EMCN Calendar

EMCN Weekly Newsletter - March 10, 2009

Assistant Director Job Posting

Submitted byJim Gurnett

--------------------
Nominations for the 2009 RISE Celebration are now open!


Calling All Volunteers!

If you are interested in volunteering with the 2009 RISE Celebration, please let us know ASAP. We are currently recruiting volunteers for the Greeters/Ushers/Security Committee, Decorating & Set-Up Committee and the Food & Wine Service Committee.

Send a message with your name, availability, and which committee you would like to volunteer with to Katrina at kpaufler@emcn.ab.ca.

Please note: The next RISE Volunteer Meeting date will be announced next week.

Submitted by Katrina Paufler

--------------------

Computer Training for Staff

Good afternoon,

Over the next few months, we are going to be offering some computer training for staff. Please complete the following survey so we know which areas you are most interested in.

Click Here to take survey

Submitted by Katrina Paufler

--------------------

Understanding Replicon

Hello Everyone

In order to help understand Replicon and provide you with easier access to some basic answers to questions on the use of Replicon, we have added a new Q&A section on the EMCN website dedicated to Replicon. This is a living document with the ability to add new answers to Replicon issues that need attention. It is evident that we are all becoming more and more familiar with Replicon as we interact with it more. Keep up the great work!!!!! Remember those Due Dates for your timesheets (10th and 25th of each month).

Here’s how to view the library of questions on Replicon :

Logon to the EMCN website and enter the “Staff” portal and then look for Replicon [http://www.emcn.ab.ca/staff/Understanding_Replicon].

Search the library of questions available regarding Replicon.


Thanks.

Submitted by Steve Winkler

--------------------

Garneau School Grade 3-4 Class – Fundraiser Success!

Hi Katrina,
Thanks for sending us a copy of the song. Our assembly presentation and our muffin sales were a great success, and the kids felt very empowered about what they were able to do, when they pooled together their resources! You should be receiving a cheque soon from our class, and we hope that you can put the money to good use! Take care, Allison Desmarais and the grade 3 and 4 class of Garneau School
In February, we received a request from Allison Desmarais and her grade 3-4 class from Garneau School. They were looking for a copy of “Newcomers’ Song” by Maria Dunn, to use for a presentation and fundraiser. We provided a copy of the CD, and the students held a successful fundraiser, with money raised going to EMCN.

Submitted by Katrina Paufler

--------------------

Kara Lot Second Hand Store flyer

Submitted by Katrina Paufler

--------------------

Of Earth and Sky: Sacred Places of the First Nations of North America and Beyond

Submitted by Jim Gurnett

--------------------

LACE Program Conversation Circle

Submitted by Helen Rusich

--------------------

Child Haven 7th Annual Dinner

Submitted by Jim Gurnett

--------------------

IFFSA Stress Mangement Workshop

Submitted by Jim Gurnett

--------------------

Program activity at Multicultural Women & Seniors Services Association

329 Woodvale Road W

- Ladies evening (skit &more)
February 28

-Exercise and nutrition program for seniors starting April

- International Women's Day: Women's rights in Islam
March 11
Imam Subrati. (Followed by under other religions & under Canadian law)

- Eat well live well
March 16

- Cooking Class
March 18

-Boost your memory (by Capital Health-6 classes)
March 23 -April

-Seniors poetry night
April

- Communicating through conflict (workshop) 11-3 p.m.
April 4
(Mediation & Restorative Justice Centre)

-Volunteer Appreciation
April

- Bazaar/seniors day /photo contest
June 7th

- Help with income tax filing -Free

Everyone welcome. Call 780-465-2992 for more information.

Submitted by Jim Gurnett

--------------------

Domestic Workers Organizing in the United States by Andrea Cristina Mercado and Ai-jen Poo

This case study of 2 domestic workers' organisations - Domestic Workers United (DWU) and Mujeres Unidas y Activas (MUA) - and the new National Alliance of Domestic Workers that they recently helped form, highlights some lessons from this growing movement. Domestic worker leadership development and democratic decision-making processes characterise the communication strategies informing MUA's activities. MUA draws on the strengths of Latina immigrant women as peer mentors, group facilitators, community educators, and organisers. Women approaching MUA for support are encouraged to become a member and attend weekly group meetings. After 3 to 6 months of participation, members have the opportunity to take part in MUA's Meeting Facilitator and Peer Counselling training. The Caring Hands Workers'

Association offers members job skills training in the childcare and home health care sectors, combined with workers' rights courses that prepare Latina immigrants to defend their rights an!

d obtain greater economic independence and security. New and emerging leaders are encouraged to take part in MUA's annual 8 week leadership course and 4 month training, "Leadership and Unity for Community Power," which provides political theory and organising skills to prepare MUA members to participate in the Comite Corazon. At the centre of MUA's political work, this Campaign Coordinating "Heart" Committee is tasked with leading participatory processes to identify campaigns and is responsible for making key decisions on how to advance the work.

http://www.comminit.com/en/node/284096/348

Submitted by Jim Gurnett

--------------------

New Website - Edmonton Seniors Coordinating Council

The Edmonton Seniors Coordinating Council has launched its new and improved website. Go to www.seniorscouncil.net to view and download Mobilizing for Action: A Report to Create Culturally Responsive Pathways for Isolated Immigrant Seniors, and 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 be able to accept 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; 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.

