May 1, 2013
by Kent Vuong
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May 2013 Newsletter

Chapter President 2013/2014 – Robert Phernambucq – Statement of Nomination

I, Robert Phernambucq, would like to put forth my name for the role of 2013-2014 President of the Engineers Without Borders Calgary City Chapter.

I have been actively involved with EWB Calgary City Chapter since 2007, supporting the prudent management of the Chapter’s financial resources. I am currently acting as the Chapter Finance Lead, a role that I have enjoyed over the past two years. I would cherish the opportunity to step-up as a leader for the Chapter.

During my time with EWB Calgary City Chapter, I have seen great accomplishments. I have seen the Chapter reach out to Calgary’s corporate community and build lasting relationships. I have seen the Chapter put on wide-reaching public events that spread EWB’s message and garner local support for systematic and sustainable solutions to development. I have seen the Chapter fund and send Professional Fellows each year who make a difference to EWB’s African Ventures. And, most importantly, I have seen exceptional people grow through this Chapter…people who are leaders, dedicated, generous, passionate and knowledgeable about a worthy cause, and who inspire me to do more.

As President, I will invest myself in the Chapter to sustain what we have built and continue to progress towards our far reaching goals. I will be an advocate for the Chapter – I will liaise with National Office and ensure that we are appropriately supported for success, I will help recruit the next group of leaders who will aim high and take our Chapter further, and I will continue to build relationships to foster a network of people who care about social injustice. Finally, I will take on this role with contagious enthusiasm, and I will keep a pulse on the Chapter to ensure that, as we work hard and contribute, we never stop having fun.

Volunteer Opportunities

Logistics and Events Coordinator
EWB hosts several events, lectures and workshops throughout the year. We typically like to have 2-3 months planned out in advance, but understand that sometimes schedules change. The Logistics Coordinator is expected to work with the EWB Calgary Chapter Exec to ensure all logistical arrangements (venue bookings, room bookings). Expected Time Commitment: 2-3 hours per month (may increase in months were there are leadership activities or large-scale events). Please apply to calgary@ewb.ca with letter of intent and any previous volunteer experience.
Key Tasks:

  • Prepare and manage a schedule of speakers / events with support of the EWB Calgary Chapter Exec
  • Ensure all venues are booked sufficiently in advance
  • Manage EWB promotional materials and ensure materials are at venues, as required (may require some drop-offs during business hours)
  • Play a key role in organizing the Fall Planning Retreat (early September), Holiday Social (December), and Annual General Meeting (May)
  • Work with the communications team to ensure appropriate event advertising is in place
  • Attend monthly executive meetings (1.5 hours), when requested, to stay connected with key chapter activities and planning.

Run to End Poverty 2013
Run to End Poverty 2013 is up and running! We’re currently looking for leaders to organize teams in their workplaces, among friends and family, with sporting leagues, or any group of runners. Check out our website, for more info. If you’re interested in being a team lead or having any questions, please contact Tynan.

Chapter Survey

Thank you to everyone who took the time to complete the chapter survey. The information collected is valued and will be used to continue improving our Calgary Chapter.

Upcoming Events

Run to End Poverty
Less than 4 weeks until Calgary’s Run to End Poverty! Sigh up is open until Wednesday May 22, with the race on Sunday May 26. Join our team and start fundraising!

Register for your run
Create a profile of yourself or your team for the ‘Calgary City Network’
Start pledging. Get your family, friends and coworkers to help you reach your goal
Contact us for more details

Pre-race Training Events Include:
Training Run and BBQ!
Date: Saturday May 11
Time: 11:00 am – 1:00 pm
Location: Edworthy Park
Sign up to attend

Carb-loader Potluck!
Date: Saturday May 25
Time: 6:30 – 9:30 pm
Location: West Hillhurst Community Association
Sign up to attend

Annual General Meeting & EWB in Canada
Our AGM will be held in conjunction with a session outlining EWB’s vision and focus areas within Canada, and Calgary. This is an excellent opportunity to learn more about how to get involved locally with EWB and to meet other members in Calgary.
Date: Tuesday, May 7, 2013
Time: Networking: 6:30 pm; Meeting: 7 – 8:30 pm
Location: West Hillhurst Community Centre (1940 6th Ave NW, President’s Lounge)

Save-the-Date: Summer Western Retreat
Members of the Calgary City Chapter are invited to join EWBers from chapters across western Canada for a few days of learning and fun. Details to follow.

