Email Bulletin from March 28, 2007

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

Upcoming CCVO Events

CANCELLED – April 5: Insight into the Federal Budget with The Honourable Jim Prentice

Unfortunately Minister Prentice is now unable speak at this event. We hope to have him speak to the community at a future event.

FULL – April 18: The Charities File: Training and Resources to Complete the T3010A

CCVO and other national partners were selected to develop and deliver resources to assist charities in understanding and complying with the Income Tax Act. As part of the project, CCVO is offering free T3010A training sessions. While our first Calgary session is full, more sessions will be scheduled later in the year. Please watch the e-bulletin and this website this website for future workshops and other training and support opportunities.

News

IMPACS ceases operations

The Board of Directors of IMPACS, the Institute for Media Policy and Civil Society, announced March 21 that the organization ceased operations and made a voluntary assignment into bankruptcy. IMPACS is a 10-year-old Vancouver-based organization giving voice to civil society organizations. It delivered several sessions through CCVO regarding the rules for advocacy. IMPACS stated it was challenged in part by a lack of core funding and the ripple effects of cut-backs to federal grants and contributions. For more information, visit: www.impacs.org

Knowledge Development Centre will close at Imagine Canada

From 2002 to 2007, Imagine Canada's Knowledge Development Centre received federal funding support through the Canada Volunteerism Initiative. In turn, the Center funded research on topics such as engaging retired volunteers and managing risk. Funding for the Canada Volunteerism Initiative was eliminated last fall and now the Knowledge Development Centre will close March 30. Its website now re-directs to www.nonprofitscan.ca.

MLA committee created to build Community Spirit Program for charitable giving

An MLA committee was established to determine how to implement a Community Spirit Fund. The fund will provide matching provincial grants for eligible donations to Alberta-based registered charities. After consulting with stakeholders and examining other jurisdictions, the committee will make recommendations on implementing a sustainable matching fund in conjunction with a charitable donations tax credit. The committee is chaired by Gordon Graydon, MLA for Grande Prairie-Wapiti, and supported by program manager Pam Boutilier. For details go to www.communityspiritprogram.ca.  

Survey

Survey to discover training needs of organizations serving children and families - Submit survey by April 5

The Ministry of Children's Services has contracted the Alberta Association of Services to Children and Families (AASCF) to obtain information to supportorganizations in providing effective staff training. They invite organizations serving children and families to complete a survey regarding their training practices and needs. Please go to https://www.hmrp.net/PublicSurvey and fill in the Survey ID as “SsNv73” and the Password as “TMt9pEgz”. For details, email jmeston@aascf.com.

Report

Alberta Affordable Housing Task Force delivers report

The Alberta Affordable Housing Task Force delivered a report to Municipal Affairs and Housing Minister Ray Danyluk suggesting immediate and long-term solutions for homelessness and expanded access to affordable housing. The report addresses areas including: tackling homelessness; increasing access to affordable housing; expanding homeownership opportunities for low-income Albertans; streamlining and integrating government and non-profit processes; and promoting participation of stakeholders and community organizations. Read the press release.

Awards

2007 Corporate Volunteer Awards of Excellence – Nominations Due April 13

The Wild Rose Foundation encourages you to nominate your choice for the Corporate Volunteer Awards of Excellence. The awards recognize corporations for their contribution to Alberta communities. For information and nomination forms, visit the website or call Joel Christianson at (780) 415-8139.

New Resources from Statistics Canada

Your “what if” questions answered – Social Policy Simulation Database and Model now available

The Social Policy Simulation Database and Model is now available. Widely used by policy analysts researching changes to the tax and transfer system, the tool allows us to answer “what if” questions by seeing how changes to taxes would impact various groups in different regions. The tool shows potential impacts of changes to federal and provincial taxes, earnings, demographic trends and other factors.

Perspectives on Labour and Income

Statistics Canada’s free Perspectives on Labour and Income online document looks at the effect of literacy and numeracy skills on the employability and incomes of people who have and have not completed high school.

The Spring 2007 Perspectives on Labour and Income printed document is available for purchase. It contains articles that appeared previously online. Topics include: changes in family wealth structures; unemployment issues; Aboriginal employment, occupations and skills in Western Canada; young pensioners and the directions retiring baby boomers may take; and the challenges faced in measuring retirement.

Easier Access to Analytical Studies

Statistics Canada launched a new version of the Analytical Studies Portal designed to facilitate access to studies on the website. The improved search function allows you to search for studies by subject, author, publication date or title. Visit www.statcan.ca/menu-en.htm and click on “Analytical Studies” in the left menu.

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.

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Job Postings

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

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