Information is key to success in today's sport, culture and recreation environment. In Get the Scoop, you will find the latest news, funding and resources from the South East Sport, Culture & Recreation District.
District News
Annual General Meeting
INNOVATION & INSPIRATION during PANDEMIC times - Thursday, May 27

South East District is pleased to present our special Guest Speakers as part of our 2021 Annual General Meeting! Join us as these local leaders share their innovative and inspiring projects and ideas completed during one of the most difficult years - 2020! Learning from peers is one the best ways to spark new ideas within your own community!

Planning for Recreation in Small Town Saskatchewan, Ryan Reiss, Mayor, Town of Vibank

Reimagined Art Programming During the Pandemic, Regan Lanning, Curator, Weyburn Arts Council
South East District Funding Opportunities!
Facility Inventory Champions (FIC) Program
See why the Facility Inventory Champions (FIC) Program is important, and why other communities are encouraged to participate. Become a Champion!

“This will be valuable information and will hopefully help us to develop a plan to mitigate the financial impact and give us a fundraising goal to work towards.” – 2020 FIC Recipient

To learn more about our funding opportunities, check out our website!
inVest in Your Volunteers
Are your volunteers overburdened and experiencing STP (same three people) Syndrome? This program aims to provide sport, culture and recreation grassroots groups the resources, best practices and training needed to create a volunteer management plan for their organizations.

How does it work you ask? The program provides funding assistance and supports a local Champion to create a volunteer handbook (policies and job descriptions), recruitment, orientation, and recognition plan!

Check out the Guidebook to learn more!
Some Organizations Excel At Policy - Some Don't - Which One Are You? 
Be a Superstar at Programming this summer!
We all know we need policies and procedures, and we also know they take time to develop. When developing policies and procedures for your own organization, it can be beneficial to review examples. Of course, your final version needs to reflect your organization's practices, but it can be helpful to start with a pre-existing document for inspiration rather than beginning from a blank paper.

We have compiled examples to get you started. Download the pdfs or email cdc@southeastdistrict.ca for a word file.
If your pool, regional park or recreation board/department is planning to offer some programs and events this summer, whether virtual or in-person, you can learn to be a superstar programmer through our tips and templates in our PROGRAMMING TOOLKIT located on our website! From creating a budget and program plans to evaluation, there is everything you need to know to be successful!
South East District Events
Tuesday, May 11, 1:15 PM – 2:45 p.m.
Tuesday, May 18, 1:15 PM – 2:45 p.m.
Thursday, May 20, 12:00-1:00 OR 7:00-8:00
Tuesday, May 25, 1:15 PM – 2:45 p.m.
Thursday, May 10, 10:00 a.m.

Join us for a one hour presentation that will highlight two of our new 2021 initiatives:
  • Facility Inventory Champions Program
  • inVest in your Volunteers Program

You will learn about the programs, what they entail and how to apply to participate.
ED Blog: The Untapped Goldmine of The Digital World: Sponsorship and Fundraising
We recently hosted a sponsorship and fundraising webinar in April. Thank you to Brent Barootes from Partnership Group Sponsorship Specialists for sharing his 12 steps to the successful monetization of sponsorship and fundraising in the digital world! The webinar focused on the need for groups and organizations to know what you have to sell to potential sponsors and what it is worth – your “inventory of saleable assets is now different”.
Spotlight Story: Volunteer Profile - Mark Barnes
As we celebrate National Volunteer Week this month, we wanted to profile one of our volunteer board members, Mark Barnes (Oxbow)! Mark is ending his five-year stint on the board, and we would like to extend a warm thank you to Mark for his time and commitment to our board team! His jolly and playful demeanor meant our board meetings were always kept light-hearted and fun. We will miss you Mark!
Sport Spotlight
High Performance Coach Development Grant
The High Performance Coach Development Grant supports Saskatchewan coaches who work with high performance athletes and are committed to upgrading their coaching skills and abilities through education, training, and certification.
The grant, which is funded by Canadian Sport Centre Saskatchewan and administered through CAS, has annual deadlines four times a year: March 1, June 1, September 1 and December 1.
May is KidSport Month in Saskatchewan
Government of Saskatchewan Minister of Parks, Culture and Sport, Laura Ross, proclaimed May as KidSport Month in Saskatchewan. The month-long campaign, which will feature COVID-safe fundraisers and celebrations, begins on May 1.

Donate or learn more a kidsport.ca/sk or follow them on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram using @KidSportSK.
Upcoming Training Opportunities
Art Alerts
Indigenous Culture Broom Designed by Greyden Yee Louison Part of #UnitedWeCurl Initiative
The Indigenous Culture broom was designed for us by Greyden Yee Louison from the Kahkewistahaw First Nation. The imagery he has selected is powerful, and you can learn about it as described here in Greyden’s own words:

"At the top of the broom, I have the sweetgrass and peace pipe. For the Indigenous people, the peace pipe is looked at as a sacred object. When people go to church, they use the bible to pray to the creator, this is our way to pray to the creator."

"Sweetgrass is inserted into the peace pipe and Indigenous people would smoke it for ceremonies and to pray. When the sweetgrass is burned, the smoke from it goes to heaven. This is how they tie together with one another."
Getting Ready for 2021!
Planning is underway for Culture Days 2021, a month-long celebration of culture, happening September 24-October 24, and taking place indoors, outdoors, and online across the country. The registration site will launch in May, and virtual programming is once again encouraged.

