April 30, 2015
Resources
FUTURE OF LONELINESS REPORT
Friends of the Elderly

This report out of the United Kingdom identifies key dynamics shaping the future of loneliness in the UK, identifies challenges in reducing loneliness and provides insight into preventative measures. The information and observations highlighted in the report are just as relevant to Canadians.
TIP SHEET: URL SHORTENERS

You've seen them. Those long URLs that take up so much space.

Example

http://www.seniorscouncil.net/uploads/files/2014-ESCC-Annual-Report.pdf 

 

Given the character limit for some social media (140 characters for Twitter and 2000 for Facebook), long URLs can eat up precious space that could be used to share your message. Even in emails, long URLs can be distracting and you take the chance of a very long URL breaking because it runs over two lines.

 

What do you do when you want to share a link, but the URL is very long? Use a URL shortener.

 

URL shortener tools reduce the length of a URL, but still direct to the original web page address. This tip sheet outlines three of my favourite free tools.

 

If you have questions about URL shorteners or other communications tools, contact Janelle, ESCC Communications Coordinator at janelle@seniorscouncil.net.

More resources for sector staff 
(links to the ESCC Service Providers Resources webpage)
Professional Development
RESTORATIVE APPROACHES TO SENIOR SAFETY: THE NOVA SCOTIA EXPERIENCE - WEBINAR
May 13, 1 - 2:30 p.m. EDT

Free


In Nova Scotia a collaborative network of community-based organizations, academic institutions, government departments and volunteers has been developing a holistic restorative approach to senior safety. The presenters of this webinar will share their learnings through the development of this community of practice, as well as the practices utilized by the community partners when working with seniors. 

GERIATRIC MEDICINE 2015: GETTING EVIDENCE INTO PRACTICE CONFERENCE

University of Alberta Divisions of Geriatric Medicine and Care of the Elderly

June 6, 7:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Lister Conference Centre


This one-day conference for internists, geriatricians, family physicians and allied health professionals with an interest in geriatrics will provide a practical update to raise awareness of common medical conditions affecting older patients, improve clinical skills for dealing with older patients and address preventative interventions in healthy aging. Learn more

2015 PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT SUMMER INSTITUTE IN PHILANTHROPY AND NONPROFIT LEADERSHIP
Carleton University

Strategic Philanthropy and Grantmaking for Social Change - with John Healy
May 25-29 
Examine the theory and evolving professional practices of strategic or impact philanthropy. Assess from the perspectives of both funder and recipient how to be more effective in directing and managing philanthropy to achieve social change. 
 
Leadership for Associations and Nonprofits - with Richard Paton 
June 22-26 
Understand the leadership roles and strategies required of those holding senior positions in associations and nonprofit organizations. Examine the types of issues and choices these executives must deal with, and the ways of effectively identifying and managing the challenges they pose. 

Cost of each course is $1751.50. Learn more.
More events for staff/volunteers in the seniors sector
(links to the ESCC Events in the Senior-Serving Sector webpage)
News and Events for Seniors
VOTING INFORMATION

Election Day is Tuesday, May 5 and the polls are open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Advance polls are currently open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and will be open until May 2. 

 

Find out if you're registered to vote and where your polling place is on the Elections Alberta website. If you have questions, you can call the Voter Information Centre at 780-422-8683 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. weekdays and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays. 

 

Our Seniors Issues Primer can help you ask informed questions of candidates who are campaigning in your neighbourhood. Find out what their plans are to ensure seniors' issues such as healthcare, transportation and home supports are addressed.  

MOTHER'S DAY SPRING TEA
Strathcona Place Society
May 8, 1:30 p.m.

Tickets are $5 for tea and dessert. RSVP by phoning 780-433-5807 or email programs@strathconaplace.com. Location: 10831 University Avenue.

STRATHCONA PLACE SOCIETY MONTHLY DINNER

May 13, 5:30 p.m.  

$15

After dinner stay for some refreshments and enjoy a display by artist Maria Sieben of her colourful paintings and paper mache sculptures. RSVP by phoning 780-433-5807 or email programs@strathconaplace.com. Location: 10831 University Avenue.
CARP EDMONTON 2015 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

May 14, 1 - 3:30 p.m.

 

Come to celebrate CARP activities. Following the meeting GeriActors & Friends will perform some of their original work based on stories and issues from our lives. This entertaining and thought provoking group will spark some memories from our past. Location: Sage Auditorium, 15 Sir Winston Churchill Square. To register contact 780-450-4802 or CARP.Edmonton@gmail.com.

SPRING FESTIVAL

Edmonton Korean Seniors College Society

May 16, 7 p.m.

River Community Church (11520 Ellerslie Road)

Free

The program includes performances of Evergreen Choir of the Edmonton Korean Seniors College Society, Edmonton Korean Canadian Choir, Edmonton Men's Mission Choir, Piano Solo (Heekyung Song), Korock (Korean Percussion Group), Taekwondo Dance (Jeon's Taekwondo Demonstration Team), Saxophone Trio (Soom-Gyoll Group), Children Song (Dong-Ei Kim) and Korean Fan Dance (Edmonton Korean Canadian Women's Association). 

