October EFCL Board Meeting Highlights - RGM

Hi everyone, you can download the board package from the October 11 board meeting and here some hightlights from the meeting. 

Notes From The October Board Meeting

1. Registrations Rolling in For “Leagues Alive” Don't Miss It!

Fifty six community league executive members have now registered for the “League’s Alive” Conference and Trade Show,
which will run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, November 3 at the Mayfield Inn. So far, the four most popular sessions
are Use of Gaming Proceeds, Bylaws and Policy Development, Event Planning and Role of the President.

In addition, nine members of city council have confirmed their attendance for lunch with the councillors session at 11:30 a.m.
in the trade show ballroom. Registrants will be able to sit at an individual table with any of the following councillors
- Linda Sloan, Kim Krushell, Dave Loken, Tony Caterina, Ben Henderson, Jane Batty, Amarjeet Sohi, Kerry Diotte and Ed Gibbons.

Admission to the conference and trade show, including lunch, is free to all community league executive members. However,
delegates need to register to reserve a seat in any of the sessions, as well as for lunch. It should also be noted that there are no child
care services on site.

2. $60,000 Available To The First Rink Cover Applicants - Act Soon!

In an attempt to encourage one or two demonstration projects, the EFCL is making $60,000 available to the first leagues that decide
to build a cover over their outdoor rink.

Leagues are reminded that there is also federal matching grants of $250,000 available for such a project. The deadline for applying
is November 19. Information on rink cover suppliers is available through the federation office.

3. Living Local Arts and Heritage Grants Available

Leagues are reminded that the EFCL, Edmonton Arts Council and Edmonton Heritage Council are once again sponsoring the Living
Local Arts and Heritage Program. Up to $20,000 is available to any league that wants to engage a local artist or artists to do a project
or performance that recognizes the historical character of their area.

Leagues are responsible for providing 1/3 of the total funding and must provide a letter of endorsement. Applications are available
through the EFCL website (www.efcl.org) by clicking on “Activities” and then “Arts and Heritage Grant.”

4. Leagues Reminded About Fall General Meeting - Oct 23 RSVP now!

Each league is encouraged to send a representative to the fall general meeting of the EFCL, which is set for 6:30 p.m. at Britannia/Youngstown
Community League (15927-105 Avenue). Updates will provided on all of the federation’s programs, elections will be held for board and
committee members and leagues will be asked to consider the addition of a third general meeting, to consider the federation’s budget and
annual program plans, in January or February of each year. Delegates are encouraged to register so we know how much food to order for dinner,
which is set for 5:30 p.m., as well as the number of agendas and reports we need to print.

5. Food And Agricultural Strategy Needs More Meat On The Bones

The EFCL has decided to ask the city to do more work on the Food and Agricultural Strategy before adopting the draft document as city policy.
While liking many of the ideas presented in the policy, such as the promotion of food hubs, farmer’s markets and community gardens, the EFCL
couldn’t determine from the document who was going to undertake any of the projects, how they would do them or where they would get the
resources. The EFCL also didn’t see any commitment to protecting any of the city’s prime agricultural land, which is a key ingredient to providing
locally-grown food.

Without additional direction the federation is concerned that the draft policy won’t accomplish much of anything.

6. EFCL To Register Concerns About Changes To Mature Neighborhoods

The EFCL is not sold on the idea of allowing more front garages and driveways on properties in mature neighborhoods, or the concept of allowing
some properties to sit very close to the street and others quite far back. Hence, it is going to ask the city to scale back on its plans to change the rules
for development in mature parts of the city.

7. Realtors Pitch Fancy New Edmonton Website

The Realtors Association of Edmonton and Area – which is one of the key sponsors of the EFCL – is putting together a $2 million website which will
contain a host of information about the community along with homes that are for sale.

The EFCL has been asked to provide information for the “YEG is Home” website and encourage its leagues to do the same. It has also been asked to
contribute financially to the project.

The federation is quite intrigued by the possibilities presented by this communication tool and will use the next few weeks to flesh out the role it can play.

