The 2011 Perspectives Campaign
Thank you to all who shared their Perspective this year, and thank you the 3117 people who generously donated to the campaign.
The Calgary City Chapter raised $5135, while the campaign collectively raised $232,927.
Our volunteers are back!
We are happy to welcome back Calgary Professional Fellows Eric Limacher and Kevin Hanson, and TransCanada Employees Marielle Flottatt and Dominique Dagenais. We looking forward to hearing them share their experiences with us over the next couple of months. In the meantime, visit their blogs and newsletters as they’ve shared a few new stories while wrapping up their time overseas.
Development Drinks
EWB is co-hosting our first “Development Drinks” with the Alberta Council for Global Cooperation on Thursday, January 12, from 5:30 to 7:30 pm at the Barley Mill at Eau Claire (201 Barclay Parade SW). Join us for an after work drink and a casual discussion on some of the current issues and interests in international development. Feel free to bring a friend or co-worker along. Reservation is under “ACGC/Development Drinks”.
Byuela Byuela Wine & Cheese and Silent Auction
February 15th, 2012
6:30 to 9:30 at the Art Gallery of Calgary (117 8 Avenue SW)
Byuela Byuela means “small small” in Dagbani – a dialect spoken in Ghana, Africa, in a village where one Calgary volunteer worked for the past six months. EWB believes in long term changes that can’t happen overnight. Our work in Africa is about investing in people and building capacity within local organizations that are committed to their communities. EWB’s grassroots approach involves thousands of individuals across Canada that through their everyday choices and contributions create change. We believe development is about uncovering the root causes of the problem and it can be the small thoughtful changes that create a lasting impact.
This will be a lovely evening of wine, cheese, discussion and thought provoking presentations highlighting our overseas volunteers and programs. All proceeds will go directly to our overseas programs. Join us after work with colleagues and clients, friends and family, at this convenient downtown location.
Tickets will be $35 (a reduced $20 price is available for students). We’re just getting ticket sales set-up so watch for additional information on ticket sales coming soon. In the meantime, mark February 15th in your calendars; we hope you will be able to join us.
It’s 2012 … maybe your New Year’s Resolution is to give back to the global community? Here are some ways to get involved with EWB.
Learn More About EWB
Join us on Thursday, January 26, from 6:30 to 7:30 pm to learn more about EWB’s vision, objectives and operations. We will be highlighting ways to get involved in various capacities in Calgary, and on national distrubuted teams. The presentation will take place at the MEC Community Room (830 – 10th Ave SW). All are welcome.
Be an EWB Workplace Champion
Do you want to be involved in creating change in your community and workplace? We are looking for volunteers who are passionate about creating change to set up lunch and learn presentations in their workplace, and to give presentations at other workplaces across Calgary. This is a great way to improve your presentation skills, meet great people, and learn all about various aspects of poverty and international development, and how engineers can have a positive global impact. Please contact Andrew Kettle for more information.
Join our Global Engineering Team
We are currently seeking exciting outreach and learning opportunities in Calgary focused on sharing the potential for engineers to more effectively address complex challenges while increasing their positive global impact. We are building a group of volunteers with a focus on Global Engineering and are looking for individuals who are passionate about developing the engineering profession and energized to build this movement. Please contact Angela Alambets on how to get invovled with our Global Engineering team.
Become an advocate for foreign aid effectivenes
The Political Advocacy / Aid Effectiveness team will be holding their next meeting on Thursday, January 19, at 6:30 pm in the common area at Eau Claire Market. Anyone who is interested in learning more about what EWB does in the political advocacy sphere is welcome to join. Contact Nicolas Choquette-Levy if you would like further information.
Head to Africa as an Overseas Volunteer
Applications to be a volunteer in our Professional Fellowship Program (short term placements) will be opening in February 2012 (for a departure date of August 2012). Join us for an information session on Thursday, January 26, from 7:30 to 8:30 pm (immediately following the EWB 101 session) at the MEC Community Room (830 – 10th Ave SW) to learn more about what the application and selection process and what to expect overseas. Please email us if you have specific questions regarding the Professional Fellowship.
Run to End Poverty
Help us fundraise by participating in the Run to End Poverty. Or, help organize the race by volunteering. See below for additional details.
Explore and Share EWB Resources On-Line
Find out more about EWB in Canada and overseas programs with these videos from our volunteers in Canada and Africa.
Announcing the 2012 Run to End Poverty (and looking for volunteers)
The Run to End Poverty (R2EP) is an event in partnership with Calgary’s Scotiabank Marathon / Half / 10k & 5k run on May 27, 2012. The organizing team is off to a good start with a solid group of leaders and many great ideas to build on last year’s successful event.
There are a couple of ways you can help to make this year’s run that much better. They are:
1. Visit our Facebook Page and LIKE us! Then TELL your friends.
If we reach 200 likes by the end of February, we will draw a name for a FREE run registration in the Calgary Scotiabank Marathon / Half-Marathon / 10k / 5k run on May 27, 2012.
2. Create an R2EP Team at your organization / school / business OR suggest it to a friend!
Last year the Run to End Poverty raised $100,000 for EWB’s Africa Programs. That’s HUGE! And, corporate teams were a big reason for this achievement.
- For Organizations or Businesses – Employees at companies including Shell, TransCanada, CH2MHill and AltaGas all contributed heavily to last year’s Calgary fundraising. If you think your company could use a boost in spirit and charitable giving, then the Run to End Poverty is an excellent opportunity to get involved in a fun, healthy activity while giving back to a good cause.
- For Universities or Schools – If you feel like your school or university (even your child’s highschool or junior high) needs an interesting project to build team spirit, then this is an excellent opportunity. Maybe you can create a partnership with the track and field team?
Start a team, and as a reward you will be entered into a draw to receive your own FREE run registration. Contact: calgary@runtoendpoverty.ca to get a team started.
3. Volunteer your time (from a JUST a few hours to a lead role)
The organizing team is still looking for people to take on lead roles (including logistics, media support and sponsorship). However, every bit counts and we will also need lots of help for just a few hours on Race Day (May 27, 2012), as well as a few hours of help in preparation ahead of the big event. For more information on volunteering opportunities with the R2EP contact Barend Dronkers or visit the EWB Calgary Webpage.