INFORMATION SESSION: PREVENT SKIN CANCER
Jewish Senior Citizens' Centre
May 19, 11 a.m.
$3

As we age our skin changes. Join Leona Yez as she lets us know about how to prevent skin cancer. Come and relax and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee while learning about your skin. Call 780-488-4241 for more information.

POPOVITCH DINNER THEATRE PRESENTATION

SouthWest Edmonton Seniors Association (SWESA)

May 27, dinner at 6 p.m. and show from 7 to 8 p.m.


Join us for dinner and a Popovitch Theatre performance of Comedy and Rock Around the Clock featuring 40's, 50's, and 60's music. Cost: $30, members; $45, non-members.  Preregistration required. For further information, contact 587-097-3200 or swesa.programs@gmail.com. Location: Yellowbird East Community Centre, 10710 - 19 Avenue.

DINNER THEATRE SOCIAL OUTING
Westend Seniors Activity Centre
May 28

Join a group from the Westend Seniors Activity Centre for an outing to see Dirty Dancing at Jubilations Dinner Theatre. Meet at the mall at 6:15 p.m. outside of Jubilations. Tickets are $55 which includes and dinner and show. Call 780-483-1209 for more information.
CREATIVE AGE FESTIVAL
June 4 - 6

Creative Age Edmonton, in collaboration with North Edmonton Seniors Association (NESA) and GeriActors, is excited to bring you the Creative Age Festival 2015.

This year's festival will feature intergenerational arts workshops and performances by professional and up-and-coming senior and intergenerational artists. 

Arts Workshops 
Participate in a variety of workshops in theatre, music, writing and poetry, visual arts, dance and movement on June 4, 5 and 6 at NESA. 

Arts Extravaganza 
Enjoy an evening of performances by many talented artists including the GeriActors & Friends. Reception in the lobby to follow. 
June 5, 7 - 9 p.m. at Timms Centre for the Arts (87 Ave & 112 St.) 

NESA's Annual Arts CafĂ© 
Close out the 2015 festival in style with this ever-popular potpourri of performances, featuring the Choralaires. 
June 6, 1 - 3 p.m. at North Edmonton Seniors Association (7524 - 139 Ave) 

The festival guide will be released on May 1. A digital copy of the guide will be posted on the Creative Age Edmonton website. Hard copies will be available at various locations around Edmonton (a complete list of locations will be posted on the website).

10th ANNIVERSARY GRANDPARENTS AWARD OF DISTINCTION

Bernadette N. Swan Social Care Foundation


The Bernadette N. Swan Social Care Foundation invites you to share in this exciting and inspiring celebration of the importance of grandparents' role in the intergenerational relationships of family and community. 

 

Grandchildren are encouraged to nominate their grandparent(s) for the Esteemed Grandparents Award of Distinction. The deadline for nominations is May 30. The Awards will be presented at the 10th anniversary celebrations to be held on September 12. Review the nomination criteria and submission requirements and nominate someone today. For more information phone 780-761-0881 or 780-994-0669 or e-mail bnsscf5@yahoo.ca.

Other news and events for seniors
(links to the ESCC News and Events for Seniors webpage)
Volunteer Opportunities
SECRETARY FOR THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Edmonton Lifelong Learners Association (ELLA)

The secretary is a member of ELLA and an Officer of the Board. Duties include taking minutes, sending notices of meetings, handling all correspondence, and maintaining board contact information. The successful candidate will have had some previous board experience and will possess computer skills. For further information, visit the ELLA website. To apply, contact ELLA President, Carol Vaage, at carolvaage@shaw.ca.

TELUS WORLD OF SCIENCE EDMONTON

Summer Volunteer Opportunities, June 27 - September 7


Your Experience Could Open a Door to Discovery! Share your expertise and love of working with people to help others discover the world and beyond in a fun and interactive environment. You can volunteer in a variety of roles including Gallery Guide and Interpreter for the new travelling exhibition Dinosaurs Unearthed, Assistant Camp Leader at summer camps, Assistant Observatory Attendant, Robotics Lab Attendant, and Hospitality Hosts. 

Shifts for these positions are available on weekends, weekdays and evenings (note that shift times for the Gallery Interpreters and the Assistant Observatory Attendants have recently been changed). For more information visit the TELUS World of Science Edmonton volunteer web page or contact Volunteer Resources at 780-452-9100 and email vr@twose.ca.
(links to the Volunteer and Work Opportunities webpage)
MORE INFORMATION

Link Letter includes new items each week.  If you're looking for content that was included in a previous issue of Link Letter, refer to the ESCC website:
Back issues of Link Letter

Submissions for Link Letter can be sent to memberservices@seniorscouncil.net.  Review our submission guidelines for more information.