February 2019

published by ZX Media Corporation

COMMUNITY NOW! MAGAZINE

Volume 1 Issue 6 • Feb 2019

“It Takes a Village…”

African Proverb

Thank you

CONTENTS

Krista Malden

Kenzie Webber Master Creator

INNOVATION

BUSINESS

Creativer & Creativer

Telling It Like It Is

31

6

Loyalty Rewards Has Been Anything But…

10 BOOK OF THE MONTH! 14

EDUCATION You Want Empowerment? 17 Reflecting on student reflections: After their Dragons’ Den experience.

24

Community Connector

CONTRIBUTORS Stacy Richter

Peter Lafontaine

Jenn Crockton

Jade Alberts

Deanna Burgart

Brian Cymbaluk

Jill Quirk

Tracy Beairsto

Sophia Fairweather

Geoffrey Cann

Adette Lacerte

Vanisha Breault

Opinions Matter 40

Zanika Malden

Heloise Lorimer

One Parents Story

46

Diane Swiatek

STEAM Team

Les Mottosky

We Are Calgary

What’s Possible 32 It’s Lonely At The Top!

32

COMMUNITY Setting an Example

38

Fluffy And What Happened To My Teen

48

Cover photo by eberhard grossgasteiger on Unsplash

For Questions, Comments or Information please contact publisher@communitynowmagazine.com Copyright 2018 ZX Media Corpoartion, Calgary Alberta Canada

Community Now! Magazine Copyright 2018, published by ZX Media Corporation.

Volume 1 Issue 6 February 2019

All rights reserved. This magazine or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher and writer.

Credit to Errorist_Artist aka Zanika Malden

Our Mission: Promoting curiosity, communication and engagement in making Calgary a stronger and better place to live, to be educated, do business, promote innovation and community celebration.

Community Now! \\ 3

INNOVATION

Innovation \\ 5

Creativer & Creativer Les Mottosky

I

n study after study, survey after survey the traits business leaders desire from their team in this hyper-innovative age, is an increased capacity for creativity, adaptability and the initiative to be more clever and resourceful. Depending on your perspective this could be the easiest — or the hardest — thing in the world to deliver.

For many creatives and leaders — particularly the entrepreneurial types — thinking in novel ways is on par with getting out of bed. It’s what we do. Our lives, careers and businesses depend directly upon our ability to create. Then there are those who are experts in a certain discipline.

On the other side of that — typically those who confuse creativity with artistry — are people hampered by a limiting belief that’s the only barrier to expressing greater levels of creativity.

6 // Community Now!

nurse who works there - want our old blender?”

You let out a relieved giggle, type a response to your dad and resume the visit with your friend, where you both share a laugh over the weak texting tendencies of your Dad. But why, only moments later, were you rushing away in a headto-toe layer of panicked sweat?

You’d created a story. A narrative you instantly (and unconsciously) constructed, and you believed your Mom’s life was in danger. It’s not a mistake. It’s not wrong. In fact, it’s human. We think in stories. So much so that we will create one instantly even though it’s based on a bias that creates massive stress.

Many of us disregard their human nature by confusing ‘being creative’ with ‘being artistic’. The simple truth is that we’re all creating, all the time. It’s inseparable from who we are, whether we’re aware of it or not.

An example: you’re visiting with a friend, you receive a text from your dad that says: “Your mom is on her way to the hospital”. You instantly start to panic, briskly excuse yourself, grab your jacket and begin scrambling to your car to get to the hospital. Before you’re ten feet from your friend, you receive a second text that reads: “…to pick-up her latest Kijiji purchase from a

This explanation is all to demonstrate and reinforce the point that creativity is an inherent human trait, but many people continue to believe that creativity is the domain of artists, crafts-people, entertainers, computer-programmers, architects and entrepreneurs. We all have it.

The question becomes how do we inspire it, use it, apply it and grow from it?

Whether you’re a seasoned veteran living from creative inspiration 24/7, or someone panicked by the thought of being asked to share your ideas, the below creativity prompts will contribute to your ability to be more creative and help your team or others be more creative. More

(continued on next page) Innovation \\ 7

(continued from page 7...) importantly, they may also help us get even more enjoyment from our creative time.

Here are some tips to practice that will help influence the levels of creativity for yourself or those you wish to support in your family or organization: • Cultivate Curiosity. Curiosity is the elixir of creativity. If we expand our zones of interest and expose ourselves to new experiences as frequently as possible, we create the raw material for creativity.

• Keep Minds & Ears Open. no matter how old, experienced or well-traveled, our world views are small and will limit our reasoning. Any resistance we have to another’s idea or feedback is judgment.

• Copy & Combine. One of the most innovative modern business writers, Seth Godin reminds us: “On a good day 90-99% of the work I’m doing is about copying what someone did before me and then twisting to make it even more useful.”

• Patterns Are Problems. Patterns are inherently anti-creative. They create limits 8 // Community Now!

to thinking, ideas and communication.

Become aware of them, acknowledge them and work to change your patterns.

