The Lieutenant Governor of Alberta along with the Alberta Recreation and Parks Association and the Recreation for Life Foundation honoured a diverse group of outstanding community leaders on May 26th at Edmonton's TELUS World of Science at the Lieutenant Governor's 2011 Leadership for Active Communities Awards.

This awards program recognizes the achievements of the groups and individuals who are leading their communities in strategic change that increases citizen participation in active living, recreation, and sport resulting in healthier people and communities.

"I'd like to congratulate the 2011 award recipients and thank them for the energy, creativity, and commitment they have brought to their work as Alberta's outstanding active community leaders," said the Honourable Donald S. Ethell, Lieutenant Governor of Alberta. "They serve as examples to all Albertans of the power we each hold as individual citizens to change our community and province for the better."

Award recipients include:

• Kelsey Dunham (Innisfail) - Community Leader of Tomorrow Award
• Brent Stenson (Forestburg) - Outstanding Community Leader Award
• Ray Danyluk, MLA (Lac La Biche - St. Paul) - Elected Community Leader Award
• Russ Pawlyk (Strathcona County) - Professional Leadership Award
• Envision Innisfail Advisory Committee - Group Spirit of Community Leadership Award

Honourable Mentions include:

• Real Chartrand (Fort McMurray) - Outstanding Community Leader Award
• Mayor Ivor McCorquindale (Longview) - Elected Community Leader Award
• Kim Sanderson (Edmonton) & Leanne Worr (Penhold) - Professional Leadership Award
• Sangudo and District Community Development Council (Sangudo) & Vista Heights Action Committee (Calgary) - Group Spirit of Community Leadership Award

"Strong local leadership is a key ingredient in developing vibrant communities that support healthy individuals and environments in our province," said Terry Welsh, ARPA President. "We wholeheartedly commend these award recipients for their dedication to improving the quality of life in Alberta through community engagement and recreation and parks services."

This biennial awards program is administered by ARPA, in partnership with the Recreation for Life Foundation, and in association with the Lieutenant Governor's office. The inaugural awards ceremony took place in 2009, and the program was initiated by Alberta's former Lieutenant Governor, the Honourable Norman L. Kwong.

For more information on this awards program or to see photos from the ceremony, please visit: http://arpaonline.ca/lieutenant-governors-awards/.

A new Alberta Urban Municipalities Association (AUMA) program is now available to help municipalities manage their energy costs and plan for facility upgrades. The Taking Action to Manage Energy (TAME) Buildings Initiative is a new Municipal Climate Changes Action Centre (MCCAC) program directed at municipal facility managers and CAOs.

To help facility managers and CAOs identify energy cost savings in their facilities, and manage energy across municipal operations, the TAME Buildings Initiative is providing dashboard reports on facility energy profiles, templates for easy self assessments, and matching grants for professional detailed energy assessments.

By submitting an expression of interest (EOI) to the MCCAC, a municipality will receive a dashboard report that outlines the energy use of their facility and compares their facility to others across Alberta. The dashboard report will give facility managers and CAOs a snapshot of the facility's energy use and determine if an energy assessment is a valuable next step.

The EOI can be downloaded on the MCCAC website. There is no limit to the number of facilities that may submitted and a dashboard report will be provided for each one. Municipalities are encouraged to submit facilities now and see where their energy savings opportunities are and how they stack up in comparison to other facilities across Alberta.

In addition to the dashboard reports, municipalities will have access to more specialized energy assessments. The screening assessment tool enables facility managers to diagnose the key components of energy use in a facility and provides CAOs with organizational recommendations for better energy management.

Grant Funding Available

For those municipalities who have initiated planning and are prepared to retrofit their facilities, the MCCAC will share 50% of the cost of the detailed energy assessments, up to a maximum of $10,000. For municipalities prepared to retrofit 3 facilities or more, the Action Center will share 50% of the assessment costs, up to a maximum of $20,000.

ARPA encourages its members to take advantage of this timely initiative as community recreation facilities tend to be large consumers of energy.

Visit the MCCAC website to learn more about the TAME Buildings Initiative.

The 9th Annual Recreation for Life Charity Golf Tournament, which took place June 13th at the Derrick Golf & Winter Club, was once again a fantastic fundraising success for the Recreation for Life Foundation.

