1. Membership: Ideas to promote reasons to belong to a community League or “Creating Value to  your Community League

2. Fundraising: Ideas that have benefited your league

3. Financial Tips:  Ideas you can share in creating interest into meeting financial need

4. Communication: Forums that community groups use to communicate with members: Website building, newsletters, town hall meetings

5. Social Events: Putting the fun back into Community Leagues- Social Events, family events, celebration

6. Sharing resources: Ideas for group buying /purchasing power when more than one group works together, rink attendants, secretaries, and hall rental hiring staff for positive partnerships, equipment.

7. Sustainable Partners: Ideas on capital projects delivered by Community League: Hiring contractors and sub contractors, creating a shared contractor list for all leagues to use.

8. Recruitment and Appreciation of Volunteers

9. Participants evaluation of the evening

• Grey Cup tickets & packages – McLeod

• Auxiliary – Balwin

• Bingo/casino

• Summer festival raffle – Eastwood

• Grants; have grant night – suggestion

• Variety show – Beverly Heights – 2

• Halloween party – (non-fundraising but successful) – Montrose

•  Sports council-Raffle/Eskimo season tickets – N.E. Zone

• Pub Night – draws – Delwood  - 2

• Silent auction – Evergreen, Delwood & Oliver

• 50/50 draw for Grand Prix – Spruce Avenue

• Husky/Mohawk – credit cards – Killarney

• Concession – Northlands – Gord Harris $60/head/event

• Maple Leaf Athletic Club Guarantee $1,000/Bingo – Newton-Rollie

• Regular building rentals – consistent tenant

• Call Dominion Sports Service, work Rexall – Homesteader

• Sell History of Community – Oliver

• BBQ’s – Sobey’s, M&M Meat Shops, Canadian Tire

• Sponsorship – “who do you know matching dollars” – Homesteader

•  Glo skate? – Spruce Ave, Lago Lindo

• Catering for hall – Balwin

• Water Park/Galaxy Land/West Edmonton Mall – tickets resale $5,000 – Kilkenny, Lago Lindo

• Drive-In theatre – Lago Lindo – Mike

• Great Human Race – Riverdale- Rachel

•  Dance Rentals – Bannerman

•  Raffles

• New Year’s Party

• THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX

•  Skate-a-thons

• Break-even programs

• TRY MORE THAN ONCE

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Financial ideas

Ideas that make the financial world easier and on creating interest within your community on the financials.

Presenting reports

• Present reports quarterly as a treasurer – Killarney

• Have to fill out Expense Report (Eastwood)

• Petty cash

• Spreadsheets to keep track - Eastwood

• Actuals are reported each month

• Board should have skills to do budget- need workshops if they do not have skills

• Sports program needs budget

• Creating budget plan to tie to goals and objectives – Belvedere

Bookkeeper and Treasurer

• Hire bookkeeper – Homesteader, Delwood

• Bookkeeper – check and balance – Highlands

• Can share a bookkeeper among CLs – McLeod

• Keep a treasurer who is very detailed

Budgets

• Budget needs to go to AGM

• Each executive prepares a budget presented at AGM – Delwood

• Create a budget form that everyone fills out - Beverly Heights

• Templates for budgets are on Microsoft Templates

• EFCL – should create a book with templates, tips, etc.

• Budget – do one (present the budget to executive) – Killarney

• AGM declare budget – Hairsine

Audits

• In-house audits – Keep your treasurer for long time – Westwood

• External audits – Prince Rupert

• Outside audit for year end – Evergreen

• Hire auditor (external) yearly – Oliver

Other

• Month to month report to every board member – Evergreen

• Membership can come to meeting for information – Homesteader

• Need to have groups of CLs get together to discuss this topic

• AGM – information shared and audited (external)

• Work with Linda from the EFCL

• Every member needs to understand what it costs to run the league- share the information with your community

