Volunteer as a Block Captain to Create Neighbourhood Teams:

Building Neighborhood Teams Webinar: here.   

Password: p8.5x?V5

Step 1: Register with Calgary Alliance for the Common Good by emailing [email protected] so we can provide free support to you. 

We will provide:

• Regular Check-in calls with the captains to support them.

• Various Webinars on topics including:
  • Mental Health
  • Emotional Health
  • Government Resources Available
  • Connections with other members that may be able to provide additional support.

Step 2:  Choose your area.  This may be your street, your condo project, or a portion of your apartment complex.  

Step 3:  Prepare a connection sheet.  You can download a fillable form here or create your own.  Some suggestions are below:     

"Hello Neighbor.  I live at ________________________. 

You’re invited to participate in a Block Program sponsored by the Calgary Alliance for the Common Good.  We want to help our neighbors  stay safe and feel connected during these challenging times. We would like to connect our community so that we can provide support to each other.  Some areas where you might need help could include food deliveries, snow shoveling, lawn mowing, or a phone call to ward off the loneliness.  Or, perhaps, you can help with one of those tasks.  Perhaps you don’t need help now but you may in the future.  As this pandemic unfolds none of us know what we may need or be able to give a month or six weeks from now.  By building a network now we are hoping to make life a little bit easier for everyone.    

If you are interested please contact  ___________________ at __________________________________________ or at:  _______________________ or drop this note back with your contact information.  Be sure to include your name, address, and contact information.   

Step 4:  Deliver to your contact area - practicing safe distance. 

Step 5:  Follow-up a few days later with another note from homes you have not heard from.  Remember - most of us have to hear something 4 or 5 times before we pay attention. Mutiple invitations may be necessary.  You are not bothering people - you are offering connection in a time of isolation.

Step 6:  Develop a simple way to track the contact information/needs/availablity.  (A simple spreadsheet can be found here.)

Step 7:  Have volunteers call each person/family on the block at least once a week to check-in.  These volunteers can identify any needs and pass it on to those able to help if they are unable to do so themselves.  For instance, housebound individuals may be happy to contact the neighbours and pass on the actual task of groceries etc to others. 

Step 8:  Invite your leaders to connect with our regular webinars and support calls.  Our next webinar can be found here.

Step 9:  Arrange for opportunities for your community to interact on a larger scale.  Suggestions include:

• Facebook - Facebook Live
• Zoom 
• Microsoft Teams (if someone has a business account)
• Google Duo
• Google Hangouts

Step 10:  Keep your commitments and know that you are making a difference.

Practicing physical distancing does not mean we must be socially distant.

Core Teams 

Content, including the recording from our first webinar/ Civic Academy building teams, can be found by clicking here.

We want to thank the Calgary Foundation for their support of this initiative.