EFCL has released the requirements of new technology needs for the website and office.  We have four projects in which you might be interested in all or none; ideally, you have the expertise in all areas and can service all of our needs.

PROJECT  1:      Issue of Membership Card for Online Sales
PROJECT  2:      Online Data Entry Interface
PROJECT  3:      Subscription Module
PROJECT  4:      Exchange Email Implementation / Offsite Backup

28 of the 52 Community Leagues that submitted applications for the Community League Infrastructure Program(CLIP) grant received funds for 2011.  Increased funding will be available for 2012.

We have seen a number of leagues start a successful Skate Loaner Program at their rinks and it has definitely improved the usage.  Essentially, a skate storage area is created where skates are stored by size. Kids come and sign out the skates.  That simple and we can get you the skates!

 EFCL had two rather large increases to the request we put forward annually for Leagues and both of them were approved on Friday December 9 at 4:50pm..

The selection jury for Living Local Arts & Heritage Neighbourhood Grants Project met and reviewed applications on Wednesday, November 30th. The winners are . . .

Want more children and long-term residents in your neighbourhood? The EFCL has a tool for you to use when advocating for more quality mulit-family housing.  See EFCL's Recommendations for Child/Family-Friendly Multi-Unit Housing.

Reduced Parking Requirements for Seniors Housing and other supportive housing projects is being considered by the City.

EFCL is helping Edmonton outdoor enthusiasts find where they can have winter fun

Find 116 Community Rinks, Learn to Skate programs, Winter Carnivals, Pancake Breakfasts, and Christmas parties

More Dollars Sought for Infrastructure and Training

A joint committee of the EFCL and Edmonton Community Leagues has been struck to review the city’s development strategy for constructing major recreation facilities.  ~photo courtesy of Rob Agostinis

The EFCL is working on a proposal that would provide solar energy systems along with energy and carbon audits for a number of Edmonton Community Leagues.

The Edmonton Federation of Community Leagues has asked the Copyright Board of Canada to exempt Community Leagues from paying Tariff #21, which directs them to pay $185 each year to SOCAN

After many requests by EFCL to make family friendly infill housing a priority, the Executive Committee of Council finally directed City Administration to review the definition of family-oriented housing and to report on options to promoting family friendly infill housing.   

The EFCL supports the development of City guidelines to direct the type of development that can occur in neighbourhoods near transit stations over the next 30 years.  The EFCL has submitted a position statement to the City with the following recommendations . . .

Following a couple of workshops with Leagues this summer, EFCL prepared a comprehensive report to the inter-governmental and citizen Community Sustainability Task Force.

On October 19^th, Bev Zubot, EFCL’s Planning Advisor, and Christine Bremner, EFCL Board member, spoke to Executive Committee of Council about Restrictive Covenants limiting grocery stores.    They spoke against the practice of grocery chains placing a covenant, on their sold properties, which restricts the future sale of food on the site

 The Light Efficient Community Coalition and EFCL were both disappointed with the digital sign regulations adopted by City Council in September.

In 2012, City Council will be considering new bylaw regulations for non-medical massage parlours, or rather, Body Rub Centres

At the November 19 Community League Showcase, the energy and inspiration of the attendees was paramount and who could resist the appeal of compelling stories of original, innovative, and humanitarian projects we heard about.  Watch the videos and download the stories on the efcl.org / news / league showcase page

 Group hugs in order for outstanding volunteer Nancy Rempel!

Councillor Henderson and EFCL President David Dodge congratulate with an EFCL President's Award.

Photos courtesy of Rob Agostinis

At Woodvale Community Hall October 18, the house was packed to hear what experts have to say about living local. Speaker Tony Druett made the point loud and clear that Civil Engineering should not merely be the art of directing the great sources of power in nature, but should do it for the use and convenience of Man. . .

