CALP Connections: September 2024

A Message from Colleen Thiessen, CLN Board Chairperson

I have always loved the fall season with its warm days and crisp evenings. My fall wardrobe makes an appearance and a more structured routine begins. Everything in my life, both personally and professionally, seems to move back into a natural rhythm when September rolls around.

September brings a big change for me this year, as later this month my time on the CLN Board of Directors will come to an end. I didn’t really know what to expect when I joined the Board back in 2017, but I can tell you being on the CLN Board gave me the opportunity to take a step back from wearing my “CALP hat” to see things through a different lens wearing my “CLN Board hat.” The experience I have gained being on the CLN Board has given me not only a much better understanding of how to work effectively with my own board, but how to work successfully with a diverse and passionate group of my peers. I also learned to listen to what people have to say – everyone has a story that deserves to be heard.

Being in leadership doesn’t come without challenges and change (and I have experienced both during my tenure on the CLN Board), but it’s moving from the chaos and back into a natural rhythm that has kept me grounded.  

Thank you for your support. It has been a real privilege leading the CLN Board of Directors.

Colleen Thiessen

Notice of Community Learning Network's Virtual Annual General Meeting

The CLN Board of Directors invites you to join us for our Annual General Meeting, taking place from 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm on Tuesday, September 24th, 2024. We will be opening with messages from our new Deputy Minister, Shannon Marchand, from Advanced Education.

Registration on the CALP Portal is now available: https://calp.ca/events/cln-annual-general-meeting-2024-2024-09-24.htm 

Information About our AGM

• All organizations funded directly through the Government of Alberta's Community Adult Learning Program (CALP) Grant are eligible to be member organizations of the Community Learning Network. There are no dues or fees associated with CLN membership.

• For your CALP to be considered a Member in Good Standing, your organization must be directly funded by the Government of Alberta’s Community Adult Learning Program Grant as of July 1st, 2024, and must have had a representative complete CLN's membership renewal.

• Each member organization in good standing is entitled to one vote on matters that are put before the membership. Under CLN's bylaws, voting privileges are granted to member organizations, not to individuals.

• If more than one person from your CALP will be in attendance, please delegate one person to act on behalf of the organization for the purposes of voting at time of registration.

Important Notes About the “Virtual” Format of our AGM:

• When you join the online AGM, voting delegates will be confirmed as you enter the virtual AGM room. Further details will be provided when you log in.
• Please ensure only one person from each member organization is responsible for voting.
• Voting will take place using the “polling” feature on Zoom.
• An online moderator will monitor the chat box feature throughout the meeting, to ensure that members still have the opportunity to ask questions “from the floor”.

AGM Package:

The following documents are included in the 2024 CLN AGM Package, and are also available on the CALP Portal for members to review prior to the Annual General Meeting:

• Meeting Agenda
• AGM Minutes (September 2023)
• Audited Financial Statements (2023-2024)
• Operational Budget (2024-2025)
• Nominees for the CLN Board of Directors (2024-2025)

Upcoming Professional Development Opportunities

We invite you to explore the many PD and training options for CALP staff this fall. Register now for these upcoming events!

Welcome Week 2024!

Join us online from September 10-12, 2024, for this year’s Welcome Week events! Join the 'CALP Provincial Kick Off' to hear featured speaker, David Irvine, talking about “The Compassion Test: Why It’s Vital To Shift To Principle-Centered Caring.” Cora Roberts, Director of Foundational Learning and Skills Development, Advanced Education, will be joining us to bring current updates from Advanced Education.

Check out the line up of Welcome Week events:

• New CALP Staff Webinar
• CALP Provincial Kick Off
• Regional Connections Cafés (North, West, East, Central, South)
• CALP Policy and Annual Reports with AE
• Coffee with the CLN Board
• Making the CALP Portal Work for You
• CALP Database Bits & Bytes
• Skills for Learning Panel

Looking for something new?

• Planning for Learning Series
• Communication Series - Facilitation Skills & Strategies, Small Talk and Big Talk (Presentation Skills)
• What's New in Adult Literacy Series
• Finding Adult Literacy Resources
• Wellness Lunch & Learn Series

New to CALP?