• All records need to be kept at office – NEZ

• Money asked for first and then report after

• Computer at hall keeps records - Oliver

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Communication Notes

• Newsletter-postal code drop – Balwin

• E-mail – McCauley

• EFCL website – Balwin

• Flyer/Rat Creek-same color paper each time – Spruce Ave

-hand delivered to entire community

• Monthly electronic newsletter/also on website – Lago Lindo

 - sports membership 400-500+

• 2 changeable copy signs at entrances to neighborhood → highlight events and registration – Lago Lindo

• 2 school signs (call Principal) – Balwin

• Distribute flyers through neighborhood schools – Lago Lindo

• Local 7-11 merchants – copies of newsletters – Lago Lindo

• Newsletter monthly – delivered by volunteers – Riverdale

• Website – must register to be a member.  Also sent out notices to those registered. – Riverdale

• Idea – instead of volunteering at Bingo, have volunteers deliver flyers.

• Newsletters on website

• Fraser C.L. – good example of website can access through EFCL website

• Clareview Chronicle – Partnership 11 leagues

 -Rely on Canada Post to deliver as 3^rd class mail.  9 cents/copy

• Area council’s

• Use of businesses to assist with communication i.e. local 7-11

• Single page flyer – door to door delivery

• Flyers for S.E delivered door to door/same color paper – Spruce Ave

• Ό Newsletter – (24-32 pages)

-Volunteers & kids deliver (sell ads) -Coffee shops, libraries → copies available

• Broadcast e-mails; online office; members e-mails – Highlands

• Website – Evergreen

• Need – how to update websites →in-service by EFCL

• Evergreen – expert at creating a website

• Rat Creek Press run ads, also electronic – Spruce Ave

• Promo idea – magnetic clip “community league gave to all members the logo” - Belvedere

• Newsletter every 2^nd month.  Volunteers deliver – Killarney

• Phone messages for President is not a good idea – not very effective.

• Issue: EFCL sharing President’s phone # or address.

-         Caution about giving out home phone numbers.

-         Give out cell phone numbers instead.

• E-mail address for league – not personal e-mails

• Survey-Delwood.  90% news by paper newsletter

• Lack of volunteers for delivery

• Canada Post – 3^rd class postage

• Newsletter – monthly Canada Post – Balwin

-Bi-monthly hand delivery – Eastwood

-1/4 – hand delivery – Bellevue

                        -Highlands – copies at library

• Eastwood – leave copies at school; word of mouth

• Balwin – blurb in school/newsletter, and on sign

 -door to door membership campaign. (500)+

• Highlands – changeable copy sign

• Bellevue – Blog

• Highlands – E-mails to members around events

• Introduce membership incentives – Balwin

• Keep costs low for memberships – Balwin

• Put notices in school newsletters

• E-mail distribution list to members

• League phone numbers – voicemail box, personal home #, select mailbox # for league

• NOT AN ISSUE

• Rat Creek Press

• Newsletter for multi-neighborhoods

• Voicemail at hall

• Large backlight signs

• Word of mouth

• Flyers (delivered door to door on same colored paper)

• Host a multi-purpose town hall meeting

• Oliver          

• Same colored paper & graphic each year.  Post in Apartments.

• Local businesses

• Flyer drop door-to-door

Newton 

Changeable copy sign & add a portable sign to promote Playschool

Spruce Ave – Host annual events at some point each year

Killarney

Sign on main bus route on a high traffic area. (not near hall)

Partner with school

• Monthly newsletter, hire someone to deliver/Canada Post – Evergreen & Montrose

• Canada Post – Delwood/McLeod

• New Website – Evergreen

• E-mails & website

• EPS call out – neighborhood watch → not effective because people hang up

• N.E. Zone Sports Council – mail outs; school flyers

• Brochures

• Community signs

• Flyers through schools – give copies to school; send to each family

• Ό Newspaper – volunteer delivery, mail-out to all businesses in community. (one/business)

