About EFCL
The EFCL Helps
Member Community Leagues Succeed
Since joining the Edmonton Federation of Community Leagues in
March, 2004, I have learned there are many different perceptions among community
league members about what the EFCL is supposed to do and what the EFCL actually
does.
The first and
most important fact is that the EFCL is an umbrella organization whose
membership is comprised of all the community leagues within the corporate limits
of Edmonton. This means that the EFCL’s mandate, services, programs and
projects are established based on the needs and interests of its members.
Similar to any community league, membership participation is crucial to ensuring
that services being provided are relevant to the membership.
In 2005, the
EFCL is focusing it’s member services in the following 6 areas:
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providing
pertinent and relevant information in a timely manner to member community
leagues on relevant issues, emerging trends and resources;
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fairly and
accurately representing and advocating the interests of member community
leagues to address common concerns;
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coordinating
projects, programs and initiatives on behalf of member community leagues;
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responding to
requests for assistance from individual member community leagues;
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providing access
to resources and support that will best enhance the effectiveness of member
community leagues;
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helping member
community leagues work effectively with planners and developers;
In addition, the EFCL will be:
1. participating
in city-wide initiatives that promote and support voluntarism;
2. fostering
and maintaining partnerships and alliances with key not-for-profit and private
sector organizations, Provincial and Federal Government elected officials and
staff;
3. maintaining
ongoing working relationships with City Council and City Departments;
4. maintaining
the EFCL as a fully functioning effective organization that meets the needs of
its members.
If you have comments or
suggestions about how the EFCL can better serve your community league, please
contact your District representative or the EFCL office.
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Keep a database of contacts within the leagues and provide referrals.
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Provide referral to other organization and government for services and information on issues.
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Provide opportunities for members to meet and exchange ideas, issues and opportunities.
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The Internet home page provides links to services and information of value to the members and the public.
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Liaison with the City on such matters as the tri-partite license, joint use of parkland and facilities, capital standards for hall construction and maintenance, ice allocation for leagues, and consultation standards.
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Liaison with the Province on matters relating to Tax Exemption and Gaming.
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Monitoring of issues and events that could affect the operation and well being of the community league movement.
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Advocacy
Programs:
Edmonton Neighbourhood Watch Program Society - is a crime prevention program provided at the community level
Talent Show - for over 50 years the Federation has provided an annual Talent Competition for community children. Every April the participants compete and are adjudicated. Often the winners go on to win national and international events.
Sports programs -
Basketball,
Baseball,
Softball,
Soccer,
Hockey,
Ringette,
Tennis
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Provide in-house workshops on financial matters, board functions, administration of leagues, and grants.
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The Community League Resource Guide is a publication prepared with the support of the Wild Rose Foundation, which provides basic orientation and operational information to the leagues.
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Provide referral support to other agency training sessions and services for our members.
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Our newsletter, The Federation Forum, presents timely articles on emerging issues and concerns.
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The office and members of the Board provide one on one support to members in problem solving.
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Publications like the newsletter and 'The Benefits of Recreation' are designed to promote and support the community league movement.
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Encouraging membership through the annual advertising campaign and functions during 'Community League Week'.
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The Board meets annually with City Council to discuss the community league movement and to promote the value of leagues to the City of Edmonton.
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Liaison with other organizations provides and opportunity to share the benefits of the community league movement.
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Bulk purchase of membership supplies
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Assistance with the development and review of Bylaws
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Assistance with administrative and procedural matters like:
How to conduct a meeting
How to take minutes
How to prepare a program statement
How
long to retain records and what type
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Financial Assistance
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Advise on payroll and filing annual T4's
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Advise on record keeping both manual and computerized
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Preparation of financial statements
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Financial reporting of gaming activities
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Grants applications for playgrounds, employment and renovations
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Administration of voucher systems
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Filing of GST (Input Tax Credits and Rebates)
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Celebration and Recognition Programs
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Annual recognition event for community league volunteers
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Various awards programs
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Showcasing innovative projects and success stories in the newsletter and on the home page
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Finding opportunities through the media to thank our members and volunteers
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Provision of Resources
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Archive league records upon
submission for historical review
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A small library of printed resources
relevant to leagues
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Provision of access to government
documents relevant to the operation of leagues
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Provide referral to legal, insurance and other professional services.
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