Representatives of the Edmonton Arts Council and Edmonton Heritage Council teamed up with the EFCL on Monday night to officially launch the Living Local Arts and Heritage Program.  Photo courtesy of Allan Shute, Riverdale Community League

The sun was shining and representatives from The Sun, Global TV, and City TV were there to record for posterity the fun world's largest croquet game featuring EFCL President David Dodge, Mayor Mandel, and Don Iveson.

EFCL made a call to SOCAN and is sending a letter restating our position

The Business Plan update has been approved by our EFCL Board and is available for everyone to read.

New regulations for four storey apartments and six storey apartments have recently been approved by City Council.   Many of these rules can be used to benefit your neighbourhood.

On July 13, EFCL hosted the second consultation on mature neighbourhood sustainability.  

Together the Edmonton Heritage Council, Edmonton Arts Council and the Edmonton Federation of Community Leagues have launched a unique project to connect people and their neighbourhoods through arts and heritage and provide up to $20,000 funding!

AT THE EFCL BOARD RETREAT -This planning exercise turned out to be a well spent day.  Thanks to EFCL President, David Dodge for capturing it in these photos.  Read board packages for EFCL actions and directions and click more to see the mobile me gallery . . .

EFCL has hired seven outreach workers who can help you plan ways to reach out to them and revitalize your core of members! Check out their languages and biographies on the Cultural Outreach Team Page on efcl.org

In the last few weeks, over a third of the mature neighbourhood community leagues had representatives meet with the Community Sustainability Task Force to explain the challenges facing their neighbourhoods and to suggest solutions.  

 EFCL is pleased to report that David Dodge is the new president of the EFCL. 

The $5000 prize money provided by CO2RE went to winners Grovenor and runner up Southwood.

The EFCL is entering discussions with the Edmonton Public School Board on the controversial issue of school closures.

A new task force appointed by Edmonton Mayor Stephen Mandel is looking for ways to help sustain and support Edmonton’s mature neighbourhoods. The committee will be conducting research and meeting with citizens over the next three months. The EFCL will be organizing a meeting for leagues to discuss solutions and to help the EFCL develop its submission to the Task Force.

If you live close to an existing or future LRT Station or Transit Station, you can expect to higher density developments coming your way.

 The City of Edmonton is now accepting bookings for Indoor Skating next Sept 4, 2011 to April 2, 2012.

On January 29, over 20 leagues were represented and showed up at Crestwood Community Hall to get information, share ideas, and help EFCL summarize its needs.  In short, how to promote your rinks, increase attendance, improve management, and what to look for in a rink attendant were addressed.  Please read more on rink management . . .

This year, once again, at the January 22, 2011 Trade Show people came to share information and it was accomplished with style and fun.  News photo: Canadian Recreation Solutions jump up for leagues!  Photos courtesy of David Dodge, EFCL Vice President

Edmonton’s 154 community leagues will soon see a significant boost in their funding, thanks to the decision reached by Edmonton City Council earlier this week. 

Council is meeting tomorrow at 9:30 am to give the go ahead for developers to commence neighbourhood structure planning.  EFCL sends cautionary note to council . . .

The Edmonton Federation of Community Leagues and its planning committee have worked diligently on assessing the nature of Family Friendly Housing.  We would like an opportunity to make a presentation to City Council on the subject of mature neighborhoods and their ability to retain and attract families with children.

Saturday, Sept. 17, 2011 is our next Community League Day in Edmonton, now that the members of the EFCL have decided that the third Saturday in September is a good time to hold an annual celebration.

All of the federation’s 154 member community leagues have been asked to make arrangements with their bank to allow direct deposits from the EFCL.

 EFCL Vice President David Dodge has accepted an invitation from the City of Edmonton to sit on its renewable energy task force.

 The EFCL is encouraging its member leagues to reach out to artists in their area, as a way to develop new programs and attract new members.

The invitations have gone out and we have a completely booked event. We are looking forward to a recognition of presidents that is long overdue. 

