The Link-Letter Feb. 27, 2009

v. 4-08

For more information click on the links provided or check out Resources for Agencies and Event Details.

New items are highlighted.

NEWS FOR AGENCY STAFF

1.  The ESCC has launched its new and improved website. Go to www.seniorscouncil.net to check it out. You can now view and download Mobilizing for Action: A Report to Create Culturally Responsive Pathways for Isolated Immigrant Seniors, as well as watch Come On In, an information video on seniors centres in Edmonton. Some of the website’s new features are still in the construction stage. We will soon have the capability of accepting on-line registrations for the Seniors Services Conference 2009, to be held Sept. 24-25; our “find a ride” feature will enable seniors, their family members, and senior-sector staff to search for information on transportation service providers who are in a position to meet their needs; and our restricted “for members only” section will enable groups to access minutes of their meetings and discuss issues and concerns through a blog feature. We’re pretty excited about the improvements and welcome your feedback.

2.  Free hard copies of Mobilizing for Action: A Report to Create Culturally Responsive Pathways for Isolated Immigrant Seniors are available at the ESCC office, #308, 10310 Jasper Avenue, for pick-up. Please phone or email in advance to arrange a suitable time. The number of hard copies available is limited so don’t delay in emailing or calling 780-423-5635. If you wish us to mail you the report, we will have to charge $10/copy due to the cost of sending out the 280+ page document. If reprinting is required due to demand, the unbudgeted cost of production and mailing will necessitate a charge of $25/copy.

3.  The ESCC has completed its mileage reimbursement rate survey and the results can be viewed here. We extend our thanks to all those who participated. We now have a request to survey senior-sector staff about their agency’s Christmas closure and vacation policies. To participate, email and tell us whether you close during the Christmas holiday season (for example, “closed noon Dec. 24 to Jan. 2”), how much vacation time staff get (for example, “three weeks after one year of employment”), and whether you have an unpaid leave policy (for example, “staff may take up to three weeks of unpaid leave per year at the discretion of the executive director”). The deadline for replies is noon on March 10 and we will report the results March 13.

4.  Over the past two months, senior nonprofit sector staff and other key stakeholders have met as a steering committee to develop the foundations for a Workforce Strategy for Alberta’s Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector. One of the first tasks of the project’s Workforce Council will be to gain a fuller understanding of the workforce and workplace initiatives currently underway. “We would like create an inventory of initiatives to help facilitate developing connections and building synergies. If you have a workforce, HR, workplace, leadership, advocacy or related initiative currently (or soon to be) underway, please forward a summary and contact information.” For information, to submit the details of your workforce initiative or to discuss becoming a member of the Workforce Council, contact Mike Grogan, Director, Workforce Development, Calgary Chamber of Voluntary Organizations, at . To read a February update on the initiative, go here. For more information on the council’s goals and objectives, go here.

5.  The Active Living Coalition for Older Adults (ALCOA) is working on developing a coordinated plan of action in conjunction with the Healthy Aging in Canada Vision Paper. “One of the tasks is to gather information from non-government organizations to determine their willingness to participate in a plan (if approved and funding is available), and how they could help to promote healthy aging in Canada.” ALCOA is also asking organizations to rank the resources the coalition currently makes available to them. To gather this information, ALCOA is asking senior-serving staff to go here to complete a short survey by March 5 and send it to Patricia Clark, National Executive Director, Active Living Coalition for Older Adults, by mail at P.O. Box 143, Shelburne, ON, L0N 1S0: fax at 519-925-3955; or email at . For more about the coalition, go to www.alcoa.ca.

6.  “Between 10,000 and 12,000 of Canada's non-profits will fall victim to the current economic downturn,” states a recent article in the Ottawa Citizen. “While funding presents a problem, non-profits will go under because ‘they want to do the same things the same way because they don't want to look at partnerships’," says the CEO of the Wellesley Institute, which focuses on urban health and social policy. To read the article, go here.

