(Golden, BC) – Participants in the Simon Fraser University (SFU) Community Economic Development (CED) course took a moment for a group photo on June 10th. The class spent the week together learning from CED experts from the USA and Canada.
Golden hosted the first three courses of SFU’s CED certificate in a week-long intensive summer studies from June 3-7. The three courses included: Sustainability of People, Planet and Places, Locanomics: Introduction to Local Living Economies and Emerging Economic Theories & Practices. CED is a community-centered process that blends social and economic development to promote the economic, social, cultural and ecological well being of communities. CED encourages using local resources to create economic opportunities, and at the same time, improve social conditions in a sustainable way. Course instructors are experts in their particular field and will be coming from Vancouver and California. Organized by GCRS, the great participation was made possible thanks to bursaries from the Golden & District Community Foundation. The Columbia Basin Trust, Columbia Valley Credit Union and Columbia Wetlands Adventures sponsored the great venues, food and after class experience. -30- For more information contact: Ryan Watmough MBA, Consultant Golden Community Resources Society 250-344-8610 [email protected]
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(Golden, BC) – It took just a few weeks to fill the classroom and local leaders – and leaders in training – have stepped up and sat down ready to learn.
Golden Community Resources Society (GCRS) has been working since last fall to bring Simon Fraser University’s (SFU) Community Economic Course (CED) to Golden. A few years ago, GCRS Consultant, Ryan Watmough, took the course in High River and saw the benefits that could be realized by bringing the course to Golden. In 2012, GCRS set a target of enrolling eight local residents. With two week to go, there are 14 locals registered – thanks in large part to the generous bursary support provided by the Golden & District Community Foundation. Golden will be hosting the first three courses of SFU’s CED certificate in a weeklong intensive summer studies from June 3-7. The three courses will include: Sustainability of People, Planet and Places, Locanomics: Introduction to Local Living Economies and Emerging Economic Theories & Practices. CED is a community-centered process that blends social and economic development to promote the economic, social, cultural and ecological well being of communities. CED encourages using local resources to create economic opportunities, and at the same time, improve social conditions in a sustainable way. Course instructors are experts in their particular field and will be coming from Vancouver and California. Mr. Watmough is very excited about the strong local turnout. “At the end of the week, we will have 15 local leaders and supporters speaking the same CED language. They can take this knowledge back to their jobs and volunteer organizations and apply it individually or together for the entire community’s benefit.“ The classroom session will be rounded out by other student professionals coming from across southern BC, some starting the course and other finishing off their last of the eight credits required for the full CED certificate program. Regional participants have been encouraged to attend through a ‘non profit organization’ rate offered by some local accommodators. This is a win-win that helps bolster course attendance and provides some long stay room nights for local accommodators. And when they are not in lecturers or studying or sleeping, participants will have the chance to attend some great local activities, from mountain biking to rafting to simply sightseeing. “There is always something new being created or improved by local organizations and businesses,” explained Mr. Watmough. “The evenings after the classroom sessions will be a great opportunity for regional visitors to be introduced to some of Golden’s highlights and learn from these tourism operators. And when they go back home, they’ll share with their colleagues what a great host Golden was.” Any stragglers interested in learning more about the program is encouraged to review the SFU CED website and those interested in registering should contact Ryan Watmough at [email protected] ASAP. -30- For more information contact: Ryan Watmough MBA, Consultant Golden Community Resources Society 250-344-8610 [email protected] It’s official! Thanks to Golden Community Resources Society (GCRS) and support from the Golden & District Community Foundation (GDCF), Simon Fraser University’s Community Economic Development (CED) certificate course is coming to Golden in early June.