Edmonton City Council has instructed its administration to include a new capital funding program and a significant increase in operating dollars for community leagues in the 2011 and 2012 draft city budgets.

The Edmonton Federation of Community Leagues was pleased to hear Solicitor General Frank announce that further study is needed before any changes are made to Alberta casino operations.

Hockey Edmonton expressed good will over the past many years and have tried with many different methods to salvage the ability to sell Community League Memberships.

With the newly elected District members, Jamie ,Cora ,and Deepali , the Planning Committee has representatives from nearly every District.

More compact row housing with small front yards, and perhaps no back yards, may be the norm if Council accepts a new set of regulations on December 13th.

Low rise apartments being built in mature neighbourhoods could take on a different look if a new set of regulations in a Medium Scale Residential Overlay is adopted.

The City is working on Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) Guidelines and Standards which would allow more intense developments around stations, while improving pedestrian and cycling access to the LRT stations. Maximum densities are not specified in the TOD guidelines because higher density around LRT stations is being encouraged in order to maximize ridership. New construction of single-family homes would not be permitted, with the exception of home replacements. . .

The EFCL’s September 25^th Family Friendly multi-unit Housing Workshop got people talking about appropriate housing for families with children as we build a more compact city and redevelop our mature neighbourhoods.   Thirty seven workshop participants discussed why it was important for higher density housing to accommodate families with children, what would make multi-unit housing “family friendly”, and how we can promote more family-friendly infill housing..

The EFCL and representatives of the city’s eleven area councils are exploring new ways of working together.

The EFCL has amended the rules of its infrastructure program to let leagues use the funds for detailed examinations of their hall deficiencies.

The EFCL and City of Edmonton are starting to put plans in place for a one-day “Living Local” Conference.  The objective of the conference is to bring together various organizations that can help develop programs that make it easier for Edmontonians to do more daily activities closer to home.

Arlene Meldrum, First female EFCL President   1972—1974, Passes Away

The EFCL has sent a letter to the Boysdale Camp Foundation, confirming that it has no further interest in the summer camp operation.

Without the generous monetary support from the Examiner, Servus, and the Realtors, and Firetext, and the prizes from Tim Hortons, The City of Edmonton, and United Cycle we would not have been able to orchestrate as successful an event as Community League Day was.

In order to promote community league membership month and our September 18th Community League Day, we will be hosting a special promotional event, press conference and aerial photo in Churchill Square on Monday, September 13th. Together with City Council and other partner organizations we will be replicating a map of Edmonton with helium balloons and a patchwork quilt promoting the various events happening on Saturday September 18th.  We will be taking the photo at 1030AM from the roof of Stanley Milner Library.

City council’s Community Services has recommended that the city create a $1.5 million/year capital construction/renovation fund for community leagues. 

 Much fun was had the EFCL football toss and    Leila Rombano of Ridgewood Community League is the lucky winner of the Oilers Jersey up for grabs at our booth at the well attended event.

The EFCL has decided to file for membership in REA CH Edmonton, a new organization that is designed to coordinate crime-prevention initiatives in Edmonton. The organization’s first meeting was on June 22 at Santa Maria Goretti hall.

EFCL has chosen Servus from the financial service providers who responded to our request for proposals.  Servus is now offering special rates to community leagues and its members . . .

The EFCL was most disappointed to see the Edmonton Public School Board vote to close five schools and the elementary program at Spruce Avenue school on April 13. By a vote of 6-3, the trustees chose to close McCauley, Parkdale and Fulton Place Schools. Eastwood and Capilano schools were closed by a vote of 8-1.

 City Council has directed city staff to work on a new artificial lighting policy— focusing on outdoor street lights. The staff have been directed to consult with the EFCL and the Light Efficient Community Coalition.   A report is to be submitted to Council in November. 