7.  The U.S.-based Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and Ashoka's Changemakers are seeking nominees for their Designing for Better Health competition. The contest will recognize individuals and institutions that help people make better decisions regarding their health and the health of others. The competition is open to all types of organizations from all countries. The deadline for nominations is April 1. A panel of judges will select 12 finalists, and online voters will chose three award winners, each of which will receive $5,000.

8.  The U.S. National Osteoporosis Foundation is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, and the organization is encouraging individuals to visit its website and download its free 25 Ways to Prevent Falls checklist. You will find it here. You can also find anniversary links on the same page to 25 Facts About Your Bones and Osteoporosis, 25 Ways to Improve Your Bone Health, 25 Ways to Feel Good About Yourself and 25 Calcium-Rich Foods.

EVENTS FOR AGENCY STAFF

1.  The 2009 Board Leadership Conference is Saturday, March 21, at Grant MacEwan College, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. It’s geared for both beginner and experienced board members of nonprofit/voluntary organizations. Learn about media relations, fundraising, board recruitment and succession planning, generative governance, cultural diversity and more. For information, check the program schedule, FAQs and conference poster. Registration is $55.30 per person. Register at http://boardleadership09.eventbrite.com. For more information, call the Resource Centre for Voluntary Organizations at 780-497-4780 or email .

2.  You are Not Alone: A Workshop for Seniors Who Care for Seniors will be presented March 23, 10 a.m. to noon (with lunch to follow), at the Edmonton General, 3Y, 11111 Jasper Avenue. The free session will enable caregivers to meet others who share their experience, gain more self-confidence, and learn new ways of handling difficult situations. Presenter Maureen Osis is also willing to coach those who want to become workshop leaders, and will meet with them right after the workshop. To attend You are Not Alone, RSVP to Penny Olsen at 780-482-8625 by March 13. Lunch is free. The workshop is sponsored by the Adult Learning Knowledge Centre, an initiative of the Canadian Council on Learning.

3.  The Canadian Association for the Advancement of Women and Sport and Physical Activity (CAAWS) is delivering a free Physical Activity Opportunities and Challenges for Women 55-70 workshop in Edmonton on March 27. “Women 55-70 realize that they need to invest in their health now to stay healthy as they age. However, reaching these women can be difficult. And current physical activity and sports programming could do more to attract these women and keep them involved. This free workshop will help shed light on the issue and provide concrete direction for how to move forward.” The Alberta Centre for Active Living is co-hosting this event. For more information, go here. To RSVP, provide your name and job title, the name of your organization, your phone number and e-mail address to Lynda Matthews-Mackey at 780-427-6949 or .


ITEMS FOR SENIORS

  1. Edmonton Mayor Stephen Mandel has launched a Taskforce on Community Safety and it’s inviting seniors and the agencies that work with them to provide input. To gather this input on a “strategy and 10 year implementation plan to result in reduced crime and improved safety,” plan to attend a March 4 session from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at Westend Seniors Activity Centre, 9629 - 176 Street, or a March 9 session from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Strathcona Place Senior Centre, 10831 University Avenue. Space is limited so pre-registration is advised. Register by contacting Michelle at or by calling 780-499-2752. For more information, visit www.edmonton.ca/safetytaskforce.
  1. The City of Edmonton and University of Alberta have launched a pilot project demonstrating the use of a citizen panel to gain public input into the city’s planning and budgeting processes. The Edmonton Citizen Panel will bring together 50 residents to develop a fuller understanding of the city’s vision and strategic goals, and to discuss how to best use city resources to realize these goals. The objective is to gain informed citizen opinion for council to consider in the development of Edmonton’s long-term budget. To view the first (9 to 10 a.m.) and last (3 to 4 p.m.) hour of each of the sessions on a live webcast, go to www.edmonton.ca/citizenpanel. Seniors can also join a Facebook group and take part in a moderated discussion at www.facebook.com/edmontoncitizenpanel. The sessions are March 7, 14, 21 and 28, and April 25.
  1. ElderCare Edmonton is hosting a free session, Income Tax Information for Seniors and Caregivers of Seniors, on March 11. Two sessions, at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., will be held at Lifestyle Options Terra Losa, 17203 - 99 Avenue, in the private dining room. Presenters from Canada Revenue Agency will be in attendance. For more information, contact Katrina Damer at 780-434-4747 ext 2 or .

