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NEWSLETTER
September 2022
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The Grande Prairie Regional Association of Volunteer Organizations is a membership organization for the civic sector in the Northwest Peace Region, serving charitable and non-profit community organizations in the City and County of Grande Prairie and beyond. Our member agencies and clients represent a broad region. They range from; small rural agricultural groups to large agencies providing services to families and individuals in distress, through to indigenous agencies, cultural agencies, sports groups, and more. | |
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Let’s start talking about our Flag. You know that red and white one with a Maple leaf. The one that has been conscripted into a symbol of belligerence and intolerance. In recent months, we have seen the association of our Flag combined with the symbols of intolerance, racism and fascism. Our flag is being used to identify those who believe that the rules and laws of Canada do not apply to them, that they as individuals are more important than the common good and that they have a right to publicly attack and victimize anyone who disagrees with them.
The apparent disrespect for people with opposing views is seeping into all things political. We see it in the top levels of government, the contempt and disdain modelled by our elected leaders exhibited daily, and the inability to have a constructive debate that results in a positive outcome for all involved.
Never was it more apparent than the recent verbal attack on the Deputy Prime Minister, who happens to be a woman and a member of a political party that does not have a majority of followers here in Grande Prairie.
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This was not a legal protest, this was an assault, plain and simple and it was wrong! For the most part, the cries to denounce the attacker’s behaviour were immediate, condemning the attack and being clear that it was not to be tolerated. Unfortunately, a few political leaders did make a statement but blamed the victim. Some political leaders should have but chose not to denounce the attack.
One is left to wonder if it was because the victim was a woman or because she was a member of a different political party or both. Silence can be louder than words! To stay silent on such egregious behaviour or to victim blame implies that one condones the assault of an elected representative of our Country.
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There was a time when being a Canadian meant believing in the right to protest, our flag and a central authority with strength and latitude to protect our heritage and Constitution. Trust and innocence defined Canadians. Although culturally similar, we were not as brash and unrestrained as our southern neighbours and we were not sophisticated and worldly as other western cultures. We were reliable, tactful and for the most part diplomatic both within the Country and globally. We had an inherent understanding of the common good and unqualified acceptance of our conventions and personal duty to make things work.
My maternal grandmother set the tone for my own, my siblings and my cousin’s growing up years in what it meant to be Canadian. To believe in a system of caring for others and looking after the Common Good was of the utmost priority. From a long line of United Empire Loyalists, she was able to align our family history within the Country’s history and gave us the gift of understanding that Canada was our greatest asset and that we had to uphold the laws and support its people to the best of our abilities. Those values were ingrained into our very beings and we pretty much all entered into ‘helping professions’ – environment, police, military, teaching, medical, social work, law and politics.
My grandmother’s generation lived through two major wars, a pandemic, a depression era and numerous other challenges. They made mistakes, some pretty intense ones but there was not the nastiness that is currently swirling in our political landscape and the ‘me first’ mentality that has become the go-to position of so many today. So, what happened?
One could go on at length about social media, echo chambers, generational change and a host of other reasoning. I truly have no idea and frankly don’t care what the reasons are. I just know that I want my flag back and to do that we need to take the lessons of the past to heart and get back to respect and honour, duty before self and mindfulness that being Canadian is something we should be proud of and need to work at.
Carol-Anne
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The Association is accepting nominations for the 2022 Leaders of Tomorrow Awards! If you know a youth who is: Dedicated to Helping the Community; Has a Fearless Approach; Strives for Inclusion; Continuously Volunteers; Has Endless Patience; Thinks Creatively; Is Eager to Take the Initiative; Is Driven by Passion; Works Well with Others and Inspires & Encourages Volunteerism nominate them for this year’s awards! | |
Nominations are due October 7th, 2022. If you have questions? Please call 780-538-2727 or email cdcoordinator@volunteergrandeprairie.com | |
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The 2022 Volunteer of the Year Awards recognizes one Individual and one Corporation living/operating in the Grande Prairie region for outstanding contributions to the community through their support and acts of volunteerism and the significant impact their efforts have had on a not-for-profit organization(s) in the last twelve months.
