• View Full Issue

CALP Connections: May 2023

A Message from Rochelle Galeski, Director

The CLN Board’s recent April meeting was engaging with time for many thoughtful conversations. One discussion focused on, “What do CALPs need from the Minister of Skilled Trades and Professions or their local MLA to be able to continue their work with foundational learners?” We brainstormed a variety of responses that distinctively represented our diverse board. We discussed family literacy programs and where they “fit” under STP; challenges such as board and volunteer tutor recruitment; and regional differences that are unique to each CALP and, more broadly, how change can be difficult.

We acknowledged the resilience exemplified by CALPs. Running successful programs in CALP requires fluidity, resiliency and flexibility in communities that are complex and diverse. Learner needs and community demographics are distinctive and constantly shifting. CALPs adapt to government changes, funding changes, ever-changing workloads and changes in learner population and needs. As we navigate these shifts and changes the CLN continues to provide professional development opportunities that are relevant to our needs.

As a result of our conversation, we have resolved to give voice to CALPs with some unique and participatory solutions. We invite you to join the CLN Board for a focused conversation in our upcoming Coffee with the Board on May 24, 2023, from 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm. We want to hear your ideas about how Minister Madu can help us and what we need from his ministry to be successful. The CLN Board will ensure the Minister receives the feedback from this meeting

Ultimately, your voice and your stories are meaningful and are an important part of advocating for your CALP. We hope to hear your story so we can learn from one other.

Rochelle Galeski
Medicine Hat College CALP

• View Full Issue

CALP Connections: April 2023

A Message from Melanie Patenaude, Director & Governance Committee

Who can believe it’s April already? April is such a fun month. We can play practical jokes, see our gardens and yards blooming and eat chocolate eggs! Here are a few silly spring jokes to get us in the April frame of mind:

Q: Can February March?
A: No, but April May.

Q: Why is everyone so tired on April 1st?
A: Because they’ve just finished a long, 31 day March.

For CLN, April means it’s time to start thinking about the Outstanding Contribution Award.

This is an honour that is given to an exceptional organization or individual annually at the Literacy and Learning Awards ceremony. Every year, the Community Learning Network accepts nominations from our learning community so we can acknowledge and recognize the amazing work that is done in the CALP world.

If you would like to nominate a deserving person or organization, please consider the following:

• Do you know someone/an organization that has shown leadership in the adult learning field?
• Do you know someone/an organization that has inspired their CALP or community to advance lifelong learning?
• Do you know someone/an organization that has increased their capacity to better meet the foundational learning needs of adult Albertans?

Please consider taking the time to complete a nomination form with a letter and references. Submissions for the 2023 Outstanding Contribution to Community Adult Learning Award will be accepted until June 30th. Click here for the nomination form. 

One more item for April: have you ever considered joining the CLN Board? The Board is currently looking to recruit new members as some are nearing the end of their terms. I can say that my time on the Board has been a learning journey. I was very hesitant at first, thinking that I didn’t have the required skill set. However, I quickly realized that I was being welcomed, trained and made to fit right in.

During my time we had training sessions, professional development opportunities and a chance to sit on other committees and learn even more. If you think this sounds like something you’d like to try, please take a moment to fill out the application. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact myself or any other CLN Board member.

• View Full Issue

CALP Connections: March 2023

A Message from Tanya Mercredi, Vice Chair & Chair of the Governance Committee

Welcome, March! March 20th is the official start of spring and I couldn’t be happier! 

The days are getting longer at the farm, where I live with my husband. We’re shaking off our semi-hibernation winter routines and are getting ready for brand new seasons of renewal, growth and change. We’re preparing for new babies, new plants, and learning new and better ways of doing things. I always approach these new seasons with curiosity because I know that nature is going to teach me something new – it does every time. I am very much an adult learner in these situations. 

My name is Tanya Mercredi and I am the Rimbey Coordinator of Ponoka & Rimbey Adult Learning. Last month marked my sixth year in this role, and much like at home, my curiosity has driven me in this position and I found there’s always something new, exciting, and relevant to learn.  