If you have recently started working in a CALP role, be sure to register for required training. CLN invites you to come meet other new staff to learn what supports are available to help you be successful in your new role!

• New CALP Staff Webinar
• Introduction to Adult Foundational Learning (Required Training)
  Jan. 23 – Feb. 20 (10:00-11:15 am) (1:30-2:45 pm)
  May 21 – Jun 18 (9:30-10:45 am)

• CALP Essentials for Family Literacy Programs (Required Training)
  Nov. 13 – Dec 4, 2024 – (9:30-11:00 am) (1:00-2:30 pm)
  Feb. 25 – Mar 18 – (9:30-11:00 am) (1:00-2:30 pm)

In-Person Training

Attend a Red Cross resiliency-building training session and develop a personal understanding of the effects of stress, loss, trauma and grief, with emphasis on self-care and personal protection. 

• Psychological First Aid - Red Deer (Oct. 7-8)
• Psychological First Aid - Westlock (Oct. 8-9)
• Psychological First Aid - Crowsnest Pass (Oct. 17-18)

CALP “Go-To” Training

Many CALPs make use of the CALP Database, offer volunteer tutoring, and teach digital skills. Don't miss the chance to learn more.

• CALP Database Learning Lab (Sept. 18), (Sept. 26), (Oct. 8)
• Tech Talk (Oct. 10 – 24)
• Volunteer Tutor Masterclass (Nov. 21 - Dec. 5)

Personalized Coaching

Would you like more in-depth learning specific to your own work and organization? Are you waiting for training but need the learning now? Book a coaching session in any of these areas:

• Literacy programming and instruction
• CALP Database
• Goal setting with learners
• Communications skills for small talk, big talk (presentations) and group talk (facilitation)

CLN’s training calendar is being updated regularly so check the Training & Events calendar on the CALP Portal often.

Literacy & Learning Symposium 2025

Save the Date

Community Learning Network (CLN) is very pleased to announce that we will be hosting the Literacy & Learning Symposium 2025 on:

Tuesday, April 29 to Thursday, May 1 at the DoubleTree by Hilton West Edmonton, in Edmonton.

Please mark your training calendars!

CALL FOR PRESENTERS

The Symposium 2025 Call for Presenters is now open!

Are you or do you know an expert in our field who would like to contribute to the future of the CALP system?

The Literacy & Learning Symposium Planning Committee is now accepting proposals for breakouts sessions at the Literacy & Learning Symposium 2025 and we encourage presenters to submit presentation proposals.

Participation as a presenter will help attendees increase their knowledge and skills, provide for an exchange of ideas and solutions, and help attendees address the needs facing adult literacy and foundational learners in Alberta. In doing so, CLN, along with those selected presenters, will create a community of learning.

Our Symposium 2025 Theme is: “Making Waves”

We are seeking presentations with a focus on --

• waves of imagination
• waves of inspiration
• waves of insight
• waves of innovation
• waves of impact
• waves of possibilities

Symposium threads will include:

Literacy and Foundational Learning        

• Adult Literacy
• Basic Digital Skills
• English Language Learning
• Foundational Learners and Learning
• Numeracy
• Skills for Learning
• Skills for Success

CALP Programs and Activities

• CALP-funded Family Literacy Programs
• Community Capacity Building
• Financial Literacy

CALP Staff and Volunteer Development

• Board Development
• Coaching & Modeling Strategies
• Digital Technology, Tools and Resources
• Facilitation Skills
• Inclusion, Diversity and Safer Spaces
• Indigenous, Metis and/or Inuit Learning and Learners
• Instructional Strategies
• Learner-centred Assessment
• Learning Disabilities
• Mental Health & Learning
• Trauma-Informed Practices
• Tutor Training

Operations/Management

• Budgeting & Finances
• Community Partnerships and Engagement
• Human Resources
• Marketing and Social Media
• Needs Assessment and/or Evaluation
• Regional Stewardship and Post-Secondary Connections
• Strategic Planning
• Succession Planning
• Volunteer Recruitment and Retention

To be considered, sessions must be engaging learning formats and must have clear learning objectives. Session participants should walk away with knowledge of a tool, strategy or approach that will enhance their ability to support learners. Participants should also come away from these sessions with a clear understanding of the relevance of the session topic to their work, as well as information on how and where to access additional resources and supports.

