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PLANS UNDERWAY TO RESTART DRAGON BOATING IN CALGARY:
An Update to the Community from the Dragon Boat Steering Committee
March 8, 2010
Since 1992 the dragon boat cultural festival and races have developed into a rich and dynamic part of Calgary’s cultural mosaic drawing as many as 75 teams from across Western Canada and the United States. Upwards of 50,000 spectators gather to enjoy the races and the festival elements that include the spectacular traditional lion dances along with demonstrations of kung fu and tai chi.
Although the event was not held in 2009, activities are now underway to restart the cultural festival and sport of dragon boating on the Glenmore Reservoir in Calgary.
A steering committee is now in place and working to establish a new dragon boat organization that will run the annual event. The steering committee will decide on the mandate and structure for the new organization and to help recruit board members to the founding board of the organization. The incoming board will provide leadership and overall direction for planning and hosting future dragon boat festivals on the Glenmore Reservoir.
STEERING COMMITTEE
The volunteers who are serving on the steering committee are:
Alexandria (Alex) Sham is the President of the Hong Kong-Canada Business Association. She recognizes that many of her association members participate in the dragon boat community around the world and brings forward a voice of the cultural component. She works with RBC Insurance as an Advisor and is active in many community organizations.
Danny Ng is Business Development Manager with the Canada Export Centre and Publisher at ChinatownCalgary.com. Long involved in the Calgary community, Danny has been an active volunteer on previous Dragon Boat festivals and brings extensive experience organizing groups. He also volunteers and participates on various associations in the Chinese Community.
Lynda Roberts is the Manager of the Calgary Canoe Club. She is highly knowledgeable of event-day planning and operations for dragon boats, has years of paddling experience and has practical knowledge of utilizing the Glenmore Reservoir for recreation and sport purposes. She has participated as a paddler in dragon boating herself.
Stuart Walker is the General Manager of HR and Corporate Services with UTS Energy. He brings his experience as a corporate sponsor of dragon boats as well as a background in corporate governance.
Kevin Forster sits as a non-voting member with the committee representing The City of Calgary. Kevin has had a long time professional involvement in supporting appropriate water sports and recreational activities on the reservoir. Kevin is presently The City of Calgary Liaison for the Glenmore Canoe and Rowing Clubhouse Foundation and the Dragon Boats on the Glenmore Reservoir.
The work of the Steering Committee is supported by Frank Johnston, who is with CentrePoint Non-Profit Management.
WHAT’S NEXT?
· The steering committee will finalize the mandate and structure for the new dragon boat organization in March.
· Board recruitment will begin in early March with the intention of holding the first board meeting in April.
· A final decision about holding an event in 2010 will be made in April.
QUESTIONS WE’VE BEEN HEARING:
1. Will a dragon boat event be held this summer?
The steering committee will make a recommendation to The City of Calgary on the advisability of holding a dragon boat event in the summer of 2010. The same recommendation will be given to the incoming board for its decision. The steering committee is considering the size and scope, as well as the capability of the incoming Board to assemble the people and financial resources that will be needed host a successful event in 2010. We expect that a final decision can be made in April.
2. We are running out of time—can you speed up the work?
The steering committee and The City of Calgary understand the importance of establishing a new organization as quickly as possible. This event is important as it helps to develop Calgary as an active and vibrant city. The steering committee wants to ensure that dragon boat festivals will be held for many years into the future. This means that the organization put in place to run the festival needs to be built on a solid foundation. It simply takes time to think through what the organization will look like in order to be sustainable and to have the needed resources in place.
3. What specifically is being proposed to ensure that the new dragon boat organization will be publicly accountable and sustainable?
The steering committee is proposing that the new board be designed as a “policy governance” board that will follow good governance practices for non-profit organizations. The board will provide overall direction and be accountable for performance. An executive director will work with volunteers and paid staff to carry out the hands-on work of planning and hosting the festivals. Emphasis will be given to ensuring that the organization operates in a transparent and open way. Strong measures to ensure accountability will be built into the organizational structure and bylaws.
4. Can I forward names of people to be considered for the new board?
Yes— individuals are invited to put forward names of people that would make effective board members. Criteria for the selection of members to the founding board and an application form for interested individuals are available at Criteria: http://www.thecentrepoint.ca/doc/dragonboats_statement_of_interest.doc
Application: http://www.thecentrepoint.ca/pdf/dragonboat_board_member_role_desc.pdf
5. How can I get involved?
Volunteer opportunities will be defined once the new board is in place and there is clarity on what activities, if any, will be held in 2010. Memberships in the new organization will also be available for those individuals who participate in dragon boating and wish to be ongoing supporters of the new organization.
Your comments and suggestions are welcome.
Please contact Cayly Dixon and she will direct them to the appropriate person. She can be emailed at cayly.dixon@thecentrepoint.ca.