This year's sold-out tournament saw 160 golfers compete in one of the provincial recreation and park sector's most anticipated golf events of the year.  The tournament's success was due in large part to the 45 sponsors who provided support in many forms, including fun hole activities, tasty refreshments on the course, and spectacular prizes. 

The Recreation for Life Foundation would like to extend a special thank-you to PCL Construction Management Inc. for serving as the event's Title Sponsor for the first time this year. This company's recreation facility construction projects have demonstrated excellence in the development and construction of recreation spaces and places throughout Alberta, and PCL's support of RFLF's tournament further demonstrates their commitment to the recreation and parks sector and the enhancement of quality of life in our province.

Thank you to all of the sponsors, players, and volunteers who helped make this year's sold-out tournament a huge success! We look forward to seeing everyone again at next year's tournament.

Check out www.golf.recreationforlife.org shortly for photos from the event.

We may be halfway through June already, but there's still plenty of time to take part in June is Recreation and Parks Month to recognize the many ways recreation and parks enhance the quality of life for all Albertans.

You can download the Getting Started Guide for tips on June celebration planning, or check out 101 Active Things To Do in June for quick ideas on how you can get outdoors and get active this month.

Visit the JRPM Resources page to see all of the free downloads available this year, including activity passports, web banners and buttons, and colouring sheets and word searches for kids. Also be sure to check out the official JRPM events calendar for events taking place in your community this month.

June can and should be a celebration of people, nature, and life. ARPA strongly encourages you, no matter the role you have in your community, to take leadership in celebrating the benefits that recreation and parks provide... and in getting outdoors.

For more information on June is Recreation and Parks Month, please visit:
http://arpaonline.ca/events/recreation-parks-month/

To celebrate June is Recreation and Parks Month, ARPA and Communities ChooseWell invite all ChooseWell communities to get moving by participating in a brand new initiative called Acts of Random Physical Activity.

It is not too late to participate this month... organize your Acts of Random Physical Activity Flash Mob today!

To take part you can do one of three things (or do them all!):

1. Participate in daily activities shared via Facebook or Twitter: Follow the Alberta Recreation and Parks Association on Twitter and "like" us on Facebook. Then watch for daily spontaneous activity suggestions... and do them!
2. Organize a flash mob for the PlayWorks Flash Mob Contest: Every community that hosts, films, and shares their flash mob with the ChooseWell team will be entered into a draw to win a Supernova Playground piece from PlayWorks, value of $6800.00. PlayWorks is also offering all ChooseWell communities an opportunity for a free park/playground consultation and a free piece of playground equipment with purchase of other equipment. Just call them and indicate you are a ChooseWell community taking part in the Acts of Random Physical Activity challenge. Check out the Supernova and the Spinner Bowl  in action, and visit www.playworks.ca for more information.
3. Encourage schools to participate: Encourage schools in your community to integrate acts of random physical activity into the school day by participating in our school challenge.

For all the challenge details download the Acts of Random Physical Activity Guide from the ChooseWell Events page or contact choosewell@arpaonline.ca.

ARPA has been advised by the International Federation of Parks and Recreation Administration (IFPRA) that the Association has been named one of two shortlisted international bidders for IFPRA's 2013 World Congress. IFPRA is a unique international organization that represents parks, recreation, amenity, cultural, leisure, and related services.

IFPRA's final decision regarding the successful bidder will be announced at its 2011 World Congress in September.

For more information on IFPRA, please visit: http://www.ifpra.org/

On May 31st, ARPA's Community Sport Task Group held the first ever Provincial Dialogue on "Collaborative Planning & Action for Community Sport & Recreation Development" in Leduc. This forum brought together recreation practitioners, provincial sport organizations, and educators from across the province to explore the many ways that communities can foster and leverage recreation and sport partnerships toward positive local engagement.

The day included a blended format of presentations, shared success stories, and focused small group discussions. Those who attended discussed and heard ideas on how Canadian Sport for Life (CS4L) could be integrated in Alberta communities through collaborative partnerships and interactions between municipalities and local sport organizations.

The CS4L is a national movement to change and improve the Canadian Sport System. It provides opportunities for all Canadians to participate in quality sport and physical activity, through-out their lifetime. The CS4L acknowledges the vital connection between sport, community recreation, health care and education in promoting children's health and active living.

