MEDIA RELATIONS

Governor General to visit the Federation of Calgary Communities

Governor General of Canada Meets with Calgary Not-for-Profit to discuss volunteer engagement

For Immediate Release: Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Calgary AB- The Federation of Calgary Communities is proud to announce that His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada, will visit its offices on Tuesday, November 30th, 2010 at 1pm MT.

The Federation supports more than 20,000 volunteers in Calgary and works to improve neighbourhood life in Calgary by providing services and programs that create, support and sustain community associations. The Governor General will meet with The Federation of Calgary Communities because of its work with community associations and volunteer engagement.

“We are very honoured and excited for this opportunity to sit down and discuss the important issues facing the not-for-profit sector.”  Says, Federation President Robin Elford.  “We are happy to showcase the techniques our members use in engaging volunteers and discuss some of the challenges the volunteer sector faces” Adds Elford.

The Federation of Calgary Communities will also be presenting His Excellency with a “Community Hero Award” following discussions. The community hero award is an honour The Federation uses as part of its Celebrating Communities program to recognize dedication and hard work by volunteers.

There will be a photo opportunity for media on the third floor of the Jimmy Condon building, 1609 14th Street SW, where the Governor General will be greeted by Federation President Robin Elford at 12:55pm. There will be a second photo opportunity following the meeting where the Governor General will be presented with a “Community Hero” award by The Federation at 1:45pm.

For more information please contact:

Mayor Addresses Communities at Annual General Meeting

Mayor Nenshi made a special presentation and handed out volunteer awards at The Federation's AGM

For Immediate Release: October 29, 2010

Calgary AB- Mayor Nenshi dropped in on the Federation of Calgary Communities' annual general meeting on Thursday, October 28th, 2010 at the Crossroads Community Associations building 1803 - 14 Avenue NE.

He was greeted by applause from the attendees when he entered the meeting. The Mayor proceeded to address the crowd and spoke about the importance of volunteers in Calgary and the value that they bring to our city.

His worship also helped present The Federation’s annual "Community Builder" award to Kevin Bentley and annual "Community Hero" award to Peter Snell for dedication to their community. Following the evening's presentations, awards and voting the new mayor hung around to meet and discuss issues important to community volunteers.

The Federation's annual general meeting also included: A certificate presentation ceremony for the graduates of the Partners in Planning Program (an urban planning course that helps educate Calgarians about the planning process), the election of new board members to The Federation's Board of Directors and a presentation from Calgary Community Block Watch regarding crime and safety at the community level.

For more information please contact:
Brendan Murray
Community Relations
Federation of Calgary Communities
Phone: (403) 244-4111, ext 204
Email: communityrelations@calgarycommunities.com

Calgarians Show Love of Community Through Photographs

For Immediate Release: September 16, 2010

Calgary AB- The Federation of Calgary Communities will be hosting a photo display as part of Alberta Arts Days. Photos from the 10 finalists of the “MY Community” amateur photo contest will be on display, in the Plus 15 between Bankers Hall and TD Square on September 17, 2010 from 10am to 6pm.

The photo contest ran throughout the summer as a way of encouraging Calgarians to think about what community means to them and express these feelings through photography. In keeping with the grassroots spirit of community associations this event was held as an amateur contest to include as many people as possible.

“Some of the photos were terrific and showed what was important to them,” says Federation community relations coordinator Brendan Murray. “A lot of the photos have been kids playing in the yard and those traditional ideas of community. But one thing that stayed true was no matter in a suburb backdrop or urban neighbourhoods people truly make their community their home.”

The goal of the photo display is to bring the traditional idea of community life into the downtown core. Hopefully people will recognize the value of strong communities and the positive impact they have on people’s lives.

The Federation of Calgary Communities is an umbrella organization supporting over 200 not for profits in Calgary including 146 community associations. Its mission is to improve neighbourhood life in Calgary by providing services and programs that create, support and sustain vital and representative community associations.

