Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Communicating with First Nations People workshop in Hobbema
Today, I attended the communication workshop in Hobbema. I learned about eye contact, FN people do not complaint and don't like to brag. I was informed about FNs rituals, traditions and celebrations. The barriers such as transition from reserve to city were explained. Some tips were given such as 'Inform your employees'. FN people have good listening skills as it is part of their culture to listen to stories and the teachings at ceremonies. The family ties and kinship are important and the family structure was explained.
Friday, September 9, 2011
FASD Gathering
The event began with serving Mocktails. Stacey presented information about FASD, Heather shared her experience working with her coworkers having FASD, Dominique facilitated the Wheel of Fortune activity, Floyd and his sister and Misty shared their stories. Floyd cracked a egg in a glass of alcohol and showed that after some time the egg became like rubber demonstrating the effect of alcohol on the baby growing in the womb. The finger food was provided by Horizons Centre and the supplies for mocktails by Baker Funeral home. The chief guest was Alderman Joe Branco. Thw winner of the door prize was Sheila Cole from Catholic Social Services. View pictures at http://fasdday9september2011.blogspot.com/
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Intercultural communications feedback
I found the intercultural communications workshop to be informative and useful. In particular, I found the information about Canadian and newcomer perceptions about each other to be frank and eye-opening and I the tips and suggestions will be very useful regarding fostering and managing organizational diversity.
Thanks!
Narmin
Letter of Support
The Wetaskiwin Public Library is applying for the New Horizons for Seniors Program federal grant for 2012. The New Horizons for Seniors Program (NHSP) is a federal grants program that supports projects led or inspired by seniors who make a difference in the lives of others and in their communities. The program supports projects addressing the following objectives:
· promoting volunteerism among seniors and other generations;
· engaging seniors in the community through the mentoring of others;
· supporting the social participation and inclusion of seniors.
The funds will be used by the Wetaskiwin Public Library in the following ways:
· purchasing resources for the homebound service delivery program
· arranging for transport expenses for seniors to attend the programs at the library
· cover expenses for guest speaker presentation series
I am requesting for a letter of support to go along with our application that is due on Monday, September 12
Manisha
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Library booth at the Parade of Programs: registration and informing our citizens about the learning and networking possibilities
Library staff Lisa and Lynne promoting activley promoted library services. Visitors at our booth were from 2 to 80 year olds inquiring about Tales for Twos, puppet shows, Mother Goose, FASD Mocktails gathering, videoconferencing, essential skills draw, Adventures in Art, and the Alberta Arts Days. 
View more pictures at http://paradeofprograms7september2011.blogspot.com/
Sunday, September 4, 2011
Volunteered at TALES Storytelling Festival
I enjoyed volunteering at the TALES festival at Fort Edmonton Park. The theme was 'River of Dreams.' It was marvelous to meet storytellers and see them integrate different types of voice projection techniques, theater, song, music, and their tools. I was amazed at the story sticks, frogs with musical sounds, and props such as tales and hears. I helped putting away the food. I was a volunteer for one of the sites and I kept a tally of visitors and I requested people in the nearby areas to come and visit the session.
Friday, September 2, 2011
Capacity building by networking with our Museum
I helped the Wetaskiwin Heritage Museum with a brain storming session with ideas to write the grant proposal. I coached and mentored tills, timeline to write the Seniors grant. The library will provide a support letter. The library will support some of the projects of the Museum as they unfold.
I planted the seed for the Human Library at the Museum. The museum has the primary information and many of their exhibits are of international standards. I shared information about Alberta Arts Days.
Sylvia Larson, board member and volunteer at the museum advised me when I came to Wetaskiwin in 2010 to, 'Go out to people,' That's what I did and it is a satisfying and fulfilling experience serving and working with my community. Read my service framework by visting the following page http://creatingcommunitybysharing.blogspot.com/
I planted the seed for the Human Library at the Museum. The museum has the primary information and many of their exhibits are of international standards. I shared information about Alberta Arts Days.
Sylvia Larson, board member and volunteer at the museum advised me when I came to Wetaskiwin in 2010 to, 'Go out to people,' That's what I did and it is a satisfying and fulfilling experience serving and working with my community. Read my service framework by visting the following page http://creatingcommunitybysharing.blogspot.com/
Thursday, September 1, 2011
September is Library Card Sign Up month: Presentation at Touchstone Place
Today, I did a presentation at Touchstone Place about our services. I began the presentation with;
1. How a resident can get a library card
2. Distributed posters, handouts and flyer's
3. Rules and regulations for computer use
4. Social network and gatherings
5. Demonstration of Overdrive ebooks (Project Gutenberg)
6. The posed the question, 'Why is the library organizing FASD Gathering on September 9?'
The response from my particpants was, 'Library is reaching out. That's great. We like it.'
My audience was 10-12 people with a above average IQ. The participants shared with me information about different types of mental health conditions. The members shared with me the different places they had traveled in their life. Some were from BC and some from Alberta. They told me about their past work. Some had traveled to Japan, Florida, and Jamaica. A person had taught English language as a volunteer for more than 25 years. This participant told me that he tried to teach the language with the things the student is familar with and told me about 'pinjiri.' This a traditional dish cooked in northern India with whole wheat, nuts, many healthy ingredients cooked in ghee.
We all had lunch together and I had an opportunity to tour the place. I was informed about their mandate, funding, board, and members. It helped me understand my community and the framework in which this organization operates and ways in which I can help the library fit-in the life of the members of Touchstone Place. I was impressed with the support network.
The participants asked many interesting questions such as, 'Which are the libraries who are part of our regional network? How to access ebooks?' Some participants would like to come for some of the events at the library and told me to remind them by telephone on the day of the event.
The question is: 'Who was educating whom?' It was a mutually respectful sharing experience. I plan to take some resources once a month and maybe start a discussion group.
Manisha
1. How a resident can get a library card
2. Distributed posters, handouts and flyer's
3. Rules and regulations for computer use
4. Social network and gatherings
5. Demonstration of Overdrive ebooks (Project Gutenberg)
6. The posed the question, 'Why is the library organizing FASD Gathering on September 9?'
The response from my particpants was, 'Library is reaching out. That's great. We like it.'
My audience was 10-12 people with a above average IQ. The participants shared with me information about different types of mental health conditions. The members shared with me the different places they had traveled in their life. Some were from BC and some from Alberta. They told me about their past work. Some had traveled to Japan, Florida, and Jamaica. A person had taught English language as a volunteer for more than 25 years. This participant told me that he tried to teach the language with the things the student is familar with and told me about 'pinjiri.' This a traditional dish cooked in northern India with whole wheat, nuts, many healthy ingredients cooked in ghee.
We all had lunch together and I had an opportunity to tour the place. I was informed about their mandate, funding, board, and members. It helped me understand my community and the framework in which this organization operates and ways in which I can help the library fit-in the life of the members of Touchstone Place. I was impressed with the support network.
The participants asked many interesting questions such as, 'Which are the libraries who are part of our regional network? How to access ebooks?' Some participants would like to come for some of the events at the library and told me to remind them by telephone on the day of the event.
The question is: 'Who was educating whom?' It was a mutually respectful sharing experience. I plan to take some resources once a month and maybe start a discussion group.
Manisha
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