The Green Line Committee met last week - and we learned that construction of the line won't be starting until 2022.
We presented at City Council during the meeting. Jane Ebbern represented the team and you can listen in to her presentation below.
This morning, city council passed the Mental Health and Addictions Strategy.
Last week we took action by asking our city councillors to pass the Mental Health strategy at committee. Today it has now passed at council and will begin to be implemented across the city.
Today city council published its proposed Mental Health and Addiction Strategy [PDF], and it's going to council on Tuesday.
This strategy is years in the making. Work that we have done during the #KeepCalgaryStrong Campaign, ongoing engagement with the city, the city's listening session with our members and our mental health advocacy, has all helped shaped this strategy and get it this far.
The next step is this push over the finish line to get council's endorsement.
St. Mary's University Chaplain, Lance Dixon, and Alliance member implements racial justice framework for the Calgary Catholic School District.
We did it! Our emails, tweets and messages to City Council paid off. Yesterday, Calgary City Council voted against the proposal to build 11 new suburban communities!
Read more about the City Council decision below:
CTV: Council Votes Down Plans for 11 New Communities
660 News: City Council Rejects Proposal for 11 New Developments
Thank you for working with us to keep our City Council accountable as we build a stronger Calgary together!
For more information or to register, click here.
Foundations Training begins next week and there has never been a more important time to sharpen your community organizing skills!
This training will help you enter the second year of Covid-19 and the recession ready to tackle the challenges that will be thrown at your organization, community and neighborhood.
The training is highly interactive, relational, and practical covering:
Grief and loss resulting from adverse events in life, including the current pandemic, can have multiple effects and impact mental health. When our worldview and sense of safety are altered existential and spiritual concerns often arise. Self-compassion and spirituality can play a key role in resilience and post-traumatic growth if facilitated.
This webinar will be facilitated by Dr. Heather M. Boynton who is an Assistant Professor in Social Work at the University of Calgary, and a Registered Social Worker who has worked in mental health for over 30 years as a Child and Family Therapist, Mental Health Consultant, and a Manager in Adult Services.
Learn more and register here.
Research Action & Strategy Meetings generally meet monthly and are always open to members of the alliance.
November 9 at 7p.m. (First Monday of every month except for when the first Monday falls on a holiday, in which case the meeting will be the second Monday.)
Join Zoom Meeting:
November 10 at 7:30 p.m. (Second Tuesday of every month)
Join Zoom Meeting:
https://iafnw.zoom.us/j/97914196873
November 17 at 7:30 p.m. (third Tuesday of every month)
Join Zoom Meeting:
https://iafnw.zoom.us/j/95829768477
November 24 at 7 p.m. (Fourth Tuesday of every month)
Please note: the Zoom link for this meeting has changed to: https://iafnw.zoom.us/j/94788195372
November 26 at 10:15 a.m. (Fourth Thursday of every Month)
Join Zoom Meeting:
https://iafnw.zoom.us/j/379841066?pwd=MkpEVnhNUWpxS1FLODBHN0NheTgyZz09
December 1 at 7:00 p.m. (First Tuesday of every Month)
Join Zoom Meeting:
Join Zoom Meeting
https://iafnw.zoom.us/j/99825236545
One of Calgary Alliance's board members and partners at the public law clinic at U of C is launching a service in partnership with Vibrant Communities Calgary to help people who might be facing foreclosure or eviction. Please see the links below for more details.
https://www.cplea.ca/help-with-debt-alberta/
The Canadian Poverty Institute is partnering with Vibrant Communities Calgary to conduct an evaluation of the formal and informal emergency food assistance system. The purpose of the project is to develop recommendations that will improve the capacity of Calgary’s emergency food assistance system to effectively deliver food assistance in an emergency, especially during COVID-19. Please see the flyer below for more information and click here to take the survey.
The new Agile Leadership Training at St. Mary's University is designed to equip leaders with cutting-edge skills, an Agile mindset, and the knowledge to achieve sustainable agility in their organizations. Check it out here.
As a part of our Fundraising Campaign, please consider becoming a monthly donor to support our work. Information detailing how to make a donation can be found at: https://www.calgarycommongood.org/donate.
With your help, we will continue to build a just and compassionate Calgary. We are committed to raising $100,000 to ensure we can continue on our strong advocacy. That may sound like a great deal of money but it can be raised if people like you make a monthly gift. With just 1,000 people donating $10, $25 or $50 a month, this goal is achievable. A modest, regular gift can ensure that the Calgary Alliance for the Common Good is able to continue its important work. In a world that is fixated on what we can’t do, we are focused on what is possible.
• Preserved $70M in City services to our most vulnerable populations with the #KeepCalgaryStrong Campaign.
• Advocated for the completion of the Green Line. The result was a 14-1 majority City Council vote in favour. This will create 20k jobs, eliminate 30k of GHG emissions per year and deliver better access to transit for all.
• Saved the low-income transit pass from being cut. This impacts 60,000 low-income Calgarians. • Developed positive working relationships with civic leaders.
• Participated in an Indigenous Elder-Led reconciliation process, unique in Canada.
A short one minute video of Our Board Chair Anna Greenwood Lee and Rev David Pickett talk about the importance of the campaign and how you can make a difference here:
• Expanding our member organizations.