For more information please contact:
Brendan Murray
Community Relations
Federation of Calgary Communities
Phone: (403) 244-4111, ext 204
Email: communityrelations@calgarycommunities.com

Calgary Communities get the Heebee-jeebees

Federation of Calgary Communities host everyone's favourite Heebee-jeebees for a Fundraiser and Silent Auction

For Immediate Release: June 4, 2010

Calgary AB- Internationally acclaimed comedic a cappella group the Heebee-jeebee performed in front of a very enthusiastic crowd Thursday night to raise money for the Federation of Calgary Communities and umbrella organization for over 200 not for profits in Calgary including 146 community associations.

"Our organization is pretty unique to Calgary, so we wanted to get a group like the Heebee-jeebees who is also local to this city," explains the Federation of Calgary Communities's Brendan Murray.

The Federation and its 146 community associations collectively make up the largest voluntary organization in the city with over 20,000 people volunteering annually. Despite this fact we still rely on fundraisers like this one in order to run our programs and services.

The Federation of Calgary Communities supports their members in numerous capacity building ways. The Federation has 18 full-time staff that provide financial, urban planning, organizational development and communication services to not only their 146 community association members but also to 60 other community based not-for-profits.

For more information on Calgary's community associations and the Federation please visit www.calgarycommunities.com.

For more information please contact:
Brendan Murray
Community Relations
Federation of Calgary Communities
Phone: (403) 244-4111, ext 204
Email: communityrelations@calgarycommunities.com

Meet the Ministers

Community Leaders Welcome 18 Alberta Cabinet Ministers and 18 MLAs into the Calgary Community

For Immediate Release: May 27, 2010

Calgary AB- The Federation of Calgary Communities hosted a meet and greet at the Winston Heights Mountview Community Association which brought together 18 Alberta Cabinet Ministers and 18 MLAs ad over 100 of Calgary's Community Leaders on Wednesday May 26, 2010.

"This was a great opportunity for members of the Alberta Cabinet to connect with the people representing their communities at the grassroots level." Says Leslie Evans, Executive Director of the Federation of Calgary Communities. "We are happy to facilitate this kind of open dialogue between community leaders, the Cabinet Ministers and MLAs." adds Evans.

This event was part of a full day tour where Cabinet Ministers and members of the Calgary Caucus met with various stakeholders in Calgary.

The Federation of Calgary Communities, an umbrella organization for Calgary's 146 community association and 60 area not-for-profits hosted the event.

For more information on Calgary's community associations and the Federation please visit www.calgarycommunities.com.

For more information please contact:
Brendan Murray
Community Relations
Federation of Calgary Communities
Phone: (403) 244-4111, ext 204
Email: communityrelations@calgarycommunities.com

Planning a community's future: EL-50 a vision for 50th Ave SW

Community Volunteers team up with U of C urban planning students to vision the future of their community

For Immediate Release: April 20, 2010

Calgary, Alberta – The community members of Britannia, Elboya Heights and Windsor Park are hosting students from the University of Calgary's graduating urban studies class to present their visions for the 50th Ave corridor to the community at the Temple B'Nai Tikvah Synagogue 900-47th Ave SW on Tuesday April 20th 2010 at 6:30 PM.

"This initiative will get our residents thinking about the redevelopment possibilities for the multi- family and commercial 'node' at Elbow and 50th" says Karen Paul, President of the Britannia Community Association. "We know change is coming - we want to keep what defines the character of our community, like our terrific Britannia Plaza, while opening our eyes to what could make the area even better" adds Paul.

This project began when Alta Link announced it would bury the power lines on 50th Ave SW between Macloed Trail and Elbow Drive, and redevelop the land. As a result, the Federation of Calgary Communities, on behalf of the tri-communties group, enlisted the help of a University of Calgary Urban Studies class to help them develop a vision for the area. Representatives from the three surrounding communities met with the U of C students in order to provide ideas and feedback of what they would like to see happen to the area.

"We want to engage our residents and work with the City of Calgary and other stakeholders on 50th Avenue Land Use/Density now and in the future; we want to ensure the qualities that we love about our community are not eroded" states Randall Burke, Vice President Elboya Heights Community Association.