Date: Thursday June 27 – Sunday June 30
Location: Camp Shagabec, Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park, SK

Non-EWB Event: Understanding Microfinance Workshop 
This upcoming workshop is aimed to help people better understand microfinance by exploring its inner workings: Interest rates, how are they determined and why are they so high?
Date: Saturday May 25th
Time: 9:00 am to 12:00 pm
Location: 224 13th Ave SW
Registration: Each workshop is $35 or $25 for students
For more information or to register please email Christoph Schultz or call him at 403-809-5867

April 4, 2013
by Elizabeth Logan
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April Newsletter

Call for Nominations – Chapter President 2013/2014

We are currently accepting nominations for the position of Chapter President. The current President will actively mentor the successful candidate through a transition period between the Annual General Meeting and July. Leadership opportunities in other areas of the chapter are reviewed on an on-going basis, and we encourage you to email if you are interested.
The Role
The President is responsible for the overall leadership and direction of the Chapter. He/she will work with the other members of the local leadership team to develop the Chapter plan and priorities, and deliver the program objectives of the Chapter. The President is the primary liaison with the EWB National Office, and is expected to participate in monthly web conference calls with the the National Office and other City Network Presidents, report on the Chapter performance, and attend in-person retreats and conferences.
As part of this role, the successful candidate will receive leadership training both from the National Office and in a peer-to-peer fashion. They will have the opportunity to lead and shape a group of highly skilled, motivated and passionate volunteers in furthering EWB’s vision. They will also become involved in an incredible network of successful leaders. It is expected that the nominees will have previous experience with EWB, including serving in a leadership capacity within any (not limited to Calgary) EWB chapter. In addition, the nominees should also have a passion for creating sustainable organizational growth.
Nominations
Nominations can be forwarded to the Calgary City Chapter (calgary@ewb.ca) by midnight on April 22nd. Please include a summary of the nominee’s experience within the EWB community, relevant experience from professional or other volunteer positions, and why the nominee would be ideal for this role. Self-nominations are accepted. Candidates will be presented in advance of the Annual General Meeting on May 7th, and will be voted on by the Chapter membership.
EWB Calgary Vision 2015 
This year we are creating a 3-year strategic plan for our chapter. We have always had a broad vision of engaging Calgary professionals in international development. Given the scope of the changes we want to achieve, and the complexity of the system we work in, we are developing some strategic goals and a more defined vision for 2015. And we would love your help with it!
  • 5-Question Survey - Please fill this out by Wednesday, April 10th, to help us collect your feedback on our work and your ideas for our future. We will be using this input in our strategy sessions over the next few weeks
  • Strategy Sessions – On Saturday, April 13th and April 27th we will be reviewing our work so far and designing different pathways to move forward. If you’d like to participate in those sessions, please send us an email. The sessions would be particularly important for those of you thinking about taking on a leadership role later this year.
EWB Annual Portfolio Snapshot 2013
If you are interested in learning more about the direction and strategies of EWB the Strategy and Investment team has released this MyEWB post. It’s the result of thousands of hours, hundreds of people. It started in October, and culminated at the conference in Calgary.
Volunteer Opportunities
Distributed Teams Recruitment
If you would like to be involved in one of EWB’s distributed teams there are multiple positions open for applications. These volunteer positions are aimed at adding working capacity/diversity and strengthening your teams ownership/innovation. For more information please see the MyEWB post. Applications are due Monday April 8th at midnight EDT.

Run to End Poverty 2013
Run to End Poverty 2013 is up and running! We’re currently looking for leaders to organize teams in their workplaces, among friends and family, with sporting leagues, or any group of runners. Check out our website, for more info. If you’re interested in being a team lead or having any questions, please contact Tynan.