Nominations may be made by not-for-profit and voluntary organizations, community groups, education institutions, levels of government or individuals in order to acknowledge a company or individual who deserves recognition for their efforts.
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Nominations are due October 7th, 2022. If you have questions? Please call 780-538-2727 or email cdcoordinator@volunteergrandeprairie.com | |
MEET ME AT THE MALL RETURNS OCTOBER 15-24! | | |
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Meet Me at the Mall is a Member Exclusive event at the Prairie Mall’s Community Booth allowing our Members a free opportunity to showcase their programs and services to mall patrons in individual time slots during mall hours.
Members please contact Joanne
at 780-538-2727 or email admin@volunteergrandeprairie.com to reserve your day and time for more information.
**Due to the number of no shows during past Meet Me at the Mall events, organizations failing to attend their scheduled time slot will be charged $150.00 no-show fee. **
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As per Mall Policy
- Sanitize your hands before and after entering the mall (Sanitizer within the booth is your responsibility)
- Stay home if you are sick or have come into contact with someone who is ill
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User groups cannot stop people in the corridors, cannot hand out brochures or other written materials in the corridor; customers must approach the booth
Here are a few suggestions for catching people’s attention:
Signage
- Banners
- Posters
- Business Cards, brochures and other printed material that people can take away with them that describes your services, programs, needs and contact information
Social Media
- Promote your timeslot at the booth
- Twitter, Facebook, You Tube, TikTok, Linked In
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Your organizations Website, we will also promote you on our social media sites.,
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REMINDER – Members participating in Meet Me in the Mall – During your allotted time period, you will be the only agency featured at the Community Booth. Please ensure that your volunteer/staff are there on-time and that you have someone at the booth during the entire time that your agency is scheduled to be there. Please remind your volunteers/staff know that they cannot stop/approach people in the corridors and they cannot hand out brochures or other written materials in the corridor. Mall customers must come to the booth. | |
BASELINE SURVEY OF GRANDE PRAIRIE AND AREA – NONPROFIT & CHARITABLE SECTOR | | |
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The Grande Prairie Regional Association of Volunteer Organizations is inviting all local non-profit and charitable organizations operating in Grande Prairie and area to take part in a survey of your organizations for the purposes of compiling a comprehensive composite of the sector.
Our non-profit & charitable sector encompasses hundreds of small, medium and large organizations dedicated to providing service, programs or supports to their identified user groups. At one point or another over the years, most have participated in surveys for a variety of surveyors measuring different components of organizational viability.
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However, local data regarding the strength, breadth and diversity of the Grande Prairie and area non-profit and charitable sector is not readily available, consistent or comprehensive. In light of the challenges the local sector recently faced and is, still facing there is a need to formulate a comprehensive baseline picture of the local sector. The baseline will assist in focusing on the long-term viability and structural adaptability of our local organizations immediately and into the future.
The compiled data will be made accessible to local organizations, private and public funders as well as other research initiatives. The combined results can be used to foster sustainability, identify social and infrastructure issues, assist in local decision-making as well as providing specific supports for marketing and fundraising as well as tailoring processes towards better results.
The survey will be administered in eight sections over a period of eight weeks. Your responses to the survey will be kept confidential. Each interview will be assigned a number code to help ensure that personal identifiers are not revealed during the analysis and write up of findings. There is no compensation for participating in this survey. However, each participating organization who completes a section of the survey will have their name entered into a random draw with the chance of winning $500.00. Complete all 8 sections of the survey and gain one extra chance. Maximum of 9 chances.