Community associations are an invaluable partner in shaping Calgary's future. Using the city’s resources like the University of Calgary, the Federation of Calgary Communities and the City of Calgary, these groups are able to offer a grassroots approach to community and neighbourhood planning and development.

For more information please contact:
Brendan Murray
Community Relations
Federation of Calgary Communities
Phone: (403) 244-4111, ext 204
Email: communityrelations@calgarycommunities.com

Lifetime of Service Recognized with an Award of a Lifetime

Dedicated volunteer is awarded with the Hearty of Calgary after 50 years of Service to Calgary

For Immediate Release: April 20, 2010

Calgary, Alberta – Bob Lang was awarded with the prestigious Heart of Calgary yesterday, April 19th at the BMO Centre in Stampede Park, after over 50 years of service to his community.

Bob Lang is a founding member of several Community initiatives including the 4th Street Lilac Festival, Calgary's Largest Street Fair; Safer Calgary, a coalition focusing on prevention of injury, violence and crime and how both the built and natural environment impacts safety; and Peer Mediation and Skills Training through which high school students learn to resolve disputes. As well as the President of the Federation of Calgary Communities, an umbrella organization that supports over 200 Calgary area not for profits.

"Bob tries to get people to think differently about what we do. He came (to the Federation) at a time when we needed to make some drastic changes." Says Leslie Evans, Executive Director of the Federation of Calgary Communities. "The board's job is to set a vision, to think strategically and we were at risk of becoming no longer relevant if we kept doing things the same way. Bob recognized that change is not easy for some people, but he helped us move forward and supported people in making those changes." Evans adds.

Since moving to Calgary in the late sixties, Bob has lent time and talent to community development, health care, education, social services, urban planning, and the oil and gas sector. Currently, he volunteers with or serves on the board of no less than fifteen organizations working to improve life in Calgary.

The Heart of Calgary Award recognizes an individual who has made an outstanding lifetime contribution to the Calgary community through their efforts as a volunteer. This individual demonstrates a passion and commitment to creating a healthy and vibrant community and serves as an inspiration for others to make a commitment to volunteering.

For more information please contact:
Brendan Murray
Community Relations
Federation of Calgary Communities
Phone: (403) 244-4111, ext 204
Email: communityrelations@calgarycommunities.com

Calgary Welcomes Three New Community Associations

For Immediate Release: March 16, 2010

March 2010, Calgary, Alberta – The Federation of Calgary Communities is proud to announce that three new community associations have been formed and officially registered to represent the areas of New Brighton, Auburn Bay and Crestmont in Calgary.

"Forming a community association not only provides you the ability to help shape your community as a viable and important partnership with the City and other communities at large, it affords you the voice needed to ensure the quality of community life is maintained and developed." says Wendi Moore, President of the New Brighton Community Association.

By forming a community association, residents in new communities gain the ability to voice their opinions or take action on development issues, education concerns, crime prevention matters or anything else concerning neighbourhood life.

"Without a strong community voice, many facilities and other developments, such as new community schools, simply cannot happen on their own without direct consultation with a community association." adds Moore.

The addition of these three new communities brings the total number of community associations to 146 in Calgary with two more (Cranston and Sherwood currently operating with steering committees) on the way.

Community associations in Calgary are currently celebrating March Community Association Membership Awareness Month, a month long campaign run by the Federation of Calgary Communities, an umbrella organization for Calgary's community associations, to help raise awareness of the value of community associations and the importance of membership in them.

For more information please contact:
Brendan Murray
Community Relations
Federation of Calgary Communities
Phone: (403) 244-4111, ext 204
Email: communityrelations@calgarycommunities.com

March, Community Association Membership Month in Calgary

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 1, 2010

March 2010, Calgary, Alberta – March is Community Association Membership Month in Calgary as proclaimed by Mayor Dave Bronconnier. As part of this event the Federation of Calgary Communities is working with community associations on membership campaigns to help them boost membership with their own community associations. The Federation will also be supporting this campaign through other promotions throughout the city.

