For the Grand Opening Celebration on Tuesday, September 23, we are looking a group of 10 to 12 volunteers (staff, students, clients, friends) who will share their reasons why EMCN is good for the community.
Instead of a traditional Ribbon Cutting ceremony, we are going to take these notes, written on brightly colored paper, and have them read aloud during the Celebration. Then, they will be formed into rings and connected together in a chain.
If you or anyone you know is interested in volunteering, please let Robyn know as soon as possible. She can be reached at rthomas@emcn.ab.ca or 780-423-9522
Thank you.
Submitted by Robyn Thomas
---------------
Personnel Committee
A group of staff will begin the process of developing the Personnel Committee. All staff are invited to apply to be on the committee, however as it will involve meetings during the day and occasionally in the evening (not paid time), front line staff need approval from their supervisors or managers.
We'd like to invite Siham, Thanh, Mana, Nadra, Judy or someone from Language Services to participate and represent the concerns of the employees as a whole in a variety of areas. We've identified five areas of service.
1) Employment (Bridging, IAF, Research) 2) Language 3) Settlement, Housing, T4W, Community Development, Psychologists 4) Children/Youth and 5) HR/Finance and Administration.
Click here for the Terms of Reference as described in the agency policies.
The first meeting is scheduled for Thursday, September 18 at 9:00 am, room 3 -0.
Please contact Helen if you have any questions.
Thank you, Helen, Bill, Derrick
Submitted by Helen Rusich
---------------
September Staff Meeting
Friday, September 26, 2008
12:00 noon
Room #2-4
If you have any agenda items, please send to Helen Rusich at hrusich@emcn.ab.ca
---------------
The Weekly Newsletter
Did You Know?
- Each week, we average about 54 people reading the newsletter (this is up from about 33 people at this time last year), although last week, we had 63 people reading.
- The average amount of time people spend reading the newsletter (on Tuesdays and Wednesdays) is 5 minutes and 20 seconds. On other days of the week, if it is visited at all, people only spend an average of 54 seconds reading the newsletter
Please take the time to read the newsletter each week, as there is a lot of important and interesting information in it.
If you have any suggestions for changes, please let me know – e-mail kpaufler@emcn.ab.ca
Thank you,
Katrina
Submitted by Katrina Paufler
---------------
Mobius
We have created a Counselor Practitioner (CP) Corner on the EMCN website. You will be able to find updates on Mobius, as well as general updates related to CP's. Please note: in order to view this page, you will need to be logged in to the staff section of the website.
If you have any questions about Mobius, be sure to check out the Questions & Answers Page, as your question may have already been answered.
A link to this new section of the website will remain available in this weekly newsletter - take a look in the sidebar to the right.
---------------
---------------
EMCN Job Postings
Check out the current job postings on the EMCN Website:
- Settlement Practitioner
- Program Administrator and Childcare Provider
- Female Tenant Counselor
- Employment Liaison 1
- Early Childhood Educator - Level 1, 2 and 3
Ramadan PowerPoint Presentation
---------------
Free Admission Day
The city of Edmonton is seeking greeters, hosts, craft and activity assistants, bonfire attendants and hole-in-one watchers to volunteer for Free Admission Day on Sept 28 at various city attractions.
Contact Anna at rfsvolunteer@edmonton.ca or 780-496-4935 for more information.
Submitted by Miranda Bestman
---------------
Refugee Camp in the Heart of the City
Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) will bring its outdoor educational exhibit A Refugee Camp in the Heart of the City to Edmonton in September.
Guided by MSF aid workers, visitors are asked to imagine that they are among the millions of people fleeing violence and persecution in, for example, Somalia, Colombia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, or Sudan.
The exhibit is aimed at Canadian-born residents who wish to become familiar with refugee issues. Further information is available online at http://www.refugeecamp.org/home (including audio, videos; an interactive map; and social networking).
EDMONTON:
McIntyre Park, Old Strathcona
83 Avenue & 104 St., Edmonton September 18-21, 2008
Exhibit open 9:00 am - 5:30 pm daily
Please allow 40-60 minutes for the tour.
