Weekly News Recap: November 30, 2018

Mike House (left) and Keith Curtis (right) announce the $1.5 million Key to Care Kids campaign partnership between the Stollery Children's Hospital Foundation and the Grande Prairie Regional Hospital Foundation Saturday at the Festival of Trees. ANGELA PATTERSON

If you live for people’s acceptance you will die from their rejection. -- Lecrae

Photography

  • Best photos of 2018 (National Geographic) "National Geographic's 100 best images of the year—curated from 107 photographers, 119 stories, and more than two million photographs." Did you read that? More than 2 million photographs! Wow! November 2018

News

  • 'You bring joy and happiness to our organization every single day' (CBC) VANCOUVER STORY We first posted this story on October 12, 2018. So deserving. "Gia Tran's smile is a bit wider than usual this week. That's because the Vancouver woman earned this year's Terry Biggar Award given out by the B.C. Bottle Depot Association in recognition of citizens who contribute to sustainable practices and the environment. On Tuesday, the B.C. Cancer Foundation handed Tran the award for 2018 because of her 21 years of contributing her bottle money to the organization — adding up to about $15,000." 11/28/18

  • Humboldt Broncos families should get rest of $15M fund by Christmas (CBC) SASKATCHEWAN STORY Well done all. What a Canadian ending to a Canadian story. "Millions of dollars raised online after the Humboldt Broncos bus crash should be handed out to families before Christmas, Justice Neil Gabrielson ruled Wednesday, clearing the way for the remainder of the $15 million fund to be distributed." 11/28/18

  • Focus on Leadership | YMCA goes big in partnership with city (Calgary Economic Development) CALGARY STORY Congrats again! We are proud of you guys. "YMCA Calgary is poised to open its Brookfield Residential YMCA in Seton mid-January, 2019. And when it does, the centre will be the largest health and wellness focused YMCA facility in the world. 'This 330,000-square-foot facility in the city’s southeast will overtake the current largest centre in the world which, as it happens, is also located in Calgary and actually only opened this year,' says Nick Wiggins, a regional director for the YMCA Calgary." 11/27/18

  • 8 tense minutes, and then good news, for UBC planetary scientist involved in Mars landing (CBC) CANADIAN CONTENT Mars missions have, historically, had a 40% success rate. This is huge. Congrats to all. "For eight minutes on Monday afternoon, a crowd in a museum gallery at the University of British Columbia watched in rapt silence as a livestream broadcast a NASA spacecraft descending into Mars. The stakes were especially high for one of the viewers: Catherine Johnson, a UBC planetary scientist who is the only Canadian involved in the mission." 11/26/18

  • Hopkins president hopes $1.8B Bloomberg gift encourages support from other schools' alums (Baltimore Business Journal) "Not every university has an alumnus who would be willing to offer up $1.8 billion of their own money so middle- and low-income students could afford to attend their alma mater. Having a benefactor like Michael Bloomberg, famed philanthropist and former mayor of New York City, is an 'extraordinary' advantage for Johns Hopkins, said university President Ronald J. Daniels." 11/24/18

  • Choose Love: the shop where customers buy gifts for refugees (The Guardian) OMG, this is so great! I "An orderly queue formed outside the Choose Love store despite the November cold. But unlike the thousands of visitors to other stores across central London, these shoppers were not looking to grab a Black Friday bargain, they were lining up to buy gifts for refugees. The pop-up store off Carnaby Street has been set up by the charity Help Refugees and invites visitors to 'shop your heart out, leave with nothing, and feel the love'." Thanks to Scott Decksheimer for sharing this uplifting story. 11/23/18

  • University of Alberta students get in touch with well-being, mental health through WellTrack app (Global News) EDMONTON STORY Love this! More please. "WellTrack is a self-help online tool and app that is helping University of Alberta students track and improve their mood, well-being and mental health." 11/21/18