Submitted by Jim Gurnett

--------------------

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 rich@seniorscouncil.net 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.

Submitted by Jim Gurnett

--------------------

National Film Board website

Here is a link to the National Film Board website at a section of items that all relate to addressing/combating racism:
http://citizen.nfb.ca/films&dossier_nid=1128

Submitted by Jim Gurnett

--------------------

Youth Week

From May 1-7, 2009, Edmonton will celebrate Youth Week.

Edmonton Youth Week is a concentrated week full of fun, interactive activities that will highlight the issues, interests, abilities, and diversity of young people. Youth Week is an international phenomenon held in numerous cities and provinces across Canada and around the world.

We invite you or your external partners to consider planning a project to celebrate youth during Youth Week . All event applications will be reviewed by the Youth Week Committee and then published online. A special section of the website will be dedicated to listing all participating businesses and community groups.

This is a great way to show you care about youth in our community. We look forward to this year's Youth Week celebration. Thank you for taking part!

For more information, visit www.edmontonyouthweek.ca or email Lyndia Peters at lyndia.peters@edmonton.ca.

Please feel free to circulate.

Submitted by Jim Gurnett

--------------------

Subject: [GFSA] Cost of Eating in Alberta - NEW Report Released

A healthy diet is not in the budget for many Alberta families

March 3, 2009
The Alberta Community/Public Health Nutritionists Committee and Dietitians of Canada released the Cost of Eating in Alberta 2008 report on March 3, 2009.

The report chronicles the plight faced by six different low income households in six Alberta communities. In almost all of these accounts, the costs of food and housing exceeded what is considered affordable and the combined cost of basic needs exceeded household income. Food is the only flexible cost in the budget for many families, especially those who rely on income assistance and minimum wage, so there is little or no money left for food after paying for basic needs like rent, utilities and transportation.

Since access to healthy food for lower income families is closely tied to income, dietitians are calling for actions that will help to increase the income available to these families such as a living wage, affordable housing and reasonably priced childcare.

The report is endorsed by the Growing Food Security in Alberta Network and the Alberta Public Health Association.

The Full Report, Executive Summary and Media release are available on the Growing Food Security in Alberta web site at http://www.foodsecurityalberta.ca/content.asp?catid=35&rootid=2

The Full Report is also available at the Dietitians of Canada website at http://www.dietitians.ca/.

Angie Dedrick
GFSA Assistant Project Coordinator
www.foodsecurityalberta.ca

Submitted by Rispah Tremblay

--------------------

City Center Market

Dear Northerner's

The downtown outdoor market on 104 St. will be opening up in May. They welcome new vendors and are interested in vendors from different ethno-cultural communities who would offer different types of food and crafts.

Please contact me by email if you are interested in a workshop on "how to be a vendor". If there is enough interest I can bring someone in from the Market to run this. They would talk about the health regulations, insurance, cost of renting a booth etc.

You could invite others from your community who would be interested in becoming a vendor. Please ask within your community and then get back to me by early next week…….week of March 11th..

Thanks.

Karen Saylor-Ray BSW RSW
496-5867
Community Building East Section
Neighbourhood and Community Development Branch Community Services Department City of Edmonton

Submitted by Rispah Tremblay

--------------------

Boycott McDonald's

PLEASE - BOYCOTT McDonald's

I'm sure those of you who aren't in the cattle business don't understand the issues here. But to those of us whose living depends on the cattle market, selling cattle, raising the best beef possible... This is frustrating.

This will keep us from ever stopping at McDonald's ever again, even for a drink.

The original message is from the Alberta Cattle Feeders Association. Canadian cattle producers are very passionate about this.

McDonald's claims that there is not enough beef in Canada to support their restaurants. Well, we know that is not so. Our opinion is they are looking to save money at our expense. The sad thing of it is that the people of Canada are the ones who made McDonald's successful in the first place, but we are not good enough to provide beef.

We personally will never again stop at McDonald's, which I am sure does not make an impact, but if we pass this around maybe there will be an impact felt.

