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ALBERTA GOVERNMENT PHASES OUT SENIORS ADVOCATE, ROLLS ROLE INTO HEALTH ADVOCATE
Seniors will no longer have a dedicated provincial advocate in 2020 as government asks Alberta's health advocate to absorb the role.
Although the minister of seniors and housing said the new combined office will still serve seniors well, the current seniors advocate worries elderly people are losing the voice of a team dedicated to combating systemic ageism.
"I am so passionate about it - we really need a seniors advocate in this province," outgoing advocate Sheree Kwong See said earlier this month. "We need seniors' issues to be front and centre."
In 2013, the former Progressive Conservative government announced it was creating offices of the health advocate and seniors advocate as part of implementing an Alberta Health Act.
The offices opened in 2014, with the health advocate taking on the seniors advocate role temporarily until Kwong See was recruited in 2016.
The seniors advocate has three key roles: helping seniors navigate systems and get support, outreach to seniors' groups and making recommendations to government for improvements.
Since becoming independent, the office has handled about 3,600 calls for help from seniors, Kwong See said. An average case takes about six phone calls, meetings or emails to resolve. The office opens and closes about 100 cases a month.
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(links to the ESCC News for Seniors Organizations web page)
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MOBILITY LOSS PUTS OLDER ADULTS AT RISK: RESEARCH SHOWS EXERCISE CAN HELP
Baylor University
As our population ages, discussions of mobility and fall risks in older adults have been thrust to the forefront of public health. This handy
resource provides seniors, caregivers, health professionals, and senior-serving organizations with a guide to improve overall mobility and reduce the risk of a fall. Exercise remains a key measure to maintain mobility and includes activities as simple as walking.
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(links to the ESCC Resources web page)
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3 EASY WAYS TO RETAIN MORE MEMBERS USING SOFTWARE
Wild Apricot
December 12, 2-3 p.m. (Eastern)
Free
Do you sometimes feel that your membership is like a leaky boat, and every time you look at your database, you notice a few members have left? This helpful 45-minute webinar can provide you with tips about auto-renew services and onboarding automation to save you precious hours each week.
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THE POWER OF BLOGGING AND THOUGHT LEADERSHIP FOR NONPROFITS
Firespring
December 18, 10-11 a.m. (Central)
Free
Most nonprofits that have tried to blog have failed miserably. This webinar will share the collective wisdom gleaned from dozens of nonprofit organizations that have stumbled upon the magic formula for becoming thought leaders in their community. Learn about secrets to becoming a thought leader, components of the best nonprofit blogs, tips to optimize your blog's effectiveness, ways to promote your blog, and tips for measuring your blog's performance.
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HOW TO SELL EVENT SPONSORSHIPS-A STEP BY STEP GUIDE
CharityHowTo
December 19, 3 p.m. (Eastern)
$87 USD
Have your previous efforts to find sponsors for your events fallen flat? Are you hoping to start the year with a big event sponsorship win? Knowing how to get sponsors for an event can be hard for many nonprofits because they haven't learned to find them the right way. Event 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. Learn more in this informative webinar.
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More
learning opportunities for staff/volunteers in the seniors sector
(links to the ESCC Learning Opportunities web page)
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Work Opportunities in the Seniors Sector
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STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT RFP
Edmonton Seniors Coordinating Council
The Edmonton Seniors Coordinating Council is accepting proposals from communications professionals and firms to support media relations and government relations for the Connecting Edmonton Seniors initiative.
Responsibilities include working with stakeholders to identify stories that would be appropriate for media distribution, securing media coverage to raise awareness of social isolation of seniors, providing media training to spokespeople, developing and framing strategic objectives for communicating sector priorities, identifying points of contact with orders of government for the purpose of advocacy, and leading stakeholder training regarding intergovernmental affairs.
This is a three-month contract ending February 2020. Proposals will be accepted until noon on December 5, 2019. Review the
Request for Proposals for more details.
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FUND DEVELOPMENT COORDINATOR
Sage Seniors Association
Sage is seeking a fund development coordinator to work closely with their community engagement and leadership teams to establish short and long-range goals for unrestricted funding sources, including the development of approaches to donors, event and program sponsorship, donor stewardship, and public and private granting opportunities.
This position requires a diploma in marketing/communications, public relations, or business administration in addition to proven experience in fund development. This is a temporary, full-time position (35 hours/week) for 12 months with the possibility of extension. The deadline for this role is December 6. Review the full
job posting for additional details and application instructions.
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EVENTS COORDINATOR
Sage Seniors Association
Sage is seeking an events coordinator to work closely with their community engagement team to plan, promote, and manage key Sage events; ensure effective communication of event-related information internally and externally; foster goodwill and partnership across senior-serving sectors; and maintain a consistent, quality experience that reinforces Sage's reputation as a reliable resource for seniors, their families, caregivers, and senior-serving professionals.