• People Watching. Taking a few minutes every day to watch people in social situations; either as large groups or a specific person. notice your judgements and notice what delights you. just notice.

• Spend Time Alone. Create and embrace time with your inner loner. remarkable ideas and insights will show up for many people who give their brain’s a holiday by giving their mouth a break.

• Flex Your Imagination. Step away from the technology once or twice a week and let your mind go free. doodle with no goal, watch the clouds, listen to a new album. daydreaming is a brilliant creativity cue.

• Walk, Walk, Walk. Moving is a great pattern-buster and can help us tap into deeper levels of thinking, solution creating and creativity. Walking meetings/calls are all the rage amongst cutting edge CEO’s • Stop Thinking & Start Starting. If you have a good idea, get working on it.

Action and momentum have a remarkable way of creating serendipity.

• Intensified Exercises. Lifting weights, sprinting, • Embrace Unusual Stimuli. Spend time learning a new language, listening to different music, an unusual (to you) podcast or weird (to you) youtube videos • Take Breaks. If you’re stalling, don’t stay there. Get up, change activities, get a new perspective, see some new faces, have a snack or drink, generate a new conversation. This disrupts the stuck pattern.

• Prepare For A Mess. Creating is rarely clean & tidy or perfect. Our tendency to lean towards perfection rather than progress is a thought-virus installed in us in school. Roll up your sleeves & get at it.

• Write Down While You Wind Down.

Make a point of jotting down observations and insights of yourself, from your projects, and your creative tendencies every night before going to sleep.

• Ask Your Subconscious. Really! The subconscious is a resource most people

don’t tap into even though it runs the show. Before going to sleep or taking a nap, ask yourself to come up with a solution to the challenge you’re working on. See what shows up. Don’t get discouraged if it doesn’t work the first time or you can’t remember your dream.

Continue experimenting, you may surprise yourself.

Perhaps you can see how some of these tips could make a difference for you and your goal in becoming more creative. As with all things, they only work if you implement. These creativity sparkers are all tools that will serve you if and when you turn them into practice.

So of all of these suggestions, this — the last one — is perhaps — the most important: Block Time In Your Schedule To Be Creative.

Scheduling creative time makes it a priority in your life and, on a subconscious level, prepares the brain to create something new and novel.

This simple practice of consistency and prioritization is the lever for all the other above suggestions. This alone, will be the idea that helps you become creativer and creativer.

Innovation \\ 9

Loyalty Rewards Has Been Anything But...

10 // Community Now!

By Stacy Richter

L

ook inside anyone’s wallet (ask their permission first) and you are likely to find at least 2-3 loyalty or rewards cards. Then ask to look on their phone (with their permission again of course) and you are probably going to see between 6-10 loyalty and rewards apps from any number of companies.

Loyalty and rewards programs are not new to businesses or consumers. They have just evolved.

The reward for loyalty used to come from our local butchers and grocers through the form of an extra cut of steak or a free basket of apples to take home to the family. Those were the days when everyone knew the butcher and he knew every family. They were probably neighbors and attended the same clubs.

In his blog titled ‘A History of Loyalty Programs, and How They Have Changed’ Alex McEachern1 writes that the earliest form of a formal rewards program dates back to the 1700’s when American retailers started issuing copper coins to customers that can be used for future purchases. Fast forward to the first modern rewards programs as we know it and you find the Frequent Flier program launched by American Airlines in 1981 according to McEachern.

Since then, we have witnessed the launch of big box programs like AirMiles, Aeroplan, Amex Rewards and many others. Each program had their own way to be different and attract members to their plan. AirMiles was one of the first to offer rewards (continued on next page)

1) McEachern, A. (2018, September 14). A History of Loyalty Programs, and How They Have Changed. Retrieved February 04, 2019, from https://blog.smile.io/a-history-of-loyalty-programs

Innovation \\ 11

“

White labeling is a legal protocol that allows one product or service to be sold and rebranded under another company’s brand.

The term ‘white labeling’ is used based on the manual process whiting out something previously written to write over again.

(continued from page 11...) for purchases at different retailers as long as the retailer was a registered merchant. Amex grants rewards points for any purchases using their credit card. Aeroplan rewards miles for travel purchased through Air Canada and then launched various partnerships in an attempt to reward miles for purchases at participating retailers.

These loyalty and rewards programs were innovations in their time. Little has changed in the industry since the early 80’s aside from white labeling and pre-paid cards. The growth of these programs has been stunted and their use is even on the decline.

The 2017 Colloquy Loyalty census revealed that the average U.S. household has up to 30 different loyalty schemes with 54% of them

” inactive2. The saturation lead to ‘loyalty fatigue’.

