The Outdoor Recreation Coalition of Alberta (ORCA) is building organizational capacity to represent non-motorized outdoor recreation in Alberta. To achieve this, ORCA will gain data and advice from the community which will inform ORCA’s 2023-2025 Strategic Plan. The Outdoor Recreation Forum will provide a solid foundation in this regard, by examining four issues central to the future success and sustainability of outdoor recreation in Alberta. ORCA will contract a Consultant/Facilitator to address this need through the ORCA Forum, to be held at Mount Royal University. The outcomes of the Forum will be gathered through facilitated small/large group discussion, input/data recording, and a subsequent ORCA Forum Report.
The Friends of the Bar U Historic Ranch Association (Friends) is in a time of flux. Over the last few years we have lost some longtime members and volunteers. There is also new management at Parks Canada who we work closely with at the Bar U Ranch. Our Board of Directors is floundering with its purpose and needs to get back on track. Friends are hoping to work on some long term goal setting and visioning to get the Board of Directors back on track and discover what direction the Board will take in the future and with our partnership with Parks Canada. Friends are hoping to work with a facilitatior to help us with this process.
Empowering vulnerable individuals and communities in Canada requires a skilled team. Developing policies, procedures and good practices within the organization ensures that BLFA is well equipped to address the root causes of poverty and create lasting change in the communities it serves. By working alongside Killick Leadership Group, a consulting firm from Calgary, BLFA hopes to achieve organizational restructuring, making it more efficient and responsive to client needs. The primary objectives of this project are to enhance the capacity of the organization, develop effective governance policies and processes, create a clear vision statement and strategic plan, as well as provide training and best practices for all board members.
Wellspring Alberta is on a journey to evolve their board of directors with the objective of ensuring the long-term sustainability of the organization, allowing it to continue its mission of ensuring that “no one has to face cancer alone.” This involves right-sizing the board and transitioning from a governance-only board to a board committed to two critical characteristics: fundraising capacity and diversity and inclusion so that we can represent the diverse community that Wellspring serves, fostering a more inclusive and representative leadership. To accomplish the stated objectives, Finley & Associates Ltd. has outlined a comprehensive work plan focused on board transformation.
Freedom Tree aims to address critical gaps in maternal care within the Siksika community. This project will pilot a program supporting girls in the outreach school during their pre-natal and post-natal periods. The grant will facilitate the provision of advocacy, practical support, and program materials, along with staff time for effective implementation. Additionally, this initiative will strengthen existing relationships with key stakeholders in education and health sectors, fostering community collaboration for future, more complex projects.
Youth build community through free chess lessons
Big Hill Haven operates an innovative family violence program for families living in Cochrane and West Rockyview county. This model offers both outreach and residential programs. The outreach program makes up 80% of the services provided with the remaining 20%, accessible to those at imminent risk who are supported in safe apartments within the community. This innovative model eliminates the need for 24 hour operations and communal spaces. Families are empowered and supported in a trauma informed way that recognizes the limited efficacy of institutional program frameworks. The cost effectiveness of the model reduces per diem costs from $149 to $35/bed/day. A formal evaluation will validate impact, identify gaps, and support replication.
String Theory Music Collective is Calgary’s visionary professional Early Music ensemble specializing in 17th & 18th century music performed on period instruments. The project, Atelier Baroque, seeks to invite renowned Early Music expert Julia Wedman to provide Historically Informed Performance workshops as professional development for the musicians of String Theory. The workshop will extend to community arts leaders through dialogue sessions offered on the topics of EDI and capacity building in Early Music. Separately funded education and community outreach activities are supported through partnerships with Amici String Program and Early Music Voices.
Wheatland Crisis Society is currently developing 37 units of Second Stage Shelter/Housing to create a domestic violence continuum of care in Wheatland County. With this evolution, the organization has undertaken a review of our service delivery model in order to scale to support expansion, most notably, in adoption of a case management framework. WSC has reviewed case management models and determined that the Outcomes Star model is ideal for our needs.
WSC is seeking a Strategic Opportunity Grant to assist us in completing the staff training necessary to adopt and implement Outcomes Star. Training could be conducted in late November allowing us to formally implement use of the case management framework by December.