In this April 4 email bulletin from the Calgary Chamber of Voluntary Organizations you will find resources and news items for and about the voluntary sector.

National Volunteer Week, April 15 -21

National Volunteer Week honours the people who donate their time and energy to their fellow citizens. It also raises awareness of the vital contribution volunteers make to our communities.

Volunteer Alberta’s new website includes resources and tips just in time for National Volunteer Week.

Help celebrate National Volunteer Week at Volunteer Calgary’s Leadership Awards on April 18. Tickets are available for purchase online.

News

Task Force to hear Albertans' ideas on crime reduction

A new provincial task force will seek input on ways to reduce crime, enhance community safety and improve public confidence in the criminal justice system. "Many factors can contribute to crime such as mental health, addiction, family violence and poverty," said task force chair Heather Forsyth, MLA for Calgary-Fish Creek. "We will be looking at innovative ways to address these issues and other root causes of crime." The Task Force will meet with the public and stakeholders throughout Alberta. Meeting times will be confirmed in mid-April.

New grant for First Nations college students

A new grant for post-secondary students attending First Nations colleges was established as a one-year pilot project by the provincial government. Two million dollars was given to the First Nations College Access Grant to help make post-secondary education more affordable and to encourage more Albertans of Aboriginal heritage to attend college. Grant funds will go to Old Sun Community College, Blue Quills First Nations College, Maskwachees Cultural College, Red Crow Community College, Yellowhead Tribal College and Nechi Training, Research & Health Promotions Institute. 

CRA Learning

CRA Charities Directorate Roadshows – Submit your invitation request by Friday, April 20

The Canada Revenue Agency’s Charities Directorate is planning its 2007 information sessions for registered charities. If you are interested in the “Roadshows,” please submit the online response form. Topics include receipting, tax planning, audit preparation, sanctions, and records and financial statements. Once the sessions are confirmed, you will receive an invitation to register.

You may also want to subscribe to the CRA mailing list to receive email updates about Roadshows, new policies, and other information.

Reports

New Research on Calgary's Arts Facilities

A comprehensive report detailing the short supply of Calgary arts facilities was released by Calgary Arts Development. The findings were presented to the City of Calgary’s Standing Policy Committee on Community & Protective Services on April 4, along with a request for $150 million in capital funding to develop arts spaces over the next seven years.

Putting a Canadian Face on Learning Disabilities

The Learning Disabilities Association of Canada released its applied research study about what it means to live with a learning disability. Key findings show that children with learning disabilities have poorer overall health, do less well in school, have reduced extracurricular activities, have insufficient access to aids, and are more likely to be in a low-income family. Adults with learning disabilities are less likely to be working or to have completed high school, and are more likely to report high levels of distress, depression, suicidal thoughts and poorer overall health.

Keeping up with the times: Canadians and their news media diet

A Statistics Canada study now available free online shows that people who follow news frequently and from a variety of media sources seem more likely to be politically engaged (volunteering for a political party, signing a petition or contacting a reporter or politician about their views). People who rely only on television news – the most common news source for Canadians – show a pattern of political activity similar to those who do not follow news at all.

Charities See Fundraising Increases in 2006  

The Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) released new figures showing that 69% of charities raised more funds in 2006 compared to 2005.

Post-Secondary News and Resources

Need qualified summer help? 
Students from the University of Calgary’s Haskayne School of Business are available for four or eight month work-terms beginning in May 2007. Call (403) 220-6743 for information or email your job description to nancy.green@haskayne.ucalgary.ca.

Mount Royal College Degree in Nonprofit Management
Mount Royal College’s Bachelor of Applied Nonprofit Studies program helps people gain the skills to succeed in a career in the non-profit sector career. For details on part and full-time studies visit http://business.mtroyal.ca/nonprofit

Post your event for free with MRC Community Events Calendar

The Institute for Nonprofit Studies at Mount Royal College now offers a completely free Community Events Calendar where you can post events. View the calendar online or register your organization and post as many events as you like.

Awards

Seven community leaders receive province’s highest honour

The Alberta Order of Excellence will honour seven Albertans for their outstanding contributions to quality of life. The members for 2007 include Patrick Nixon, founder of Calgary’s Mustard Seed Church, and Douglas Mitchell, who made contributions in sports and community service.

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Are you a CCVO Member yet?

CCVO is a membership-based organization that works to strengthen the voluntary sector in Calgary and take a leadership role on policy matters affecting the sector as a whole. To learn more about CCVO membership, contact Janet Lavoie at 261-6655 or jlavoie@calgarycvo.org.

Job Postings

To see job descriptions or to post a job online, visit CCVO’s online job centre

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