8. Planning Continues on 100th Anniversary Project

The EFCL is continuing to refine its plans for the upgrade of Hawrelak Park. The biggest decision that needs to be made is the possible inclusion of a
water play feature next to the playground. This will hinge on the recommendations of a consultant the city has just hired, who will review the pros and
cons of including a water play feature as part of the federation’s project, next to the playground, or putting it north of the main pavilion, near the northeast
corner of the lake, where the city will be responsible for the design, development and financing. The consultant will be meeting with relevant stakeholders,
including the EFCL, and welcoming public input over the next few months.

In the meantime, the EFCL will continue to flesh out plans for the Community League Plaza and Stream Upgrade.

9. Conflict Resolution Session Set

In order to help leagues deal with difficult situations, the EFCL is offering “Tips and Tools for Having a Difficult Conversation” at the EFCL office at
6:00 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 18. The workshop is being presented by staff from the Mediation and Restorative Justice Centre.

10.Federation Pleased With Traffic Calming Measures

The EFCL was pleased to see the city approve a set of traffic calming measures to reduce speeding on residential streets. The city will now prepare a
set of custom-designed plans, featuring traffic islands, extended curbs, raised intersections and road medians for neighborhoods experiencing significant
speeding issues.

Neighborhoods are also welcome to apply for a 40 km./hr speed limit on their residential streets. The initiative must be endorsed by the community league
and two thirds of the area residents before it will be considered by the city.

11. Meeting Set with City Council

Eleven members of Edmonton City Council have confirmed their attendance for the annual meeting with the board of the EFCL, which is set for Monday,
October 29. The EFCL will update council on various federation initiatives and seek input from council on future directions.

12. Representing the EFCL on Hockey, Edmonton Journal and Edmonton's Renewable Energy commitees

I have volunteered to represent the federation on three task forces or committees. The first is a visioning task force set up by the Edmonton Minor Hockey Association, which is looking for ways to increase participation and engage the community in the provision of hockey programs.
The second is Edmonton Journal’s Community Advisory Board and the third is the city’ renewable energy task force, which helped spawn the federation’s solar
and energy conservation program.

If you have any questions or comments please call or write anytime. Thanks to Allan for these notes.

David Dodge
President and District B Representative
Edmonton Federation of Community Leagues (EFCL)

Leagues Alive 2012 Conference and Trade Show

The EFCL is pleased to announce that our 3rd trade show, entitled "Leagues Alive 2012 Conference and Trade Show" will feature a series of workshops specially designed for community leagues.

This year’s Trade Show will be taking on an exciting twist with a whole new slate of educational programming which will offer something of interest for everyone on Community League Boards.  To date, confirmed workshops will include education regarding:

Board Governance Basics     Role of the President Consensus Building

Connecting with your Community Volunteer Engagement; and Recruitment      Community Gardening

Crime Prevention Developing Policy Bylaw Review

SAVE THE DATE:
November 3, 2012  at the Mayfield Inn
16615 109 Avenue,     Saturday, 8:30 to 4:30 

Watch the EFCL website for more details as the date approaches.

David Dodge

EFCL President and District B Rep.

Report on May EFCL Board Meeting

Download the EFCL April 2012 Board Package

Thanks to Allan for preparing this report on the EFCL May 2012, Board meeting.

EFCL Executive Team Elected

The EFCL is pleased to report that all four members of its executive team have agreed to serve for another year. 

• David Dodge, from Evansdale Community League, has been re-elected for his second term as president.

• David Gibbens, from Meadowlark Community League, has been re-elected for his second term as Vice-President External.

• Christine Bremner, from Highlands Community League, has been re-elected for her third term as Vice-President Internal.

• Al Innes, from Evergreen Community Association, has been re-elected for his third term as Treasurer.

EFCL Bylaws allow executive members to serve for a maximum of three consecutive terms.

Living Local Arts and Heritage Program Information Session Set

All community leagues are welcome to learn about the Living Local Arts and Heritage Program and the money that is available to help leagues reach out to local artists in their area.

