Lots of Action in Innisfail

On Tuesday, June 15th Innisfail will launch

Envision Innisfail

Reflecting true ACE values, local community leaders have integrated a number of planning initiatives to generate a community driven vision and action plan.
On Saturday June 5th, the community will pick up their shovels for the Dr. Greg Ritson-Bennett Park redevelopment (with assistance from Let Them Be Kids). One of the features of the new park is an “Art Wall”. They have installed a four foot concrete retaining wall on one side of the park and are hoping the kids will use it as a public art wall. Check out their website at www.innisfail.ltbk.ca.

Upcoming Kitscoty Election

Municipal elections are fast approaching this October and Council has asked me to encourage Kitscoty residents to considering putting their name forward for Kitscoty Village Council. Municipal elections are democracy at the level closest to people. Municipal governance is residents building their community, their neighbourhood and their lives.

Governance is a difficult topic to define because it has many grey boundaries. If you look up the definition you will find a wide variety of descriptions all which cover the business part in different ways (adhering to regulations, Acts, bylaws, etc) but the common overarching theme is always leadership. Through elections, residents choose Council members they want for their leaders and look to them for leadership. Good Leaders make a difference.

Leaders come in all shapes and sizes. Leaders have expertise and experience in many varied areas ranging from just graduated high school to just finished a masters degree; from just married to 7^th grandchild just born; from business owner to home maker; from single to married; from 18 years old to 85 years young, you name it!

Leaders are everywhere and a good Council has leaders from different backgrounds and experience. Varied leaders enables Council to look at decisions from all angles before making a final decision – how will this decision affect pre-schoolers; how will this decision affect Seniors; how will this decision affect business owners; how will this decision affect young families – and so on. Kitscoty needs leaders from all walks of life – that means you.

Governance Best Practices - some of the important skills you will need as a Councillor:

• A Willingness to Lead -- Listen, Learn, Decide
• Integrity; Focus on the Issues and Results – don’t get down in the mud
• Seeing the Big Picture and Staying on Track
• Staying Close to and Engaging the People Being Served – Community of Kitscoty
• Respect for Role Differences
• Understanding the Partnership with Administration
• Understanding the Value of Priorities
• Commitment to Openness and Transparency
• Respect for Limitations of Power – Council’s power comes only from motions it passes; Individual Councillors do not have individual power
• Clarity of Accountability; Willingness to Share Responsibility
• Commitment to Sharing Ideas and Authority

Kitscoty needs you – think about it; consider running for Kitscoty Village Council.

Lois Byers, ACE Community Coach for Kitscoty

Smiling LB Consulting

New Art Co-op in Irricana

It looks like there is a lot of arts and cultural-related activity in Irricana! A brand new art co-op has been established in the community thanks, partially, to funds received from the Canadian Badlands.

The co-op is hoping to open their doors June 5th with plans for a grand opening on July 10th. Included in the space is the Grasshopper Gallery as well as two classrooms that will hopefully be offering a wide variety of classes for the public. This co-op is run by its membership with the goal of attracting more artists from the surrounding Irricana-area.

If you would like any more info on this please feel free to contact Brenda Campbell: bcampbell@irricana.com

Get up and go, WOOD BUFFALO!

A shout goes out to WOOD BUFFALO for the success with their 'Get Up and Go Wood Buffalo' event! The event attracted over 1000 people and a significant number of agencies collaborated in the hosting. This is a fabulous example of how a larger community can build trusted networks while working toward getting their citizens active, creative, and engaged. Congratulations to one of our Flight 1 communities for leading the way!

Entwistle in the news!

Entwistle's skateboard park initiative made the news recently. The hopes of some young Entwistle residents for a new skateboard park in the hamlet grew on Tuesday as the possibility of a finished product some time in July became more of a reality. The Grove Examiner highlighted the village's youth engagement activities as it was related to the proposed project.

To read this article in full see: http://www.sprucegroveexaminer.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=2558772

Boogie-ing down for the ARTS in Longview

Congrats to Longview and their entrepreneurial spirit. This past Saturday, a fantastic volunteer crew put together their "Blast from the Past" Dance with the aim of raising funds for their upcoming ACE ARTS Tour in June.

The hall was packed and jumping to tunes from the 50,60,70's and most people dressed the part. And it was even reported that this initiative was the first public dance since 1988! After all expenses were paid out, Longview raised enough money to cover their ARTS Tour costs. Leftover funds will go towards the rental of the sound system for Little New York Daze and the August Music festival. Fine work, Longview!