CALP ConnectionsCALP Connections: 2017 Archive
CALP Connections: December 2017
Winter Wishes from Team CLN
It's hard to believe December is here again! As the calendar year winds down, many people enjoy taking some time to reflect on the year that was, and to look forward to what the year ahead may hold.
2017 was a special year for the Community Learning Network, as we celebrated our 30th Anniversary. Thank you to all those who shared their "Pearls of Wisdom" throughout the year, and to those who joined us to celebrate in person at the Literacy and Learning Symposium. What a cake!
2018 promises to be another year of change and growth within the Community Adult Learning Program. We can't wait to set off on the next leg of this journey with all of you!
Many CALPs will be taking a break through the winter holiday season, and the CLN team will be too. We hope you all have the opportunity to spend some well-earned time resting, relaxing and rejuvenating. We look forward to reconnecting with you all in the New Year!
- Team CLN
CALP Connections: November 2017
Please note: we sent out this month's newsletter without the link to important information about the Call for Presenters for the 2018 Literacy and Learning Symposium. We are resending the newsletter with the appropriate link.
Greetings from the Chair
By now all of us are deep into our programming…planning, hiring, arranging, booking rooms, statistic gathering and all that is required of us to meet the needs of our communities. Hold on! Christmas break is coming next month.
Do you know that you belong to one of the best organizations in our province? If you don’t know it already, you will as you continue within this organization!
I would like to take this opportunity to welcome to the CLN Board, Colleen Thiessen, the Executive Director of Wetaskiwin Community Learning Program, as she becomes an ambassador for the CALP system we serve.
In this, my last year on the CLN Board, I am looking forward to do my part serving as Chair of this dynamic organization. As in every year on this Board, I am so looking forward to the range of resource-rich expertise, strategically engaged talent and fresh perspective sure to be present at every meeting.
My involvement with the CLN Board has been a conscientious journey with changes brought about by our collaborations, engaging discussions and live presentations, provoking new insights. Consequently, we have evolved into a well-organized, accomplished organization which gives me great pride.
The board environment has been dear to me because I am here with board members committed to making a difference in our province; with this experience, I have grown and deepened my ability to serve.
I look forward as chair of the CLN Board, to continued interaction with inspirational board members who represent achievement in their professional lives, and are willing to share ideas and love of the work. I recognize and honor their work, their lives, and the diversity and friendships cultivated. I look forward to the upcoming discussions, one more year of learning, and what we will accomplish together.
As we prepare to meet the challenges that persist or arise. I am proud that we continue to push for diversity, equity, and inclusion as we seek ways to integrate literacy initiatives into the public experience.
I cherish and hold dear friendships made and look forward to one more year of an awesome experience, working with all of you who are optimistic, bright and fearless!
Karen Plourde, Chair
CLN Board of Directors
CALP Connections: October 2017
Presenting the 2017 - 2018 CLN Board of Directors
Thank you to everyone who joined us for our 30th Annual General Meeting at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Edmonton on September 27th.
This year, there were no new Board members elected, as the current Board were all eligible to either continue their current term, or stand for a new two-year term. Following the AGM, the CLN Board of Directors met to select the Executive positions on the Board. We are pleased to share with you the CLN Board of Directors for the 2017-18 year.
Back (left to right): Doray Veno, Karen Plourde,
Jana Thomson, Lil Radley
Front (left to right): Jackie Peterson, Brenda Adams, Lois Polege
CALP Connections: May 2017
Hello Month of May!
After a rather longish and cool’ish start to spring, I am ever so hopeful that this month will bring colourful flowers, fresh air and green grass so we can step outside and enjoy the sights and sounds! Speaking of getting outside – I have been enjoying our Regional Meetings over the past month and send my thanks to all of you for attending and sharing. We’ve had great participation and engagement so far and look forward to our last two events coming up this week in Big Valley and St. Paul.
This spring also brings back a crowd favourite – year-end evaluation and membership renewal! While some may not share my enthusiasm for the collection of feedback and information, it is very important for CLN to collect this data and use it to guide our plans for the year to come. Who needs what, when, where and how?! We also share system trends and data with the CLN’s Board of Directors, Advanced Education and the Professional Development Advisory Committee (PDAC) to continuously shape the professional development system to meet your needs.
We need your voice! As you reflect on the past year, please share your thoughts, learnings and recommendations so we may continue to bring colour and fresh air to our system planning!
