The dates for ACE Communities’ SPRING RETREAT for Flights 2 and 3 have now been set.  This ‘follow-up’ retreat will take place in Sylvan Lake from May 11 – 13, 2010.  The exact location will be announced soon.  For further questions, please contact Carolyn Mead at cmead@aceleaders.ca

13. WE’RE TWITTERING
Yeah!  ACE Communities is now tweeting! Tell your friends!  Spread the word as we tweet about the importance of parks, recreation, arts, culture and heritage.  Please follow us at: http://twitter.com/aceupdate

14.PROMOTING AN INVESTMENT IN PARKS, RECREATION, ARTS, CULTURE AND HERITAGE
As budgets are prepared and defended for the new year, remember the Benefits Catalgue at benefits.acecommunities.ca. Okay so while it may not be the Twelve Days of Christmas, you will find, 8 key marketing messages, 40 outcome statements and over 750 research documents supporting the value and benefits of parks, recreation, arts, culture and heritage.

15.YOUTH LEADERSHIP – THE ATCO CHALLENGE Deadline: January 5
Alberta students in Grades 4 through 12 are invited to submit a composition in their own words on how they pursue leadership and strive for excellence in sports, arts, culture, education or community involvement. Two students (one male and one female) from each of Alberta’s 83 constituencies will be randomly drawn and rewarded with a trip of a lifetime to the Vancouver 2010 Olympics!  For more information, visit http://www.atco.com/celebratingexcellence

16. CHRISTMAS HOURS
The ACE Communities office will be closed over the holidays from December 24 – January 3 inclusive.  Have a HAPPY HOLIDAY!!!

17.  DEADLINE FOR NEWSLETTER SUBMISSION
Do you have ACE-related news to share for inclusion in the newsletter?  Please submit any news to Janet Naclia jnacliaaceleaders.ca by the 20th of every month.

Comments

Note: The maximum width for an image you can upload is 450px wide.



Please enter your submission about this post here...