The exhibit is free and open to the public.
Reservations are recommended for groups of 15 or more.
Submitted by Jim Gurnett
---------------
Invisible Dignity Art Exhibit
I want to let you know about an art exhibit next week Wednesday Sept 17 @8pm @ King's University College - 9125 - 50 St. It's called Invisible Dignity and it features artwork from artists across Canada and draws attention to the beauty of people whose dignity is often obscured by their marginalization, suffering and abuse. These beautifully rendered portraits make visible the lives of those who are often invisible to us and stir our imaginations to hope, move us to love mercy and impel us to see justice.
For more information visit www.kingsu.ca This site also has information on the fall conference at Kings with the same title "Invisible Dignity". One of the speakers is Dennis Edney who is legal counsel for Omar Khadr(a Canadian citizen being held in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba)
Submitted by Miranda Bestman
---------------
Women & Men’s Health
For Women - Women's Health Discussion
Join us for a discussion on
* English words for Female Body Parts
* Cervical cancer
* Breast cancer
Thursday September 25th
6 pm - 8 pm
Catholic Social Services
10709 - 105 Street
Contact Frank Bessai - 424 3545
For Men - Men's Health Discussion
Join us for a discussion on
* English words for Male Body Parts
* Prostate cancer
* Testicular cancer
Thursday September 25th
6 pm - 8 pm
Catholic Social Services
10709 - 105 Street
Contact Frank Bessai - 424 3545
Submitted by Jim Gurnett
---------------
City of Edmonton Advisory Board and Decision Making Board – Openings
The City of Edmonton has openings on many of its advisory boards and decision-making board. These are volunteer service opportunities that are excellent for people wanting to get involved in community life and have a chance to get to know the way the dynamics of the City works, perhaps thinking of more substantial political involvement in the future.
Information about all the openings is available at www.edmonton.ca/recruitment and the deadline for all applications is September 30. A list of all the openings is posted in the lunch room at the 82 Street location as well.
Submitted by Jim Gurnett
---------------
McDougal United Church / Women's Brunch
McDougall United Church, 10025 - 101 Street Saturday, September 20 - 11:30 am to 1:30 pm
Theme: You're What You Eat?
Speaker: Dr. Elizabeth Smythe
A Professor of Political Sciences, Concordia University College, Elizabeth Smythe has taught international relations & comparative politics at Concordia since 1989. She received her PhD from Carleton University and has devoted her career/personal efforts to the study and advocacy of social justice and fair, ethical practices in many areas concerning the public good.
Join us and learn about the global food system; why we know so little about where our food comes from; laws/labelling policies that prevent us from knowing more; what we can do to re-localize the food system for a just and sustainable world & of course interact with our guest-speaker.
Plus: enjoy a delicious meal, be together in a caring, nurturing community of women and share your journey. Cost: $8 / Please register in advance.
- in person on Sundays with Dolores Bell
- by calling the our office, 780.428.1818
- by e-mail: DBell@mcdougallunited.com
Registration deadline, Sept. 15, 2008. This is a public event open to all women. We encourage you to register early & avoid disappointment or a long wait-list.
Submitted by Jim Gurnett
---------------
Two new documents are now available on the CCR website
"The understanding and application of “Best Interests of the Child” in H & C decision-making by Citizenship and Immigration Canada", September 2008 - this report analyzes some decisions made in Canada and at visa posts and provides recommendations. http://www.ccrweb.ca/documents/BICreport.pdf
"Canada’s Anti-Terrorism Laws in Violation of International Human Rights Standards", Submission of International Civil Liberties Monitoring Group (ICLMG) in relation to the Human Rights Council’s Universal Periodic Review (UPR) (CCR is a member of ICLMG), September 2008 – http://www.ccrweb.ca/documents/ICLMGUPRSubmission.pdf
Submitted by Jim Gurnett
---------------
Vote to Make Poverty History
Hello,
The election has been called for Oct. 14th - and we have a lot to do in the next 34 days! We have begun our "Vote to Make Poverty History" campaign to make poverty an issue in this election, and we are asking for your help to put it into action.