• Making sure our diversity reflects our city.
• Connecting more effectively with the economically and socially marginalised.
• Strengthening our connections with more Indigenous partners.
• Training our membership and communities to counter racism.
• Increasing effective communications to keep our members dynamic during and after the pandemic.
A tax-deductible gift can be made through the Industrial Areas Foundation Canada. The Calgary Alliance for the Common Good is a member of the Industrial Areas Foundation Canada (IAFC). The IAFC unites similar broad-based community organizing alliance and supports their leadership development and research work. Donations can be made online through:
www.calgarycommongood.org/donate. (Follow the link to Canada Helps and select The Calgary Alliance for the Common Good Fund.)
Cheques can be made out to the Industrial Areas Foundation Canada, with CACG in the memo line and sent to:
Industrial Areas Foundation Canada
PO Box 20094 RPO Fairview
Vancouver BC, V5Z 0C1
Now, join us in following through with our commitments by taking action on one of the following steps:
1. Take action on the city budget. Leading up to, and during the city budget discussion, the Calgary Alliance will send out emails that indicate what actions are needed. Keep an eye out for these and join us, as we take action to build a strong Calgary.
2. Join a Research Action Team. We have five research action teams. If you are interested in joining one – please email: [email protected].
3. Attend the Foundations of Community Organizing Training. Monday’s and Thursday’s from November 16th – 30th at 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm on Zoom. This core training teaches the skills and philosophy that the Calgary Alliance’s work is based upon. To register go to: https://www.calgarycommongood.org/foundations_for_community_organizing_2.
4. As a part of our Fundraising Campaign, please consider becoming a monthly donor to support our work. Information detailing how to make a donation can be found at: https://www.calgarycommongood.org/donate.
Social media is a powerful tool. Join us for this training to learn how to use social media to both strengthen communications within your organization and for collective public action. This webinar will be facilitated by Alex Middleton and Annelise Klingbeil from Champion Communications.
For more information and to register please click here.
Grief and loss resulting from adverse events in life, including the current pandemic, can have multiple effects and impact mental health. When our worldview and sense of safety are altered existential and spiritual concerns often arise. Self-compassion and spirituality can play a key role in resilience and post-traumatic growth if facilitated. This webinar will be facilitated by Dr. Heather M. Boynton who is an Assistant Professor in Social Work at the University of Calgary, and a Registered Social Worker who has worked in mental health for over 30 years as a Child and Family Therapist, Mental Health Consultant, and a Manager in Adult Services.
Learn more and register here.
Research Action & Strategy Meetings generally meet monthly and are always open to members of the alliance.
November 9 at 7p.m. (First Monday of every month except for when the first Monday falls on a holiday, in which case the meeting will be the second Monday.)
Join Zoom Meeting:
November 10 at 7:30 p.m. (Second Tuesday of every month)
Join Zoom Meeting:
https://iafnw.zoom.us/j/97914196873
November 17 at 7:30 p.m. (third Tuesday of every month)
Join Zoom Meeting:
https://iafnw.zoom.us/j/95829768477
November 24 at 7 p.m. (Fourth Tuesday of every month)
Please note: the Zoom link for this meeting has changed to: https://iafnw.zoom.us/j/94788195372
November 26 at 10:15 a.m. (Fourth Thursday of every Month)
Join Zoom Meeting:
https://iafnw.zoom.us/j/379841066?pwd=MkpEVnhNUWpxS1FLODBHN0NheTgyZz09
One of Calgary Alliance's board members and partners at the public law clinic at U of C is launching a service in partnership with Vibrant Communities Calgary to help people who might be facing foreclosure or eviction. Please see the links below for more details.
https://www.cplea.ca/help-with-debt-alberta/
The Canadian Poverty Institute is partnering with Vibrant Communities Calgary to conduct an evaluation of the formal and informal emergency food assistance system. The purpose of the project is to develop recommendations that will improve the capacity of Calgary’s emergency food assistance system to effectively deliver food assistance in an emergency, especially during COVID-19. Please see the flyer below for more information and click here to take the survey.
The new Agile Leadership Training at St. Mary's University is designed to equip leaders with cutting-edge skills, an Agile mindset, and the knowledge to achieve sustainable agility in their organizations. Check it out here.
The next open house will be on Nov. 5th at 7 pm – 8:15 at Temple B’nai Tikvah. Register by emailing [email protected] and you will be sent a zoom link.. Rabbi Mark Glickman will give a 30 minute presentation, 15 minute question and answer, virtual tour and dialogue.
Our Alliance has had some great success stories in advocacy this year and we will gather online to mark these achievements. But, even more importantly, we will come together at this Assembly to advance the conversation about Calgary's budget; its relationship to the future of our city and the way in which our city and our police force can move towards Truth and Reconciliation, through the expansion of the Indigenous Liaison program. Mayor Nenshi is scheduled to speak among many others. I do hope you can join me for this moving event.
Social media is a powerful tool. Join us for this training to learn how to use social media to both strengthen communications within your organization and for collective public action. This webinar will be facilitated by Alex Middleton and Annelise Klingbeil from Champion Communications.
For more information and to register please click here.