Meet Tanya Mercredi!

Hello! My name is Tanya Mercredi. I am a Coordinator with Ponoka & Rimbey Adult Learning and I’m brand new to the CLN Board. I would like to tell you how stumbling into the CALP system became one of the most rewarding accidents of my life.

I was hired part-time to offer programs in my community. I fully believed that I knew what our Adult Learning Society was all about and felt pretty confident because community programming was in my wheelhouse! I was excited and I had all kinds of ideas swirling in my head about all the things I would do – and then the phone rang.

As I was settling into my office, on my very first day, I got a call from Cheryl Lovstrom who said she was from the Community Learning Network. She welcomed me as a new coordinator and asked if I would have time to meet with her in the near future and I replied that my day was wide open if that was not too soon. She said, and I quote: “That works for me. I will see you in a few hours.” I had no idea what to expect from our meeting, but I can tell you this – I got more than I bargained for!

Cheryl introduced me to CALP. We talked about the Guidelines, required programming versus general interest programming (bye-bye wheelhouse!), foundational learning and learners, reporting expectations, outcomes and measurement evaluations and, how our organization was a bit of an anomaly because we are two fully functioning sites sharing one grant. Oh, and on that note - your grant application for next year’s funding is due in just over a month so you might want to discuss this with your partner Krista…who is also brand new to CALP.

Mentally, I was formulating my getaway plan and like she knew what I thinking, Cheryl said, before you run for the hills, know that you will not have to do this alone. She assured me that learning the ins and outs of the CALP system was achievable and went on to explain all the professional development and supports that were available to us through the CLN and Rural Routes, and how supportive other CALPs would be in helping us learn the ropes.

Why is my almost comedic story of ineptness important? Because although I felt woefully unprepared in the infancy of my job, with the help of so many, I was able to “roll with it”. The CLN and the numerous other CALPs we reached out to who listened, explained and mentored, had given me tools and resources that were immediately useable and enabled me to connect with and serve learners. I didn’t have to do it alone. And while I grew in my role, each new training gave me confidence and sparked a curiosity to learn more and it reignited my passion for advocacy and involvement.

As I move into a new phase of learning and growth through the CLN Board and not knowing exactly how I will “fit”, I still do so with excitement and passion, because I know I am not going it alone. 

Tanya Mercredi, CLN Board Director
Coordinator, Ponoka & Rimbey Adult Learning Society

Upcoming CLN Trainings, Connections Cafés

Training

Register for the following CLN Trainings that have upcoming registration deadlines and spaces still available!! Click on the name of the training to get to the registration page directly. If the training is full please add yourself to the wait list. Please note if a training is not posted below, then the deadline has already passed. 

November and December 2021

ALL In Family Literacy Programs - November 30, December 7, and 14

• Afternoon Session
• Evening Session

 Ask Us Anything about Metis and Indigenous Worldview - December 9

January 2022

Registration for the following January trainings opens in November! 

Introduction to Adult Foundational Learning - This CALP required training aligns with the Government of Alberta Community Adult Learning Program (CALP) Guidelines and is intended to give CALP-funded practitioners fundamental knowledge for supporting adult foundational learners in communities across Alberta.

Tech Talk - This training is for CALP staff to gain the understanding they need to be flexible and adaptable when training others in technology and to enhance existing classes or design new ones that better address the rapid changes occurring in the world of technology. The instructional approach is transferrable across digital devices and applications. 

Guidelines 101 - This introductory workshop demystifies the CALP Guidelines to give you clear information about CALP programming, operational and financial requirements. For new CALP staff, board members and staff looking for a refresher in the CALP Guidelines. 

Unity of Belonging - The purpose of Unity of Belonging is to bring awareness of oppression and to create opportunities for meaningful change. Societal change begins with individuals, their knowledge, choices, values and attitudes which impact future generations' beliefs. This course will provide participants with the opportunity to be empowered to become a voice for societal change. 

Bits & Bytes: CALP Portal Updates - This December, the CALP Portal is getting a makeover. This will be the first “refresh” of the site’s look and feel, since first launching in 2015. Don’t worry, you will still have access to all the great features you’ve come to rely on, but things might look a little different in the New Year. Join us for tour of the refreshed site, and check out the upgrades to some of our most popular modules, like the CALP Forum discussion boards and groups.

New CALP Staff - If you are new in your role in CALP, and still looking to get the lay of the land, please join us to connect with your colleagues from across the province.

Creating Learning Partners - In this 4-week series, learn the key steps, activities, and strategies for delivering effective, engaging, and relevant training to staff and volunteers in your CALP using the Creating Learning Partners training guide. For new and experienced contracted instructors, facilitators, and volunteers.

