"...Join me in imagining our country as it could be...a smart and caring nation, where all Canadians can succeed, contribute, and develop their talents to their fullest potential."  Governor General of Canada, David Johnston

In 2011 our Governor General first made this statement and as we approach our country's 150^th birthday in 2017, we are being challenged once again to imagine our country as it could be - a smart and caring nation that holds promise for all.

This is the message we received at our bi-annual conference during the first week of June. Hosted by the Community Foundations of Canada in Winnipeg, CFC 2013 Conference: Inspiring Smart & Caring Communities brought together more than 600 Canadian and international leaders from the foundation and philanthropic sector.

Smart and Caring Communities unites our movement in a nation-wide call to service, an opportunity for the more than 192 community foundations across Canada to mobilize people, organizations, and resources in a shared effort to build a smarter and more caring nation. Together we can leverage this unique moment in time to engage Canadians in their community foundation in a new way. We can determine what a 'smart and caring' community means to them and how community foundations can support that vision.

I am always excited to attend the conference but this year the energy and enthusiasm I felt from my fellow attendees was truly inspiring. I've now been part of the movement for 12 years and I've seen the growth both locally and from a global perspective. I've had a chance to witness the variety of ways different communities work together collectively.

As patron of Community Foundations of Canada, the Governor General of Canada, His Excellency David Johnston asks community foundations to join his call to all Canadians to build a 'smart and caring nation' leading up to 2017. I was honored to join colleague Kerry Longpre from the Calgary Foundation and Shelagh Rogers of CBC Radio in a private meeting with the Governor General.  He shared with our small group many stories that demonstrate how strengthening communities throughout our nation impacts each and every person. He believes we are a country of neighbours helping neighbours.  "By offering our time, talent and resources, we can all play a role in bridging the gap that undermines hope in our society," says the Governor General.

As I look at what is happening in Southern Alberta and see past the devastation, I see people coming together and helping their neighbours in this time of need. The Calgary Foundation and the Community Foundation of Medicine Hat/Southwestern Alberta are currently setting up Flood Rebuilding Funds and accepting monetary donations. We need to remember it is in all of us to give, which is part of our great Canadian tradition. This is what Smart and Caring Communities is all about.

At the Community Foundation of Northwestern Alberta we are working diligently to discover how we can best serve our region and in which areas we can make a difference.  We are continuing work with the Vital Signs community survey to guide our focus for our Smart and Caring Community Fund.

I would also like to thank the many supporters of over 120 endowment funds that we're a part of.  Your generosity is touching your community and is continuing to grow for our future generations. We are currently getting ready to launch this year's student awards program and will be sending out our annual granting call for grant requests this fall.

I am honoured to be part of an organization that is committed to community, partnering with people who share a love for our community. Interested in exploring how you can make a lasting impact, you can reach me at (780) 538-2820 or by replying to this e-mail.  

Your community makes you. And you make your community.