My curiosity sparked when I first read that the CLN Board was recruiting new members.  I knew I was going to apply, but then I became curious about other things:

• Do I even know enough about being a board member and have the confidence to make a valuable contribution amongst such esteemed colleagues? Hint: You do!
• Am I going to look like a fool if I have to ask questions because I don’t understand something? Not in the slightest.
• Will my voice (and opinions) be heard – and matter? Absolutely.
• Will the demands of being on the board interfere with my job? It hasn’t yet, and because the time away is minimal and my travel is compensated, my own board is more than willing to support my involvement. 

On top of sharing the answers to my own questions, I would like to highlight a few of the benefits I have found serving on the CLN Board of Directors. 

• I am working with some wonderful committed and knowledgeable people who are both generous and kind in sharing their expertise.
• The conversations are always insightful, engaging, and forward-thinking.
• I’ve learned so much about being on a provincial board and board governance and always felt supported in learning the role. This, in turn, has helped me work with my own board.
• The networking opportunities are outstanding!
• There is something that makes me feel very “connected” working with a group of people who share a passion for helping adult learners and the adult learning community.
• All of this has contributed to my growth both personally and professionally.

The CLN Board has gone through and will continue to go through renewals, growth, and change and I am very grateful to be part of this ‘season’ on the board.

We are looking for CALP members to join our board!  I would encourage anyone interested in becoming a board member to contact our Chair, Colleen Thiessen at ed@wetaskiwinlearning.ca. Colleen is very gracious in answering any questions you might have. You may also reach out to any of the other board members.(Find out more about the board members on the CALP Portal here: https://calp.ca/cln-board-of-directors.html).  

CLN Board nomination and applications can be found on the CALP Portal:

CLN Board Member Position Description

CLN Board Member Nomination Form

I hope everyone is well and has a wonderful spring!

• View Full Issue

CALP Connections: February 2023

A Message from Colleen Thiessen, CLN Board Chairperson

Exciting things are about to happen in February that I hope will spark your interest to learn and connect. You might be wondering what could possibly be inspirational about February, other than we survived the long month of January and are one month closer to leaving the dark days of winter behind us. Let me brighten your day by saying…

Symposium 2023 registration is now open! The CLN team has been working hard to provide professional development opportunities that encompass a variety of interesting topics for CALPs, and I know there will be some amazing learning happening at Symposium 2023. CALPs around the province are so good at providing connections and inspiration to learners, while learning, being innovative and curious right with them.

I encourage you to register and plan to attend Symposium 2023 to see your spark ignite!

Colleen Thiessen
CLN Board Chairperson

• View Full Issue

CALP Connections: January 2023

A Message from Cindy Heidecker, Secretary

Happy New Year, CLN Family!

My name is Cindy Heidecker and I am thrilled to be in the second year of my Board of Director term. This year I am also responsible for the secretarial duties for the Community Learning Network. I am connected to the CALP system through my position as the program manager for Paintearth Adult Learning. Our organization serves County of Paintearth learners in the east central Alberta communities of Brownfield, Castor, Coronation & Halkirk. When I am not supporting community learning opportunities I am a passionate sports fan and enjoy spending time with family, travelling, quilting, reading and being outdoors.

I had the pleasure of completing my Masters in Open, Digital & Distance Education from Athabasca University in October, 2022. During my final presentation my amazing professor asked me to share my thoughts on the following Adam Grant (professor of organizational psychology in the United States) quote; “Beating yourself up doesn't make you stronger. It leaves you bruised. Being kind to yourself isn't about ignoring your weaknesses. It's about giving yourself permission to learn from your mistakes. We grow by embracing shortcomings, not punishing them.”

We see bruised learners walk through our door. The CALP philosophy of providing warm and welcoming space assists learners through the process of being kind to themselves. Together CALP staff and learners identify where they are at in their learning journey and where they want to be. This is all part of the lifelong learning process.

Celebrate the learners that you have witnessed move from beating themselves up to embracing their shortcomings and hold space for those that were not ready yet.

Cheers to the work that each and every one of you does to give your students permission to learn from their mistakes, not punishing them!