Neighbourhoods USA Annual Conference, much like Vitalize, is a wonderful place to get tips and tools for operating neighbourhood associations. EFCL decided to send a representative this year to the conference in Little Rock, Arkansas

As with all new processes communication and details need sorting out.  This update addresses concerns we have heard from leagues to date.

 The Edmonton Federation of Community Leagues is urging both Edmonton school boards to adopt a new strategy to deal with surplus place in public schools.  The strategy is quite simple. It calls for the boards to work with partners, such as community leagues, to find productive uses for surplus space – as opposed to shutting down the school.

EFCL extends a welcome and a thank you to the three new members of our team who accepted a great and exciting responsibility by coming aboard.

 The EFCL Board of Directors has determined that it is time for the federation to obtain charitable status and is taking this recommendation to the membership at the April 19 General Meeting.

 For the Green Challenge Leagues that attended the presentation evening at Montrose Hall on March 19 there was a wheelbarrow full of information and inspiration from our six presenters.

The EFCL is encouraging all of its member leagues to provide a free, one-year membership to any new resident of their community.

 The EFCL Board of Directors has agreed to sign a three-year agreement with Heritage Days, which will see us continue to operate the rest centre pavilion right next to the bus loop - the same place we were last year.

A number of Edmonton community leagues are searching for ways to welcome newcomers to our city. At a recent meeting of the EFCL’s Integration Project, four leagues recounted their efforts to reach out to recent arrivals. 

Community leagues around the city are beginning to plan events for community league day, which has been set for September 18.  In its inaugural year, Community League Day is designed to bring people together in neighborhoods throughout the city, through activities planned by the city’s 152 community leagues.

The City has brought all the facility booking staff into one Facility Booking Unit. This includes staff that book the major facility groupings in and around our Multi-Purpose Recreation Centers (Arenas, Pools, Fieldhouses/Flexi-halls, Gymnasiums, and Sportsfields) together with the staff who manage the rentals/bookings in our Attractions (ex. Fort Edmonton, Muttart Conservatory, Valley Zoo)

Picture a mix between The Amazing Race, Corporate Challenge, City Chase and a GIANT scavenger hunt all rolled into one-- with a focus on building our neighbourhoods and communities.

Public interest in climate change and energy, the economy and the environment have prompted considerable innovation and enterprise for commercializing clean technologies and sustainable communities. (whether the results of Copenhagen will contribute to fusing or fragmenting, frustrating or financing, the various initiatives, we’ll know better in the coming weeks). The Alberta Council of Technologies and the AB Chapter— Canadian Green Building Council, propose the following forums for the purpose of helping define the status of clean technologies in Alberta and advancing their commercialization.

 Community League Board Members arrived in hoards as we opened and from the comments they got what they came for.  Many popped by the EFCL booth to thank us for in one place bringing them together with so many contacts relevant to league operations.  Photo courtesy of David Dodge, EFCL Vice President

One of the City’s key projects in 2010 is the new southwest recreation centre, which will advance City Council’s goal of Edmonton becoming one of Canada’s most livable cities. The centre will be a place where people of all ages and abilities can gather to learn, exercise, relax, meet and have fun. Here’s an update on the project:

Please note that Edmonton City Council recently approved a two-year extension to the standard license agreement most community leagues have signed with the City of Edmonton.

 Same discounts - some changes to accessibility.

Take advantage of mass media that are willing to promote community activities.  Find out how to get your free advertising!

 It’s interesting to see how our “living local” idea is picking up steam. No sooner does the EFCL start talking about a campaign that encourages people to find activities close to home – such as community league events – and all sorts of groups want to get involved.

WANTED: Leagues Willing to Have Money Deposited Into their Bank

The Green Challenge hosted an information evening on November 21 at Riverdale Hall. The conversation and idea sharing flowed along with the wine among the 62 attendees, and two more leagues signed up for the challenge now bringing the total of Leagues that have made a commitment to lowering their carbon footprint to 42!  

