The final intake for the Vital Signs Grant for 2018 is September 15 for initiatives after November 1, 2018. The 2017-18 grant supports initiatives designed to increase the sense of belonging to community.

Priority will be given to projects serving people with a high risk of social isolation as identified in the Vital Signs report (those living in poverty, new Canadians, Indigenous people, people with disabilities, seniors, and LGBTQ people), especially initiatives that address intersectionality.

Applicants can apply for up to $10,000 to support their initiative. Examples of initiatives that might be supported include events, pilots or prototypes, initiatives that may help marginalized communities be more engaged with existing programming, and organizational or community learning opportunities.

For more information contact the Edmonton Community Foundation Grants Team at [email protected] or by phone at 780-426-0015.

The Centre for Public Legal Education Alberta (CPLEA) has released a series of resources that aim to assist immigrant and refugee seniors and their families in accessing and maintaining housing. The resources talk about discrimination, the change to include age discrimination in the Alberta Human Rights Act, and the different types of housing available to seniors in Alberta. There are seven tip sheets in this series that are available in English, Somali, and Arabic.

This information session provides a general overview of the changes to Employment Standards that came into effect on January 1, 2018. Moderators will answer questions throughout the webinar. Topics will include:

• key employment standards rules and entitlements that had updates
• what rules and entitlements are new in employment standards, including job-protected leaves
• what is an administrative penalty system and other upcoming changes to administration and enforcement
• where to find additional information about employment standards

Do you or your staff and board members feel uncomfortable talking about money? It's much easier to talk about your amazing work, but that is only one component of successful fundraising communication. 

Letting your supporters know the costs of keeping water clean, mentoring children, changing laws, or helping veterans is equally important. Sharing costs alone is dry and uninspiring but when your money story is combined with a story about one person - people listen. And often, they give more and stay giving longer. 

This webinar will show you how to reduce "talking about money" discomfort and show you how to powerfully include your money story in your fundraising communication.

Does the idea of networking fill your stomach with butterflies? Join this webinar and learn new tools and strategies to help you approach networking in a more confident and organized manner. 

This two-day conference offers seniors service providers opportunities to network, gain knowledge and increase awareness of issues, supports and services for seniors. Conference delegates will hear from dynamic speakers and learn about best practices, emerging issues and trends that enhance seniors well-being. This year's conference theme is: OUR COMMUNITY GATHERS Listening, Learning and Leading.

For more information on the agenda and to register, visit greymatters2018.com.

The inaugural Fail Safe conference is dedicated to challenging long-standing assumptions about failure. Fail Safe is all about creating a safe and energized space to discuss various aspects of failure-how it happens, how to learn from it, and how to wield it to create success for your organization. This conference invites non-profits, for-profits, and the public sector to build common ground about a topic that is still far too taboo in our work.

Fail Safe is bringing some of the world's most inspiring minds on the topic to Edmonton, each of whom has something they're eager to get off their chest about failure - and failing forward. Keynotes from the likes of Paul Shoemaker, Founding President of Social Venture Partners International, and Dr. Samuel West, Curator of the Museum of Failure, will help set the tone for non-traditional breakouts and networking between delegates.

More information is available at www.failsafeconference.com.

It's not too early to think about signing up for activities that begin in the fall! Many seniors centres start registration for fall programs in August.

Here are some of the registration dates we know of:

 

Here is the August lineup for NESA's Wednesday Night Dances: August 1 (Diamonds), August 8 (Ghost Riders), Aug 15 (no dance due to floor waxing), August 22 (Sparkling Tones) and August 29 (Chwill Brothers). Call 780-496-6969 for more information.

This class uses a variety of music such as swing, tango, country, disco, Latin, etc. and dynamic fun routines to make an hour of exercise fly by. Call 587-987-3200 to learn more.

Come out and join the SEESA Badminton Club for this fun day of playing your favourite sport while meeting other players from other centres across the city. No prior experience is required. Family and friends aged 55+ are invited to join in the activities.

Lunch is not included in the cost. You are welcome to stay afterwards for lunch in the cafeteria. There will be one hot sandwich selection, two soups, and a couple varieties of cold sandwiches available for purchase.

Call the SEESA Front Desk at 780-468-1985 or drop by the centre in person by Aug. 7 to register for the invitational. Call Stephen Siu at 780-996-0158 if you have questions.

Join NWESS for a delicious breakfast and make some new friends. $6/dish includes 3 pancakes, 2 sausages, scrambled eggs and beverage. Bring your whole family. Everyone is welcome. Call 780-451-1925 for more information.

Learn some Fort Saskatchewan history in this tour including the exteriors of the North West Mounted Police Fort and the buildings in the Historical Village. Register by August 9 by calling 780-423-5510 ext. 301.

Join CLSA for some summer fun:
Co-Ed Keep Fit (Multilevel): Mondays Aug. 13-27 and Wednesdays Aug. 8-22, 10:30-11:30 a.m.
Cardio Yoga-Size: Mondays Aug. 13-27, 9-10:15 a.m.
Homegrown Harmonies: Aug. 10-24, 1:30-3 p.m.
Absolute Beginners in Ukulele: Aug. 21-28, 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m.

Check out the CLSA website for a comprehensive list of summer programming or call 780-496-7369 for more information.

Join Westend Seniors Activity Centre in celebrating 40 years of excellence. There will be a buffet dinner accompanied by live entertainment and a dance to follow. Tickets can be purchased in person at the centre. Call 780-483-1209 for more information.