Did you know that Mayor Nenshi proclaims the month of March as Community Association Awareness Month?
Did you also know there are 151 community associations in our city, run by your neighbours and other volunteers? In fact, there are more than 20,000 volunteers within our city’s community associations, making it the largest collective volunteer network in Calgary!
This month, the Federation of Calgary Communities – support organization to our city’s community associations – wants to know: How will YOU be part of it?
Whether they know it or not, every Calgarian is positively affected by the work of their community association. These neighbourhood-based, non-profit organizations offer residents social, recreational and educational programs close to home, they manage neighbourhood facilities and amenities, they act as a voice for the community on issues that affect them, and they foster a sense of belonging by bringing neighbours together to get to know each other. Once again, all this work is done by hard-working community volunteers.
Who are these volunteers? Well, at their March Community Association Awareness Month kick-off event on Friday, March 1, the Federation of Calgary Communities revealed the 2019 Faces of Community; a storytelling series showcasing some of the many different faces of volunteers making a difference in their communities. Nominated by their peers, the 2019 Faces of Community come from communities and organizations across the city, and their stories of involvement are sure to inspire. Ranging from new volunteers to veteran board members, Faces of Community highlights real people having real impact in our city.
“The passion, dedication, and hard work of community volunteers always amazes me,” said Leslie Evans, Executive Director with the Federation of Calgary Communities. “What inspires me is hearing the Faces of Community say that once they stepped up and got involved with their organization they were hooked, and they’ve never looked back!”
So, how will YOU be part of March Community Association Awareness Month? Take some time to meet the 2019 Faces of Community, learn more about your community association, what it has to offer you, and how you can get involved. There are endless opportunities and something for everyone!
Visit The Federation of Calgary Communities website today at calgarycommunities.com, and follow along all month long on social media using the hashtag #yyccamonth.