Here are three things you can do to participate in the campaign:
1. Get plugged in: join a conference call and/or register for online discussions at: http://list.makepovertyhistory.ca/e/lists/lt.php?id=NRpXVwFVAAAPCRhSBgtPAFtSAFIG
We are going to be holding regular conference calls throughout the election to keep everyone up to date on what is happening, share ideas and inspiration.
You can join us on our calls on Thursday Sept. 11 and Tuesday, Sept. 16th
Thursday, September 11 at 8pm EST (5pm in British Columbia, 7pm in the Maritimes) 1-800-610-4500 (Toll Free - Make Poverty History pays per caller) 1-702-851-3339 (if you have a good long distance plan!) Participant Access Code you will need to enter: 36268 Event details online here
Tuesday, September 16th at 8pm EST (5pm in British Columbia, 7pm in the Maritimes) the numbers to call are the same as above, but the Participant Access Code you will need to enter: 942104
AGENDA for the call
- Intro to the campaign
- Posters, lawn signs and brochures: how to get them, how to distribute them
- All candidates meetings: how to organize or attend one in your riding
- How to use the makepovertyhistory.ca website and our email lists to help you do your work
- Questions and meeting
We have also set up an online discussion board at http://list.makepovertyhistory.ca/e/lists/lt.php?id=NRpXVwFVAAAPCRhSBgtPAFtSAFIG specifically to talk about election work. Please register here and join the conversation. This tool will be used to post information covered in the conference calls, answer questions and coordinate activities across the country.
2. Find a distribution point for posters in your area We need your help to distribute the "Vote for ME" poster/lawn sign - you can download it along with brochures and an election kit.You can see what it looks like here: http://list.makepovertyhistory.ca/e/lists/lt.php?id=NRpXVwFVAAMGAxhSBgtPAFtSAFIG
Can you find two distribution outlets in your riding where people can go and pick up a poster for themselves and for friends and neighbours? The distribution point must be an office or store that will be open during business hours and should be conveniently located. Send the postal addresses, phone number and the times they are open to: dhowlett@makepovertyhistory.ca
Then we will e-mail our supporters in your riding to let them know where to pick them up. We will discuss this process and answer questions during our upcoming conference calls, and onlinehere: http://list.makepovertyhistory.ca/e/lists/lt.php?id=NRpXVwFVAAMGBBhSBgtPAFtSAFIG (you must register - it's free!)
3. Organize or attend an all candidates meeting Join with other groups in your riding to co-sponsor an all candidates meeting on global, domestic and Aboriginal poverty issues. For information on how to do this see the Tips to Organize an All Candidates Meeting on our web site at: http://list.makepovertyhistory.ca/e/lists/lt.php?id=NRpXVwFVAAMGBRhSBgtPAFtSAFIG
When you have the date, time and place of an all candidates meeting set go to the Post and Event page at http://list.makepovertyhistory.ca/e/lists/lt.php?id=NRpXVwFVAAMGBhhSBgtPAFtSAFIG and fill in the details. We will post it to the Make Poverty History events page and send an invitation to all Make Poverty History supporters in your riding.
We will discuss the process behind this on our conference calls, and online here: http://list.makepovertyhistory.ca/e/lists/lt.php?id=NRpXVwFVAAMGBxhSBgtPAFtSAFIG
You will also find other suggestions on how you can help to make poverty an issue during this election campaign in the "Vote to Make Poverty History" kit. You can find the kit on our web site at: http://list.makepovertyhistory.ca/e/lists/lt.php?id=NRpXVwFVAAMGCBhSBgtPAFtSAFI G
Submitted by Miranda Bestman
---------------
Election 2008 - WANTED: 1000 DEMOCRACY ACTIVISTS
Dear Friends:
What is the chance the upcoming federal election results will be wildly distorted? That millions of citizens will cast votes that elect no one?
That we’ll see yet another record low turnout? Close to 100 per cent.
Whether you can volunteer just a few hours or a few days between now and October 14, we need your help!
Many polls, pundits and party insiders are predicting yet another minority government. With a slightly different seat allocation among the parties, electoral reform could quickly move from the back burner to the front burner in Ottawa. Another possibility is the election of a phony majority government with the lowest level of voter support in history, creating significant public backlash and more support for electoral reform.