Lisa Dickner,
Executive Director
CALP Connections: April 2017
Happy spring to all of you!
At this time of the year, rejuvenation stirs in us all. For me, enthusiasm for being a CALP coordinator seems to increase with each year that passes. So many possibilities, and not enough time in a year to explore them all!
We are in a new era in terms of our ability to serve with the Portal at our disposal, clarity in the guidelines, and grant managers who work so diligently to improve our system and communicate openly with us. We are better connected now, with the ability to provide a rich environment for inquiry and practice for us all. Incredibly, everything from development to inspiration is provided by each of you, and it is just a click away.
We grow and change throughout the years, but commitment to improving our communities remains the core of our collective effort. This strong backbone of commitment, splendidly demonstrated by all of you, positively impacts, our learners, our communities, our province and in turn, our country.
CALP staff, boards and partners, represent the epitome of inspiration, innovation, and dedication to our learning communities. Each of you are uniquely outstanding. Within the many responsibilities you work tirelessly to fulfill, lies an opportunity for any one of us to shine a bright light on someone we know. With so many pressing duties to be fulfilled, taking the time to recognize others is easily neglected.
Each year, the CLN recognizes people in our system who provide an outstanding contribution. I know that encompasses each of you. Take the time, right now, to nominate an individual or a group who you know deserves this recognition. Click here to review the award guidelines and download the nomination form.
Enjoy the month of April and give thanks to be a part of the most dynamic organization in the province. I am honoured to be among you.
Karen Plourde
Vice-Chair, CLN Board
CALP Connections: March 2017
March Is Optimism Month
Some of us tend to look at optimistic people as those with their heads ‘in the clouds’ – out of touch with reality. However, optimistic people are not always smiling and chipper – they get mad and angry. Nevertheless, they are not stuck in their emotions and they appear to be better at doing one thing than those with a different attitude or outlook on life; Optimists are better at problem solving – they move quickly from problem-identification to problem solving. They believe that situations will work out, so they spend their time and energy on making these situations work, rather than focusing on their own emotional reactions.
Optimism is not a disposition you are born with. It is a learned skill, and a very important ingredient in determining your level of happiness.
Brenda’s Tips for Celebrating Optimism Month:
- Act like an optimist. Use the word choices and body posture of optimistic people. The words we use can affect our mood. Optimists take big steps, walk faster and stand taller. Do not shuffle your feet, do not take tiny steps or walk slowly and slouch.
- Move swiftly from problem-identification to problem solving. We all get angry and upset, but the challenge is to move past these emotions and start looking for strategies and solutions that will help you to deal with whatever the challenge is.
- Avoid emotional leeches. Minimize your contact with those who look on the negative side of everything, who criticize you, mock, or sabotage your dreams and aspirations.
- Be grateful. Grateful people report lower levels of depression and stress.
Remember:
- Optimists enjoy better health.
- Optimists find more success.
- Optimists feel less stressed during stressful times.
- Optimists tend to have more supportive networks and resources.
“Optimism is essential to achievement and it is also the foundation of courage and true progress.”
-- Nicholas M. Butler
Brenda Adams, Chair
CLN Board of Directors
CALP Connections: February 2017
Think of February – think of passion, hearts, and love.
Think of anyone involved in literacy – think of passion, hearts, and love. The jobs that we initially liked are now jobs that we love. We are passionate about our work and strive to find ways to help learners achieve their goals.
CALP staff have the biggest hearts, managing to do everything that is involved in their multi-layered positions.
And so are our fantastic Regional Support Staff across the province. Need help? Just call them. They are diggers, finding out what we need to know, supporting us in our work, and being there when needed.
Although the name changes from time to time – currently the Indigenous and Community Connections Branch Advanced Education - what doesn’t change is the enthusiasm and passion of all of the government CALP team.
I see the passion of my fellow CLN Board members and the rest of the CLN team, committed to investing their time and energy for the community adult learning programs across the province.
Passion, big hearts, and love from all involved in this literacy and foundational learning work is positive and impactful; it changes lives! As Roberto Benigni said in the movie “Life is Beautiful”
La vita e bella; la vita e amore.
Life is beautiful; life is love.
Thank you, everyone, for helping make life beautiful for so many learners. Happy February, and a special Valentine’s Day!
Lil Radley, Secretary
CLN Board of Directors