Cayly Dixon, Business Analyst & Consulting Support
tel:
403-538-8619
CENTREPOINT
Advancing Non-Profit Management
1070, 1202 Centre St SE
Calgary AB T2G 5A5
Main: 403-517-8600
Fax: 403-538-8601
www.thecentrepoint.ca
CCECA received Federal funding for Elder Abuse Project in Alberta Ethno-cultural Communities
February 12, 2010
by Paul K.P. Wong
 Minister of State, Honourable Diane Ablonczy was speaking. |
The Honourable Diane Ablonczy, Minister of State (Seniors), on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development, made the announcement yesterday morning at 10:30 in the Calgary Chinese Elderly Citizens’ Association(CCECA), which received a funding – about $100,000 – from the federal government for its project called “Hidden in the Cultural Fabric – Elder Abuse and Neglect in Ethno-cultural Communities in Alberta”.
 Dr. Daniel W.L. Lai, Professor and Associate Dean (Research and Partnerships), Faculty of Social Work, University of Calgary was speaking. |
Minister of State Ablonczy said, “Our government takes the fight against elder abuse very seriously, we are protecting seniors elder abuse in all its forms, from physical abuse to financial and emotional abuse. We want everyone to know that it cannot and will not be tolerated. Seniors deserve to live with dignity and respect, and we as a government are committed to help ensure that their quality of life is not diminished by abuse of any kind. These projects will support programs and activities across Canada that increase awareness of elder abuse while improving quality of life, as well as safety and security, for seniors.”
 Lyn Chow, President of CCECA was speaking. |
“In Alberta, there has been very little study on elder abuse in ethno-cultural communities,” said Dr. Daniel W.L. Lai, Professor and Associate Dean (Research and Partnerships), Faculty of Social Work, University of Calgary. “This project will be the first study undertaken which specifically explores and encompasses the needs of ethno-cultural older adults related to elder abuse and neglect.”
Liza Chan, the Executive Director of CCECA said, the funding is for this project will help older ethno-cultural Albertans increase their knowledge and understanding of the elder abuse and neglect to develop their own solutions to the issue that impact them the most. The funding they received from the federal government is not only for study about Chinese but also for another four minorities such as Vietnamese, Spanish, African and East Indian. It will not only be for those ethnic elders who are living in big city like Calgary and Edmonton, but also for those small areas i.e. Lethbridge and Medicine Hat too.
 Minister of State Ablonczy was presented a souvenir – a mirror – to Lyn Chow, President of CCECA |
 Liza Chan, the Executive Director of CCECA. |
 (L-R) Dr. Daniel W.L. Lai, Minister of State Diane Ablonczy and President Lyn Chow. |
After the announcement, Minister of State Ablonczy also presented a souvenir – a mirror – to Lyn Chow, President of CCECA.
The Chinese New Year feast of The Consulate General of The People’s Republic of China
February 11, 2010
by Paul K.P. Wong
|
The Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) held the reception and the buffet dinner for the Chinese New Year – the Year of the Tiger, at the Regency Palace Restaurant in the Dragon City Mall, in Chinatown yesterday evening.
It was a full house; the attended guests included MLA Teresa Woo-Paw, Deputy Mayor & Alderman Gord Lowe, Alderman Joe Connelly, the former Mayor Al Duerr and his wife Kit Chan, former President of Calgary Chinese Cultural Centre, Victor Mah, the social planner of the Family and Community Support Services (FCSS) Jason Luan, and community leaders. In the reception, there were lots of publications, such as cultural books, videos, CDs and references for guests to pick up for free.
Before the buffet dinner begun, the national anthems of Canada and China were presented. After the short ceremonies, Wu Xin-jian, the Consul-General of PRC in Calgary made the welcome speech. After that, MLA Teresa Woo-Paw of the Alberta government, and Deputy Mayor & Alderman Gord Lowe of the City of Calgary made the good wishes speeches.
 MLA Teresa Woo-Paw of the Alberta government making the good wishes speech. |
 Deputy Mayor & Alderman Gord Lowe of the City of Calgary making the good wishes speech. |
 Jason Luan, the social planner of the Family and Community Support Services (FCSS) said: “Kung Hei Fat Choi” – Have a prosperity year – to everyone. |
Fundraising Campaign for Haiti’s Earthquake in the Calgary Chinese Community
January 24, 2010
by Paul K.P. Wong
|
Since the earthquake occurred in Haiti on January 12, the Chinese community has started the fundraising campaign for those unfortunates in the island currently.
The United Calgary Chinese Association (UCCA) and the Calgary Chinese Community Service Association (CCCSA) are holding this drive in the Chinese community.
According to the Volunteer & Program Coordinator of CCCSA David Tam said, the total collected funds from this event will be sent to the Red Cross in Alberta, after the affair is over on February 8.
There are also a few other community associations and charitable organizations such as the Alberta Chinese Community Congress and World Vision are doing the fundraising drive at this moment, to support those unlucky Haitians.