A few of the problems facing every day users includes • Carrying many rewards programs with small balances • Inability to trade or compile rewards between programs • Cancellation or expiry of rewards after they have been earned • Non-transferability of program rewards Where there are problems, there are entrepreneurs who are working to solve them. A query of the CB Insights reported that there are over 55+ tech start-up companies working to disrupt the loyalty & rewards

2) Sheivachman, A. (2017, October 06). Loyalty-Program Fatigue and What to Do About It. Retrieved February 4, 2019, from https://skift. com/2017/10/06/loyalty-program-fatigue-and-what-to-do-about-it/ 3) CB Insights. (2018, November 15). 55 Startups Upgrading The Loyalty & Rewards Space. Retrieved February 5, 2019, from https:// www.cbinsights.com/research/loyalty-rewards-startups-market-map-expert-intelligence/

12 // Community Now!

space across multiple disciplines including Software, Payments, Loyalty & Rewards Programs, Artificial Intelligence, Redemption, Digital Loyalty & Rewards and Blockchain3.

One start-up not listed in the CB Insights database is a Calgary, AB. based tech firm called Zenoshi Rewards. According to the Zenoshi Whitepaper, “Zenoshi is using blockchain technology to disrupt the loyalty rewards industry with easy to use applications and immediate value for consumers.”4 The Zenoshi Rewards App is a platform where users receive rewards by simply uploading a picture of any purchase receipt to the platform or referring a friend to register for the platform. The company has developed a Zenoshi token on the Ethereum blockchain that is used to reward users for taking certain actions.

Zenoshi’s model is similar to that of most well known rewards programs in that users gain more rewards the more they participate. The disruption that Zenoshi is offering is how the users can manage those rewards.

1. Any receipt can be uploaded for rewards tokens.

Unlike most rewards programs where users only receive rewards for purchases with registered vendors, the Zenoshi platform rewards users for any and every purchase they make. The only requirement is that the user upload a copy of their purchase receipt to the platform.

2. The Zenoshi Token can be exchanged for goods or services in the marketplace.

The marketplace is similar to that of other well known reward programs. (continued on next page)

4) Marston, A. (2018). Zenoshi Whitepaper[White Paper].

Innovation \\ 13

(continued from page 13...)

The company is in the early stages of development of the marketplace and details are not yet available.

3. Users can transfer the token with any other users on the platform.

The app will utilize a digital wallet to hold the tokens. Similar to most cryptocurrency wallets, transfers can be processed between users on the platform.

4. Reward tokens can be exchanged for cash.

Details have not yet been released on this feature, the company founder, Allan

Marston, has suggested that the token may be available on an exchange where the Zenoshi token could be exchanged for fiat currency.

The Zenoshi platform looks to solve the problems that many of the hundreds of millions of users around the world are experiencing.

Few industries will be left untouched by the progress of innovation and new technologies like blockchain. The leaders in those industries will be those who recognize how to capture the benefit of these technologies and deliver that value in a way that is meaningful to the end user.

About Zenoshi Zenoshi is using blockchain technology to disrupt the loyalty rewards industry with easy to use applications, extremely low costs to merchants and immediate value for consumers.

The Platform leverages both the existing hardened distributed database technology with blockchain characteristics using the Ethereum ERC-20 Token Standard that offers decentralized control, immutability and creation and movement of digital assets. For more information, visit http://zenoshi.net/.

14 // Community Now!

BOOK OF THE MONTH! Author Geoffrey Cann; (MBA of Finance, Ivey Business School at Western University & B.Comm, MIS from McGill University) is a local Advisor, Digital Strategist, Innovator and Long time Oil and Gas Industry expert.

Cann has a passion for technology and creating awareness around how the Digital world can make a great impact on the Oil and Gas industry. Living in Alberta most understand the ups and downs of the Oil and Gas industry, but with the Oil and Gas industry at a crossroads it is essential that the Oil and Gas industry meets the Digital world. This book outlines the reasons why adoption is slow and it describes the size and scale of the opportunity and threat along with the role digital technologies can play. The book also recommends actions for leaders to take to accelerate the adoption of the Digital world.

This is a MUST READ!

Get your online or hard copy today Amazon.ca: paperback Amazon.ca: e-book Indigo Chapters

Click here to hear Cann’s podcast describing Bits, Bytes and Barrels.

To WIN a signed hard copy of Bits, Bytes and Barrels Find the link for the book along with this article on Facebook, Share and Comment WIN. Winner will be announced on March 10 2019.

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EDUCATION

You Want Empowerment?

Take Responsibility. Be Aware. Learn.

By Diane Swiatek, Founder and Director of Banbury Crossroads School, est. 1979

C

hildren and youth are at the mercy of many things, and so they often struggle with discovering an acceptable source of power over their own lives. First and foremost, they need to learn how to thrive within the margins of their personalities and their entire genetic ancestry. They find themselves on Earth in their own particular circumstances, with parents, a cultural background, a country of residence, and a community. They are also a contributing part of their physical and natural environment. In the midst of this convoluted background, they must find out how to learn enough, so that they can navigate through

their own lives in the best way possible. This requires attention to their physical wellbeing, intellectual growth, emotional development, creative expression and social relationships.

Much has been said already about the support youth need to achieve mental health in the November issue entitled, “Mental Health Begins at Birth”, as well as about the complicated process to avoid engaging in, or receiving, bullying behaviour in the December issue entitled, “Banishing the Bullies”. In short, problems and daily challenges are endemic in the human condition. The sooner (continued on next page) Education \\ 17

(continued from page 17...) we realize this, and accept this, the easier life becomes, because we can stop fighting our challenges, and instead go with the flow of experiencing them, and learning from them.