  • After 65 remarkable years, beloved Rocky Mountain research facility goes off-grid (UToday) CALGARY STORY Leaving aside the somewhat confusing headline, this is really a leadership move. Well done UofC! And no, the facility is not being mothballed. Just the opposite actually. "For more than 65 years, the Biogeoscience Institute’s R.B. Miller and Barrier Lake field research stations have been a cornerstone of the University of Calgary’s mountain and foothills ecology, environmental and wildlife research. These frontline stations are now well equipped for researchers to continue carrying out their critical research while making a smaller environmental footprint thanks to recent upgrades through the Post-Secondary Institutions Strategic Investment Fund (PSI-SIF)." 11/21/18

  • Incoming artistic director of Calgary Opera, Bramwell Tovey, says opera about 'now, the kind of world we're living in' (Calgary Herald) CALGARY STORY Congrats to you both and...welcome! "Tovey [...] will take over as artistic director of Calgary Opera in January. [The] opera announced Tovey and Heather Kitchen as the replacements for outgoing general manager and CEO Keith Cerny." 11/20/18

  • AUDIO: Charities feeling the effects from on-going Canada Post strike (On Point with Alex Pierson) CANADIAN CONTENT Nice work Scott! "Alex is joined by Scott Decksheimer, CFRE, chair of the AFP Canada Board of Directors, to talk about the on-going Canada Post strike and how rolling delays are effecting charities at their most critical time of the year." 11/20/18

  • Mental Health Association launches fundraiser for bereavement programs (Windsor Start) WINDSOR STORY "'We know that the holidays can be difficult for anyone, but especially if you’re dealing with the loss of a loved one,' said Kim Willis, director of communications and mental health promotion. 'It can be painful and difficult, so we definitely see a lot of demand for our services at this time of year.'" 11/20/18

  • Regional hospital partnership to raise $1.5 million for children’s care (Daily Herald Tribune) GRANDE PRAIRIE STORY "It’s a good news week for the Grande Prairie Regional Hospital. The hospital’s foundation has partnered with Edmonton’s Stollery Children’s Hospital Foundation to raise $1.5 million for children’s care in Grande Prairie. The campaign launched officially at the Festival of Trees Saturday night." 11/18/18

  • Government of Canada invests in local conservation projects to protect species at risk and their habitat (Government of Canada) CANADIAN STORY Excellent! "The Government of Canada is committed to protecting Canada’s wildlife and biodiversity and supporting individuals and communities who are dedicated to helping recover Canada’s species at risk and protecting their important habitat. Canada’s goal to conserve at least 17 per cent of its land and fresh water by 2020 is one that requires action and support from all levels of government, Indigenous Peoples, businesses, non-governmental organizations, and individual Canadians." 11/9/18

First Peoples of Canada

  • Calgary's new Indigenous youth lodge provides welcome space to embrace culture (CBC) CALGARY STORY "The Diamond Willow Youth Lodge offers a place for young people to hang out and chat on comfy couches that line the walls of the main room, play air hockey in the nearby games room, or work on a resume on one of a handful of desktop computers. Located in the basement of an historic building in Calgary's Beltline community, the hub also provides a place for smudging — a traditional ceremony where sacred plants are burned to purify or cleanse the soul of negativity — offers drumming classes, or an opportunity to connect with elders." 11/24/18

  • Indigenous 'girl empowerment' group struggles to keep doors open in Calgary (CBC) CALGARY STORY "More than 30 Indigenous girls meet once a week at a hall in northeast Calgary to have fun, build friendships, practise their culture and learn skills to help them develop into powerful young women. The Stardale Women's Group was started In Melfort, Sask., in 1997 by social worker Helen McPhaden. She brought it to Calgary in 2006 [...]. McPhaden is becoming increasingly concerned they won't have enough money to keep the doors open next year." 11/23/18