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Please note: The COVID-19 crisis accelerated the number and frequency of survey requests from all levels of government, advocacy groups, funders and others. Provincial and National surveys clearly indicate that their operations, financial and human resources and ability to function at previous levels has been damaged. Through anecdotal stories, facilitated local surveys and plain common sense, it is apparent that our local and regional organizations have also been impacted. Impacts of the COVID-19 crisis will only be explored as a component of the overall survey. | |
We hope you will join us in completing this very important project. Please watch your email and social media networks for more information and launch date. | |
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Interesting Facts About September
- The name “September” comes from an old Roman word, “septem” which actually means 7. September was the seventh month of the year on the Roman calendar, it did not become the ninth month until the advent of the Gregorian calendar.
- The Romans would quite often associate different months with different gods. The month of September is associated with Vulcan, the Roman god of fire; they believed that September was looked after by the god of fire. So, they always expected fires and volcanic eruptions to occur during this month
- Out of all 12 months of the year, September is spelled with the most letters. It contains nine letters, and it happens to be the ninth month of the year. No other months have the same number of letters as their number in the calendar year.
- This September “Harvest Moon” is the fullest moon of the year. When you gaze at it, it looks very large and gives a lot of light throughout the entire night. It’s called the Harvest Moon because the moon during the autumn equinox was bright enough to allow farmers to work late into the night, bringing home their crops, hence why it has been called the Harvest moon
Image: Vulcan Roman God of Fire & Forging - Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vulcan_%28mythology%29
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Interesting Facts About October
- We'll be rewarded for living in the northern hemisphere this October, as the Draconid Meteor Shower can be seen. It contains a single comet that is visible exclusively in the northern hemisphere. Unlike many meteor showers, the Draconids are short-lived. You watch these meteors at nightfall and early evening on October 8. You might catch some on the nights before and after as well.
- National Homemade Cookies Day is on the first day of October, perfect for any kids who love baking and especially love cookies!
- For all the animal lovers out there, October 15th is World Animal Day
- October and January always start on the same day of the week in common years. In leap years, October doesn't start on the same day of the week as any other month. October and February also always end on the same week day
Image: Draconid Meteor Shower
Source: https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/s4qRp9vdGepCRwNUKrczbB-970-80.jpg
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Becoming a registered charity with the CRA in 2000, the Regional EMS (Emergency Medical Services) Foundation’s mission is to partner with front-line first response organizations in the Peace Region to provide exemplary care for our families. | |
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The first initiative of the agency was to place AEDs (automated external defibrillators) in public areas. The initiative was born after Randy and Debby Waldron lost their son Shawn at 19 to a sudden cardiac arrest. The AED for Life Program has placed over 400 AEDs in the region and continues to add more!
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The Foundation is partnered with local first response groups. Groups include; the GP Ski Patrol, Technical Search and Rescue and the Paramedic Honour Guard to ensure our region has the best support possible.
The Medical Training Simulation Unit, fabricated from a decommissioned ambulance, allows practitioners real-time practice in the same settings as what they would be working in each day.
Other programs/services offered by the Regional EMS Foundation, include:
- The Star for Life Scholarship is an opportunity for community members from the region to realize their dreams in the education process to become high-quality EMS providers in our area.
- The P.A.R.T.Y Program (PREVENT ALCOHOL AND RISK-RELATED TRAUMA IN YOUTH) helps generations to take better care of themselves and those around them.
- Candy Cane Campaign provides holiday season safety tips such as seat-belt safety, drinking responsibly, slip and fall hazards and fire safety tips.
- EMS Week thanks Primary & Acute Care Paramedics and the entire EMS workforce for their service and sacrifices.
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The agency is currently working on bringing a new NetVan to the community to assist anyone with medical needs with transportation.
The Regional EMS Foundation is currently looking for volunteers for their events in the fall; email info@remsfoundation.org for information.