Golden will be hosting the first three courses of SFU’s CED certificate in a weeklong intensive summer studies. The three courses will include: Sustainability of People, Planet and Places, Loconomics: Introduction to Local Living Economies and Emerging Economic Theories & Practices. CED is a community-centered process that blends social and economic development to promote the economic, social, cultural and ecological well being of communities. CED encourages using local resources to create economic opportunities, and at the same time, improve social conditions in a sustainable way. Course instructors will include SFU’s newest addition, Michael Shuman, who is an economist, attorney, author, entrepreneur and “one of the world’s leading experts on community economics and the advantages of small-scale businesses in an era of globalization.” Connie Barlow, Executive Director of GCRS, is really excited to have to SFU come to Golden. “Our interest in bringing this course to Golden is not to inject a dozen potential economic development officers into our community. Our goal is to educate, empower and inspire the individuals in our community who are involved in work, volunteer projects and/or initiatives that will help build a local living economy.” Over the last few years, a few Golden residents have had to travel to outside of the area multiple times in order to get this information. Ryan Watmough, who completed the course in High River, AB over 8 months (and 8 trips) in 2010-11, believes that this bringing the course to makes it attainable for many more people. “Between the very generous bursary opportunities provided by the Community Foundation, sponsorship from the Columbia Valley Credit Union, the non profit rates offered by local accommodators and the condensed course format, these factors all add up to improved economic development opportunities for the entire Columbia Basin and its residents,” explained Watmough. Interest has been very high and translated into a high number of registrations. All of the $1,150 bursaries were awarded within days of the announcement, but locals and those outside of Golden & Area A still have access to some $1,000 and $800 bursaries, respectively, until they are all filled. Anyone interested in learning more about the program is encouraged to review the SFU CED website and those interested in registering should contact Ryan Watmough at [email protected]. -30- For more information contact: Ryan Watmough MBA, Consultant Golden Community Resources Society 250-344-8610 [email protected] WORKSHOP DESCRIPTION:
Working effectively with hostile, confused, angry or upset clients requires the development of a specific skill set. Without proper training, front line staff can intensify hostile behaviour rather than defuse it. Shelter Net BC’s Managing Hostile Interactions train- ing provides participants with learning opportunities to improve communication with hostile clients and provide participants with skills that increase positive outcomes in the workplace. Set Positive Boundaries Increase Positive Outcomes WORKSHOP LEADER: Mario Govorchin Mario is a dynamic, energetic and entertaining speaker and trainer. He is well-regarded in his work as an interventionist for organizations experiencing high internal conflict, and has particular strengths as a me- diator of multi-party disputes. Marion is an acknowledged expert in the area of work- place violence prevention. He maintains a senior trainer role within the Justice Institute of B.C.'s Centre for Conflict Resolution and regularly trains and con- sults with B.C. Corrections Branch and various B.C. Municipal Police Departments in the area of crisis management. March 11, 2013 Registration: 8:30am Workshop: 9:00am-4:00pm Golden BC $100.00 ($80 for Kootenay Boundary Community Service Co-op Members) Fee includes refreshment breaks, lunch and session materials. NOTE: Space is limited to 30 participants. Register online www.basinreach.ca by: For more information, or if you have any trouble registering online please contact: Colleen Pickerell 250-352-6786 [email protected] In Golden, BC, with our ample number of non profits, I would suggest that most needs can be addressed by working with an existing legal entity. It is much easier to start and run a new program under a large, established organization. For those that still want to start a society, here's some good advice from an expert.
(Reposted from Sheila Stenzel: Director, MineralsEd published in Business In Vancouver, http://www.biv.com.) Ask the experts: I want to start a non-profit: what do I need to know? Vision and productive group dynamics are key to a non-profit's startup succes. There are so many things that contribute to the success of a non-profit organization, particularly a charitable organization, that must be attended to and worked on continuously: •Your organization must have a unique and well-defined purpose. It must provide a service or resources in the area that no other group provides. In the case of our educational organization, MineralsEd was formed as a partnership between teachers and industry for the sole purpose of supporting curriculum-based minerals education in B.C. schools (K-12). •Keep a razor-sharp focus. Based on the insight of key partners, define the roles of the organization and adhere to those precepts in all aspects of operation. Your programs can grow and adapt to changing needs, but the purpose and roles should not casually change. •Build the organization with dedicated people who bring specific skills and have some degree of relevant expertise in the subject area but who also have heart for the work. Everyone must believe that high-level, big-picture goals are achieved through the day-to-day, ordinary work, and must bring a can-do attitude. •Partner with those who will contribute quality guidance and expertise and ensure you are headed in the right direction. Ask them to be volunteers; they will add value and will see how your work affects others. •Your organization's board should consist of respected leaders in your community and/or field, whose experience you can draw on to move your organization forward and who are passionate about your organization. They are invaluable in their championing your cause and in establishing credibility in the community. •Establish effective communication with the audiences you must reach to keep them informed of your initiatives and outcomes. The new blog is still under construction. Stay tuned!
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