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| ARPA's e-Newsletter | October 2010
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Mark Your Calendar!
ARPA 2010 Annual Conference & Energize Workshop
October 21-23, 2010
The Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge
Register Today!
Visit the Conference website for more information
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ACTIVE ALBERTA Policy... evolving in a positive manner
The provincial government through the Ministry of Tourism, Parks and Recreation has, over the past few months, released updated versions of its ACTIVE ALBERTA Policy.
A May 2010 version was made public in June with requests for comments from Albertans via an online survey and/or written briefs. In all, the Ministry received 435 survey responses and 8 briefs, one of which was a report prepared on behalf of the ARPA Board by the Executive Committee in tandem with CEO Rick Curtis.
In ARPA's brief, attention was drawn to concerns about: the important need to connect to and affirm the National Recreation Statement, and stemming from this, a need to expand the provincial government's stated roles and responsibilities in recreation development; the importance of seeking enhanced quality of life as a primary outcome of the policy, and not just improved physical activity on the part of our citizens; the need for a vision statement that would more broadly represent the policy intent; the lack of a set of guiding values and principles that would serve as a foundation for the policy; the need for a broader, more encompassing set of policy outcome statements; and, more clarification regarding the manner in which previous policy drafts dealt with timing and resourcing of strategic actions/directions.
On September 16th, ARPA President Tim Burton attended an inter-agency workshop in Red Deer to discuss a further revised (September 2010) version of the policy which was refined based on the feedback obtained through the online survey responses and written briefs. ARPA was delighted to see that the Ministry had responded positively to many of the comments it had received, which were outlined in a "What We Heard" report that was made available alongside the revised policy document. The vast majority of items ARPA had advanced for consideration had been addressed in a generally positive manner. While we may be disappointed that the title ACTIVE ALBERTA has been retained, this is a small matter when it is now clear that the policy covers much more than just addressing physical inactivity.
There are many things the policy now addresses that ARPA had previously identified as important - and, indeed, critical - to the future quality of life of Albertans (notably in our 2006 report Foundations for Action). The Board commends the Ministry for listening to its constituents and allied stakeholders and for responding positively to so many of the previous policy draft criticisms and suggestions.
Presuming that the policy advances relatively unscathed through the provincial government review and decision-making process, ARPA stands ready to assist the Alberta Government and the ATPR Ministry in pursuit of the many elements of the policy.
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 Communities in Bloom Provincial Edition salutes participants at a celebratory banquet
ARPA acknowledged and applauded the participating communities in Alberta's Provincial Edition of the Communities in Bloom program at a provincial awards banquet held in Provost, Alberta on Saturday, September 18th. This year's category winners included:
Population 1 - 500: Delia
Population 501 - 2,000: Coronation
Population 2,001 - 6,000: Jasper
Population 6,001 - 12,000: Beaumont
In total, 25 communities participated on a competive level in the Provinical Edition. There were also three non-competitive "Friend" communities that were evaluated this year, along with 13 communities who participated as non-competitive, non-evaluated Friends.
This year's edition of the program also saw Encana Corporation come on as the provincial sponsor.
"Encana is proud to support Communities in Bloom in Alberta. Helping communities care for their natural environment is a priority for us," stated Patricia Etris, Team Lead of Community Investment for Encana Corporation. "Communities in Bloom is a fine example of what happens when committed individuals, companies and governments unite to create better communities. We applaud everyone involved in this year's competition, and congratulate the winning communities for their outstanding efforts."
For more information on Alberta's Provincial Edition of Communities in Bloom, please visit www.cib.arpaonline.ca.
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 Become a HIGH FIVEŽ TrainerThe next Becoming a HIGH FIVEŽ Trainer Workshop will take place in Edmonton from November 24-26th, 2010. Obtaining certification as a HIGH FIVEŽ Trainer is a prerequisite to becoming a HIGH FIVEŽ Sport Trainer.
For more information on HIGH FIVEŽ training sessions or becoming a Trainer, please contact Joline Veitch, ARPA Children & Youth Program Coordinator, at jveitch@arpaonline.ca or 780-638-2915.
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 Now you can shop for ACE Communities resources in your pyjamas!
ACE Communities has just launched its own online market. This web page will feature purchasable tools, resources, and more to help strengthen your community. We are proud to launch the ACE market with the ACE Community Leadership Toolkit, with many more great resources to be added in the future. Visit the ACE market at acecommunities.ca/market/
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 Last chance to register for the ARPA Conference and Energize Workshop
There's less than a week left to register for the ARPA Conference and Energize Workshop! This year's Conference will take place October 21-23, 2010 at The Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge in Jasper, Alberta. Register online for the conference today!Accommodation available at the Sawridge HotelPlease note that the ARPA Conference room block at The Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge is now fully booked. Conference accommodation may now be booked through: Sawridge Hotel and Conference CentrePhone: 1-888-729-7343 Email: reservationsjs@sawridge.comGroup Confirmation Code: ARJ21A Earlybird rate still available for Elected OfficialsTaking into consideration the dates of this fall's municipal elections, all elected and appointed officials may register or transfer names for the 2010 ARPA Conference & Energize Workshop at the earlybird registration fee until Tuesday, October 19th, 2010 at 4:00 p.m. Best of luck to you in your respective campaigns, and on election day! For more information on the ARPA Conference & Energize Workshop, please visit www.2010.arpaonline.ca.
