CALP Connections: March 2018

Is it spring yet?!! If you are like me, we seem to have been enjoying this winter for a long time, and I’m ready for an infusion of some new life and energy! I love to see the days get longer, and count the weeks until some greenery will appear.

Fortunately, we don’t have to wait for spring weather to find splashes of optimism and joy in our work. There is the sparkle in the eye of a learner who suddenly “gets it”, or one who realizes they’ve achieved that goal that seemed so hard. There is the energizing challenge of a new opportunity popping up. There are the words of support from colleagues, Regional Support Staff and volunteers as we work toward our common goals. There are amazing opportunities to learn and stretch and grow. So as we dive into applications and reports, let’s celebrate why we do this work. How many people get paid to make a difference in someone’s life? I’m glad to be a part of this team that chooses to invest in the lives of individuals and communities.

Lois Polege
CLN Board of Directors

Registration for Literacy and Learning Symposium 2018 is LIVE!

We are excited to announce we launched registration for the 2018 Literacy & Learning Symposium today!

CLN invites you to join us at the Literacy and Learning Symposium 2018 in Edmonton. The Symposium will be held at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel from Tuesday, September 25th to Friday, September 28th. 

This year our theme for Symposium is "Creating Safe and Welcoming Spaces". As CALPs, we know that you do your best to create safe and welcoming spaces for your learners. We want you to know that we are working hard to make sure that Symposium is a safe and welcoming learning space for you!

We've read through all of your evaluations, comments and suggestions and listened to the feedback you provided at the Literacy and Learning Symposium 2017. We are building on your input and suggestions to bring you an agenda full of PD and networking like you have never seen before! 

This year you can expect to see:

• A quiet place where you can connect, share and learn from each other informally in the Fireside Chat room
• More topics at Connections Café, with a change in format to make it easier to take in more than one topic
• Meet-The-Experts sessions as requested by you!

This year will be a 3.5 day Symposium, and once again you will have the option of attending all 3.5 days, from Tuesday to Friday, or just the day or days that suit your needs for one flat fee. The registration fee for this year's Symposium is $175.00.

Also, this year - as part of our efforts to make your Symposium experience a postive one from start to finish - we have created a new Tip Sheet to help you with planning and registration. 

To find all the details about the program options, just click on the "Symposium" tab from the Portal's main navigation menu, or go to https://www.calp.ca/symposium/home/about-the-symposium.html.

Last day for registration is Friday, September 14.

VegMin Learning Society profiled in ABC Life Literacy Canada newsletter

Vegreville's VegMin Learning Society was featured as the Literacy Organization Profile in the ABC Life Literacy Canada February 2018 newsletter, which is sent out right across Canada!

VegMin Learning Society was featured for offering UP Skills for Work as part of the programming they offer. UP Skills was launched by ABC Life Literacy in September and it is their new resource designed to help adult learners develop the "soft skills" that employers are looking for. 

In the ABC Life Literacy profile piece, Holly Cependa, VegMin's Executive Director, said that the first round of UP Skills for Work workshops they ran targeted low-skilled workers who were unemployed or underemployed. She has noticed and heard from local employers that people coming out of high school often lack some of the soft skills that are fundamental for many positions. She hopes that UP Skills for Work will help her learners discover that they are in control of their lives and capable of positive change. Click here to read more of the profile.

VegMin Learning Society, as you may remember, was one of the recipients of the 2017 Outstanding Contribution to Community Adult Learning Awards, with their partner Smoky Lake County Community Learning Council. They were recognized for the innovative way they collaborated to increase both organizations' impact and capacity to serve learners by sharing instructors and reaching learners served by both organizations through their use of technology to extend their instructor's reach.

The ABC Life Literacy community profile is a new feature in their newsletter and they hope to highlight an organization, learner or volunteer profile around the country each month.

To subscribe to the ABC Life Literacy newsletter, just go to https://abclifeliteracy.ca/newsletter.

For more information on UP Skills for Work visit https://upskillsforwork.ca/.

2018 Council of the Federation Literacy Award Nominations Open!

The 2018 call for nominations is now open!

The Council of the Federation Literacy Award was created in 2004 by Canada's Premiers to recognize literacy achievements in every province and territory. The award recognizes outstanding achievement, innovative practice, and excellence in literacy.

Alberta has celebrated the achievements of learners and educators in the areas of community, family, Indigenous, and workplace literacy. This year Alberta will continue to honour the hard work and commitment of a community organization that is helping adults to acquire and build on the foundational learning skills they need to improve their lives.

Help us celebrate and recognize the work and leadership of a community literacy organization by completing and submitting a nomination package. For more information, see the Frequently Asked Questions or visit the Council of the Federation.

Nominations close May 18, 2018.

Spring Regional Meetings - Save the Dates!

Just a reminder to save the dates for the upcoming Spring Regional Meetings. 

Regional Meetings are an excellent opportunity for CALP staff, Boards, and regional partners to come together to share and learn from one another.

Registration for Regional Meetings will be posted on the CALP Portal "Trainings and Events" calendar. Please keep an eye out on your CALP Portal Summary emails - registration is usually posted about a month before your regional meeting. In the meantime be sure to save the date!

West Central (Edmonton surrounding areas) - March 15, Stony Plain. Click here to register. Deadline to RSVP is March 8, 2018.

South - April 10, Lethbridge 

West Central (Rural) - April 17 &18, Drayton Valley

North - April 26, Grande Prairie

Central - May 1, Big Valley

East Central - May 10, St. Paul

Your Regional Support Staff will be sending out more detailed information in the upcoming weeks.

Quote of the Day

Try to be a rainbow in someone's cloud.

- Maya Angelou