The deadline for the first intake of Vital Signs Grant applications is January 15. The grant supports initiatives designed to increase the sense of belonging to community. Priority will be given to projects serving people with a high risk of social isolation as identified in the 2017 Vital Signs report (those living in poverty, new Canadians, Indigenous people, people with disabilities, seniors, and LGBTQ people).

For more information contact the Edmonton Community Foundation Grants Team at [email protected] or by phone at 780-426-0015. Future deadlines include June 15, 2018 for initiatives after August 1, 2018 and September 15, 2018 for initiatives after November 1, 2018.

When crowdfunding campaigns are run correctly, nonprofits can realize incredible returns versus traditional fundraising methods. This blog post by nonprofit hub offers advice to help get your campaign on the right path.

Selling event sponsorships is hard for most nonprofits because they haven't learned to find them the right way. Sponsorship is sales, not philanthropy. You have to know how and what to sell - and it's not a mention in your gala program book. During this webinar you will learn:

• How to find your first or next sponsor
• What sponsors want and look for
• Organizing your sponsorship materials
• Structuring sponsorship levels and pricing
• How to deliver a sponsorship pitch that seals the deal

The focus of this meeting is a presentation from the multi-agency Elder Abuse Consultation Team (EACT). The purpose of EACT is to network, share expertise, discuss cases, facilitate problem solving, expedite the referral process, identify gaps in service and develop strategies to move Elder Abuse from the realm of "private troubles" to the larger issue of creating social change. Learn about EACT, the area of expertise of each member agency, how to access EACT resources, criteria for case consultation, and for the opportunity for networking and conversation with peers.

Call 211 or email [email protected] to register. Only one space per agency is available.

Until recently, servers provided functions that common cloud systems could not replicate. Servers manage access to the network and authenticate devices and users. Cloud productivity systems and applications were mainly focused on providing access to one function such as email or CRM.

Even with the systems that are now available, making the move to the cloud requires planning and expertise that many IT professionals do not have. Keeping these functions on the server is more familiar to the average IT manager even though the cloud systems offer more security often at lower costs. So how do we overcome the last mile in the process of adopting the cloud? This webinar will discuss what's next in nonprofits' journey to being completely cloud based.

Walk with Me: Changing the Culture of Aging in Canada is a biennial conference that brings together older adults/residents, care partners, educators, policy makers, students and researchers from all over the country to learn with and from each other about how to enhance the journey of aging across the continuum of care and community living.

A Men's Shed is a welcoming, respectful, and inclusive place that provides the opportunity for men to build projects, form positive relationships, and increase neighbourly connections. The program aims to create a healthy environment for men to build new relationships and decrease social isolation and depression. The men share their skills and learn new skills from other shedders by participating in a variety of activities of their own choosing (e.g., woodworking, painting, and cooking activities etc.) 

The Men's Shed is encouraging new members to join and is looking for interested people to help host additional Sheds throughout Edmonton. For more information, please call 780-446-4179.

The Men's Shed is organized by community partners including the City of Edmonton, Beacon Heights Community League and Sage Seniors Association.

Every week bands will fill the City Room with swing, jazz and big band music, and the Sugar Swing Dance Club will be on site to help put the boogie-woogie in your step. 

Internationally acclaimed dance band, The Emeralds, are kicking off this year's Swing 'n' Skate on January 7. Other performers for this season include The Rhythm Gunners of the Royal Canadian Artillery Band, Swing Manouche, The Seven Deadly Syncopators, and Them Hot Olives. 

If you'd rather be outdoors, the music will be broadcast directly outside for the enjoyment of ice skaters on City Hall Plaza (call 311 for weather conditions and ice updates). Free skate rentals will be available on a first come, first serve basis.

An experienced traveller and teacher, Ann Manson, will talk about her trip to Discover Franklin and Find the North West Passage. This year Ann embarked on a journey which took her 580 miles north of the Arctic Circle to see where Sir John Franklin and others searched for a northwest passage from Europe to China. Ann visited Franklin sites as well as Dorset and Thule archaeological sites, and bird sanctuaries. One of Ann's fellow passengers was comedian, travel writer, broadcaster, Michael Palin. Call 780-488-4241 for information.

Come enjoy a hot meal followed by entertainment. Don Oberst is the entertainer for Jan. 18 and the Old Smoothies perform Jan. 25. Other dates are to be announced. Doors open as early as 10:30 a.m. but you can purchase your ticket up until noon.  Call 780-435-9515 for more information.

Laughter Yoga is a new wellness activity that combines theatre arts, stretching, yoga breathing and laughter exercises. Continuous laughter over a minute stimulates natural healing systems and provides a range of health benefits. It produces a combination of stimulation and relaxation. Pre-register in advance in person or via online registration on myactivecenter.com. Call 780-483-1209 for more information.

So many people hold to political positions anchored to either the right or the left. It is increasingly rare to find individuals capable of recognizing any value in the position held by those they oppose. Each holds to their own rightness and serious political conversation dissolves. Are there ways of engaging with those we disagree with that may be more fruitful?

CLSA's Philosophers' Cafe provides an opportunity to share, discuss and try to understand big issue topics. Some topics may be sensitive in nature. We may not always agree on the issues but the opportunity is always there to help us open our minds towards understanding our world. Join David J. Goa, Founding Director (retired) and International Fellow of the Chester Ronning Centre for the Study of Religion and Public Life for insightful discussion on the issues of our day.

Register online at edmonton.ca/eReg, in-person from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Monday to Friday or by calling 311. Use barcode 614277. Call 780-496-7369 for more information.

Hank William's marriage had ended, his contract with the Grand Ole Opry had been terminated, and his health was in serious decline. In September of '52, things changed. You will be treated to all of Hank Williams' hits sung by Joe Matheson, who has been dubbed "the quintessential voice of Hank Williams".

Dinner will be at Kosmo's restaurant in Leduc where you will enjoy a choice of salad, entrée and dessert before heading to the show. Registration is required by January 31. Call 587-987-3200 for more information.

Albertans are invited to provide feedback to help shape and inform the provincial budget which will be released in the spring of 2018. Share your thoughts by February 2 via:

• Online survey
• Written submissions to [email protected]
• Two telephone town halls which will be held in late January (no details have been announced yet). Visit the budget consultation web page to learn more.