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Review of charitable gaming model
Through an October 12th news release the provincial government's Solicitor General announced that the review of charitable gaming policies regarding casino wait times, distribution of casino proceeds and casino volunteer requirements is being referred to the Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission (AGLC) for further research and study. An MLA Advisory Committee report just released outlined the complexity of issues in finding a fair and equitable solution for all eligible charities in Alberta. The report (and its recommendations), at this point, will not be acted upon, pending AGLC's further research and study outcomes. As such, existing AGLC charitable gaming policies will remain unchanged.
For more information, please visit www.aglc.ca.
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 ARPA releases Healthy by Nature: Up Close and Personal
ARPA has just released a new report titled Healthy by Nature: Up Close and Personal - Investing in Community Parks, Open Space and Nature Education. The full report is available for download on the ARPA website.
Healthy by Nature gives the facts and showcases the evidence spelling out the many ways community parks and public spaces improve and enrich our lives. Drawing on the most robust and reliable sources of information from Alberta, Canada, and around the world, it presents persuasive evidence of the huge benefits of investing in and caring for our parks and green spaces. This document is also intended to create discussion and hopefully result in positive action towards enriched community parks and open space development in Alberta. ARPA welcomes feedback on Healthy by Nature, and encourages all members to share this document with your colleagues.
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Getting more people, more active, more often through Active Community Strategies
ARPA would like to congratulate the communities of Camrose, High Level, Irricana, and Lethbridge for receiving partnership support to create Active Community Strategies over the next eight months. All of these communities were part of the original Alberta Active Communities initiative and spent over two years creating capacity for community initiatives that get their communities more active. These communities have been selected through an expression of interest to now formally engage their communities in building strategies that outline their values, goals and intended actions in a number of key areas. Active Community Strategies will be built through a collaborative process driven by values developed through the Active Community/ACE partnerships. Community leaders in the four selected areas understand that status-quo is not good enough. They are committed to being proactive, building on existing assets, and to ongoing continuous growth and development. They will be working together as citizens, community agencies, and municipal and provincial government staff to develop customized action plans based on community priorities to engage and activate more people to get more active more often! Evidence-based active community strategies will link existing community plans, resources and initiatives to examine policy, community design, leadership, facilities and programs, active transportation, and inclusion amongst others. These plans will also be framed within guiding policies and charters. At the end of this year, ARPA will have an Active Community Strategy template supporting community recreation development, which can be used by communities across Alberta to plan for and sustain a culture that supports active lifestyles. Additionally, community case studies from the four pilot communities and broad process information will provide foundational support for other Alberta communities.
For more information on this initiative, please contact Carol Petersen, Manager of Community and Recreation Development, at 780-415-1747 or cpetersen@arpaonline.ca.
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"Every Kid Every Community" grant opporunity for initiatives to involve children in hockey
The Every Kid Every Community project has been initiated by Hockey Alberta to provide incentive and support for communities encouraging new kids to get involved in the game of hockey. This project is supported by the Every Kid Every Community Fund established by the Hockey Alberta Foundation. The Every Kid Every Community project intents to provide kids with the opportunity to try hockey in alternative ways to the full minor hockey season. Hockey Alberta, in partnership with the Alberta Sport Recreation Parks and Wildlife Foundation and the Hockey Alberta Foundation, will be providing grants up to $5000 per community in order to help them reduce those barriers. Interested communities are encouraged to register to participate on a conference call on Thursday, November 4, 2010 at 10:00 a.m. to learn more about Every Kid Every Community grant opportunities. Communities can register for the call at: www.surveygizmo.com/s/382198/every-kid-every-communityFor more information, please visit the Hockey Alberta website.
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A big thank-you to the Alberta Community Cooperative Association
ARPA would like to extend its thanks and acknowledge the Alberta Community Cooperative Association for their support with the 2010 Career Focus Internship Program, which is sponsored by the Governement of Canada. Beginning in July and running through the end of September, Shireen Lewis was placed with ARPA as an intern with a focus on Administrative Support. Shireen provided diligent attention to archiving a large collection of research documents. We are pleased to say that her placement has been extended to the end of November, and she will continue to work in an administrative role.
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Upcoming ARPA Events
2010 ARPA Conference & Energize Workshop
Date: October 21-23, 2010
Location: The Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge, Jasper, AB
URL: www.2010.arpaonline.ca
Orientation to ACE Communities (Webinar)
Date: October 29, 2010
Time: 10:00 a.m. (MST)
ACE Community Building Workshop
Date: November 4, 2010Location: Nanton, AB (at the Nanton Community Memorial Centre)
Registration Contact: Lisa Lockton ( clerk@nanton.ca or 403-646-2029) Registration Deadline: October 22
Overview of the Planning Framework Using a Community Development Approach (Webinar)
Date: November 10, 2010Time: 10:00 a.m. (MST)Registration Contact: Rose Carmichael (rcarmichael@aceleaders.ca)
How to Set-up a Blog (Webinar)
Date: November 16, 2010Time: 10:00 a.m. (MST)
Registration Contact: Rose Carmichael (rcarmichael@aceleaders.ca)
Parks Forum
Date: March 10-12, 2011
Location: Radisson Hotel and Conference Centre, Canmore, AB
*Click here to view a six-month schedule of all upcoming ACE Communities webinars*
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REConnect is a monthly e-newsletter produced by the Alberta Recreation and Parks Association. For more information on this publication or ARPA, please contact Mandi Wise, Communications Coordinator, at mwise@arpaonline.ca.
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