You will want to read the “Integrated Transit and Land Use Framework” if your neighbourhood is within 800 meters of an existing or proposed LRT Station. This Framework was brought forward as information to Executive Committee of Council on November 3^rd, and will be brought to Council with Zoning Bylaw amendments for consideration in 2010.   The land use changes may impact your neighbourhood long before you see an LRT station.

 Become an EFCL Representative on the Oil & Gas Working Group. Bring a citizen’s perspective to the group which advises the City on oil and gas issues and makes recommendations on safe urban development practices adjacent to oil and gas facilities.  For more information contact Bev Zubot at EFCL.   780 437-2913

In memory of our past board member Edo Nyland, the EFCL Board has voted to approve $2000 worth of scholarships to pay half of the tuition for community league members to become certified through the Planning Academy workshops. 

 The Edmonton Federation of Community Leagues has asked the province to leave the disbursement of casino revenue alone, as changes are neither justified nor required.  In a letter to the Solicitor General Fred Lindsay, the EFCL stated that there are a number of good reasons for keeping the current system intact.

HOW DOES MY LEAGUE GET PROMOTED ON TV? At our Volunteer event we headlined two of the wonderful Shaw League Features whose subjects were selected from last year’s winners. Again this year, Shaw will be sending crews to film these amazing heroes and their projects in the community.  Additional coverage includes CBC Interviews with volunteers, and calendars in the Examiner and televised on SHAW. 

UPDATE YOUR EVENTS IN THE EFCL.ORG CALENDAR –

There was never a better time to get on board with posting your league activities in our calendar.   At our RGM on October 19, we announced the expansion of the SHAW TV NEWS to include listing community league events. They are also expanding their coverage in their news pieces they have been doing once a month for the past year.  Joining them are CBC and WinterLight Festival . . .

Evansdale President & EFCL Vice President, David Dodge with daughter Jenna are the captains of the game for the coin toss at center field.  The rest of the EFCL Team had great fun tossing footballs  at Community League Game Day with the Eskimos on October 9th

n September 22^nd 2009 in an effort to raise the profile of the EFCL office (7103 105^th Street beside the tennis courts) the EFCL hosted an open house for all of our community league presidents, partner organizations and partners with the city.

 The Crowds turned up from over 10 different leagues around the City to enjoy the sunny day and cheer Mayor Mandel on as he kicked for Community Leagues. 

For the first time the Edmonton Federation of Community Leagues partnered with the Heritage Festival and hosted the “EFCL Rest Centre”- a pavilion that provided shelter from the elements and fun activities for children of all ages

City council’s transportation and Public Works Committee is reviewing the idea of reducing speed limits on residential roads and has asked the city administration to consult the public. EFCL has been asked for its input by the city’s traffic safety branch.

Kick one through the uprights with Mayor Mandel who will open this great social and media event to launch the Annual Community League Membership Campaign

To address the issue of funding, on June 22, Community Leagues, Tennis Alberta, Tennis Edmonton gathered at EFCL Central Office for a meeting to seek City’s, Provincial and or Federal funding to refurbish our community courts.

Canada Day prize winner, Shayne Daly of Lee Ridge, holds up is Edmonton Eskimo autographed football won from the EFCL booth at Mill Woods' celebration.

The EFCL & the City of Edmonton formally released the Community League Resource Guide at EFCL’s Annual General Meeting.

The EFCL is pleased to announce that it has selected Edmonton-based RMRF (Reynolds Mirth Richards and Farmer) as its legal advisor for the next three years. The firm will also be recommended supplier to the federation‘s 149 member leagues over the three-year term of the contract.

The City of Edmonton is working with Boyle Street Community League, the YMCA and the Inner City Youth Development Association (ICYDA) on a major redevelopment of the community league hall and park site at 104 Avenue and 95 Street.