Stay tuned to the Provincial Dialogues page of the ARPA website for a downloadable summary of the outcomes of this forum (to be available shortly).

Kids at Hope hosted the 6th Annual Youth Development Masters Institute on May 8-14th in Phoenix, Arizona in conjunction with Arizona State University and the Alberta Recreation and Parks Association. This year ARPA was recognized as an official sponsor of the Kids at Hope Masters Institute, and Kids at Hope formally established an annual Alberta scholarship in the name of Rick Curtis and the Association.

The week long Institute provided opportunities to learn from and be inspired by numerous professionals and educators including this year's Honorary Dean, U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor. Speakers and presenters examined critical topics outlining how students succeed, the role of educators and youth professionals, resiliency, and recreation. ACE Communities' Brenda Herchmer provided the recreation keynote, delivering two well received sessions about Leisure Literacy and Community Development.

The Masters Institute attracted educators and human service professionals from Arizona, Florida, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Texas, Virginia, Washington, and Alberta. Representatives from Alberta included Jennifer Gristwood (City of Calgary), Brenda Herchmer (ACE Communities), Shelley Kwong (City of Edmonton), Florence Nabawanuka (Grande Prairie Sunrise Youth Emergency Shelter), Lisa Tink (ARPA), and Doray Veno (Hanna Learning Centre).

ARPA looks forward to working further with these individuals, along with the many other Kids at Hope Ambassadors throughout Alberta, to support the success of all children across the province. 

For more information on Kids at Hope, please visit:
http://arpaonline.ca/program/kids-at-hope/

The federal and provincial/territorial Ministers responsible for sport have agreed to renew the Canadian Sport Policy, and through the Interprovincial Sport and Recreation Council (ISRC) are asking for input from interested residents and sport communities in Alberta to help build a sport policy that reflects the sport they want in Canada.

An important component of renewing the policy is to have as many Canadians as possible participate and share their perspectives. Equally important is the opportunity for sport organizations and members to have input into the new policy and collaborate in its future implementation.

To provide your input, please complete the e-questionnaire on the Sport Information Resource Centre (SIRC) Canadian Sport Policy Renewal website: http://sirc.ca/csprenewal/ab.cfm

The e-questionnaire must be completed by June 17th, 2011. 

If you have any questions regarding this process, please contact Roger Kramers, Director - Sport Development Branch, Alberta Tourism, Parks and Recreation at roger.kramers@gov.ab.ca or 780-415-0272.

Since the introduction of the organizational Assessment Tool and organizational development Action Plan in draft forms at last October's ARPA Annual Conference, these Service Excellence Program (SEP) frameworks have been reviewed three times by expert panels (comprised of 120 participants in total) and are now in the final stages of pilot testing in seven Alberta communities: Beaumont, Calgary, Cochrane, Edmonton, Leduc, Leduc County, and Okotoks. 

While pilot testing has confirmed SEP has developed on the right track, pilot workers have suggested many specific improvements and enhancements to make SEP more customized and user friendly. Special thanks go to the leadership and dedication these organizations have shown in completing the pilot test.

On June 2nd, the Service Excellence Advisory Team (SEAT) hosted a webinar and orientation session for the ARPA Board of Directors which provided an overview of SEP context, process, and content; as a result, more helpful advice and feedback was provided by the Board to the SEP development team.

A proposed version of SEP will be presented to SEAT for endorsement on June 29th. This version will be sent out to all participants in the process to date (Board, SEAT, Survey participants, and pilot communities). Throughout the summer, a further review and final look will be provided to the ARPA Board, the expert panels, and pilot communities. 

The final version of SEP with recommendations for implementation (for ARPA and organizations) will be presented with a request for approval to the ARPA Board on September 13th during another webinar, with the intention to launch SEP at the 2011 ARPA Annual Conference in Lake Louise.

For more information on the Service Excellence Program, please visit:
http://arpaonline.ca/program/service-excellence-program/

The FCC AgriSpirit Fund is about making life better for people in rural communities. If your organization is raising money for a capital project, it may qualify for a donation between $5,000 and $25,000 to supplement your other fundraising efforts.

Successful projects in the past have included hospitals and medical centres, childcare facilities, fire and rescue equipment, playgrounds, food banks, libraries, recreation centres, and community gardens.