• Bundles at London Drugs, Save On, Champion Foods

• District newsletter, 7 communities cost shared – Clareview Chronicle

• Sent out through Canada Post and some door to door. – Varies by community

• Post information to EFCL website – Oliver

• Posters in walk-ups and apartment buildings

• Supply copies of flyers to families (sometimes need to bundle)

• Church bulletins - Oliver

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Social Events & Programs

 A PENNY FOR YOUR THOUGHTS

1. What is your group doing for activities in the winter/spring/summer/fall?
2. What does your group do to bring out the neighbours?
3. What has worked in your community?

Group #1

• Fall BBQ for membership and community (Membership Drive) – Belvedere

• Free hot dogs on Sundays during January and February (members only) – Belvedere

• Free Christmas and spring break programs for children and youth – Belvedere

• September: Harvest Fest (hayrides, beef on a bun) free –

• Low cost programs in the summer – Spruce Avenue

• Family Day winter Fest (fire pit, hay ride, fun bag, etc.) – Spruce Avenue

• Rink

• School use of rink – Spruce Avenue

• New Year’s Eve Party: $30.00 / get approx. 150 people out – Evergreen

• Spring Fling: Garage Sale / penny carnival / free breakfast – Evergreen

• Clean Up Activity – Evergreen

• Canada Day: treasure hunt through community – Evergreen

Group #2

• Fall Open House: hot dogs / pony ride / free / membership drive – Beverly Heights

• August Event: fun day & open house / event with the community league and the local church / something for everyone – McLeod

• Family Day: games / skating / hot dogs and chili / free for members – Lago Lindo

• Halloween Open House: free – Lago Lindo

• Water Park/Galaxyland  Night (West Edmonton Mall): for members / rent the water park / volunteers help out as an alternative to working bingos – Lago Lindo

• Ski Night: minimal cost to members / started as a community event; is now going to be a Area Council event for leagues under the Area Council – Clareview District & Area Council

• Spring Family Night: BBQ / Races / free to members – Horse Hill

• Corn Roast in the Fall

• Family Skate Night: at the outdoor rink / free hot chocolate – McLeod

• Golf Tournament at Raven’s Crest – Homesteader

• Year End Sports Night: for soccer – Homesteader

Group #3

• Klondike Breakfast in the summer – Highlands
• “Boot” sale: garage sale – Highlands
• Looking at having 4 events a year for the community starting with a Horse/Hay ride – Highlands
• Picnic in the Park: provide the food – McCauley
• Big Bin Day: community members only / to dispose of large household items – Balwin
• Hot Summer Nights: car show / silent auction / entertainment & music / fun games / carnival games / fundraiser for the community – Balwin
• Soccer programs for kids – McCauley and Balwin
• Family Day Skate Event – McCauley
• Harvest Fest – Spruce Avenue
• Free Skating Program for kids: the participant pays a fee and if they attend the event, they get their money back.
• Community Information Night: providing information for community members about events and items in the community.
• Canada Day Event – Riverdale
• Different Parties – Riverdale
• Garden Club – Riverdale
• Community Swim – Riverdale
• Softball and soccer programs – Balwin
• Community Meetings – Riverdale

Group #4

• Canada Day Celebration: BBQ fundraiser / fun activities / lots of people – Evergreen
• Wind Up Party for Green Shack Program: pizza for the kids and families/ lots of kids – Westwood
• Halloween Party – Montrose
• Family Day Skate: at the rink.
• Olympic Game Event for area 17: celebrating the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver / competition between the community leagues of Area 17 / with all the ‘trappings’ of a big event with community flags and anthems etc. – Area 17 & McLeod
• Festival of Lights with sleigh ride – Prince Rupert
• Halloween Party – Parkdale
• Christmas Party – Parkdale
• Looking for ideas for a Pub Night and how to put one on – Parkdale
• Winter ball program for grades 3 to 6 – Parkdale

