CALP Connections: March 2020

Is that spring around the corner? At this time of year, I often think of new starts and what could develop in the year ahead. I’m hopeful that some exciting new adventures will appear, and wondering what I will learn and how I will change in the coming months. Perhaps (probably) there will be challenges, but aren’t they also part of our journey?

As we seek out new opportunities in 2020, I encourage you to consider whether this is the year you join the CLN Board! If you recognize the value of this organization, why not support it by putting yourself forward as a prospective Board member? You will find it a fantastic source of learning new skills, discovering new perspectives and building new friendships. We would love to have your contribution and voice as we strengthen the Community Adult Learning system in Alberta. Please feel free to contact any Board member with questions and suggestions. We look forward to hearing from you!

For more information on the Board Member position or to see the application form click here. 

Lois Polege, CLN Board Secretary
Adult Learning Coordinator, Flagstaff Community Adult Learning Society

Literacy and Learning Symposium 2020 Registration is Live!

We are excited to announce that the Literacy and Learning Symposium 2020 registration is now live! 

CLN invites you to join us Tuesday, September 29th to Friday, October 2nd at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel West Edmonton. It will be another year of wide-ranging and thought-provoking PD and training, combined with much desired networking time, as requested by you again on your evaluations from last year's Symposium. 

Our theme this year is Lenses on Learning. We encourage you to join us to reflect on…

• 20/20 vision – seeing clearer
• focusing / re-focusing
• magnifying new and different perspectives
• looking to demystify adult learning

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. We are happy to let you know the registration fee for this year's Symposium remains at only $175.00. 

Adult Learner Speaker Recommendations

The Symposium planning committee is in search of Adult Learner Speakers for the Opening Ceremonies on Tuesday, September 29th as well as the Awards Banquet on Thursday, October 1st. If you know an adult learner who would be interested in speaking about their learning journey within CALP, please click here to find out how you can submit your recommendation.

Symposium Planning Tools

To make things easier for Symposium attendees, and to help you have the best learning experience possible from the Symposium, we have provided a planning, registration and accommodation tipsheet. It answers questions you may have about to how to register, when and how to book accommodation, costs and much more. You can find the tipsheet, along with some other useful tools at https://calp.ca/symposium/home/symposium-planning-tools.html.

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

Registration will be open until Wednesday, September 16th, 2020.

Registration Now Open for Spring Regional Meetings

Registration for Regional Meetings is posted on the CALP Portal "Trainings and Events" calendar. Make sure you are logged in. You can also click on the links below to go directly to the registration page for your meeting.

Regional meetings are an excellent way to network with others in your region, learn more about PD and training available in your region and provincially, and to hear the latest news from CLN.

• East-Central: April 2, St. Paul. Deadline to register is March 20.
• South: April 8, Lethbridge. Deadline to register is March 25.
• North: April 23, Grande Prairie. Deadline to register is April 9.
• West-Central: April 28, Stony Plain. Deadline to register is April 14.
• Central: May 5, Big Valley. Deadline to register is April 21.

If you have any questions about your regional meeting, please contact your RSS. 

CALP Portal Account Profile Updates

It might be premature to say it, but it feels like spring is in the air! And as we all know, spring is a great time for a little housekeeping and cleaning! To that end, we are making a few changes to the information we collect on your CALP Portal account user profile. The information on your profile helps us make sure we are doing our best to meet your needs, and to keep you connected to all the information that is most relevant to you. You can read the “Terms of Use” and our “Privacy Information” for more detailed information on what we collect, and how we use your information.

We ask that you take a few minutes to log in to the CALP Portal, and review your profile information by clicking on the “Edit Account” button at the top of your screen:

If you don’t have an account for the Portal, you can request one by clicking here: https://calp.ca/request

So What’s New?

Pronouns: We have added an optional field, where you can include your pronouns if you choose.

 Why are we adding pronouns?

For individuals with diverse gender identities and gender expressions, support includes respecting the pronouns and terminology they use to describe themselves and their identity. It’s important to remember that people don't have "preferred" pronouns, they are simply pronouns.

Many individuals with diverse gender identities and gender expressions aren’t able to be publicly out in their communities and workplaces, meaning they have to deal with being misgendered on an ongoing basis. They may not be able to easily share their true pronouns without negative repercussions.

Including your pronouns not only reminds people that they shouldn’t make assumptions about anyone’s gender identity, it demonstrates your willingness to use someone’s pronouns. In doing so, it can help make employees with diverse gender identities and gender expressions more comfortable in identifying their pronouns to you, should and when they choose to.