Parents, teachers, and other community mentors all expect to participate in guiding young people through their tasks and trials.

We try to be available when they need a listening ear, a comforting presence, a source of ideas, and, especially, a wise response. We show them most vividly by example when we demonstrate how we deal with our own.

Therefore, we need to be comfortably tolerant of the reality that we face our own demons and dreams. If we generally deal with our own challenges in a positive way, we will be most helpful as a guide for young people. We need to realize, though, that maneuvering through deep human tribulations is not a simple, naïve search for finite “goals”, “resolutions” or “solutions”. Even when we seek for them, and even when we find some few answers, sometimes potential solutions slip through our fingers, and we realize that real solutions do not exist.

The process of meeting our personal daily challenges is complex, but when other people are involved, it becomes even more multifaceted and confusing. Mutual trust, which is needed to even engage with others, can only occur when everyone expresses a willingness to behave with reciprocal goodwill and openness to negotiate. Trust is also dependent upon all participants having an innate capability for true dialogue—they are actually able to listen, as well as to speak, and they need to be capable of empathy, critical analysis and selflessness. Indeed, in order for dialogue to be meaningful and useful, benevolence and kindness need to 18 // Community Now!

be embedded naturally in all of our hearts, because then we will anticipate the feelings and needs of others, and we will find joy in responding to them.

People with a narcissistic bent, on the other hand, will tend to make arbitrary, selfcentered decisions, couched in terms like, “I allow…” or “I forbid”, or “You have to…”, without regard for the needs of the others involved. This is harmful, because it leaves the others dissatisfied, and it removes their power to take care of their own needs. It feels impertinent and uncaring, because it is. It also gives the false impression that decisions do not need to be based on valid reasons, but rather on capriciousness. This is a horrible experience for young people to endure. Problem solving that involves more than one person needs collaborative attention from everyone. It also needs trust deep enough to enable compromise, whereby people may not get everything they wanted, but they can all get something they can live with, and something that solves the particular issues involved. In practice, youth or adults who cannot, or will not, take into account the needs of others ought not to be allowed to participate in solving complicated problems, because the process demands unselfishness.

I have often observed how selfishness is the source of much of the world’s pain, and selfishness cannot be eradicated without empathy. Can empathy be developed in people? Can it be learned through psychological exercises? Can life’s “hard knocks” teach people what it feels like to endure particular circumstances, so they can then go on to exhibit empathy for others who endure the same circumstances? Can empathy be increased through nasal doses of Oxytocin?

Or, is it genetically inborn, exhibited through proper functioning of mirror neurons and

“

Mutual trust, which is needed to even

engage with others, can only occur when everyone expresses a willingness to behave with reciprocal goodwill and openness to negotiate.

peptide hormones like Oxytocin? Research is ongoing, but in the meantime, we know that empathy is necessary for having a “theory of mind” that can anticipate what other people can perceive and feel. It is necessary for people to realize that other people, indeed, do have their own perceptions and feelings and thoughts. Make no mistake: dealing with problems in an effective way absolutely needs empathy within all parties. Without it, people will be self-centered, stubborn and not able to negotiate. Without empathy, problem situations and behaviour cannot be fixed.

Now, this is an uncomfortable idea. We like creating conflict resolution policies. We like figuring out how to stop painful encounters and hurtful, aggressive behaviours. We hate being the recipients of such actions, because they feel disrespectful…and they are! I am sure that most people, confronting such a situation, have thought or spoken the words, “Just make it stop!” That is always easier said

”

than done. We may wish it weren’t so, but to be realistic, conflict management may be a more useful idea.

Conflict management is based on the concept that we are each responsible for our own lives…at least, for our responses to what happens in our own lives. Being “responsible” means being able to respond. For instance, it means humbly admitting when consequences of our actions turn out harmful or destructive, and courageously expressing remorse, as an absolutely necessary pre-condition for receiving forgiveness. It also means being able to create our life paths through forethought, and through our thousands of daily decisions.

Self-responsibility gives us the power to change our behaviour in the future. This power exists for youth, as well; our task is to try very hard to transmit this idea to them, so that they know. (continued on next page) Education \\ 19

(continued from page 19...)

Curiously, I have perceived the message from some people, indicated in casual conversation over the years, that, to them, taking responsibility means taking BLAME, and then taking PUNISHMENT. This is not the point at all! It is true that some people have a terribly hard time feeling in the wrong, especially if they have caused trouble and pain to others.