The deadline to submit application is June 20th, 2011.

Visit the Farm Credit Canada website for more information or to submit an application.

ARPA's ACE Communities initiative is pleased to announce its four new Diversity Friendly Communities. The selected communities for this special initiative include Carstairs, Grande Cache, Jasper, and Rocky Mountain House.

ACE Communities received a wide range of strong applications from across Alberta, and the adjudication committee was hard pressed to choose only four communities. Stay tuned to REConnect for more updates on this groundbreaking initiative.

Special thanks go out to the Alberta Government's Human Rights Education and Multiculturalism (HREM) Fund for funding this first ever group of Diversity Friendly Communities. Thanks also go out to the adjudicators who volunteered their time toward the important goal of developing more diversity friendly communities in Alberta.

For more information of the HREM Fund, please visit:
http://culture.alberta.ca/hremf/

Alberta Tourism, Parks and Recreation and the Alberta Sport, Recreation, Parks and Wildlife Foundation (ASRPWF) are working in partnership with ARPA to bring Alberta's recreation and parks community Energize Workshop 2011.

The Energize Workshop provides a forum for everyone from local community volunteers to elected officials to exchange ideas and knowledge related to recreation development and its contribution to active healthy communities. The Energize workshop will be held in conjunction with the ARPA Annual Conference, which takes place October 27 to 29, 2011 at the Chateau Lake Louise.

Recreation Volunteer Recognition Awards

The Recreation Volunteer Recognition Awards are presented at the Energize Workshop to four Albertans, who have, through their involvement and dedication, advanced the development of recreation in Alberta. The Awards are sponsored by Alberta Tourism, Parks and Recreation and the ASRPWF and the selections are made by the volunteer Energize Advisory Committee from the nominations that are received.

Nomination forms have been distributed to all communities and are also available for download on the ASRPWF website. The nomination deadline is June 24th, 2011.

Don't miss this opportunity to ensure that our recreation volunteers are recognized for the essential work that they do. Nominate someone from your community today!

The Recreation for Life Foundation is proud to announce two new Honoury Directors of the RFLF Board:

• The Hon. Allan Wachowich, QC, LLD
• Alfred Savage

As well, RFLF welcomes a new Board member:

• Roger Smolnicky (Leduc)

Stemming from the Foundation's recent AGM, Board member Mayor Greg Krishcke will now serve as the new Vice-Chair of the Board.

RFLF would also like to extend its thanks to following exiting Board members for their long-term service to and support of RFLF:

• Susan L. Green (Honourary Director)
• Carl H. Shields (Board of Directors Member)
• Gary Debney (Board of Directors Member)

For a complete listing of current RFLF Board Members and Honourary Directors, please visit: http://www.recreationforlife.org/bod.html

The Recreation for Life Foundation would like to extend its thanks to Alberta Culture and Community Spirit for the $17,588.85 grant received by RFLF through the Community Spirit Program.

Community Spirit Program grants are based on total annual cash donations from individual Albertans that have been received by an eligible organization over a 12-month fiscal period. The grant can be used to support an organization's operations, programs and/or capital projects.

For more information on the Community Spirit Program, please visit:
http://www.culture.alberta.ca/communityspirit/default.aspx

Serving Communities Internship Program

Shaping Alberta's Future: Report of the Premier's Council for Economic Strategy - Special attention to sections "The Best Early Start for All" (p. 59) and "Preventing a Crippling Epidemic (p. 61)

ARPA Annual Conference & Energize Workshop
Date: October 27-29th, 2011
URL: http://arpaonline.ca/events/arpa-annual-conference/ 

Tools & Resources for Enhancing Community Leadership (Webinar)
Date: June 16th, 2011
Time: 10:00 - 11:30 a.m.
Register online: http://recc.arpahub.ca/

Creative Ideas for Motivating Seniors (Webinar)
Date: June 21st, 2011
Time: 10:00 - 11:00 a.m.
Register online: http://recc.arpahub.ca/

Community Building for Food Security (Webinar)
Date: June 23rd, 2011
Time: 10:00 - 11:30 a.m.
Register online: http://recc.arpahub.ca/

Working Effectively and Enthusiastically as a Team! (Webinar)
Date: June 23rd, 2011
Time: 2:00 - 3:00 p.m.
Register online: http://recc.arpahub.ca/