Regional Connections Cafés

Grab a coffee, bring a question, share a success or challenge, stay for five minutes or settle in for all sixty. These monthly Connections Cafés are an opportunity for you to connect with CALP staff in your region.

East Regional Connections Cafés - November 16 and December 15

South Regional Connections Cafés - November 15 and December 16

North Regional Connections Cafés - November 16 and December 16

West Regional Connections Cafés - November 15 and December 15

Central Regional Connections Cafés - November 16 and December 15

CALP Nametag Orders

Just a reminder if you have new staff or board members that started this year and you want to order them a professional, shiny nametag to wear in meetings and to trainings you can do so online.  

You can choose between silver or gold, and have your first and last name, organization and title printed on the tag with the CALP logo. You might also choose just to have first names on your tags, like our CLN staff.

There is a 3 line maximum for set-up and printing on the tags. Each tag costs $15, including shipping. To order your nametag(s) go to https://calp.ca/purchase.

If you have any questions before you order please contact Shaba Qureshi, CLN Program Support at office@calp.ca.

Updated Insurance Toolkit for the Voluntary Sector now available

On September 1, 2021, The Alberta Ministry of Culture launched the Freedom to Care website as a key component in implementation of the Freedom to Care Act.

The Freedom to Care Act will help nonprofit organizations overcome regulatory barriers to provide service to meet the needs of Albertans. The Act also ensures protection from liability for volunteers acting in good faith within the scope of their volunteer duties, and who are not negligent or impaired in the performance of those duties.

The Freedom to Care website will serve as a central online source of valuable information. Along with an inventory of existing regulatory exemptions, the website offers a wealth of online and downloadable resources to help Alberta’s nonprofit organizations and volunteers better understand and navigate Alberta’s regulatory and insurance landscape as it relates to the nonprofit and charitable sector.

The Insurance Toolkit for the Voluntary Sector: A guide for non-profits and charities has been updated and included as a resource on the Freedom to Care website.

Working with the Calgary Chamber of Voluntary Organizations, Volunteer Alberta and the Insurance Bureau of Canada, the toolkit has been updated with the most recent information on the Freedom to Care Act, types of insurance coverage, and tips on topics such as evaluating an insurance quote and managing an insurance program. The toolkit also includes an Insurance Primer for Board Members and a handy glossary of insurance terms. Download the toolkit. 

November is Financial Literacy Month

November is Financial Literacy Month in Canada. During Financial Literacy Month, the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada engages with Canadians and works together with organizations across the country to help strengthen the financial literacy of individuals and families.

This year, Financial Literacy Month will focus on the renewed National Financial Literacy Strategy, and the importance of building financial resilience in challenging times and a digital economy. The campaign theme Make change that counts! aligns with the theme of the National Strategy and its call to action to make changes to the financial ecosystem to ensure it is accessible, inclusive, and effective for all Canadians.

Throughout the month, messages will focus on the following sub-themes based on the National Strategy’s key building blocks that have been proven to help consumers develop the skills, capacity and behaviours that lead to financial resilience.

• Week 1 (November 1 to 6): Managing expenses to keep up with bills and credit commitments
• Week 2 (November 7 to 13): Managing debt to feel in control of your overall debt situation
• Week 3 (November 14 to 20): Managing savings to prepare for financial shocks and unexpected expenses, and achieve your financial goals
• Week 4 (November 21 to 30): Navigating the financial marketplace with knowledge and confidence

For more information, access to the toolkit and resources go to https://www.canada.ca/en/financial-consumer-agency/campaigns/financial-literacy-month.html.

ABC Life Literacy Canada also has free financial literacy resources and lesson plans for adults. Visit the website. 

This Month's Spotlight

This month's spotlight is a brand new e-Learning: Foundational Learning Lesson Planning.

CALP staff understand the importance of good lesson planning. Effective and engaging lessons:

• Contribute to skill development
• Include more practice than content
• Involve learners
• Build learners confidence
• Help learners transfer learning into their everyday lives

We also know that it can be overwhelming to create individual lesson plans. This e-Learning shares simple guiding principles for creating lessons that are effective and engaging. CALP staff can successfully:

• Design lessons using an easy-to-repeat formula
• Engage learners during lessons
• Incorporate skill development or explicit instruction
• Include interesting skill practice in lessons
• Identify literacy practice activities learners can use in their everyday lives

You may recognize your guide for the Foundational Learning Lesson Planning e-Learning. Terri Peters delivered a series of workshops earlier this year and we have turned those workshops into micro-learnings featuring the core essential components. Watch the CALP Portal for additional  e-Learnings in 2022!

Click here to get started!