It is not so much that they empathically feel the pain of those they have hurt; instead, they expect punishment and rejection for themselves, and don’t want it. They may even have felt entitled and justified to do what they did, which would make them hotly defend their decisions to the point that they won’t accept the pain they actually caused. Others may have endured punishment in the past, and just cannot face any more. These are real roadblocks to any process of reconciliation, because if there is one thing that I have observed over and over, it is that people HATE someone saying, “I didn’t do it!” when they factually did. When the “it” in question is something that hurt someone else, that is the last thing that the victim wants to hear. Even worse than this is when people unwilling 20 // Community Now!

or unable to accept responsibility for their own actions use the strategy called DARVO (deny, attack, reverse victim and offender) by Sarah Harsey and Jennifer Freyd, initially to describe the responses of people accused of sexual abuse. In some cases, the “D” stands for diminish or defend: “I had to do it,” with a sense of entitlement underlying their excuses. When people engage in this DARVO process of reversing the victim and offender, they actually see the victim’s complaints as an attack on themselves; unbelievably, they would rather stay in a state of victimhood, than have to acknowledge their flaws and failures! A more realistic, honest, and brave approach is to take full responsibility for our own lives…our feelings, our thoughts and our actions. Before we can collaborate on generating solutions to any conflicts, complex problems or difficult circumstances, we first need to know what we are dealing with, and we also need to acknowledge the fact that we are the source of our own decisions.

Accepting responsibility for ourselves is powerful beyond description. It is the basis for extricating ourselves from all sorts of dysfunctional interpersonal quandaries.

Michael McKernan, a psychologist in Calgary,

told me about the self-defeating cycle of victim-aggressor-appeaser that people may become caught in. Sometimes, the same person will take on these various roles.

Sometimes, one person will get stuck in one of the roles. It is obvious that such a circle will lead to all sorts of resentment and frustration, and certainly not to any sort of answer to their dilemmas. They need an escape clause to this problematic and dead-end cycle. Awareness is crucial for these people to break free from such a negative trap, so they need to disengage at least enough to analyze what is exactly happening. Part of the purpose of individual counselling is to achieve consciousness of what is going on within these individuals.

People need to become aware of exactly what behaviour they are engaging in. But, more than this, they need to understand WHY they are taking those roles. They may be acting out dilemmas from their childhood, or from other trauma-inducing events. They may need to deal with the feelings that produced their stuck behaviour, before they can change their future behaviour. They may need assistance like guided visualizations, or Gestalt therapy, to unearth their buried feelings and, through facing them, triumph over them. I might add that this process may take time…a lot of time, if it took a long time to build up the dysfunctional behaviour in the first place.

After building awareness, the next step is to generate options to break out of the dysfunctional pattern. This is where that old saying comes in, that I first heard from Barbara Coloroso decades ago: a definition of insanity is doing what we have always done, expecting different results. What this means is that, in order to have different results, we need to do something differently. This, in turn, means that we need to generate a variety of options to pick from, so that what we end up choosing will actually address the

challenges we have. This may take intensive creativity, and consideration of out-of-thebox possibilities—those that we may not prefer, in that they do not create the most optimal end result, but they are, at least, possible. And, having brought up the idea that when the other party is unempathetic, self-centered, only interested in speaking (and not in really listening), and therefore not truly collaborative, it may happen that realistic options are extremely limited. This situation does arise from time to time. People may have difficult personalities. They may behave narcissistically or sociopathically. In these cases, other people involved in disputes with them, who might have hoped to end up with a positive result, often come away dissatisfied and unhappy. Some problems are unfixable.

In these cases, the options all point in the direction of disengagement.

And so, the last point in the escape clause is to engage in action. This is the point where we need to actually do something that helps us evade the dysfunctional behaviour. And, as you may have expected, it includes leaving the relationship or distancing oneself from the relationship. This is not as tidy an ending as achieving a win-win solution, because in these cases, there is not just one problem to find a solution for. In these cases, the relationship itself is the problem. It is important to realize that taking responsibility for oneself means protecting oneself from aggressive, hurtful behaviour and toxic relationships. At this point, we are touching on territory spoken of in the treatise on bullying in December’s issue, “Banishing the Bullies”, because a relationship that includes unlikely-to-end aggression is all about bullying.

(continued on next page) Education \\ 21

(continued from page 21...)

Conflict management, being based on selfresponsibility, is part of a mind-set described as having an “internal locus of control”. This is in contrast to people having an “external locus of control”. Describing the latter will easily illustrate the former. When people have an external locus of control, it means that they are in a position, a spot, where the control of events is seen as coming from outside. Their circumstances, their difficulties, are seen as being caused from outside them, by “others”, who are thereby the only ones with power to solve these problems. This view inevitably leads to helplessness, to blame, and to a sense of frantic disempowerment. Therefore, having an “internal locus of control” means that these people understand their own responsibility for their actions, feelings, and thoughts. They ask, “What can I DO to make my life better?”

The power of this approach is that they can

change things! Being self-responsible means that we actually do have internal power to create our life experience. This does not mean that we can snap our fingers and turn our pennies into gold. It does not mean that we will see magical transformations in a minute. But it does mean that, through making appropriate decisions, we can head down the road to where we really want to go. This is empowering. If anything, this is the magic bullet. We may not be able to fix the particular problem we are facing, due to the lack of ability in the other person to truly participate in reciprocal solution-finding; however, we can remove ourselves from these difficult people, and we can search for solutions elsewhere. This is the creative, and also the peaceful, path. It takes awareness and critical thinking to proceed down this path, because, believe me, we cannot escape the aggression-victim-appeaser loop, or break through any other complex problem, by

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Through assessing all of the myriad issues

deftly, we will discover those momentous “Aha!” moments that illuminate what is happening, and what we might do about it. ignorance. Ignorance gives away our power.