4.  The Healthy Living Therapies Alberta Association, a non-profit organization committed to making the services of wholistic therapists available to the community, will hold a Wholistic Fair and Silent Auction on March 14 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Allen Gray Continuing Care Centre, 5005 - 28 Avenue, Edmonton. The fair will include 30-minute health sessions, raffles and door prizes. For more information call David at 780-504-6457, email ; or Marion at 780-988-7211, email .

5.  CARP Edmonton is inviting seniors with concerns about the Alberta Pharmaceutical Strategy to attend “an important general meeting on March 17, from 1 to 3 p.m., at Barnett House, 11010 - 142 Street. The meeting will provide an opportunity for the expression of concerns and suggestions. A forum “made up of several knowledgeable people from seniors’ organizations” will share information and discuss suggestions for CARP's proposal to the government. “This is your chance to be heard. Seating is limited, so it is in your best interest to register early. To register call 780-455-9727 or e-mail .

6.  The Seniors Assisted Transportation Society of Greater Edmonton will hold its third annual Walker-a-thon on March 25 at Londonderry Mall from 8 to 9:30 a.m. The event is a casual one or two kilometre walk that raises funds to enable SATS to continue helping walking older seniors receive volunteer driving support. “People using walkers are extra welcome but everyone is welcome.” Participants raise funds through pledges of support from co-workers, friends or family members. Tax receipts will be issued for “any support over $10”. Pledge sheets are available by going to www.satsofedmonton.org, emailing or by calling 780-732-1221.

  1. The Seniors Assisted Transportation Society of Greater Edmonton wants to know what seniors do when they do nothing. The focus of SATS’ Senior Idle trademark televised event isn’t a talent competition or contest, however, it’s socializing. For a “request to participate” form and more information, go to www.satsofedmonton.org, email or call 780-732-1221.
  1. Make Tax Time Pay (MTTP) is willing to provide low income seniors with free volunteer assistance to prepare their taxes. To find the MTTP site nearest to you, call 2-1-1. All MTTP sites offer tax preparation services at no charge. There are 24 sites throughout Edmonton that are open from March to April. The sites do appointments, drop offs and walk ins, and also offer assistance in Spanish, French and other languages. Some sites are wheelchair accessible. Click here to see if you qualify for free assistance. Assistance in completing tax forms is also provided by the Seniors Assisted Transportation Society of Greater Edmonton (SATS), the Seniors Association of Greater Edmonton (SAGE) and The Salvation Army Edmonton.
  1. If you are keen on exploring healthy eating, join Edmonton Meals on Wheels’ registered dietician for a lively monthly discussion. The first session, Colour Your Plate, will be April 7 and will include tips on the benefits of brightly coloured vegetables and fruit. Samples will be provided. “Bring your questions and ideas so you can learn, share, laugh and enjoy. Bring your own bag lunch or enjoy our meal of the day for only $2.25. Tea and coffee is complementary.” The session runs from noon to 12:45 p.m. at Edmonton Meals on Wheels, 11111-103 Ave. Parking is free. Register or receive more information by calling 780-429-2020. Each session is limited to 15 people.

VOLUNTEER/WORK OPPORTUNITIES FOR SENIORS

1.  The Salvation Army Edmonton Community and Family Services is looking for volunteers to prepare income tax returns for low-income families and individuals taxes at the Stanley Milner Branch of the Edmonton Public Library. Hours and days are flexible between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. If there is enough interest, extending the program into evening hours and/or Saturdays will be considered. “There will be loads of training beforehand.” For more information, contact volunteer coordinator Stacy Diggle-Krawchuk by calling 780-412-2635 or emailing .