Overall, pronoun inclusion is a small way to support individuals with diverse gender identities and gender expressions on a daily basis.

•  with excerpts from “Why include pronouns in your email signature”; Ryerson Works; retrieved from https://www.ryerson.ca/ryerson-works/articles/workplace-culture/2018/why-include-pronouns-in-your-email-signature/, February 28, 2020.

 Region: We have added an option for our partners who are part of our online community, but do not work directly for a CALP-funded organization.

Please check your region to ensure that the correct one from the list is selected.

Dietary Restrictions or Special Requirements: When CLN hosts training and events where food is provided, we make every effort to work with suppliers to accommodate dietary restrictions, based on the information you provide to us on your CALP Portal profile. In cases where we may not be able to meet your dietary needs, having this information on your profile allows us to contact you directly to make alternative arrangements.

In the coming weeks, we will be updating the information on existing profiles, to align it more efficiently for planning purposes. When you log in, you will see a list of the most common restrictions, as well as a place to provide more detail about your own specific needs:

Thanks for taking the time to review your account information. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us at office@calp.ca.

Happy Spring Cleaning!

National Volunteer Week Enhancement Funding

National Volunteer Week is April 19-25, 2020! Every April, Volunteer Canada leads us in celebrating National Volunteer Week (NVW). It is the perfect time to say thank-you to volunteers and celebrate the positive impact of volunteerism. This year's theme is: “It's time to applaud this country's volunteers."

The National Volunteer Week Enhancement Funding is designed to supplement other sources of funding. Funding is intended to promote and celebrate National Volunteer Week and volunteerism on behalf of your entire community. Apply by Friday, March 13.

Funding available:

• Host site: $500
• Feature site: $1,000 or $2,000 as a regional feature site

Applications open for National Volunteer Week (NVW) Enhancement Funding!

Go to NVW 2020 Campaign Kit, full of tips, templates and planning tools to help you plan your NVW events.

Three ways to attract more learners to your adult literacy program

Article reprinted with permission from ABC Life Literacy. https://abclifeliteracy.ca/three-ways-to-attract-more-learners-to-your-adult-literacy-program/

Success in today’s competitive job market requires advanced literacy skills – yet almost half of adult Canadians possess skills that are below the high school level, ultimately affecting their work and personal lives.

While there are numerous literacy organizations across Canada intent on improving adult literacy rates, getting program awareness out to suitable individuals can often be challenging.

What is the best way to advertise your program offerings? How can you ensure adults will remain committed to your literacy program until course completion?

Use our practical tips below to help attract more learners to your adult literacy programs.

1. Advertise in the right places

Consider new audiences through food banks, religious centres, probation offices and social service agencies. These are all places that your target audience may go, providing suitable locations to promote your literacy programs.

Although creating and distributing posters to targeted locations is great, it may not be enough. Some adults may struggle with the information on your poster and be left unaware of your great program opportunities.

To increase the awareness about your literacy programs, provide information to educate the staff found within these centres. They know their clients and customers best and have already established trusted relationships with many of them.

Also, inquire about potential opportunities for you to be a guest speaker at an upcoming event with a social service agency.

If budget permits, use radio, newspapers and social media campaigns to assist with program awareness.

2. Advertise an inclusive, flexible learning environment 

Your literacy program is an environment that encourages respect, connection and feelings of safety between learners and teachers. Tell people about this and include it in your advertising.

While promoting your program, be sure to inform potential participants about its inclusive learning atmosphere. Describe the all-encompassing learning methods that will be used and draw on positive testimonials from past learners with a range of cultures, beliefs and values.

Courses that offer flexible learning pathways are appealing to learners who must take breaks due to family, work or other obligations. Although potential learners should always be encouraged to attend as much as possible, it’s important for no negative stigma to be attached to missing class.

3. Provide motivation to continue learning

Attracting learners to your adult literacy programs is only half the battle – encouraging them to complete the program comes next.

Remove as many barriers as possible that could prevent an adult from attending your program. Hold your program in an easily accessible location, with no (or minimal) cost to participants. Provide bus tokens or tickets, subsidized childcare and complimentary refreshments or door prizes. For learners requiring extra support, consider offering drop-in hours for one-to-one instruction.

With hours of study and practice required to acquire stronger literacy skills, keeping adult learners motivated throughout your literacy program is key. Educate learners on the benefits of improving their literacy skills – and remind them often. Participating in your program helps learners increase confidence and skills that can lead to securing a better job.

Want more information on attracting participants to your adult literacy programs? Contact ABC Life Literacy Canada today for more tips and advice. If you’re running one of their programs, they often provide free promotional materials to help you advertise.