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A message from Multicultural Association of Fort McMurray

2012 MULTICULTURAL EXPO

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To The Community of the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo,
The Staff, Executives and Board Members of the Multicultural Association wish you all a happy festive season.

We are pleased to announce the coming of the Multicultural Expo to celebrate the 26th Anniversary of the Multicultural Association of Fort McMurray. We invite all to participate and attend.

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Free Learning Opportunity Febuary 7, 2012

Volunteer Wood Buffalo will be Celebrating National Volunteer Week

We have lots planned to honor the Wood Buffalo Regions Volunteers!

Make volunteering a resolution

With popular New Year’s resolutions like weight loss and health flying around, consider volunteering in the community part of your list for 2012

Sign up for a weekly shift.
http://fortmcmurrayfoodbank.com/
Phone: (780)-743-1125

Share a little Magic!
http://www.bigbrothersbigsisters.ca/woodbuffalo
Phone: (780) 791-2447

Volunteer for literacy - be part of the solution!
Phone: (780) 791-8943

Volunteer Opportunity: Palliative Care Volunteer position

The Wood Buffalo Primary Care Network has recently implemented a Palliative Care program which provides resources and support to palliative patients as well as their care givers living in the community of Wood Buffalo. The WBPCN is seeking out interested volunteers for the palliative program which will provide in-depth training this January.

Palliative care volunteer position

The volunteer position would be described as follows:

- Providing support to a palliative patient and their caregivers

- Support in the context of this program includes running errands, attending appointments, providing respite for care givers, spending time with patient in the home or hospital

- Volunteer time would be spend weekdays/evenings and possibly weekends

- In-depth training is provided by the WBPCN

- Direct contact with palliative nurse lead for guidance and feedback

Contact: Shelly Robertson, Palliative Nurse Lead, 780-788-1771



Organization Background:

The Wood Buffalo Primary Care Network also known as the WBPCN is a made in Alberta model of health care whereby local family physicians make a formal agreement to work as an interdisciplinary team with other health care professionals to provide comprehensive primary care programs and services to the community. The WBPCN functions as an extension of the family physician office comprised of the family physician, registered nurses, dietitians, a pharmacist, an occupational therapist, an exercise specialist and a mental health coordinator. WBPCN core programs include diabetes, heart health, adult weight management, women’s annual health check and screening, geriatric and palliative care, family practice nurse, and secondary stroke prevention clinic.

Volunteer Wood Buffalo Celebrates Global Event

Volunteer Wood Buffalo Celebrates Global Event
It’s the International Volunteer Day (IVD) on Monday December 5, and Volunteer Wood Buffalo is celebrating!
IVD offers an opportunity to show appreciation for all the volunteers who dedicate time and skills to communities the world over. It is also a venue to showcase the contribution of volunteers to society and encourage more people to volunteer.

This year Volunteer Wood Buffalo will be handing out Hot Chocolate, and Coffee in two venues: the Municipal / Provincial building and MacDonald Island Park. The celebrations will be taking place from 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. on the shared patio of the Municipal / Provincial Building and from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Macdonald Island Park.

“This is our way of giving back to the Wood Buffalo Region, and celebrating those whom have invested their time to help their neighbors,” said Erika Hornsey, Executive Director of Volunteer Wood Buffalo, the nonprofit/voluntary sector organization whose mission is to promote, develop and support volunteerism in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo.
“By focusing on leadership, partnerships, collaborations and networking; Volunteer Wood Buffalo creates programs and projects to elevate awareness and promote volunteerism in the community. This is a great opportunity to celebrate with our peers and colleagues across the globe.”

Background
IVD was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1985 and is now celebrated worldwide with thousands of volunteers taking part. IVD celebrations come in all shapes and forms – from volunteer recognition events, to afternoon teas, to park clean-ups to tree planting ; all aimed at highlighting the importance of volunteers in communities around the globe.

A Taste of Fort McMurray Results!

Thank you to EVERYONE that came out to A Taste of Fort McMurray on Sunday! It wouldn't had been as successful as it was without the support, cooperation and heart that all of the vendors, sponsors, participants and volunteers put into it. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!


The votes have been calculated and we are pleased to announce the winners for the Best of... Awards.