Please pass it on. Just to add a note:

All Canadians that sell cattle at a livestock auction barn have to sign a paper stating that we do NOT EVER feed our cattle any part of another animal. South Americans are not required to do this as of yet.

McDonald's has announced that they are going to start importing much of their beef from South America. The problem is that South Americans aren't under the same regulations as Canadian beef producers, and the regulations they have are loosely controlled.

They can spray numerous pesticides on their pastures that have been banned here at home because of residues found in the beef. They can also use various hormones and growth regulators that we can't. The Canadian public needs to be aware of this problem and that they may be putting themselves at risk by eating at McDonald's.

Canadian ranchers raise the highest quality beef in the world and this is what Canadians deserve to eat. Not beef from countries where quality is loosely controlled. Therefore, we propose a boycott of McDonald's until they see the light.

I'm sorry but everything is not always about the bottom line, and when it comes to jeopardizing my family's health, that is where I draw the line.

I am sending this note to about thirty people. If each of you send it to at least ten more (30 x 10 = 300) ... and those 300 send it to at least ten more (300 x 10 = 3,000) ... and so on, by the time the message reaches the sixth generation of people, we will have reached over THREE MILLION consumers!

Acting together we can make a difference. If this makes sense to you,
please pass this message on.

Larry Latam
Ian Hutcheon
RR2, S 101, C 14
Rock Creek, BC V0H 1Y0
PH: 01 (250) 446-2342
FX: 01 (250) 446-2342

Submitted by Miranda Bestman

--------------------

Europe: clean out the fridge

Dear friends,

This week, the EU will start setting rules that could dramatically reduce climate pollution -- but industry lobbyists are pushing back. Click now to sign the petition for green standards, and it will be delivered Thursday:

Last week, more than 100,000 Avaaz members joined the global call for a truth commission to investigate human rights abuses in Bush's war on terror. Avaaz hand-delivered the signatures to the Senate committee and spoke to key U.S. leaders. Click to see photos and a full report:

Your fridge keeps your milk fresh, but it could be spoiling the climate. This week, if enough of us stand firm, that could begin to change.

Nearly half of Europe's climate pollution comes from fridges, boilers, televisions, and similar energy-using products. EU regulators are about to set new efficiency standards -- but behind the scenes, powerful industry lobbyists are pushing hard to water down the proposed rules and continue their dirty ways.

A bold public outcry now would jolt the negotiations. If enough of us demand strong efficiency standards, EU leaders will listen. But time is running out: Votes on fridges and TVs will take place on March 13 and 17.

Click through to sign the petition -- which will be presented to EU negotiators and the media this Thursday, in a public stunt in Brussels:

http://www.avaaz.org/en/refrigerator_revolution

Green technology already exists that would dramatically improve the fridges, TVs, washing machines, and other products that each of us use. Strong green standards, according to expert studies, could have a huge climate impact--greater than taking two thirds of Europe's cars off the road. And these standards would reduce our energy bills by tens of billions of Euros per year.

Moreover, a victory on efficiency will give a boost to the global climate treaty talks. If we win here, key EU industries, already locked in to efficiency, will want other countries to take strong commitments that create markets for their products. By contrast, if the most-polluting manufacturers win this round, they will oppose breakthroughs at every stage. As long as these companies sell dirty products cheaply and avoid green investment, they will lobby against the climate treaty we need.

It's up to us to make sure EU negotiators hear the clear voice of thousands of citizens across Europe -- and not just the voices of the vested interests. Follow this link to sign the petition, and then forward this message to friends and family asking them to do the same:

http://www.avaaz.org/en/refrigerator_revolution

Most people everywhere want to do the right thing about climate change. But the choices we can make in our daily lives are shaped powerfully by the decisions of far-off regulators and government officials. Each time we join our voices together to affect the underlying structure of our societies, we move one step closer to a world where the green choices are easy for all, and the rhythms of our own lives do not disrupt lives around the world -- or the rhythms of the earth itself.

With hope,

Ben, Luis, Iain, Graziela, Paula, Alice, Milena, Ricken, Brett, Pascal, Paul, Veronique, and the entire Avaaz team

SOURCES

For more information, updates and policy briefs on the European Eco-design policy process (including the studies and draft legislation on the products covered by this policy, such as TVs, fridges, and lightbulbs), see this site by the NGO coalition ECOS/Ökopol on behalf of Greenpeace Europe, WWF-EPO and other leading environmental organizations:
http://env-ngo.eup-network.de

On Thursday, Avaaz members will deliver the petition in Brussels with a stunt organized by Friends of the Earth Europe and Natuur en Milieu. For more information, check http://www.avaaz.org/blog/en later this week!

Submitted by Miranda Bestman