Web Site Guru and Manager
We are currently looking for someone to manage our chapter website, including structure optimization, design and some content development. Experience with WordPress required. Minimum commitment: 5 hours a month. If interested, email with summary of relevant experience.

Follow One of Calgary’s Junior Fellows 

Julia Milner, one of the University of Calgary’s two Junior Fellows, will be working with the Agriculture Value Chains team in Uganda this summer. If you’re interested in learning more about her experience, she has started a blog 

Upcoming Events

Run to End Poverty
Have you signed up for Calgary’s Run to End Poverty yet!? It’s on Sunday May 26. Join this team of compassionate runners as we work to eliminate extreme poverty! Register in a 5km, 10km, Half or Full-Marathon and realize the impact you can make. Our event partners with the Scotia-bank Calgary Marathon, as part of the charity challenge. We also have tons of fun pre-race training events for you to meet the team and get in shape!

Register for your run
Create a profile of yourself or your team for the ‘Calgary City Network’
Start pledging. Get your family, friends and coworkers to help you reach your goal

Pre-race Training Events Include:
Yoga for Runners: Cross-Training Event
Date: Saturday April 13
Time: 10:30 am
Location: Eau Claire Market – Attendance is by donation
Register to guarantee your spot – Space is Limited
Any questions? Send us a email

The Social Impacts of Corporate Social Responsibility
In this event we will be exploring the social side of corporate social side of corporate social responsibility (CSR). Professionals in the field will share their own experience, highlighting the goals and challenges they’ve faced, and the approaches that are taken to achieve CSR goals. If you are interested in how companies manage and optimize their community impact in the areas that they work, be sure to come out to this free event

Date: Wednesday, April 24, 2013
Time: Refreshments: 6:00 pm; Programs: 6:30 pm
Location: West Hillhurst Community Centre (1940 6th Ave NW, President’s Lounge)

Annual General Meeting & EWB in Canada
Our AGM will be held in conjunction with a session outlining EWB’s vision and focus areas within Canada, and Calgary. This is an excellent opportunity to learn more about how to get involved locally with EWB and to meet other members in Calgary.

Date: Tuesday, May 7, 2013
Time: Networking: 6:30 pm; Meeting: 7 – 8:30 pm
Location: West Hillhurst Community Centre (1940 6th Ave NW, President’s Lounge)

Non-EWB Event: Understanding Microfinance Workshop 
This upcoming workshop is aimed to help people better understand microfinance by exploring its inner workings: Interest rates, how are they determined and why are they so high?
Date: Saturday May 25th
Time: 9:00 am to 12:00 pm
Location: 224 13th Ave SW
Registration: Each workshop is $35 or $25 for students
For more information or to register please email Christoph Schultz or call him at 403-809-5867

Non-EWB Event: Clarence Guenter Lecture
Dr. Arjun Karki, Professor of Medicine and Medical Education, Patan Academy of Health Sciences, Kathmandu, Nepal will be visiting the Faculty of Medicine to deliver the 3rd annual Clarence Guenter lecture
Date: Thursday April 4th
Time: 4:00 pm
Location: Theatre 3

March 5, 2013
by Kent Vuong
0 comments

March Newsletter

Follow One of Calgary’s African Programs Staff

Joining the G&RI team in Ghana, Brianna Strumm is one of EWB’s new APS from Calgary. You’ll be able to follow her experience in her blog

Brianna Strumm: “I am an international development professional and social worker with over ten years experience working for both government and NGO/non-profit organizations in Canada, England, South Africa, India and Jamaica. My skills are diverse as a story-teller, researcher, facilitator, instructor, counselor evaluator, community change-agent, evaluator and project manager. I have experience working alongside vulnerable populations including women, children in need of protection, socioeconomically disadvantaged youth, ill persons, families that want to adopt and those living in urban poverty”

Volunteer Opportunities

Run to End Poverty 2013

Run to End Poverty 2013 is up and running! We’re currently looking for leaders to organize teams in their workplaces, among friends and family, with sporting leagues, or any group of runners. Check out our website, www.r2ep.ewb.ca for more info. If you’re interested in being a team lead or having any questions, please contact Tynan at tynanunruh@gmail.com.