In the coming weeks, we have a tremendous opportunity to reach out to fellow voters about the urgent need to scrap first-past-the-post, replacing it with a modern and fair voting system.
Fair Vote Canada will be running an aggressive media relations and online campaign throughout the election, but we also need grassroots volunteers to help in their own communities in these ways:
- distribute leaflets and ask questions at all candidates’ meetings
- write letters to the editor in your local papers
- spread the word through online forums and blogs
- tell your friends and contacts about a very interesting online campaign that Fair Vote Canada will announce next week
If you can help, please respond to office@fairvote.ca. Provide your name, mailing address, phone, email and tell us how you can help. We will either put you in touch with a local Fair Vote Canada chapter and/or provide the materials you need. All volunteers will receive regular campaign updates.
Thanks for your help and support!
Yours for a strong democracy,
Barbara Odenwald President, Fair Vote Canada
Submitted by Miranda Bestman
---------------
English Language Programs
Sprucewood Library
11555 95 Street
Edmonton, AB
Phone: 780-496-7099
Cafe Anglais - English Conversation Club for Newcomers Learning English? Join the club at Cafe Anglais where you can chat in English, meet new friends, and use our vast resources!
TIME: 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. WHEN: Mondays - September 22 to December 8, 2008
FREE of Charge English Conversation Circle (LACE Program)
Practise your English at the library. Drop in and join others who also want to talk in English.
Catholic Social Services' Learning and Community Enrichment (LACE) program offers this program.
For more information contact Biviana from Catholic Social Services at 424-3545.
TIME: 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 noon
WHEN: Saturdays - September 27 to December 13, 2008
FREE of Charge
Click here for the poster
Submitted by Chissa Schmuhl
---------------
Annual General Meeting Notice - Northern Alberta Alliance on Race Relations
Members,
You are invited to the Northern Alberta Alliance on Race Relations Annual general Meeting.
Tuesday, October 1, 2008
6 pm – 8 pm
Stanley Milner Library, 7 Sir Winston Churchill Square, Edmonton Room (Lower Level)
Open to members and general public
Members with fees paid for 2008/2009 can vote
Please pay on-line at www.naarr.org or by mail (notices are coming to you in the mail)
Charlene Hay
Executive Director
Northern Alberta Alliance on Race Relations,
NAARR #4, 10865 – 96 Street
Edmonton, AB, T5H 2K2
Phone: 425-4644, ext. 3 Fax: 421-0490
Email: chay@naarr.org
Web: www.naarr.org
Submitted by Jim Gurnett
---------------
Perspectives on Labour Shortages - Exploring the Education - Jobs Gap
University of Alberta - Work & Learning Network Presents:
Perspectives on Labour Shortages - Exploring the Education-Jobs Gap
Friday October 24 (evening) -Sunday October 26 (noon),
Edmonton, Alberta
2008 Conference of the Work & Learning Network, University of Alberta and Co-sponsored by Center for the Study of Education & Work (OISE/UT).
Context:
The Canadian labour market has changed dramatically over several decades. Formal education and training are often seen as critical in addressing concerns about global competitiveness in Canada and in industrialized countries.
In this context we ask: who is responsible for education/training, its delivery, & access for underrepresented groups? What do the terms "labour shortage" and "skills shortage" mean, who determines them, and what are the implications?
Highlights
Friday, October 24, 2008 / 5:30 p.m. - Registration 6:30 pm –
Armine Yalnizyan, senior economist with the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives.
Title: Exploring the Education and Jobs Gap: The Context.
Saturday, October 25, 2008 / 9:00 a.m. –
David Livingstone, professor in the Department of Sociology and Equity Studies in Education, Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, University of Toronto.
Title: Education in a Learning Society for Jobs in a Knowledge-based Economy: Exploring the Gaps.
1:00 p.m. -
Paul Belanger, professor in the Education Faculty at the Université du Québec, Montréal & director of the Interdisciplinary Research Centre on Lifelong Learning.