Group #5

• Winter Activities in January: free BBQ / fun bag with staff from the City of Edmonton – Prince Rupert
• 12 social events a year: 10 pub nights with 30 – 50 participants/ hay ride / pancake breakfast / for information on AGLC license for a pub night see Highlands CL – Highlands
• Winter Carnival for community – Newton
• Halloween dance – Newton
• Pancake breakfast on Canada Day – Oliver
• December Open House – Oliver
• Bright Nights Bus Tour: slight charge to cover cost of the bus rental – Newton
• No program Director: Family Day Event on the Sunday / free hot dogs / hay rides / face paint – Killarney
• Quote of the Night from the table: “Share the joy and the pain – DELEGATE” – Highlands

Group #6

• New Year’s Eve Dance: and other dances – Balwin
• Craft sale – Oliver
• Open House with hay ride – Oliver
• Garage sale – Prince Rupert
• Kids programs on Saturday afternoons with staff from City of Edmonton – Prince Rupert
• 2^nd Annual Haunted Hall: kids love it / approx. 300 kids – Lago Lindo
• Opening our Hall: indoor soccer wrap up party with pictures / DJ for family dance / helped with outdoor soccer program / 2500 people attend / incorporate all sport programs / booze = $$ - Killarney
• Run programs at cost in the hall: tie chi / yoga / pay for cost of cleaning – Delwood
• Family day Skate-a-thon: skating / petting zoo / jumpy thingy / multi age – Delwood
• Pancake breakfast on Canada Day: approx 250 people attend.
• Yoga / badminton / picnic in the park – Oliver

Group #7

• 1 event per Ό: Family Day Event and Summer Fest (free) / St. Patrick Seniors, Seniors Event (members only) / Christmas Party (members only) – Eastwood
• Awareness of Community League: Family Day / hay rides / jumpy thingy – Spruce Avenue
• Harvest Fest – Spruce Avenue
• Christmas Bus Tours – Bellevue
• Two Block Parties – Bellevue
• Avenue Revitalization events: City Clean Up with pancake breakfast / Avenue goes to the Dogs – Eastwood
• City partner programs.
• Grass roots events: Canada Day Event / pot luck / keeping it simple – Riverdale
• New Years: with kids band / slight cost fee – Riverdale
• Glow Skate for Kids: at night / at the rink / glow stick for kids – Lago Lindo

Group #8

• December Craft Sale: with concession – Delwood
• Family Day Event: skating – Delwood
• Garage Sale – Delwood
• Fall Festival: free dinner for members (approx value per plate $15.00) – Delwood
• Sports Banquet (North East Zone): for all members – North East Zone
• Halloween Event: house decoration contest with cash prizes – Horse Hill
• Family Dances – Bannerman
• KFC Dinner: with a DJ – Bannerman
• Sleigh Ride Night: In December / sleigh ride / hot dogs / free / advertise at schools in the area – Bannerman
• Craft sale – Bannerman
• Prairie Garden Tour – Hairsine
• Fun-o-rama – Hairsine
• Ladies Night: Tupperware / beauty products / etc. – Belvedere
• Spring Clean Up – Belvedere

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Shared Resources

Point to Ponder:

1)     What resources can be shared?

2)     How do you think these resources could be shared?

3)     Speciality equipment

4)     Positions/Roles

Resources that could be shared:

• Sport Equipment

• Uniforms

• Candy floss, barbeques, popcorn machines

• Bookkeeper (paid)

• Ice maker – shared between 2 or 3 communities

• Programs

  • advertising with other communities

  • avoid duplications

  • special events i.e. Halloween Parties

• Joint Registration (sports)

• Learn to Skate Program

• Newsletter

• Hall to other groups/agencies (church)

• Zambonie

• Candy Floss, Barbeques, Popcorn Machines, Slush Machine – Lago Lindo, McLeod, Kilkenny

• Tents

• Batting Cage (other specialty equipment)

• Line Marker Machine

• ICE maker

• Bookkeeper

• Newsletter

• Shared webmaster – Gunda - Hairsine

• Popcorn Machines

• Barbeques (check with ATCO)

• Transportation of equipment

• Pre-school teachers

• Program Instructors

• Expertise (mentoring) of experienced Executive Directors. 