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Volunteer Canada, in partnership with Imagine Canada, Ajah, Association of Fundraising Professionals of Canada, and Volunteer Management Professionals of Canada, are pleased to launch the Canadian Knowledge Hub for Giving and Volunteering, a new destination for data and other useful resources on giving, volunteering, and participating in Canada.
The Hub will raise awareness about key data sources on giving and volunteering, including Statistics Canada’s General Social Survey on Giving, Volunteering and Participating (GSS-GVP).
Help grow the Hub: Complete a short survey to help the Hub providers better understand your level of awareness of the GSS-GVP and its data, as well as if and how you currently use the data.
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Program Details
Capacity Development through Diversity & Inclusion is a comprehensive 2-day weekday OR weekend course split into 2 sessions available as:
- Weekday Sessions: Monday to Friday (Select 2 days) or
- Weekend Sessions: Saturday & Sunday only
Both sessions are full day 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
- Session 1: Core Diversity Topics, Workplace and Board Diversity
- Session 2: Indigenous Histories & Perspectives
Session 1 is a pre-requisite for Session 2
Cost: $350 per person - Free for Member Organizations
Program available in the Northwest Peace Region
10-day cancellation notice is required
During this two-day course participants will explore their own value systems, beliefs and biases to discover how they may affect their own perception of other people and groups.
Participants will be encouraged to ask questions and interact with each other.
It is through asking questions that people learn the values, customs and beliefs that exist between their own culture and different cultures.
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After completing our sessions, organizations will be better able to:
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Identify and address their own biases
- Model genuine sensitivity and respect.
- Create and utilize policies and procedures that are sensitive and inclusive.
- Recruit diversified Board Members
- Engage with their client community in assessing needs & planning programs.
- Recognize and respect the needs and preferences of the individual client.
- Maintain a commitment to cultural competence
Course Highlights:
A Canadian focus with emphasis on our Northwest Peace Region including:
- Indigenous communities and their histories
- Diversity through international immigration
- Disability Awareness
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SEPTEMBER IS BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS MONTH! | |
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Grande Prairie & Area are looking to recruit 30 mentors in 30 days. Their current waitlist has over 40 youth who are patiently waiting to be matched with a positive, caring mentor.
If you have 4 hours per month you can dedicate to helping enrich the life of a local youth, apply to be a mentor at: https://gp.bigbrothersbigsisters.ca/volunteer/.
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Burden Bearers Counselling Centre
For over 25 years, Burden Bearers Counselling Centre has served the community of Grande Prairie and the surrounding area. Its mission is to provide counselling and education based on Biblical principles and established methodologies to those hurting and in need at an affordable rate.
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A Christian faith-based organization, Burden Bearers, has nationally-certified counsellors offering services to clients from all philosophies and walks of life without prejudice. They offer services for children, youth, adults and seniors. Their hourly rate for a professional counsellor is $130. Counselling interns are $90. Provisions are available for low-income clients.
The agency provides counselling for:
- Individuals - counsellors help navigate challenges, from dealing with rejection, abuse, or relationship failures, to trying to break unhealthy lifestyle habits, stress/burnout, depression, separation and loss, grief, anger, personal growth, self-esteem, personality disorders, addictions, and sex/porn addictions (CSAT).
- Couples - counsellors help you work through issues related to communication, conflict, intimacy, finances, parenting, unfaithfulness, marriage & divorce or problem-solving. Whether you are currently struggling or wanting to strengthen a good relationship, we can help you develop a richer connection.
- Families - Working through problems can be stressful for all family members. Therapists trained to deal with the complexities of the family unit can provide you with tools to bring harmony within the house.
- Groups – Burden Bearers offers support of businesses and community organizations with professional development, conflict resolution or coping with a crisis, trauma or loss that has impacted employees and organization members. This support can include on-site counselling, individual counselling, and a psychoeducational presentation tailored to meet the organization's specific needs.
When asked, 'What is the one thing you wish the public knew about your organization?' Mavis Lee, Burden Bearers Receptionist, wished the public knew how caring and qualified the counsellors are. Each one has a strong desire to help people dealing with issues that affect their quality of life and well-being".