Escape demands a higher, more mature, response from us, and that response is to seek, and value, knowledge. We need to be willing to learn.

So, in confronting complex problems, it is our responsibility to be aware, to hunger for input, to read whatever we can get our hands on, and to discuss our puzzling and distressing reality with trusted friends and professionals.

Sometimes, people are more complex than we have suspected, and we may need insights from other sources to notice patterns in troubling behaviour, and to put the pieces together into a coherent theory. Through assessing all of the myriad issues deftly, we will discover those momentous “Aha!” moments that illuminate what is happening, and what we might do about it. Moreover, when we educate ourselves about the difficult people and situations we encounter in our lives, then our children will see the energy we put into gathering the information necessary to

”

anticipate problems in order to prevent them, and then, to recognize when the behaviour in front of us is actually a problem…and whose problem it is. Through demonstrating our commitment to learn enough to understand our own lives with full and courageous awareness, the knowledge we gain gives us choices, and takes away other people’s ability to manipulate us. Then, we will be able to decode complex problems, uncover potential responses, and make clear and informed decisions. In the end, it is knowledge that gives us the power and the freedom to act.

This freedom to respond adequately and wisely to the complex problems facing us is necessary, because relief will only come if our response is deep, empathic and enduring.

Thus, knowledge gives us freedom from anguish, by allowing us to break through to a place of peace within our own hearts. This will help us, but it will also provide a role model for peace on a larger scale. It is a hard and time-consuming journey, but it is worth the effort.

Education \\ 23

“Success is about the big picture” Jim Treliving from Dragons’ Den. “Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards”

Reflecting on student reflections after their Dragons’ Den experience.

By Jill Quirk and the Heloise Lorimer School STEAM Team

Sometimes after a busy week, my mind is numb and it’s hard to remember what I accomplished. However, when I take a minute and I reflect about the moments I shared with students and colleagues, I find peace; because no matter what there are always special moments of learning to reflect upon.

In this article, I am going to dissect and reflect about a design challenge I just finished with students. Why? Student reflections are essentially the epitome of why I do design challenges. The reflection throughout the challenge and what students learn after the 24 // Community Now!

challenge, helps me to see what each student’s self-awareness is like and how we can improve on their empathy towards others.

Can students pinpoint what they need to improve on after presenting their food truck businesses in a Dragons’ Den scenario?

Increasing self-awareness is a key component of emotional intelligence. The more we understand ourselves the more we can work on understanding others. It is the belief that teaching students to be reflective can help students develop creative thinking skills and encourage active engagement.

Design Challenge: Can you create an Environmentally Sustainable Food Truck Business?

bought from Your Local Ranch to celebrate the completion of the student’s food truck businesses.

Grade 5 student reflections

Check out the Dragons’ Den videos here: or QR code for You Tube

The goal of the design challenge was to see if students could think critically about being environmentally sustainable. I was hoping students would think critically about: What energy sources we should use? Where does our food come from? and How can we reduce our carbon footprints?

Students were asked to come up with a movable model of their food truck (incorporating knowledge of circuits and renewable energy).

They also had to come up with a brand name, a brand logo and a menu. Students had to pitch to the Dragons, who were their “critical friends” from Chestermere High School, and food truck owner Damit Amit. In their pitch to the Dragons they had to explain how much money they needed to start and run their business. Damit Amit offered the winning prize. Amit offered to whichever group that wins, will get to help work in his food truck for a day. Damit Amit also donated some delicious food

A great starting point to teach Sustainability was the TV episode Saving My Tomorrow, an HBO documentary series called Kids Who Love the Earth to inspire them to think about Sustainability and how to motivate others to be sustainable. This documentary is from the children who will inherit the planet. It has a collection of songs, activism, and heartfelt tips for protecting the earth.

In the reflection, I was hoping for students to celebrate their successes, explain their thoughts and feelings about the experience and find ways to improve for next time.

Reflection Questions: 1. How did you attempt to solve the problem of coming up with an environmentally sustainable food truck? (continued on next page)

Education \\ 25

C. “We decided to tie die our clothes to reuse old t-shirts to be sustainable. We also decided to use biodegradable cups and we would have our own garden to grow our own fruit” (Fruity Smoothie).

B. “How we would charge the truck is by hopping on a bike to charge the battery by peddling fast, getting exercise and making energy” (Crazy Salad).

We spent months thinking and learning about food. The STEAM challenge was called, What’s your food’s story? And it allowed for a full month of food exploration. Students made pasta, pizza and smoothies while also learning about the biochemistry of food and where food geographical comes from. I was glad that the students picked up on the message of buying local. We visited a local ranch to understand where our meat could come from. We went to Your Local Ranch, where Wayne, Rhonda and Travis shared with us what it takes to run their ranch.