The session is set for 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, May 29, at Newton Community League (5520-121 Avenue).   Two leagues that qualified for funding last year will be making presentations: Hazeldean Community League will describe the sculpture and other interpretive displays it is putting together to acknowledge the history of the railway along a greenbelt that runs through the community.  Alberta Avenue – in conjunction with Eastwood and Parkdale/Cromdale Community Leagues - will describe how it is using digital audio interviews with long-time residents to put together interpretive performances and publications commemorating the history of the area.

Staff from the all three sponsoring agencies – the Edmonton Arts Council, Edmonton Heritage Council and EFCL will be on hand to describe how this year’s program works.

EFCL Awaits Decision on Infrastructure Assessment Dollars

The EFCL is expecting a decision next week on its application to redirect $234,000 in infrastructure assessment money to three other projects.   If approved, the federation will redistribute the money in equal portions to its 100^th Anniversary, solar energy and rink roof projects.  The federation will also notify the leagues of the pending change, in the event that leagues have any last-minute plans for additional assessment work.

City council’s community services committee has recommended to council that the application be approved.  Council is scheduled to vote on the matter on Wednesday, May 16.

Leagues Welcome to Attend Good Neighbors Awards Program

Everyone is welcome to attend the Good Neighbours Awards ceremony, which is set for 6:30 p.m., Tuesday, May 15^th at City Hall.

One winner has been selected for each of the city’s 12 awards.  All nominees are to get a certificate of recognition from the City of Edmonton.

The EFCL was proud to be a sponsor of this year’s program and will welcome the input and support of leagues as we prepare for next year’s program.

EFCL Encourages Leagues To Join SOCAN Tariff Appeal

The Edmonton Federation of Community Leagues is encouraging all member leagues to ask for an exemption to tariff #21, which compels leagues to pay an annual fee of $185 for the right to play music in their hall.  The fee is paid to the Society of Composers, Authors, and Music Publishers of Canada (SOCAN), which has recently applied to have this tariff extended to 2013.

Leagues wishing to add their voice to this appeal are encouraged to send a letter no later than June 30 to Gilles McDougall, Secretary General, Copyright Board of Canada 56 Sparks Street Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0C9.  His e-mail address is Gilles.McDougall@cb-cda.gc.ca

Leagues are also encouraged to contact their member of Parliament, as the federal government appoints directors to the Copyright Board and sets out the rules under it operates.

The EFCL will soon be supplying each league with a draft letter outlining the rationale behind our position.

Front Yards In Bloom Seeks Nominations and Offers Training For Judges

Anyone interested in nominating front yards for recognition in the city’s Front Yards in Bloom program is encouraged to contact Megan Rogers, at megan.rogers@edmonton.ca.  Selections of  well-attended flower gardens, edible front yards, or natural yards, are made throughout the month of June.

Community Leagues are given the task of selecting the top two yards in their neighborhood.  League volunteers are welcome to attend one of the following judge training sessions:

• Sat. June 9 – 2:00 to 3:30 pm Edmonton Horticultural Society, 10746-178 Street
• Tues June 12 – 7:00 to 8:30 pm Edmonton Horticultural Society, 10746-178 Street
• Thurs June 21 – 7:00 to 8:30 pm 11001 107 Street

To pre-register please send an e-mail note to neil.lang@edmontonhort.com or leave a message at 780-378-5320 and state which session you would like to attend. For more info see: www.edmontonhort.com/frontyardsinbloom.  

It’s Time to Book League Gym Time

Information sessions on Gym booking procedures have been organized on the following dates:

• May 16 –  Medium Gym User
• May17 -  Small Gym User
• May 24 -  Large Gym User

Time:  6:30.   Location:  Central Lions Senior Centre (11113, 113 Street).

For more information, contact Shauna Richard, at shauna.richard@edmonton.ca, 780-495-1964

EFCL Learns How to Make the Most Out of Winter

The federation was pleased to team up with the City of Edmonton to discuss a city-wide strategy for winter activities.

