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After the Flood Edition: July 3, 2013 
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Government & Policy
Nonprofit News & Recommended Reading
Funding & Awards
Workshops & Conferences

After the Flood: YYC Rebuilds

 
It has now been said countless times, but wow, Calgary. Just wow. We've all pulled on our gumboots and dug in to help our fellow citizens, gutting basements, flocking to re-opened local businesses, and supporting the nonprofits that took the lead in providing shelter, clothing and food to the displaced. 

We all anticipate that the long-term effects of the flood will be measured in billions of dollars and countless man-hours. CCVO will be supporting affected nonprofits and charities in three key areas: Response Coordination, Policy Leadership and Advocacy. Read our CEO's message on how CCVO will focus our resources in the coming months.

Whether your organization was directly affected by the flood or you have directed some of your resources to flood relief, please fill out this brief survey. 
 
We are currently working with the Province's Southern Alberta Flood Recovery Task Forceto help identify areas of need for nonprofit organizations regarding both immediate responses and long-term recovery.  
 

Government and Policy

 

Disaster Recovery for Nonprofits

The Government of Alberta has published a Disaster Recovery Program Handbook for nonprofits, institutions, and condo associations. The handbook explains the disaster recovery programs offered by the Province through the Alberta Emergency Management Agency and offers tips for getting back to normal.

 

While the recent flooding in Southern Alberta and Wood Buffalo has been tough on many nonprofits and charities, organizations should be aware of ongoing obligations to their employees. Stephen M. Torscher, with Miller Thomson, has  written about some of the scenarios that can play out during a natural disaster, and what responsibilities and choices employers have under the Alberta Employment Standards Code and the Occupational Health and Safety Act. For example, are employers obligated to pay those employees who normally would have worked during that time?

 

Together We Raise Tomorrow

The Government of Alberta has begun the Together We Raise Tomorrow public consultation, which aims to improve the quality of life for children by eliminating child poverty, reducing overall poverty, improving early childhood development opportunities and developing a children's charter
>>Read the Press Release 

 

Changes to AINP

The Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP) has temporarily introduced a new Alberta Work Experience category, which would allow eligible foreign workers who have worked in key high-demand occupations for at least two years to apply for permanent residency. Over 100 occupations are eligible. Policies that enable more temporary foreign workers to obtain permanent residency help provide employers with a larger and more stable labour pool, while also providing greater assurances and rights for the worker. The deadline for applying is November 28, 2013
>>Read the FAQs about the changes.

 

Federal Pre-Budget Consultations 2013

The Federal Standing Committee on Finance is undertaking its annual pre-budget consultations, following with a report to the House of Commons outlining its recommendations for Budget 2014. Pre-budget input must be submitted using this online template or by mail until August 5, 2013.

 

Open Data at data.gc.ca

The federal government has launched data.gc.ca, a "one-stop access to the Government of Canada's searchable open data and open information, together with open dialogue." It defines open data as "a practice that makes data freely available by way of portals, metadata, and search tools for reuse by governments, citizens, voluntary organizations, academia, and the private sector in new and unanticipated ways." 

 

This is part of a trend across jurisdictions and all levels of government to make data more available to the broader public. Over 270,000 sets of raw data have been released so far. This short video provides an explanation on the origin and potential of open data.

 

Nonprofit News & Recommended Reading 

 

Getting Over Overhead

Three major U.S. organizations (GuideStar, Charity Navigator, and the Wise Giving Alliance) have written an open letter to the donors of America "correcting a misconception" that nonprofit overhead costs are a proxy for measuring the effectiveness of an organization. The Nonprofit Quarterly has published an editorial making sense of the letter and urging for its widespread distribution.

 

Complete the Vital Signs Survey and win!

All survey participants are included in a draw for Tim Horton's gift cards, Calgary International Film Festival tickets, Canada's Sports Hall of Fame tickets, and more.

 

Have your say on 15 quality of life issues in our city - including Citizen Engagement; complete the survey and pass the survey link on.

 

Survey closes July 10, 2013. The report will be published in the Calgary Herald on October 1. Learn more about the 2012 Calgary's Vital Signs Report.

 

Volunteer Calgary is now Propellus

Our Kahanoff Centre neighbours Volunteer Calgary have launched their new identity, offering a dynamic range of consulting and training services for nonprofits. Congratulations to Jamie and his team! The new website propellus.org is coming soon. 

 

Calgary Arts Development Authority announces new President and CEO
Patti Pon has been announced as the new President and CEO of CADA. Congratulations to Patti! We look forward to working with you to continue to support Calgary's nonprofit arts community. 
Funding and Awards  

  

Field Law Community Fund
Field Law has announced a new Community Fund for new ideas that would have a positive effect community benefit.  Shortlisted applicants will be voted on by the community. $30,000 will be distributed annually in the Calgary and Edmonton markets. Deadline for applications is July 24.  

Grants for Beverage Container Recycling Programs

Alberta Beverage Container Recycling Corporation's (ABCRC) Community Champions Program is now accepting applications for funding (max of $20,000 per organization) to support beverage container recycling programs. To learn more about ABCRC's available grants, visit www.abcrc.com/community-champions or contact Laya Mihalicz, lmihalicz@abcrc.com, 403-264-0170 ext. 234.  

  



CCVO Blog

This Disaster will be Tweeted: The Growing Role of Social Media in Emergency Response

CCVO's Communications Coordinator Johanna Schwartz reflects on the ways Twitter can be used to mobilize a community during a crisis.

Flood Resources


CCVO has published a list of organizations with available office space   

 

YYCHelps.ca connects Calgarians looking to volunteer with in-need communities.   

   

Information on how to access the Province's pre-loaded debit card assistance program      

 

Information on the Province's Disaster Recovery Program  

 

The United Way of Calgary is building an Emergency Community Support Fund  

 

The Calgary Foundation is developing a Flood Rebuilding Fund

Workshops and Conferences


Partnership Brokers Training Level One
Sept 23 & 24, 26 & 27 University of Calgary
$2200 tuition
Register online

JS Daw & Associates have developed a 4-day training course for those brokering multi-stakeholder partnerships, including cross-sector collaborations.

International Development: Bridging the World of Theory, Policy and Practice
October 21-25
McGill University
Register online

This intensive 5-day program, offered by the Institute for the Study of International Development at McGill University, prepares professionals to work in the expanding field of international and sustainable development

 

Participants will be introduced to leading edge thinking, knowledge, skills and strategies to tackle the challenges of working in international development. It is an applied program intended for professionals who work in the private and public sectors, including those who work for international organizations, consulting companies and non-governmental organizations. Find out more online>>

Membership Renewal
 
Don't forget to renew your membership to keep your member benefits active!
 
Member benefits include:
  • Reduced registration on CCVO events
  • On-demand print copies of our work, (including the soon-to-be-released report on the future of Executive Leadership and our Annual Nonprofit Survey results)
  • Member networking events, such as our upcoming AGM
Renew or join today, and support CCVO's efforts towards building a strong nonprofit sector.

Reach Hire is growing with new job postings and job seekers' resumes being added every day!

Looking for a career in the nonprofit sector?

Looking to fill a vacant position in your organization?

Have a story for our next e-bulletin?
 
Please send us your upcoming workshop, conference or awards nomination deadlines, and we will include them in an upcoming e-bulletin.