What You Need to Know

Read this if you can't read everything

• EFCL is hosting two learning events over the next two weeks: the new board member lunch and learn (April 27, from 12-1pm) and the membership directors' summit (April 27, 6pm). Our next cafe is the Green Leagues community gardening cafe on May 3, at 6:30pm; our next community partners fair is May 5, at 6pm. We're also hosting an info session on flag football with CDMFA on April 25.
   
• Membership supplies and Capital City Clean Up Kts are ready as of April 25 for Leagues to pick up. The EFCL office will be open between 9:30am and 4pm over this week. We will also be open until 7pm on Wednesday (April 27) and Thursday (April 28) for late pickups.
   
• Members passed a motion in February to ask all Leagues to share their utility bills with EFCL for energy benchmarking. We now have a form to collect utility bills, a five-minute video to explain it all and Cloverdale Community League Past President Reg Kontz's excellent presentation on benchmarking. 
   
• EFCL is hiring an energy benchmarking and carbon reduction data analyst. Know someone who fits the bill? Ask them to apply.

Shared Space

ECVO will list your hall space to prospective renters – for free

Opioid Response Training

Spaces limited for life-saving workshops

In 2021, Rebecca – one of the co-founders of Water Warriors YEG – lost two family members to drug poisoning. She's made it her mission to train as many people as possible how to recognize and help someone experiencing a drug poisoning.

Water Warriors YEG has partnered with Alberta Avenue Community League to certify trainers willing to train in the community. The group has limited trainers and capacity. The classes are free. 
 ​
Photo: Wikimedia/James Heilman

Accessible Events Checklist

Our Resource Library is vast. Here's a peek at a tool your League can use

Your League is about to plan spring and summer events – and is committed to making them fully accessible. But how? The EFCL's resource library has you covered. Check out our accessible events checklist to begin your events planning. 

Photo by Yomex Owo on Unsplash

Flag Football Info Session 

April 25, 6:30pm

Community Leagues interested in hosting flag football teams for children and youth in your community can join the EFCL and the Capital District Minor Football Association (CDMFA) in a one-hour information session.

Why should you attend?

You’ll get detailed information on how the program will work, the role of the League and the benefits to your members.

Leagues will have an opportunity to ask questions and connect with CDMFA.

Have questions? Check out our Flag Football FAQ.

Green Leagues Café

May 3, 6:30pm

Join the Green Leagues Café to share ideas on what to do with your community and green initiatives.

This cafe we will focus on community gardening.

Learn how other Community League members do what they do. Get together to share ideas, skills, resources and experiences to help each other succeed.

Board Lunch and Learn 

April 27, 12pm

You’re invited to the next New Board Member Lunch and Learn session.

Everything you need to know about being a new board member at your League is contained in one hour. We'll answer all your new Community League board member questions:

• What have I gotten myself into?
• What are my responsibilities?
• Where can I go for help? 

You'll get to meet Sandra Johnston, EFCL Board Development Advisor who will help you with all things Board and Jennie Gurnett, EFCL Community Activation who knows all things Community League.

Membership Directors Summit

April 27, 6:30pm

The next Membership Directors’ Summit is on April 27. This event is focused on door-to-door membership drives.
 
This session is for new membership directors looking for ideas. It’s also for seasoned membership directors who organize door-to-door membership drives who can share what works.
 
CONVERSATION STARTERS:

• How do you recruit volunteers? 
• What goes into a sales kit? 
• How do you handle payments (cash, e-transfer/other)?   

The Community League of Dovercourt and North Glenora will both share how they use membership drives. 

Part two: How do you engage with members?
 
How does your Community League engage with your members? Newsletters? Pop-up sales events?  
What creative ways does your Community League reach out to your members?     
 
This session is for new membership directors looking for ideas on how to engage with their members – and especially for experienced people in this role who can then share what's worked for them.

The Commons 

Boulevard Gardening Pilot

We’ve heard Leagues and residents ask for ways to use underutilized and public space for food production, gardens and storm-water management.

We've worked with the City to suggest new guidelines for residential boulevard gardening, “to encourage low maintenance, citizen-led plantings, gardening, and beautification that contributes to neighbourhood vitality and climate resilience”

On April 4, council's Urban Planning Committee recommended that this be developed into a pilot from May to October 2022. We're excited to work with administration and to get your feedback, suggested improvements and work with you to become greener as we grow. 

For more information, get in touch with our planning advisor, Jonathan Lawrence.

Take a look at similar guidelines in Victoria.

Photo by Jonathan Kemper on Unsplash

Start to Play

May registration is open

Free Play for Kids is now accepting registrations for Start to Play flag football and fitness instruction in May at the following Leagues:

• Twin Brooks
• Glastonbury
• Griesbach
• Hairsine
• Avonmore

Questions? Email Free Play. 

Capital City Clean Up

Kits Available at EFCL April 25

The Capital City Clean Up Litter Kit program is kicking off in April.

The City of Edmonton will provide litter kits and grabbers at the EFCL office as of April 25 for you to pick up and distribute to your community members.

Citizens can connect with their local Community League to pick up litter kits. No registration required. The City asks that Community Leagues distribute the kits and grabbers at a ratio of approximately 4:1, or one or two grabbers per household (as much as that can be coordinated). If you are providing kits for a larger group, please maintain a 4:1 ratio of kits: grabbers. If people are strongly requesting more grabbers please do provide them.

Questions: capitalcitycleanup@edmonton.ca or florence.schaap@edmonton.ca.

Volunteer Recognition

Make a video to share your gratitude

1. Introduce yourself
2. Introduce your League
3. Give a thank-you to your volunteers