CALP Connections: Summer 2026
Upcoming Professional Development Opportunities, Call for CLN Board Applications, Become a CALP Portal Blog Contributer, and more...
A Message from Dave Albrecht,
CLN Board Chair
CLN Board Chair
Wrapping Up the Year and Looking Ahead
Well folks, here we are again.
For many people, June means the beginning of summer: longer days, warmer weather, barbecues, camping, gardening, and the hopeful belief that this year the mosquitoes might be more reasonable.
But for CALP organizations, June also means something else: the end of another fiscal year.
It is the season of wrapping things up, reflecting on the work we have done, celebrating our successes, and yes, even embracing the things that did not go quite as planned. After all, if everything went perfectly, what would we talk about at meetings?
Year-end is more than reports, budgets, statistics, and final paperwork. Although, let’s be honest, there is certainly no shortage of those. It is also an opportunity to pause and ask ourselves some important questions:
What went well?
What did we learn?
Where did we grow?
What challenged us?
And perhaps most importantly, how do we use all of that to shape the year ahead?
As I look back on my year as CLN Chair, I can honestly say it has been a year of growth — both personally and, I believe, for our Board as a whole.
We began the year with a few new faces around the table. For me, this was my second year on the Board, but my first year serving as Chair. Like any new role, it came with a learning curve, a few moments of uncertainty, and several opportunities to quietly think, “Well, I hope I look like I know what I’m doing.”
What has been especially rewarding is watching our team come together. Each Board member brought their own experience, perspective, and commitment to the work. Over the course of the year, I saw us ask thoughtful questions, engage in meaningful discussions, and continue moving forward with purpose.
Change is not always easy, but it is often necessary. Seeing our Board embrace that change and work together to strengthen the organization has been one of the highlights of my year.
In our previous year, the Board made some major strides in developing what I feel is a strong Advocacy Policy. This policy will help CLN move forward within a structured, yet flexible framework as we continue working to strengthen our community and support the CALP system.
Through conversations with our membership, we also realized it may be time to dust off our Sustainability Plan and Succession Plan. And by “dust off,” I do not mean gently admire them from across the room and then put them back on the shelf. I mean asking the important question: how do we move these plans from being “wallpaper” to becoming living, working documents?
Don’t get me wrong — the work of the CLN Board is already framed around the organization’s Sustainability Plan. However, as a newer Board member, it can sometimes be a challenge to see these documents as more than just words on a page. The real work is figuring out how to bring them to life in a practical, meaningful, and accountable way.
In April, we reviewed the Sustainability Plan. From that work, we not only streamlined and refreshed our purpose, but we also began strengthening and developing tools that will help us remain accountable to that plan.
And yes, you read that correctly — we shook up our purpose!
We removed items that we could not reasonably be accountable for and focused more clearly on the areas where CLN can truly make an impact.
The CLN Purpose:
We strengthen the Community Adult Learning system in Alberta by:
- Ensuring Community Adult Learning Programs (CALP) have access to responsive professional learning and supports
- Practicing and promoting a culture of knowledge and resource sharing
We still have a way to go with this work, but believe it or not, it has been challenging and frustrating, rewarding and disappointing, fun and tedious — in other words, governance!
As I mentioned earlier, all of this work has been made so much easier because we have such a great team on our Board. The work can be hard, but this group also makes it enjoyable, and that makes a big difference.
Our AGM is coming up this fall, and with that comes more recruitment opportunities. If you would like to become part of this amazing journey — how is that for a sales pitch? — please reach out to me, another Board member, Lisa CLN's Executive Director, or your Regional Support Staff to learn more about the process for joining the Board.
We would love to hear from you.
Don’t look now, Lisa, but I am going to spill the beans because apparently, I cannot keep a secret...
In 2027, CLN will celebrate its 40th anniversary!
The staff are already working on some big plans to celebrate this milestone, so stay tuned for the fun that is about to unfold!
Have a fantastic summer, people of the CALP world!
Best wishes as you work your way through year-end reporting. And here is a little secret: if you focus on your learner successes, the numbers have a funny way of finding their place on the page.
Upcoming Professional Development Opportunities
CLN is working to bring you a line up of training, coaching, communities of practice and self-study learning options to help you grow in your work and career in 2026-2027!
Use the new PD Tracker to bookmark CLN training you plan to take. Access the PD Tracker on the CALP PD Success Pathways page (under the Learning and Resources tab).
Better yet, let CLN know which training you are looking for this year. We will notify you when registration opens. Choose the 'PD Pathways Training Request' button within the PD Tracker to sign up.
Not sure what training CLN has to offer? Explore the CALP PD Success Pathways page for a listing of CLN's available PD Options.