• Programs – i.e. swimming for those communities who don’t have enough people

• Zambonie (Transport/Insurance issue)

• Tents

• Popcorn machine, barbeque, hot dog machine

• Call rental person

• Lawn Tractor – for temp use

• Partner with other agencies, newsletter

• Pre-school teacher

• Program Instructors – i.e. yoga

• Amenities - Hall

• Barbeques, popcorn, snow cone, candy floss machines

• Projector for movies

• Bookkeeper – Sherry - Delwood

• Sharing cost of rink surface

• Switch resources ice surface for hall space or expertise

• Sharing of information – inflationary cost – memberships, hall rental, number of members, caretaker wages fees charged to communities, damage halls.

 How Resources could be shared:

• Create an inventory of speciality equipment (i.e. candy floss machine) that community groups own and who are willing to share (rent) to other community groups.  

• EFCL could create a list of people (handymen) who could be contacted by leagues for a particular function such as bookkeepers, or ice makers.

• As a support to Board Development - Set up a directory of “mentors” of people. They could share their expertise (they do not have to be active – could be past executive).

• A possible bartering system to share amenities – a fair trade. Example: Use of hall space for the use of ice surface.

• Connecting with a joining communities (programmers if they have one) to discuss what programs they are offering and offer different types. Advertise in each others newsletter the programs to be offered. For special event, join together to plan & share costs.

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Sustainable Partners-Contracts and Contractors

• Furnace replacement – Gateway – scope of work change during work and not knowing how to handle situation – Terry, Killarney

• Hall Demolition – Current work being performed: facility assessment work, abatement work, hall demolition project – Christine, Highlands

• Flooring, painting, plumbing, electrical – better training needed in the management of sub-contractors for work to be performed – Eric, Kilkenny

• Canadian Arena Product – great experience, on time – Sherry – Delwood

• Paved Walkway – good experience – Bill, Lago Lindo

• Poor Rink attendant experience – interest is low, $1500/month not enough to attract people – Graham, Balwin

• Contractor experience on signing of contract and poor experience – we would like more City Project Management experience or involvement – Ray, Spruce Avenue

• Idea is to use Volunteer workers that are skilled in trades from your community – Go Green hall evaluation – Carbon Busters – Raquel, Riverdale

• Company: Cold as Ice – ice making company – Cory, Hairsine

• Speed Pro – signage/plastic signage company – Martina, Bannerman

• Furnace/air conditioning, Mckinley & Delwood – Wendy, Delwood

• Dare electric – rink lights – Curtis, Prince Rupert

• Shock Electric/Harris Floors – rink lights – Gord Harris, Area 17 President

• Flooring – Delco, good company – Angie, Homesteader

• Penguin Heating & Air Conditioning – Gord, ENEBA Bingo

• Furnace Replacement – Bob Pomto Heating & Refrigeration – McLeod, Delwood

• Flynn Contracting Roofing Company – Jeff, McLeod

• Garbage pick-up – Waste Management

• Four Seasons Roofing – roof work – Virgie, Balwin

• Built Rite Construction, Rink Restoration – Scott, Montrose

• Local contractors to do work; community partnerships to have contractor work with more than one group – Wayne, McLeod

• Using EFCL website to list contractors who work with community groups and how good of work they have performed

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Volunteer Appreciation and Recruitment

• “Volunteer network” – submit application with #211

• Visit local organizations in your area

• PR person on the executive

• Identify the roles & responsibilities & community job descriptions so that people can come right in to volunteer