With the growing mental health crisis due to the pandemic, the organization hopes to add more counsellors and a psychologist in the future.
Volunteers help the charity with its fundraising events like the upcoming Steve Bell Benefit Concert coming September 25. Those interested in volunteering with the organization can call 780-539-5225 or e-mail info@burdenbearersgp.com. Tickets for the upcoming concert are available at stevebell.com, Shepherds Fold or by calling their office at 780-539-5225.
For more information on Burden Bearers Counselling Centre, visit https://www.burdenbearersgp.com and follow them on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/burdenbearerscounselling.
The Association’s board and staff would like to thank Burden Bearers Counselling Centre for being a member and part of our Member Spotlight
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The Alberta Healthy Living Program (AHLP) offers free workshops to help adults better manage their chronic conditions. Monthly workshops are offered virtually (by Zoom) to all those living in Northern Alberta. Visit www.healthylivingprogram.ca for more information and to register. | | |
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Congratulations to everyone that was recognized as March and April Volunteers of the Week.
The staff and board of the Association would like to thank Tim Hortons for sponsoring our volunteer recognition programs and fueling the volunteers of Grande Prairie & Area.
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JULY 2022 VOLUNTEERS OF THE WEEK | |
Grande Prairie Pride Society nominated Sandi Neville
& Amber Chenard
Fallon Weislein and Grande Prairie Palliative Care Society nominated Deana Marth
Pregnancy Care Centre Grande Prairie nominated: Adyne Bell, Laura Casey, Sheila Petterplace
& Kristin Plett.
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AUGUST 2022 VOLUNTEERS OF THE WEEK | |
Pregnancy Care Centre Grande Prairie nominated Sharon Siebert &
Filomena Janzen
Meals on Wheels nominated:
Nathan Platana, Lianne Crook,
Helen McDonald, Sharon Cline,
Cliff Mitchell, Joyce Mitchell,
Martin Loxam, Andrew Loxam,
Ben Gustavson & Theresa Uzelman
AHS Adult Day Program nominated Candice Jaschke
Sexsmith Tumbling Club nominated Alycia Jamison
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Volunteers of the Week receive a $5 Gift Card & Travel Mug from Tim Hortons! They are also entered into our Volunteer of the Month Draw! | | |
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All Volunteers of the Week nominees (excluding those nominated by the Association) are entered into the Volunteer of the Month Draw.
Volunteers of the Month receive a $100 Tim Hortons gift card and are featured on our website and newsletters!
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The winner of July’s Volunteer of the Month draw is Sandi Neville! Sandi was nominated for Volunteers of the Week by the Grande Prairie Pride Society!
Here is a look back at what they had to say about their Volunteer, ‘Sandi is always up to take on any task and brings a wealth of experience and connections to the table. Even with an injury, she is an integral member of our team, bringing new and effective ideas to the table. Thanks for always being the person to get things done!'
Congratulations Sandi!
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The winner of August’s Volunteer of the Month draw is Nathan Platana! Nathan was nominated for Volunteers of the Week by Meals on Wheels!
Here is a look back at what they had to say about their Volunteer, ‘Nathan is a teen that helps with delivering meals during summer break. We love having younger individuals show interest in volunteering and the clients are delighted to see our younger generation helping out. Thank you Nathan for your enthusiasm, manners and positive attitude! ‘
Congratulations Nathan!
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The Association acknowledges the homeland of the many diverse First Nations, Inuit and Metis people whose ancestors have walked this land since time immemorial. I am grateful to work, live and learn on the traditional territory of Treaty 8. | |
Disclaimer of Liability: This newsletter contains links to third-party service provider websites. Grande Prairie Regional Association of Volunteer Organizations is not responsible and assumes no liability for the content or materials available on any linked third-party sites. | | | | |
