ASK THE ACE TEAM!
Do you have a burning question about ACE Communities? Email us and we'll send your question to our team of ACE leaders, contractors, coaches, ACE Communities and ARPA staff members!
Anonymous asks:
ACE Communities has been referred to as a change framework that results in "comprehensive community transformation". What is that and why is it important?
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brenda
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While ACE Communities began as an initiative that focused on the leadership, collaboration, and innovation required to improve the quality of life in rural Alberta, it has become clearer that a change process has evolved that results in sustainable, collective impact and,... Read the rest of the answer → |
RECENT LEARNINGS FROM THE GRASSROOTS OF ALBERTA
ACE Communities has learned a great deal from working with 50+ communities in rural Alberta. Knowing our work has only been made possible as the result of hard earned taxpayers dollars and the generous donations of our sponsors, we want to make sure we share the learnings that have evolved as the result of what is, in essence, applied research about community change.
To this end, we have recently compiled a report that reflects both the fact based and intuitive information gathered by our core team, talented contractors, and smart and hardworking local leaders.
Rather than overwhelm you with all the data at once we thought it might be best to launch them as a series of mini bulletins.
We'd like to like begin with ACE's KEY LEARNING #1: Albertans Want to Make a Difference.
ACE Communities has identified and tapped into a hunger and desire among many Albertans who want to serve the public good and ultimately make a difference in their communities. Motivated by deep collective values and a desire to be part of something meaningful, relevant, and greater than themselves, there is also a sense that the current system isn't working and that as Albertans, "We can do better".
To read more about ACE's KEY LEARNING #1, click here!
And, see this link, to read the entire "ACE Communities Learnings Report" for a limited time.
WHAT DO ACE COMMUNITIES AND HOTEL CALIFORNIA HAVE IN COMMON?
ACE Communities is sometimes compared to Hotel California because you can check in but it seems you never really check out. We think that's a good thing because more than anything it means the ACE community change methodology results in a sustainable shift in a how a community works together. Here are examples from two of our ACE alumni communities.
A shout out to INNISFAIL whose pulled citizens together in their "Envision Innisfail" Planning. This has resulted in accomplishments that just keep on coming and coming. Of note are their much appreciated off leash dog park (for our canine community members!), Neighbourhood Block Party Toolkit, Green and Clean Community Clean Up (500 community members participated!) and community gardens. Meeting places and gathering spaces, in fact, seem to be the theme for Innisfail with their earlier Dr. Greg Ritson-Bennett Park redevelopment (total budget was $113,000) and a planned downtown Community Gathering area (a $538,000 project). It is also significant to note that the Town’s Envision Innisfail project and a youth leader from Innisfail were 2011 Recipients for the Alberta’s Lieutenant Governor’s Award for Leadership. Keep up the great work, Innisfail!
We also want to congratulate LONGVIEW for their award of a grant from the Calgary Foundation making the total sum raised for their ACE extreme town make-over project to nearly $400,000! Yes, you read that correctly...$400,000! This extreme town make-over project has included upgrades to an outdoor rink to make it usable all year round, the purchase of skatepark equipment, a playground and fitness park renovation, main street beautification, and a veteran's memorial park. With a population of just over 300 people, Longview wins our award for "The Little Town That Could". We're so proud of you, Longview, keep on shining!
AUTHORS IN OUR MIDST?
 While writing a book is sometimes referred to as a labour of love, it may have been just a tad bit more painful than that for ACE Communities Director BRENDA HERCHMER. Committed to delivering the mainstream publication that was an ACE Communities deliverable, she worked on the book evenings, weekends, and vacation times over the last two years.
Perservering, she finally hit the finish line, recently signing off on the new publication called LEADERSHIP FOR ACTIVE, CREATIVE, AND ENGAGED COMMUNITIES. Organized around the six community leadership competencies, it has received an “editors choice” designation and was described as being “valid, original and informative” and “...the content is a nice mix of pragmatic and inspirational…a writing style that is both authoritative and warm.” It is described by ACE Ambassador Ian Hill as a "game changer".
 And if you haven't already seen it, you may also be interested in purchasing ACE Coach KAREN DRIEDGER's wild and wonderful book called, RECkless Abandon. This colourful snack book is packed full of ideas, pictures, and quotes about play, how we’ve abandoned recreation for work even though we all want more leisure time. Seriously unpredictable, every page or two are bite-sized bits to build a more playful approach to work, while at home and during our free time. Great resources and information on how important play is for all of us.
Both would make lovely gifts for staff or volunteers and can be purchased at the ACE Communities online store!
WHAT ARE THE PRIORITIES FOR ACE DIVERSITY FRIENDLY COMMUNITIES?
 As part of the process of becoming an ACE Community, our new group of 'Diversity Friendly' Communities (DFC) have been completing community scans. These scans, facilitated by ACE coaches, are citizen-driven conversations about the assets and challenges within their communities. The aim of each forum is to provide an opportunity for as many people as possible to voice their opinions about the quality of life in their area.
So far, CARSTAIRS and GRANDE CACHE have completed their community scans and have identified these areas of common interest:
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Communication and increased collaboration
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Volunteerism
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Leisure and outdoor recreation activities
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Town beautification
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Including Newcomers
And check out this noteworthy priority highlighted in Grande Cache: Creating a town where the uniqueness of every resident is celebrated. Hurrah! Let's work together to make this a priority in all of our communities!
JASPER will be hosting their scan on February 2. For more information, please contact Janet Naclia, ACE Creative Cultural Liaison at jnaclia@aceleaders.ca.