(continued from page 25...)

N. “We learned about a battery powered engine and at Telus Spark we learned about solar panels and solar energy, so we used a solar panel to charge our battery engine in our truck. We also decided that we would have 15 bee farms, farm an apple orchard and a garden. We would also get the meat from Your Local Ranch” (Black and Yellow foods).

Co. “We thought about biking to get the ingredients. We innovated a sun heated warming device. We thought putting our food truck on social media so we can inform locals of where we are” (Black and Yellow foods).

26 // Community Now!

“The Bell L Brand has proudly labeled their livestock since 1909. Steeped in tradition and synonymous with the highest quality livestock worldwide. Today the third, fourth, fifth and sixth generations are involved producing the highest quality beef. Their core value driver is to manage their cattle with the very best animal husbandry. They believe that “the better you treat your animal’s the better they treat you!””

Their cows are pastured on grass every day of the year. With the help of their horses, which move the cattle slowly to eliminate stress. Their goal is to reduce their carbon foot print by feeding and bedding their cattle with teams of horses as well as feeding our young stock by hand. They finish their cattle on a medley of grains and free choice of roughage that consists of grasses, forage leaves and

stocks. This provides customers with a high quality, flavorful and tender product that is a pleasure to enjoy.

help because most kids never have smoothies and always have candy and never have healthy food” (Groovy Smoothie).

They were so passionate about how they operate the farm to make sure the animals were treated with the outmost respect.

Students left with a strong message; Buy local!

A. “I researched about solar panels, and the use of mirrors to help with the solar panels.

I also researched the possibility of water power” (Crazy Salad).

https://www.yourlocalranch.com/

3. How did you explore the concept of Sustainability?

2. What research did you do to explore what food you would serve on your food truck?

Here were some responses: N. “We research recipes with honey in them.

We researched about bees and how many hives we could get with $7, 500.00. It turned out that we could buy 13 hives and all the bee equipment” (Black and Yellow foods).

M. “We looked up on the web how much solar panels cost. But it was tons of money.

We’re not sure if we could make it work?”

(Organico).

C. “We all new Booster Juice was successful so we thought of a cooler and catcher fruit smoothie company” (Fruity Smoothie).

K. “We researched about healthy things to put in our truck. We thought healthy stuff would

N. “In social studies, we learned about how to be sustainable by producing less greenhouse gases such as methane. When we went to Telus Spark we learned how to use a solar panel and how to use solar power” (Black and Yellow foods).

G. “We researched about what gas does to the earth and that is why we have a gas and propane free truck. We research places that are unhealthy so we could park our smoothie truck to entice people there” (Groovy Smoothie).

B. “I explored how solar panels work and how they get power. I also searched up what does sustainability do to the world. If everyone used solar panels it would help” (Crazy Salad).

Getting away from the normal classroom environment helps bring a new perspective to the learning process. We spent a day at Telus Spark, and it did just that. We did a workshop called “Solar Powered”. Students learned about renewable energy sources.

Students were also challenged to think of new innovations using renewable energy sources.

Students thought of so many unique ways to incorporate renewable energy into their designs.

(continued on next page) Education \\ 27

(continued from page 27...)

4. Draw a prototype of your design.

“Do you have what it takes?”. Before students entered the Dragons’ Den, I thought it would be important to have someone explain what it’s like being in the Dragons’ Den first hand.

Lorne Osborne entrepreneur from Provision Athletics pitched to the actual Dragons on CBC this past year. Lorne taught students about starting their own business. 1. Find a need. 2. Fill a need. 3. Create a brand. 4. Set up Shop. He explained to the students about the excitement and the nerves when he entered the Dragons Den. He explained that he was not ready for so many unexpected things to happen. He prepared students to think about and prepare for the unexpected. Even though he warned students that nerves can overtake you, when reading student reflections – many students explained that they found the experience nerve-racking. This demonstrates how important it is to challenge your students to do things that they are a little nervous about.

“Your comfort zone is a beautiful thing, but you will never grow there!” https://www.facebook.com/ ProvisionAthletics/ 5. After experiencing Dragons’ Den, how would you improve your business model?

What would you improve?

O. “To not be so nervous and to have known more about our costs” (Black and Yellow foods).

V. “I would improve my pitch by memorizing my profit margins better” (Fresh Vietnamese).

K. “We would improve on our how we answer our questions and not hesitate as much. We also needed to make our truck neater. And 28 // Community Now!

we will need to know all the answers for next time” (Groovy Smoothie).

B. “I would make the prices cheaper, not $15 for a salad on a food truck, maybe more like $5.00” (Crazy Salad).

M AKE R LAB

My Final Reflection In this experience from November when we started the “What’s your food’s story challenge?” to December “Make a Sustainable Food Truck Challenge”, I feel all students learned some essential lessons about where our food comes from and how to be more sustainable. There were some powerful moments along the way. Students became real business owners and learned how to believe in themselves enough to face the Dragons.

Being a MAKER is as easy as

1

2 3!