  • First Indigenous woman to hold PhD in Engineering at U of A (CityNews) EDMONTON STORY Congratulations Dr. Benally! "Chelsea Benally is the first Indigenous woman to hold PhD in Engineering at the University of Alberta. Carly Robinson has more on this historic moment for the U of A, getting reaction from the graduating student herself." 11/21/18

Life and career hacks

Uncommon knowledge

Philanthropic personalities

  • OPINION: Michael Bloomberg: Why I’m Giving $1.8 Billion for College Financial Aid (New York Times) "Let’s eliminate money problems from the admissions equation for qualified students." Thanks to Scott Decksheimer for sharing this article. 11/18/18

  • The Power Issue: John and Laura Arnold Are Guiding Philanthropy Into the Age of Big Data (Texas Monthly) "Laura and John Arnold aren’t just philanthropists. The Houston couple, both in their mid-forties, are using their $2 billion foundation to redefine philanthropy. Instead of supporting traditional institutions like hospitals and museums, the Laura and John Arnold Foundation promotes research and statistical analysis by experts that can then be used to create systemic social change. They’re at the forefront of what some have dubbed 'Moneyball philanthropy,' after Michael Lewis’s best-selling book about the data-driven Oakland A’s" November 2018

Philanthropic controversy

  • Downtown Edmonton cafe defends no panhandling policy (CBC) EDMONTON STORY "A downtown Edmonton cafe owner is defending his no panhandling policy. Remedy Café , at 10279 Jasper Ave., experienced backlash this week after posting a sign outside the downtown location which read 'zero tolerance for panhandling.' Owner Sohail Zaidi apologized for the sign but said aggressive panhandlers have been bad for business." 11/23/18

  • Christmas kettles no longer allowed in Manitoba liquor stores following customer complaints (CBC) MANITOBA STORY "One familiar sound of the holiday season will be strikingly absent from Manitoba Liquor Marts this year. The Salvation Army has been told it is no longer allowed to solicit donations through its kettle campaign in any of the Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries stores in the province, after the Crown agency said it received complaints from shoppers about charities soliciting in the stores." Thanks to Ron Bailey for sharing this story. 11/22/18

Trends and shifts

  • Average length of unemployment in Alberta has nearly tripled from 10 years ago, according to new study (CBC) ALBERTA STORY "The average duration of unemployment has nearly tripled in the last 10 years, according to an analysis by the School of Public Policy in Calgary. The analysis was prepared by Margarita Wilkins and Ron Kneebone and looked at the three-month moving average of the duration of unemployment from January 2000 to October 2018. 'In October 2018, an unemployed person in Alberta was out of work for an average of 20.9 weeks,' reads the report. 'Ten years earlier, in October 2008, this same measure was 7.4 weeks.'" 11/28/18

  • More women face 'severe or extreme' danger from partners, shelter data shows (CBC) ALBERTA STORY Yikes! "Women who use shelters in Alberta are facing increased risk of being murdered by their intimate partners, new statistics indicate. Almost 65 per cent of women who completed danger assessments in 2017/18 were found to face 'severe or extreme levels of danger,' up from 54 per cent in 2011/12, the Alberta Council of Women's Shelters (ACWS) reported in its latest release of data about shelters and the people they serve." 11/27/18

  • How Cheap Labor Drives China’s A.I. Ambitions (New York Times) "Some of the most critical work in advancing China’s technology goals takes place in a former cement factory in the middle of the country’s heartland, far from the aspiring Silicon Valleys of Beijing and Shenzhen [...]. [Hou Xiameng] runs a company that helps artificial intelligence make sense of the world. Two dozen young people go through photos and videos, labeling just about everything they see. That’s a car. That’s a traffic light. That’s bread, that’s milk, that’s chocolate. That’s what it looks like when a person walks." 11/25/18

  • #GivingTuesday: The Marketing of Philanthropy’s Biggest Day (Digital Media Solutions) "In the spirit of Thanksgiving, #GivingTuesday serves as a global philanthropic event, inviting individuals to continue their gratitude through end-of-year, giving to their desired nonprofit organizations." 11/20/18