The New Fall Lineup of Video Conferences are HERE

Due to the rise in interest and participation of our video conferences, Volunteer Wood Buffalo is upping the ante, opening our doors, and inviting you to join us for our upcoming information sessions.

Starting in September, we will be offering a whopping 18 video conferences (so far) and will offer a wide variety of topics including fundraising ideas to the ins and outs of donation receipting to solutions to make your work as a board member easier.

Read on for the most up to date list of the exciting new additions in our information session schedule!

Click the links below to register or to learn more about each informative conference:

Fund Development Series Wednesdays From November 2nd to 23rd

This series will help you examine what types of information you need to capture to fully understand and engage your donors and funders, create donor lists, get organized, and build relationships with your donors.

Making Your Work as a Board Member Easier
Dates: 9/08/11, 9/15/11, 9/22/11, 9/29/11 Time: 6:45PM – 8:15PM

Volunteer Management Best Practices in Your Community Series
Dates: 9/13/11, 9/20/11, 9/27/11 Time: 11:20AM – 1:35PM

Charity Boards: Are You Legally Fit?
Date: 9/15/11 Time: 12:50PM - 2:05PM

Real Time Planning for Non Profit Organizations
Date: 10/5/11 Time: 12:50PM - 2:35PM

Quick & Dirty Feasibility Studies for Non Profit Organization Projects
Date: 10/25/11 Time: 9:50AM - 11:35AM

Skills for Non Profits Series
Date: 11/3/11 Time: 11:50AM - 11/17/11 1:35PM

Office in a Box
Date: 11/24/11 Time: 10:50AM - 12:05PM

Fundraising Ideas
Date: 12/7/11 Time: 10:50AM - 12:35PM

Ins and Outs of Donation Receipts
Date: 1/8/12 Time: 11:50AM - 1:05PM

Meeting Skills for Results
Date: 1/25/12 Time: 11:50AM - 1:35PM

We are so pleased to have the opportunity to share all of these workshops with you! We are certain your organization will benefit from the knowledgeable presenters’ discussions and their areas of expertise.

We have the technology and we want to share! In addition, we are also offering video conferences (shown below) in partnership with YMCA Immigrant Settlement Services.

An Introduction to Charter Rights in Canada
Date: 10/11/11 Time: 11:20AM - 12:35PM

Juggling Elephants
Date: 11/9/11 Time: 9:50AM - 12:05PM

Planning for Post Secondary
Date: 11/15/11 Time: 1:50PM - 3:35PM

Introduction to Renting in Alberta -- Currently Sold out --
Date: 11/23/11 Time: 12:50PM - 2:05PM

If your organization is interested in partnering with us so we can be the host of video conferences of your choice that you think would be beneficial to the community; let’s set something up together! You set the cost and market the workshop; we offer our superior technology and we share the revenue. It truly is a win- win- WIN!!

Should you have questions or concerns about any of the sessions you see here or have an idea for a video conference we aren’t currently offering, please contact Erika Hornsey at 780-791-9333 or via email at ed@volunteerwoodbuffalo.ca.

Hope to see you soon!!

Disaster Social Services BBQ

On Thursday, May 5th, VWB is setting up shop at the Provincial Building for Disaster Social Services BBQ!
At our booth, we will be giving information about the program and taking information from anyone interested in being on the call list for the group in the event of an emergency.
You can also sign up to be put on the list to receive Volunteer Wood Buffalo's e-Roster of Volunteering* which will be coming very soon!!


*name 'e-Roster of Volunteering' is subject to change

Get Connected! Look for Us at Fort McMurray's Networking Day

On Thursday, May 12th from 9:30am to 4:30pm head down to MacDonald Island Park to check out Volunteer Wood Buffalo's booth at the Fort McMurray Networking Day.
Located in the Miskanaw Ballroom, 25 local organizations will gather together to share information and see guest speakers, Bruce Switzer and Stephen Hammond.
Switzer will kicks things off the day of the event and will be followed by exhibitor presentations touching base on hiring practices and networking. At noon, light refreshments will be served and will immediately be followed Hammond who will speak about immigration to Canada and how community members and employers can be a part of new Canadians' integration into the country.