Energy Bowl Case Competition

If you would like to volunteer as one of the judges for the Energy Bowl Case Competition please contact Shannon at krochenski@gmail.com. The Case Competition will take place between 1:00 – 4:00 pm March 9th, see the application event page for more details about the event.

Upcoming Events

National Engineering and Geoscience Month Events

National Engineering & Geoscience Month (NEGM) is an annual opportunity to highlight not just engineering and geoscience, but science, math and technology. This initiative was initiated by Engineers Canada as a means of raising awareness of the important role engineering plays in the lives of Canadians, NEGM celebrates engineering and geoscience achievements and highlights the various academic and career opportunities available to Canadians.

Energy Bowl Dinner & Networking Event (held at the University of Calgary) - Friday, Mar. 8, 2013
Energy Bowl and Case Competition (held at the University of Calgary) – 9:00 am – 4:00 pm Saturday, Mar. 9, 2013
Leadership Workshop (held at the University of Calgary) – 11:30 am – 1:00 pm Thursday, Mar. 14, 2013
Guest Lecture, Leah Lawrence, APEGA President  (held at the University of Calgary) – 6:00 - 8:00 pm Wednesday, Mar. 20, 2013

Check our website for more details and logistics.

Development Drinks with the Alberta Council for Global Cooperation

An evening of discussion and networking with Calgarians interested in international development

Date: Thursday, Mar. 14, 2013
Time: 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Location: The Bear & Kilt (110 8 Ave SW)
*Cash & Carry at the Bar

Run to End Poverty

Calling all runners! Has your new year’s resolution fallen to the wayside? Don’t worry – the Run to End Poverty is on Sunday May 26 this year. Join this team of compassionate runners as we work to eliminate extreme poverty! Register in a 5km, 10km, Half or Full-Marathon and realize the impact you can make. Our event partners with the Scotia-bank Calgary Marathon, as part of the charity challenge. We also have tons of fun pre-race training events for you to meet the team and get in shape!

Register for your run – Early bird registration for the run closes March 31
Create a profile of yourself or your team for the ‘Calgary City Network’
Start pledging. Get your family, friends and coworkers to help you reach your goal

Pre-race Training Events Include:
March 23 – Spin/Strength for Runners: Cross-Training Class
12:15 at Results Fitness in Bridgeland – Attendance is by donation
Register to guarantee your spot at – Space is limited

March 30 – 5k Training Run
10am at Confederation Park – Attendance is free
Register

April 13 – Yoga for Runners: Cross-Training Event
10:30am at Eau Claire Market – Attendance is by donation
Register to guarantee your spot – Space is Limited

April 20 – bRUNch Training Run
Details TBD

Any questions? Send us a email

Fair Trade Calgary Meeting

A meeting to discuss building momentum for a Fair Trade Calgary movement

Date: Monday, Mar. 18, 2013
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Location: The Oak Tree (Kensington – 124 10th St NW)

Non-EWB Event: Understanding Microfinance Workshop Series

These upcoming workshops are aimed to help people better understand microfinance by exploring its inner workings

Is all microfinance created equal? – Saturday March 9th, 9:00 am to 12:00 pm
Interest rates, how are they determined and why are they so high? – Saturday May 25th, 9:00 am to 12:00 pm
Location: 224 13th Ave SW
Registration: Each workshop is $35 or $25 for students
For more information or to register please email Christoph Schultz or call him at 403-809-5867

February 7, 2013
by Elizabeth Logan
0 comments

Date Correction: Beer With Binnu

This event will be held next week, on Tuesday, February 12.

We apologize for any confusion.

Join Binnu Jeyakumar, who recently completed a two-year position with the Governance and Rural Infrastructure team in Ghana. This will be a casual evening where she will be happy to answer questions about governance, EWB’s ventures, and working and living in Ghana.

Date: Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2013
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Location: Hop N’ Brew (213 12 Ave SW)