Required Training
Have you and your staff completed the training required for your CALP grant?
Introduction to Adult Foundational Learning
All staff involved in the oversight and delivery of literacy and foundational learning programming must complete this training.
Watch for facilitated and self-study course options to be posted soon in the September 2026 training calendar on the CALP Portal.
CALP Essentials for Family Literacy Programs
All staff responsible for the oversight and direct delivery of family literacy programs, including contracted facilitators and instructors and volunteers, must complete this training.
Next training dates will be posted in the November 2026 training calendar on the CALP Portal.
Training for Instruction
Using learner materials to teach reading and writing Lethbridge (June 11)
Staff Picks: Resources to Support Indigenous Ways of Learning (June 18)
Training for CALP Management
CALP Database Learning Lab (June 17)
Professional Communities
Join a professional learning community to connect with your peers for informal discussions and connections, facilitated by CLN staff.
North and West Connections Café (June 9)
Spring In Person Regional Gatherings – Save the Date!
East Region - June 9 (St Paul)
South Region - June 12 (Lethbridge)
Central Region - June 8 (Castor) and June 11 (Innisfail)
Coaching
Our one-on-one coaching sessions offer you the unique opportunity to connect with CLN & CALP staff who have extensive expertise in their field. Whether you have specific questions or want to explore new areas of growth, our personalized coaching is designed to bring you practical and actionable learning specific to the work you do every day.
Book a coaching session
Check the Training and Events calendar often for CLN’s Fall 2026 professional development events!
CLN Board of Directors:
Call for Applications
Call for Applications
The CLN Board is currently recruiting Community Adult Learning Program Staff and/or CALP Board Members to join our team! Submissions are due by June 30th.
We’re looking for individuals who will bring their passion and their skills to the CLN Board.
If you are interested in learning more, please see the CLN Board Member Position Description or email board@calp.ca.
(Note: A Portal sign-in is required to view the CLN Board Member Position Description.)
Become a CALP Portal Blog Contributor!
Did you know? Since September, CLN has published 35+ blogs featuring over 10 guest contributors. Guest contributors help us expand our knowledge base, feature new voices, and highlight topics that are relevant across the province.
If you have insights, lessons learned, or perspectives worth sharing with your peers, we invite you to write for us. Topics can include emerging trends, practical strategies, policy reflections, or experiences from the field. If it's relevant to your work in CALP, it will be relevant to others.
Submission Guidelines
- Word count: 500 to 1,000 words
- Tone: Informative and conversational
- Format: Plain text, Google Doc, or Word
How We Can Help
- Brainstorm a topic
- Proofreading and style edits
- Images to support your text
Want to contribute? We'd love to hear from you — please reach out to Emily at south@calp.ca
Literacy in Action
Across Canada, literacy organizations offer programs and support for literacy learners in a variety of ways. This variety looks different in each province based on the provincial government’s policies.
I recently came across the Portrait of Literacy Quebec’s Member Network 2025-2026. Although there are a few differences in how literacy is delivered to English speakers in Quebec, there are several similarities between Alberta and Quebec. See if you can spot them!
In the report, you will discover some interesting facts, learn how literacy is delivered in Quebec for English speakers and maybe find for yourself some unexplored ideas for finding and attracting learners.
This Month's Spotlight
National Indigenous Peoples Day takes place on the summer solstice, the longest day of the year. For generations, many First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities have celebrated their cultures, languages, and traditions at this time of year. The summer solstice holds deep spiritual and cultural significance for many Indigenous Peoples, marking a time of renewal, connection, and celebration.
June is also National Indigenous History Month in Canada, an opportunity to learn about the unique cultures, traditions and experiences of First Nations, Inuit and Métis who have lived on this land since time immemorial and whose presence continues to shape Canada today. It is also a moment for reflection and to recognize the ongoing impacts of colonization and to reflect on how we can all contribute to reconciliation.
Learn about the past and how it shapes the present
Understanding the history of colonization helps explain many of today's realities.
- Visit the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation to learn about Canada's Residential School System.
- Read the findings from the National Inquiry on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.
- Find out about treaties with Indigenous Peoples.
- Download the Reconciliation: A Starting Point app to learn about key historical events and reconciliation initiatives.
- Discover related content by exploring learning resources about First Nations, Inuit and Métis across Canada.
Read more at https://www.rcaanc-cirnac.gc.ca/eng/1683124800202/1683124846095
Quote of the Day
Together, Canadians must do more than just talk about reconciliation; we must learn how to practise reconciliation in our everyday lives—within ourselves and our families, and in our communities, governments, places of worship, schools, and workplaces.
- The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada