The EFCL has arranged a meeting with the Edmonton MLA's for purposes of discussion, questions, and chatting to get to know your representatives in a speed dating environment, allowing everyone to speak with the representatives. The meeting will be hosted at Twin Parks Community League, 20 Park Ridge Crescent, (click for map), from 5:30pm. Sandwiches and refreshments will be served.  Read more for list of invited MLAs . . .

On Saturday, June 1, David Gibbens received an honorable mention at the Lieutenant Governor's Outstanding Community Leader Awards for his many years of work in so many capacities as a Community Leader.

pictured - David Gibbens receives the award from Lieutenant Governor Donald Ethel

~ Wind turbines    ~ Winter City  ~ Public School Board  ~ Anniversary Project & MORE

Seven Leagues are making the move to save money, do the right sustainable thing, and be once again an exemplary leader in Edmonton!  About the program  

Pictured,  Mikhail Ivnanchikov and Steven Murrell of Dandelion Renewables fixing the solar panels on the roof of Rossdale Community Hall.

Dandelion Renewables is very busy this week installing solar panel systems at Rossdale, Riverdale, West Jasper, Ritchie. This very important program is a move toward sustainability and again proves how Leagues are often leadersof change and solid community planning around our city.      

League photo submissions of some recent highlights       Photos of the event

After significant input from leagues, on March 19, 2013, City Council approved multiple amendments to the regulations for low density housing. Virtually every neighbourhood is impacted. The new rules are now fully in effect.

In summary, the new rules make it much easier to build duplexes and semi-detached housing on every block in every neighbourhood. It is easier to build row housing, stacked row housing and apartments in the RF3 zone – the areas zoned for up to four unit residences. These housing types can be built on smaller, narrower sites, making it possible to build higher density housing on virtually every site . . .

City Council will be grappling with this question and others at the June 10^th Executive Committee of Council, and they could use your feedback to help them make a decision. 

EFCL is pleased to welcome Sports International to its Corporate Partnership team. For the next five years, Sports International will provide financial support to the EFCL, allowing the EFCL to continue to be the backbone of Edmonton’s 156 Community Leagues.

Growing Forward: Engaging and Listening to our neighbours around food security issues and assets in Edmonton’s West-end

Phase 1: Sowing Seeds of Possibility (April 26 to 28, 2013)

Phase 2: Seeding  and Nurturing the Harvest (April to September, 2013)

Tips to Diplomatically Eliminate Deadbeat Board Members Before Your Next Board Election

I have two board members that I like and want to keep as supporters, but clearly they don’t have the time or don’t make the time to be good board members.  Elections will be here soon, should I just call them and tell them that it appears they don’t have time for the board and ask them not to run or do you have a better idea?  ~ linked to Katya's Non-Profit Marketing Blog - read more

K Days Parties For League ~ EFCL Hosts Volunteer Recognition Night ~ EFCL Develops Civic Election Strategy ~ EFCL and Leagues Work Hard On Low Density Zone Amendments ~  & more

We all hear about the fantastic work being done on 118 Avenue.  People of the community have reclaimed the neighbourhood and transformed the area into a better and better place to live through cleanup and arts and engagement. Jaimie Clements, an Edmonton director has captured this community spirit in the local documentary 'The Avenue' to be screened at the Global Visions Film Festival.

It was very good news to hear of today’s decision of the Edmonton Public School Board to ensure local kids get first crack at registration in their own neighbourhood.  We support this move 100% and firmly believe that keeping local schools open and available to children in the immediate community is fundamental to healthy strong communities.

We were pleased to see that the local citizens spoke up for their cause and that the EPSB listened.  This is a triumph for improving the quality of life in the downtown core, and in Edmonton in general.

Edmonton Community Foundation (ECF) has money dedicated to funding youth projects. If you know a group of 13 to 22 year olds who have an idea or a project they would like to get started tell them to apply. The Youth Empowerment Program (YEP) supports activities that are initiated, led and organized by Edmonton and area youth.

Traffic Safety: Toward EFCL’s Vision of Zero Fatalities on Neighborhood Streets

Speed Watch Program

Pace Car Program

40 KM/hr Neighborhoods Speed Reduction Program

On December 1, 2012,Bellevue Community League hosted a night of Nostalgia at the Bellevue Community League, celebrating volunteers and the history of this historic Community League

The Community Spirit Grant helps not-for-profits and charities increase the value of cash donations or charitable donations for tax credits.  The application process is now open with a 2012-13 budget of $15.5 million for the Community Spirit Program donation grant.

The Governor General of Canada has announced its 2012 History Awards in Community Programming and has awarded The Ave We Had: A Living History Project as its "Honorable Mention".

The EFCL and City of Edmonton is jointly hosting the annually community league swim consultation on January 23, 2013,  at 7 P.M., at St Anthony's Centre located at 10425-84 Avenue.

The City is proposing a new structure for community swim. Your league feedback and decision is required

Low Density Residential Zones and the Mature Neighbourhood Overlay - Exposing the Secrets

By Brian Kropf, Planner & Community Member.  Views do not necessarily reflect the views of EFCL

SHOP THE HALL at Westmount 

Christmas Craft Bazaar in Delton

Parkdale-Cromdale's Homemade Christmas sale...

Bring your little ones to Idylwylde

Crestwood's Candy Cane Lane

Pleasantview Winter Fun

High Park Craft & Bake Sale

CHECK THE WINTER EVENT & RINK MAP FOR MORE ACTIVITIES!

Andrea, Kris, and Bev draw names from the folks who took time to fill out the Leagues Alive survey.

Thanks to the 42 people who returned their surveys on the Leagues Alive Conference and Tradeshow. Your feedback will be very helpful as we plan for next year.  Our prize winners are:

Imagine a neighbourhood where every house is built to a higher environmental standard and every homeowner knows their dream home is also reducing their impact on the environment. Welcome to Oxford, a new community in northwest Edmonton that will require all homebuilders meet eco-friendly guidelines for conservation and efficiency.

"We were at the point we almost needed to close the hall for the winter," says Marg Spafford, League President.  They had begun repairs with the funds they received from the Community League Infrastructure grant (CLIP) through the City when they received notice they were also recipients of the Federal Government's Community Infrastructure Improvement Fund (CIIF).

Ever wonder what goes on at an EFCL board meeting?  League board members are welcome to attend.  Read these summary notes and the reports in board meeting agenda packages

Executive Director Allan Bolstad poses proudly with medal.

Boyle Street Community League President, Thim Choy and EFCL Executive Director, Allan Bolstad are both recipients of the Queen Elizabeth Jubilee Medal of Honour.

EFCL roving reporter Nancy Rempel took the cameras to the grand opening of the Twin Brooks Community Garden. 

Get your great project covered by  Nancy.Rempel@efcl.org    Watch the video on YouTube

PlayWorks and ParkWorks design playgrounds, water spray parks and skateboard parks, as well as providing site furnishings, picnic shelters, bridges, bleachers, sports goals, fitness equip. and signage.

Thanks to the Leagues who sent in prize winner pictures from their Community League Day event prize draw.

Pictured left - Liam, Brayden, Vivian, and Jamie enjoy their eco prizes and bike bells from the office of environment - City of Edmonton, and United Cycle respectively.

As you can see from the attached agenda, we have a number of interesting topics to go over.

These include an update on our Leagues Alive Conference and Trade Show (Nov. 3, Mayfield Inn), our 100^th Anniversary Project in Hawrelak Park, our Living Local Arts and Heritage Program and our Rink Roof initiative.  We will also have some breaking news about our plans to link with Edmonton Minor Hockey to help celebrate the 50^th Anniversary of Minor Hockey Week (Jan. 11-22, 2013).

Our Fall newsletter is hot off the press and full of cooking articles and snappy photos:

Leagus Alive! Conference & Trade Show ~ Solar & Energy Savings Program ~ 100th Anniversary Update ~Mature Neighbourhoods ~ Tricycle Tour d 'Edmonton ~ GRANTS & RESOURCES & MORE

Pictured, the Bhutanese members of Duggan Community League Welcome Minister Kenney

If you enjoy the outdoors, you might want to head to Twin Brooks Community League to celebrate community league day early. On September 9th, the league is hosting a parks appreciation day including nature-themed activities along with the ceremonial planting of a native trembling aspen tree.

If you want to get fit or stay in shape, look no further than your local community league.  Leagues all over the city are offering something for every fitness taste.

As seen in the Edmonton Journal September 13, 2012