"There is great value in a community association membership," says Leslie Evans, Executive Director of the Federation of Calgary Communities. "You have access to programs, services and special events for all ages. There is a lot of information available through local newsletters and web sites. Many businesses offer membership discounts, and in many cases, there are central recreational facilities."

Approximately 156,000 Calgarians, or almost 15 per cent of the city's population, belong to community associations. Through this year's membership campaign, the Federation hopes to see that number grow substantially.

"Community associations help to build safe, vibrant communities," explains Evans. "They are a cohesive voice for the community and help create a sense of belonging for those who live there."

The Federation of Calgary Communities is an umbrella organization for the 146 community associations in Calgary. The Federation's mission is to improve neighbourhood life in Calgary by providing services and programs that create, support and sustain vital and representative community associations.

For more information please contact:
Brendan Murray
Community Relations
Federation of Calgary Communities
Phone: (403) 244-4111, ext 204
Email: communityrelations@calgarycommunities.com

Communities Band Together to Fight Hunger

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 20, 2009

November 2009, Calgary, Alberta –The 21st Mayor's Annual Christmas Food Drive Kicks off and community associations all over Calgary are holding their own food drives as part of the event, providing a grassroots approach to the campaign. The Food bank is working closely with the Federation of Calgary Communities to coordinate the cumulative involvement of Calgary’s community association’s in the event.

"There are residents in every single community in Calgary who access our services," says Kristen Brown, development co-ordinator, Calgary Inter-faith Food Bank. "It may be easy to think that our clients come from specific neighbourhoods, but that isn't the case."

Community associations are essential to the food drive as they provide an important neighbourhood link. Calgarians are able to be a part of this city wide campaign by taking part in their very own community through their community association.

"Community associations are so important to this food drive because they are the anchor in so many of our communities," says Brown.

The Federation of Calgary Communities an umbrella organization for the 143 community associations in Calgary has been involved for at least 15 of the past 20 years, and each year, more individual communities associations come onside to help this very worthwhile cause that meets such a basic need in our city.

For more information please contact:
Brendan Murray
Community Relations
Federation of Calgary Communities
Phone: (403) 244-4111, ext 204
Email: communityrelations@calgarycommunities.com

World Renowned Parenting Expert Barbara Coloroso is Coming to Calgary

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 6, 2009

April 20, 2009 Calgary's First Alliance, 12345, 40 Street SE, Calgary, Alberta – The Federation of Calgary Communities is bringing world renowned author and parenting expert Barbara Coloroso to Calgary for a special presentation on bullying.

Barbara is the author of five international bestsellers. She is an internationally recognized speaker and author in the areas of parenting, teaching, school discipline, non-violent conflict resolution and reconciliatory justice. She is an educational consultant for school districts, the medical and business community, the criminal justice system and other educational associations around the world.

"We are extremely excited to bring Barbara (Coloroso) to Calgary. It is our hope that Barbara will be able to give parents and teachers the tools and strategies they need to deal with this problem that affects so many of Alberta’s children." says Leslie Evans Executive Director at the Federation of Calgary Communities.

Bullying is a problem that affects 1 in 7 children in Alberta. Barbara will discuss how parents and teachers can help break the cycle of violence in her lecture: The Bully, the Bullied, and the Bystander. This lecture will also highlight the destructive combination of bullies who get what they want from their target, bullied kids who are afraid to tell, bystanders who either watch, participate, or look away, and adults who see the incidents as simply 'teasing' and a normal part of childhood. Barbara Coloroso gives parents, caregivers, educators the tools to help break this cycle of violence.

Tickets can be purchased by visiting www.calgarycommunities.com or calling 1-888-222-6608.

Doors will open at 6:30 PM and the presentation will commence at 7:00 PM

For more information please contact:
Brendan Murray
Community Relations
Federation of Calgary Communities
Phone: (403) 244-4111, ext 204
Email: communityrelations@calgarycommunities.com