The City is considering lowering the speed limit on our community’s roads. Historically EFCL supported lowering the speed limit and is working with Traffic Safety on the issue

Two volunteers from the neighbouring communities have worked for decades to see their communities’ vision for a new commuter route through McKernan / Belgravia, come to life.

John Logan of Bonnie Doon Community League has been awarded the prestiguous Lieutenant Governor’s Leadership for Active Communities Award.  This award was founded  to recognize teams and individuals who “create places, spaces and opportunities for people to be active and engaged in their communities, using recreation as a catalyst.

Traffic Safety is a priority with Leagues. EFCL is working with traffic safety initiatives to reduce community accidents.  Let us know what you are thinking.

The EFCL Street Team will be a group of volunteers that help identify recruitment opportunities and help encourage other Edmontonians to get involved in their city! We will be meeting once a month until our membership campaign kick-off in September

Shaw TV is working together to present monthly special features highlighting outstanding community people and projects. 

It gives me great pleasure to introduce four new staff members at the EFCL.   Three of the people (two full-time and one part-time) are new positions, which will definitely help us improve our service to the leagues. 

The EFCL is looking forward to the creation of a new tripartite license agreement that governs the way community leagues are able to use city land and the facilities the leagues have constructed.

Some time ago the leagues were asked to participate in a survey that was intended to draw results on issues, concerns, and roles of leagues, EFCL’s role and support methods, preferred methods of communication and engagement. The results have been tallied and the final report is online.

EFCL , and ultimately City Council, needs feedback from Community Leagues on two of the most significant documents for Edmonton’s future – a new Municipal Development Plan (MDP) Bylaw 15100  and new Transportation System Bylaw 15101

Several sources of funding are available for retrofits and upgrades toimprove energy efficiency and to go green.  Join the World Green Movement!

Hockey Moms & Dads turned hockey registrars have remained loyal to the concept of Community by still requiring a community league membership to participate in EMHA hockey. Joining the bandwagon this year is the Knights of Columbus who procured over $10,000 in membership sales.

Most community leagues would like to see another promotion with the Edmonton Eskimos and a strong majority support the inclusion of paid advertising on the EFCL’s website and newsletter, according to feedback received from representatives attending the Oct. Regular General Meeting.

Edmonton City Council has postponed a decision on the relaxation of rules governing secondary suites, partially in response to concerns raised by the EFCL.

The EFCL has approved a new policy that determines the role of the EFCL and that of its member leagues when it comes to presenting policy positions to various levels of government. The policy was passed by the EFCL board at its Oct. 9 meeting and the membership at the Regular General Meeting on Oct. 18.

EFCL Director, Allan Bolstad comments on EFCL upcoming activities.

The articles are in our news, or you can view them in a pdf newsletter format.  Enjoy news on everything from budget, to infrastructure, to treasurer training, to spring flowers. . .

The Edmonton Federation of Community is taking applications for Phase Two of its infrastructure assessment program.  Similar to Phase One, the program is designed to review the structural condition and energy efficiency of community league halls.

To help the city have insight into the volunteers that make up the richness of growing neighborhoods, Shaw Cable has approached EFCL to interview outstanding volunteers over the course of the next year as a source for a series of community league highlight spots on their news channel.   Eastwood is our first featured league.

Since being launched October 1, the Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods Unit (SCAN) has received more than 150 complaints about problem properties and has successfully resolved 56 of those complaints.

FREE MONEY!  Don't Miss Out on Information including available funding, development in your neighborhood, volunteer & team building, & more!  Update EFCL with your contact information NOW!

An opportunity now exists for community leagues to let Edmontonians know about their accomplishments and activities through the Examiner’s new UR Edmonton website. Individuals can register on UR Edmonton, then start posting meeting schedules and sports registration dates, articles on community events, blogs on issues facing communities and photos of community leagues in action.  It’s also a great way to win up to $2,000 for your community league. 

Community Leagues highlighted at Eskimo Game on October 4th.