This position requires a diploma in marketing/communications, public relations, business administration event management, or other relevant field in addition to proven event management experience. This is a temporary, part-time position (20 hours/week) for 12 months with the possibility of extension. The deadline for this role is December 6. Review the full
job posting for additional details and application instructions.
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(links to the ESCC Sector Job Postings web page)
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News and Events for Seniors
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ZOOMINESCENCE, A FESTIVAL OF LIGHT
Valley Zoo Development Society
Every Weekend in December, 5-9 p.m.
Location: Edmonton Valley Zoo (13315 Buena Vista Road and 87 Avenue)
$8.50 adults; $6 children (3-12)
Edmonton, the most northern city in North America with a population of over one million, is a world-renowned winter metropolis. This December,
Zoominescence will stage a spectacular exhibition of artistic light installations within the unique setting of the Edmonton Valley Zoo. The festival's vision is to celebrate light, artistry, and imagination. Round up the family on any weekend in December for a vibrant evening of light, animal encounters, skating, hot chocolate, and fun.
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WEDNESDAY NIGHT DANCES
North Edmonton Seniors Association (7524 139 Avenue)
8-10 p.m.
$8 members; $11 non-members
Kick up your heels and dance up a storm this holiday season. These evening dances feature talented live bands to keep you dancing into the wee hours. Note the December dances have a later start time than usual (8 p.m. rather than 7 p.m.) and that there will be no dance on December 18. Call 780-496-6969 for more information. The December schedule is as follows.
Dec. 4: Sparkling Tones
Dec. 11: Diamonds
Dec. 18: No Dance
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HOLIDAY PRINTMAKING WORKSHOP
Mill Woods Seniors Association (2610 Hewes Way, 2nd Floor)
December 7, 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
$40 member; $60 non-members
Get detailed step-by-step instruction in printmaking and create a your very own custom holiday card. To start off, you will draw your design. Then, the printmaking fun begins when you will transfer your drawing to the linoleum block and proceed to print with your choice of ink. No previous printmaking experience is necessary. Call 780-496-2997 to register by November 29.
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CHRISTMAS CONCERT
Strathcona Place Society (10831 University Avenue)
December 12, 12 p.m.
Free
Treat yourself to the joy of music this holiday season. Everyone is welcome to attend this musical Christmas celebration featuring performances from the Allendale Junior High School Band. A selection of hot beverages will be served to keep you warm and cozy alongside holiday treats to satisfy any sweet tooth. Call 780-433-5807 for more information.
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CHRISTMAS DINNER
North West Edmonton Seniors Society (12963 120 Street)
December 13; 4:30 p.m. (doors), 5 p.m. (dinner)
$20
Catch up with friends and family over a delicious Turkey dinner with all the fixings. This holiday feast will have visions of turkey, potatoes, gravy, and sugar plums dancing through your head. Following dinner, enjoy a winter-inspired theatrical performance, including acting and singing. Call 780-451-1925 purchase your tickets by December 6.
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ESSENTRICS CLASSES
Southwest Seniors' Outreach Society (10832 62 Avenue)
Wednesdays, 11:15 a.m.-12: 15 p.m.
$8 members (drop-in); $10 non-members (drop-in)
There's still time to squeeze in some fitness before the holidays, and these essentrics classes will help you limber up for snowball fights with the grandkids! Lengthen your muscles and relieve pressure on your joints and bones through a series of dynamic exercises. Members have the opportunity to save by taking eight classes in succession for $48 ($6 per class). Note that classes will be suspended starting December 18 for the holidays and will resume on January 8. Call 780-435-9515 for more information.
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SPEAKER SERIES: SOCIAL ISOLATION
Downtown Edmonton Men's Shed
December 20, 1 p.m.
Location: Classroom A, Sage Seniors Association (15 Sir Winston Churchill Square)
Free
What is social isolation? Why does it matter? What can you do about it? Join the gentlemen from the Downtown Edmonton Men's Shed for what is sure to be an illuminating conversation. This learning opportunity is open to everyone. Call 780-423-5510 to register.
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(links to the ESCC News and Events for Seniors web page)
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Volunteer/Work Opportunities for Seniors
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COMPLETE THE NEIGHBOURHOOD STREET SAFETY SURVEY
Edmonton Federation of Community Leagues (EFCL)
Have a bit of spare time? Want to make Edmonton's streets safer for all residents? Complete this
survey prepared by the EFCL. Data collected by this survey will inform a report on Community League preference for managing traffic safety in Edmonton neighbourhoods. The survey data will be shared with the City of Edmonton. The survey deadline is December 1.
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(links to the Volunteer and Work Opportunities web page)
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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:
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STAY CONNECTED
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