  • No One Wants To Donate To Pay For Overhead–So We Need To Call It Something Sexier (Fast Company) Many donors [...] don’t want to spend money on back-end costs like buildings, equipment, leadership training, and salaries, when they could put cash directly toward a field project to make a tangible impact on the cause. And thus–even though it’s sort of like backing Google to roll out a search engine but not backing the servers and engineers to support it–they put restrictions on their donations: Those must not go toward what are called 'indirect costs.'" 11/20/18

Reports and studies

Large gifts

  • Utica Community Schools CTE academy receives $1.2 million donation through private donor (Utica Community Schools) "Dr. Johns noted that in providing financial support, the donor – who requested to remain anonymous – specifically targeted accelerating the opportunity for students by funding start-up costs, professional learning opportunities for teachers and fabrication and manufacturing equipment that provide students industry-level experiences." 11/28/18

  • New YMCA to be built near College Park after large donation from Dr. Phillips Charities (Orlando Sentinel) How lovely. Land and money. Terrific! "A new YMCA will be built near College Park, thanks to a donation of 5 acres of land and $8.9 million from Dr. Phillips Charities, the nonprofit announced Monday. The project is part of a massive transformation in the so-called Packing District that will feature 202 acres of mixed-use development and recreational space near Princeton Street and Orange Blossom Trail." 11/26/18

  • SFSU’s largest-ever donation to benefit school’s liberal arts programs (San Francisco Examiner) "San Francisco State University has received the largest donation — more than $25 million — in its history and it will go toward supporting liberal arts [...]. The donation of $25 million came from SFSU alumni George and Judy Marcus after a recent $1.8 million athletics scholarship fund from the couple, according to the university. The George and Judy Marcus Funds for Excellence in the Liberal Arts will support students and faculty in liberal and creative art programs at the school and make enhancements in its Department of Creative Writing and the School of Cinema." 11/26/18

  • Aaron Rodgers kickstarts California fire recovery effort with $1M donation (ABC) I am and always have been a Packers fan. This just makes them even better. "Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers on Wednesday announced he was donating $1 million to help the victims of the wildfires in Northern California." Rodgers grew up in Chico, California. 11/21/18

  • Sisters of St. Ann make $1-million donation toward new Camosun health building (Times Colonist) VICTORIA STORY "The Sisters of St. Ann, with their long historical ties to nursing and education, are donating $1 million to support teaching at Camosun’s new Alex and Jo Campbell Centre for Health and Wellness. The Sisters of St. Ann have specified the money go to the teaching clinic, which will bear a bronze plaque or some other indicator honouring the order’s generosity." 11/21/18

  • Toms Launches Campaign to End Gun Violence With $5 Million Donation (Fortune) Yet another reason to buy a pair of Toms. As if you needed one. "Toms, the shoe company that donates a pair for every pair purchased, just added another cause to its bottom line: ending gun violence. Blake Mycoskie, the company’s founder, announced a $5 million donation campaign to end gun violence while a guest on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon Monday night. Fighting back tears, Mycoskie explained how he was personally affected by the recent shootings in Thousand Oaks, Calif., which prompted him to take action." 11/20/18

  • Central Community College receives $1 million anonymous donation for CNA program (LEXCH.com) "Central Community College recently received a $1 million anonymous donation to meet the growing workforce demand for nurses and certified nursing assistants." 11/20/18

  • Nardin Academy gets $1M donation, largest single gift in school history (Buffalo News) "A donor has given Nardin Academy a $1 million gift, the largest single donation in the school's history[.] The school did not disclose the identify of the donor, who wished to remain anonymous [...]." Nardin Academy was founded by the Daughters of the Heart of Mary in 1857. It is the oldest private Roman Catholic school in Western New York within the Diocese of Buffalo. 11/19/18

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