Presenters will be asked to answer three questions to identify the session's learning objectives:

• What is the purpose of this session?
• What will the participants learn in this session?
• What will the participants take away from this session?

The answers provided will be included in the published program information to help our Symposium attendees choose the sessions that will meet their individual professional learning needs.

To submit a proposal, please complete the online form here: 
https://calp.ca/submissions/call-for-presenters-literacy-and-learning-symposium-2025 

Deadline for submissions is Wednesday, October 23, 2024 at 4:30 p.m.

Questions?

Please contact Pat Halewich, PD & Events Specialist, Community Learning Network

Email: pdevents@calp.ca 

Please help circulate the Symposium Call for Presenters within your networks!

Welcome New East-Central RSS, Laureen Guldbrandsen

I'm thrilled to be joining the Community Learning Network team as the East-Central Regional Support Staff. My career has focused on helping adults improve their quality of life through learning new skills and building confidence. From travelling the province and delivering educational opportunities for older adults with the Alberta Council on Aging to supporting learners and volunteers and managing the Digital Literacy program at PALS – Project Adult Literacy Society, I have gained extensive experience in adult education and support. I look forward to connecting with the various CALPs, providing tailored support, and working with each of you to support the needs of adult foundational learners.

Laureen Guldbrandsen can be contacted at east@calp.ca or (780) 235-7483 

New CALP Portal Accounts and CALP Connections

If you have staff who need to be set up with a Portal account, we ask them to submit a request at https://calp.ca/user/request. Accounts are typically activated within 24 hours. 

We also encourage everyone to subscribe to the CALP Connections e-newsletter! 

CALP Connections is a monthly newsletter sent right to your email that details upcoming training events and news in the CALP community. If you are not already subscribed, here is how to make sure you receive it every month!

1. Sign into your account and navigate to your profile information by clicking on your name in the top right hand corner of the screen.

2. Once you have clicked on your name, you should see an option for “My Portal.”

3. Once you are at the “Your Information” page, click “Edit Profile.”

4. Scroll until you find the "Subscribe to Newsletter" toggle, and click the toggle to "Yes."

Order Your Nametags!

Nametags are a great way to showcase the organization you are a part of, your name, and your role (if desired).

Nametags can be purchased on the Portal and shipped directly to your CALP.

Click here to learn more!

Literacy in Action

International Literacy Day 2024

"Promoting Multilingual Education: Literacy for Mutual Understanding and Peace"

September 8th is International Literacy Day. Literacy is increasingly seen as a human right that "opens the door to the enjoyment of other human rights, greater freedoms, and global citizenship." Literacy can "foster a culture of lasting peace based on respect for equality and non-discrimination… justice, diversity, and tolerance."

As you begin a new year, think of ways you might promote literacy in your community to foster peace and understanding between community members who may speak multiple languages.

Quotes and image drawn from UNESCO: https://www.unesco.org/en/days/literacy 

This Month's Spotlight

Each year on September 30th, the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation offers a chance to reflect on the lasting effects of the residential school system on Indigenous communities. It's a day to honor survivors and their families through discussions and contemplation of systemic inequalities and cultural erasure.

September 30th is also recognized as "Orange Shirt Day." The day was inspired by Phyllis Webstad, who, in 1973, wore a new orange shirt she had chosen during a shopping trip with her grandmother, eagerly anticipating her first day of school. Upon arriving at St. Joseph's Mission Residential School, her orange shirt was taken from her. This act marked the start of the assimilation and trauma she endured in the residential school system. Today, Phyllis Webstad invites everyone to wear an orange shirt on September 30th to honor the children affected by this painful history.

On September 26, the CALP community will gather for a time of remembrance, reflection and learning. CLN invites you to join us to mark this day with our honored guests.

Register now for the National Day for Truth & Reconciliation (2024) event.