Title: A Portrait of Work-Related Learning in Quebec.
Sunday, October 26, 2008 - Noon:
Closing Panel, Policies for Addressing Labour Shortages: Where we are and where we need to go.
Other concurrent sessions:
Challenging Transitions in Learning and Work: Reflections on Policy/Practice; Creativity and Control: Skill, Technology and Workplace Change in Canada; Aboriginal Youth and Labour Shortage in a Boomtown; Immigration, Skill & the Labour Market; Making High School Training Programs Work.
Registration Fees / Full Conference
- Before Sept. 15/08 Regular $200 Student/unwaged $100 - After Sept. 15/08 Regular $240 Student/unwaged $125 - Friday evening ONLY Regular $20 Student/unwaged $15
For more information see conference website: http://www.wln.ualberta.ca/conference_2008/conf_index.html
Or contact - Telephone: 780.492.0288 / Fax: 780.492.2024
Nickela Anderson, Conference Coordinator at: nickela@ualberta.ca
Julie Salembier, WLN Administrative Officer at: wln@ualberta.ca
Submitted by Jim Gurnett
---------------
Growing up In North America
Dear Colleague,
If your work involves issues surrounding the healthy development of children and youth, then you’ll be interested in the latest report from the Growing Up in North America series.
The Economic Well-being of Children in Canada, the United States and Mexico provides reliable and up-to-date data on a range of measures, including family incomes and children’s access to basic goods such as housing and health care. The report also examines the determinants of children’s economic well-being in the three countries, using indicators related to social and demographic trends, the labour markets and the scope of public resources available to improve the economic security of the continent’s 250 million young people.
It will be available for download on September 17, 2008 from www.ccsd.ca
Regards,
Gail Dugas CCSD Vice President, Public Affairs
Submitted by Jim Gurnett
---------------
Fighting global poverty just got even harder.
The Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC)—one of our government's most effective foreign aid programs—has been threatened with disastrously low funding.
MCC has helped hundreds of people in the poorest of countries to achieve sustainable economic growth. But with the Senate’s inadequate proposed funding bill for 2009, new partnerships will be forced to an immediate halt.
Click here to send a strong message to your Senators and Congressperson, reminding them to hold true to their promises about reducing global poverty.
MCC works by identifying and rewarding those countries that are making significant progress in good governance, economic freedom, and an investment in their people. It represents the very best of the bottom-up, grass roots empowerment approach that we believe in at Oxfam.
The Philippines, Jordan, Senegal, Malawi, Timor Leste, and Moldova have all been hard at work developing new compact proposals with MCC. The goal is simple: Economic freedom for their citizens.
But if the Senate Appropriations Committee's proposed funding bill is passed, all that hard work will be for nothing. It will be impossible for MCC to enter into any new agreements.
We can't allow our government to send this mixed message to the international community. We can't let countries in the developing world endure yet another year alone.
Urge your Senators and Congressperson to go beyond lip service and put their money behind their promises to reduce global poverty.
Thank you for your continued support in ending poverty and fighting injustice. With your help, change is possible.
Raymond Offenheiser Oxfam America Advocacy Fund
Submitted by Miranda Bestman
---------------
In Search of Self and Soul: Understanding Spiritual Happiness
Alberta Practical Social Awareness Research Association (APSARA)
Presents a Workshop: In Search of Self and Soul: Understanding Spiritual Happiness
A self-exploratory workshop on inner-reflection for students, parents, human service workers, teachers, social workers, improve your practice through the insight of 15 years of community experience by facilitator Somkhuun Thongdee
Tuesday October 21st 2008
6:00pm – 9:00pm
John A. McDougall School Gymnasium
10930-107 Street Edmonton, Alberta
Admission by Donation at Door
Proceeds go to help children and youth programs
For more information or to register please call (780) 499-4133
---------------
Communicating Through Conflict: Conflict Communication Workshop
---------------
Mini Medical School
---------------
Learning in the Mall
---------------
Housing Support Services Hub
---------------
Edmonton Social Planning Council – Research Update
---------------
Training Session – Sex Workers Addressing Treatment (SWAT)