To help engage Saskatchewan communities, SaskCulture is providing sponsorships of up to $5,000 to Culture Days Hubs in the province to support the continued success of Culture Days in Saskatchewan (due to the limited amount of funding, sponsorships may not cover all expected expenses).

There is no deadline; applications will be considered on a first-come, first-served basis until September 1, 2021 or until the sponsorship budget is expended – whichever comes first. Interested applicants are encouraged to email Shelley Fayant, SaskCulture Communications Consultant, for further details and information on how to apply online.

Shelley Fayant, Communications Consultant
sfayant@saskculture.ca
306-780-9289
Resources
Recreation Report
Swimming Pool Operators Course
The Saskatchewan Health Authority in Regina and area offers a Swimming Pool Operators Course (SPOC) for all individuals involved in the operation of a swimming pool or hot tub. This course may be taken by anyone who has an interest in learning more about the design and operation of a swimming pool or whirlpool, including individuals who own private pools or hot tubs.

The topics that will be covered in this course include:
  • Pool Equipment and Recirculation
  • Pool Water Filtration
  • Pool Water Chemistry
  • Swimming Pool Water Disinfection
  • Whirlpools

Online interactive course review will be held on Thursday July 16th, 2020 at 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. to review the course material by Webex.

Swimming Pool Operator Home Study Course exam will be held at 2nd Floor, 2110 Hamilton Street on Thursday July 23, 2020 at 1:00 p.m.
Trivia on the Trail - Whitewood Walking Trail
SPRA Field Consultant Dan Gallagher spoke with Ryan Dale, Recreation Director and Facilities Manager for the Town of Whitewood about their innovative Winter Trail Trivia program.

Recreation industry professionals throughout Saskatchewan are creating new programs to keep people in their communities active and thriving during the pandemic.
Upcoming Opportunities & Resources
Volunteer Resource Hub
The Importance of Volunteering in Your Community
Weyburn's Abby Kradovill has been devoting her time and efforts towards volunteer work within the community for well over a decade with her involvement in the Girl Guides, Weyburn Oilwomen, Colour My World Childcare, Weyburn Silver Seals Swim Team, Weyburn Artistic Swimming Club, and her time with an early safety training steering committee years ago where she planned their golf tournaments. She also helps out provincially as the marketing chair for Saskatchewan Artistic Swimming.
COVID-19 Resources
South East District has compiled COVID-19 updates and resources applicable to sport, culture and recreation on our website resources page.


As restrictions related to COVID-19 are gradually lifted, more information about the Re-Open Saskatchewan Plan, released on April 23, 2020, will be available and become embedded in the Plan.
For more resources, visit our retooled 'Resource' section on our website.
Inclusion Insights
Register Now for Camp Connected
SaskAbilities - Camp Easter Seal is excited to open registrations for Camp Connected, an online, virtual program open to all Saskatchewan residents experiencing a disability.

Their interactive and engaging program will run from June 14 – August 19, 2021 and bring the best of camp experiences via virtual activities, challenges, campfires, videos and much more.
Mental Health Week - May 3-9, 2021
This year during the Mental Health Week Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) branches and programs all across Saskatchewan have teamed up to offer a week of mental health
presentations!

Check out events page on Facebook for quick links to each event!
Resources
Physical Activity and Play
Join the ParticipACTION Community Better Challenge
June 1-30, 2021
Did you know that everything gets better when you get active? Even communities! Participate in the challenge this June to get moving, connect with others and help your community get crowned Canada's Most Active Community.

At the conclusion of the challenge, one community will earn the top prize of $100,000 and title of being Canada’s most active. In addition to the national winner, there will also be prizing for the most active community in each province and territory.
Grants & Funding 
New Funding for Municipalities
Infrastructure Canada is now accepting applications for their new federal Green and Inclusive Community Buildings Program. Applications are being accepted on an ongoing basis for projects under $3 million and until July 6, for projects from $3 million to $25 million.

For more information about this Government of Canada program, visit Green and Inclusive Community Buildings or email infc.gicbp-pbcvi.infc@canada.ca.
SaskPower Community Rink Relief Program
SaskPower is offering a one-time relief program to help community rinks with the financial hardships caused by COVID-19. The Community Rink Relief Program is available from March 1 to September 1, 2021. During that time, SaskPower will waive all demand charges for eligible community rinks. For more information or to apply to the program, click the link below.
Re-Open Saskatchewan Training Subsidy
The Re-Open Saskatchewan Training Subsidy (RSTS) program has been launched in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The program is an employer-driven, short term training program that provides eligible employers with financial support to train employees.

The application deadline has been extended. Applications must be received on or before June 30, 2021.
Apply by May 14, 2021
Apply by June 25, 2021
September 1, 2021
Spring - March 31, 2021
Fall - October 15, 2021
Apply by October 15, 2021
Please note deadlines may change. For up to date information, seek the funder for the correct dates.
Local Stories/Spotlight
Saskatchewan Lotteries - Everyone Wins!
Sask Lotteries funds over 12,000 sport, culture and recreation groups across Saskatchewan. Every time you purchase a lottery ticket in Saskatchewan, a portion of that revenue supports a wealth of organizations in our communities. Subscriptions allow lottery players to play draw-based games – including LOTTO MAX, LOTTO 6/49, WESTERN MAX, WESTERN 649, DAILY GRAND and EXTRA – for up to a year in advance. Subscriptions can be purchased by phone, by mail, or on the Sask Lotteries website.
Check us out on social media!
"South East District is a community driven organization for sport, culture and recreation in south east Saskatchewan. We help to build creative, active, and healthy communities. Join us!”
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