Held at Glenwood Community League hall on April 19, the evening featured a presentation from Councillor Ben Henderson, who showed photos of his recent fact finding trip to northern Europe.

Perhaps the main conclusion from the evening was to focus on ways to help Edmontonians enjoy a variety of different winter activities when the weather in conducive.  This could include the lighting of cross country ski trails, the provision of snow to community leagues for informal toboggan runs and snow sculpturing and the construction of semi-enclosed shelters, complete with overhead electrical heating, next to outdoor rinks.

Participants noted that it is very risky to plan a large scale outdoor event, particularly if it is held on multiple days, given the extreme and rapid fluctuations we experience in winter weather.

EFCL Planning Committee Hard at Work

There seems to be no shortage of topics for the EFCL planning committee to consider these days.

Current key initiatives include a review of the city’s policy on siting cell phone towers, the design of new neighborhoods, the development of family-friendly, high density housing, and the redesignation of surplus school sites to other uses.

Fall Conference Plans Shaping Up

EFCL board development officer Andrea Sands has released a draft agenda for the Nov. 3 “Leagues Alive” Conference at the Mayfield Inn Hotel.

The following is a list of the sessions that are confirmed:

• Board Governance Basics
• Bylaw Basics
• Consensus Building
• Connecting with your Community (covering newsletters and use of social media)
• Cultural Diversity
• Developing Policy
• Dos & Don’ts of Social Media (title not yet confirmed, but dealing with the good, bad & ugly of 21^st century communication strategies)
• Road to Accountability (the 1^st confirmed “sponsored” workshop with Wanita from FPB; planning to have her introduce speaker and be available during & after workshop for questions)
• Role of the President
• Role of the Treasurer
• Volunteer Engagement & Recruitment
• Use of Proceeds
• Building Occupant (designed to provide introductory information on complex topics related to efficient operation of league buildings: electrical, lighting, HVAC & water)
• Community Gardening (still planning to secure a rink related workshop)
• Crime Prevention (will include Hall Rental, Personal & Building safety)

We are also pleased to report that Community Services has accepted our invitation to work together on planning and implementing the conference and has assigned three CRCs to the task.

Board Responds to Concerns Raised About the 100^th Anniversary Project

While an overwhelming majorify of community leagues voted in favor of the federation’s 100^th

Anniversary Project, a few concerns were also raised at the April 30 Annual General Meeting.

It was pointed out that some leagues might have in raising the $400 supplemental membership fee each year from 2012 to 2016 to help pay for the project.  Other leagues wanted to know what would happen with their money if the project didn’t pan out.

In response to those concerns, the board approved the following motions:

That the federation seek ways to mitigate any hardship that the supplemental fee might cause on leagues that are in financial distress.That the federation not make any material changes in the nature of the anniversary project without the support of the membership. Further, if the EFCL does not proceed with the project, the supplemental membership fee will be refunded.

Estimated to cost approximately $2 million, the anniversary project features a three-phased set of upgrades to Hawrelak Park, including a Community League Plaza, stream walk and water play feature.

Online Membership Sales Now Include Card At Time of Purchase

As of May 2, the EFCL launched the issuing of membership cards with online purchases.  So far we think our computer debugging is complete but we will see with time and more transactions.  Please advise your leagues that they can distribute skate tags at Community League day or at the rink when it opens.

Leagues Encouraged to Refer Quality Suppliers

Many of our members call EFCL to ask if we know of a vendor we could recommend that other leagues have used.   Now through the supplier marketplace you can help your peers and recommend a supplier of a service or product.

It could be a painter or a paver, a custodian or snow remover!  Whoever you were happy with – let us know by registering on  supplier marketplace at www. efcl.org

EFCL Reaches Out to Under 40 Crowd

Edmontonians over 18 and under 40, living on the southside, are welcome to join the federation for a free evening of fun, brainstorming, entertainment, drinks (compliments of AlleyKat Breweries) and eats.  Southside leagues are welcome to send a rep as well.

When and Where: 7:00 p.m., Thursday, May 31 at Strathcona Community League.