ACE COMMUNITY BUILDING WORKSHOPS
 In partnership with ACE Communities these rural Alberta communities are hosting one-day workshops on Community Building! Here's an update on the upcoming workshops in your area:
HANNA: March 1 & 2
CARSTAIRS: March 10
CLEAR HILLS COUNTY: March 15
BANFF: April 24
Participants will have learned more about: (1) Strategies for articulating and legitimizing community building/community development and its importance, (2) Tools and resources for community building, (3) Individual leadership styles and our roles as community leaders, (4) Types of plans, (5) What it means to be an ACE Community, (6) Applying a planning framework that uses a community development approach, and (7) Next steps for one's own community.
For more information contact Rose Carmichael, ACE Community Liaison, at rcarmichael@aceleaders.ca.
VISIT ACE AT THE AG SOCIETY CONVENTION!
Come visit ACE Communities at this year's Alberta Association of Agricultural Societies Convention. This event will take place from February 3 - 5 at the Mayfield Inn and Trade Centre (16615 - 109th Avenue) in Edmonton.
As part of our participation in the Convention, ACE will be hosting a Community Building Workshop on Friday the 3rd from 9:00 am to 12:30 pm. ACE will also be taking part in the Trade Show on Friday from 12:30 - 3:30 pm and then Saturday from 10:00 am - 4:00 pm.
So pop by and say 'hi!" For more information see this link.
UPCOMING E-LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES
 Well, the EXCITING news is that ACE Communities will soon be launching it's MASTER Community Building Certificate Programs. We hope that you will continue to explore your love of learning with us and sign-up for future sessions through the ACE virtual learning centre. So keep an eye out for more information on this upcoming learning opportunity.
This means, however, that ACE Communities will be charging a fee for our webinars as of February 29th. So take advantage now and register for any of these remaining FREE sessions as outlined below:
BLOGGER HIGHLIGHTS
We had a diverse group of blogs this month all focused on how to improve the quality of life in our communities. This is just a small sampling from our wide selection of ACE bloggers. All blogs can be found at http://acecommunities.ca/
Highlights from this month include: BRENDA HERCHMER's blog, "Both sides of our Brain" outlines the importance of embracing activities for both left and right brain thinkers when hosting gatherings.
BETH SANDERS's blog "The power in consultation" explores the idea of true public consultation and the ramifications for a community like Bragg Creek.
JANET NACLIA shares what community builders in Alberta are planning to do to improve the quality of life in their communities in: "Resolved for 2012".
Passing on some web-based fun, ANGELA TORRY's latest blog highlights some video examples promoting the importance of physical activity.
And CLIFF LACEY highlights some examples of resources for those interested in children and nature topics in his January update.
NEW ARPA CEO ANNOUNCED!
 The Alberta Recreation and Parks Association (ARPA) and home of ACE Communities is excited to welcome BILL WELLS as their new Chief Executive Officer.
Bill is the former Executive Director of the Saskatchewan School Boards Association (SSBA), where his leadership was critical to the school board in anticipating trends and issues that impacted the field, as well as the development and maintenance of many critical relationships with organizations that were key partners within the education community. His focus on communications strategies with media, business, and government with the SSBA will greatly assist ARPA as we continue to improve these critical relationships as well.
Click here to read more!
BENEFITS HUB AND THE ARTS
 Check out the feature of the National Benefits HUB (on page 3) in this resource from the Alberta Foundation for the Arts and the Ministry of Culture and Community Services entitled, "Thinking About the Arts: Recommended Resources". We love seeing the cross-sectoral recognition of the value of the Benefits HUB!
Are you new to the Benefits Hub? Then check out this link to see what all the talk is about!
REGISTER NOW WITH COMMUNITIES CHOOSEWELL
 It's registration time for the 2012 Communities ChooseWell year! Communities ChooseWell is an initiative that encourages healthy eating and active living in Alberta communities by supporting, empowering, and recognizing these communities for their efforts to promote healthy living. The initiative provides educational resources, seed funding, partnership opportunities and recognition for communities across Alberta, as well as running several challenges each year to promote the "eat right, be active" goal.
All ChooseWell communities receive a toolkit, access to e-learning modules and webinars, opportunities to receive seed funding for healthy living initiatives, invitations to regional ChooseWell forums, and more.
Register your community online for free on the ChooseWell webpage. Promotional Toolkit Registration Deadline: Wednesday, February 29, 2012. Communities registered on or before this date will receive a promotional toolkit to support their efforts to promote healthy living.
For more information, visit the website or contact the Communities ChooseWell team at (780) 643-1252 or (toll free) 1-877-544-1747 or email choosewell@arpaonline.ca.
Communities ChooseWell is managed by the Alberta Recreation and Parks Association (ARPA) and supported by Alberta Health and Wellness as part of the Government of Alberta's Healthy U campaign.
COMMUNITIES IN BLOOM BACK IN ACTION
 Communities in Bloom is a volunteer based, Canadian non-profit organization, committed to fostering civic pride, environmental responsibility, beautification and to improving quality of life through community participation and the opportunity to participate in a national program. The Alberta Recreation and Parks Association oversees the Alberta's Provincial Edition of the Communities in Bloom initiative.
Check out who participated last year!
So are you interested in becoming a Communities in Bloom community? 2012 registration is now open to communities in all categories! See this link for information on how to register.
For any further information contact Dan Chambers, Provincial Coordinator, at cib@arpaonline.ca.
DEADLINE FOR NEWSLETTER SUBMISSION
Do you have ACE-related news to share for inclusion in the newsletter? Please submit any news to Janet Naclia @ jnaclia@aceleaders.ca by the 20th of every month.
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