I realized that I need to coach my students more about financial literacy. Students really struggled with understanding how to make a profit. The next step in this process is to create a new challenge, “Can you create a business to sell something artistic that has many different uses?”. Students will create something artistic to sell at a market, and raise money for a charity of their choice. The STEAM Team are figuring out how to incorporate a STEAM economy into the STEAM lab to help with the buying and selling of goods.

We live in a world that is becoming more complex every day. I need to continue to find ways to teach my students how to respond to the complex challenges these students are going to face in the future. Teaching entrepreneurial skills gives students options and skills that will give them choices for their future careers.

Bring your children to pitch at our Dragons’ Den Experience at the MakerMinds Community Now STEAM day on March 16th!

Coming in

April 2019!

Education \\ 29

BUSINESS

Sponsored by Explorer Group Canada LTD

30 // Community Now!

TELLING IT LIKE IT IS This months #TellingItLikeItIs Interview is with James Trask. work with them to help raise money?

Absolutely! Our virtual bottle drives are a fantastic way for organizations to raise money without having to do any of the heavy lifting.

No more door-to-door neighborhood walks or finding enough parents with pickups…we do all the work, while the organizations promote their cause.

James is the Co-Founder of the Skip The Dept App. Skip the Depot is a door to door recycling service.

They are a Calgary based company that pick up, count and e-transfer the money to your account.

1.

2.

3.

Know you have a strong marketing and development background but where did you get the inspiration to start Skip the Depot?

We’ve been involved in the bottle depot industry for 8 years building various software systems to help create efficiencies in the system. Our society is moving more towards app-based convenience more and more every day with the advancement of Uber, Amazon, etc., and we think it’s silly that we have to spend time and money to drive to a bottle depot for a couple of bucks. We asked some folks in the industry why no one was doing residential pickups, and the reasons they gave seemed fit to be solved by technology, so Skip The Depot was born.

What are some of your hurdles right now and how are you overcoming them?

Scaling. With our increased volumes every week, our depot partners are looking to hire and invest in more counters, drivers, trucks, etc. From a software standpoint, it’s about modifying our app so that our drivers can easily navigate through their 40-50 pickups/ day. We are in constant communication with our depot partners to help make their lives easier.

4.

I’ve talked about Networking a lot lately, how have you used your Network?

We’ve been fortunate to have conversations with other local entrepreneurs and small business consultants. It’s nice to have someone with no knowledge of your business ask questions because it tests how well you know it yourself. And often-times, they make excellent points or suggestions to help move forward.

5.

What is next for Skip The Depot?

Continued growth in Calgary, and expansion to Edmonton. Working with multi-family complexes to streamline returns. E-Waste, clothing, and possible food donation streams as well.

6.

What is one piece of advice you would give to Small Business or Entrepreneurs just starting?

Stay humble. Folks will want to work with you and be more inclined to forgive your mistakes.

This might sound silly, but a lot of teams pick up bottles as fundraisers, are you able to

Jade Alberts Jade Alberts Consulting 403-771-1301 www.JadeAlbertsConsulting.com www.LinkedIn.com/in/JadeAlberts Business \\ 31

WHAT’S POSSIBLE WITH SOPHIA Today I would like to tell you the consequences of lots and lots of presentations/meetings. One night I woke up and I was quite thirsty so I got out of bed to get my water bottle. When I got to my night stand I reached out and grabbed it and then I started twisting it but it wouldn't open so I did it harder until I realized I was twisting my squishy's head. I quickly let go and got my real water bottle. When I woke up, I looked at my poor squishy and its head was ripped off R.I.P squishy. The connection is I was in another country and was exhausted. What I have done to help this is ask people I know who live near the event I want to attend to deliver my presentation (videos and slides) and their work too. This helps share my message and I am not exhausted, traveling too much, and missing school.

What's possible : When you know a lot of people in a lot of places you can ask them to present for you at events if you can't go. Your network is important/valuable and it's fun to share my ideas with them and grow together.

By Tracy Beairsto

M

any of us have heard this saying used in conversation before – but there is truth to this saying when you are starting and running your own business in particular.

No matter how many people in your life give you support and encouragement, in the end, it is up to you to make your creative dreams come true, it is up to you to deal with the ups and downs of every day as you strive to build your business or meet any other goal that you feel is important enough to take up your time and energy with a major commitment.

When you start out, unless you are involved immediately with creative and financial partners, you literally are the only one who is thinking, doing and taking care of every detail

32 // Community Now!

It’s Lonely At The Top!

of your business. You are “head cook and bottlewasher”, responsible for every bit of what is required to take steps forward and deal with the day-to-day. This is no time to be “too good” for what you are doing – while it is important to recognize that perhaps you are not well fit to some of the tasks and you might wish you could afford the help, you have to take the time to understand, organize and complete what needs to be done today.

If, for example, accounting isn’t a skill you have, but you can figure out the data entry of a simple accounting package like Quickbooks, you can begin to understand what you need to do to get your invoices out to your clients, collect the money and pay the bills. If you need help to set up and work with a program, there are many resources from the program communities and Youtube videos to help you along. If you find that this is a skill that

you can afford to hire someone else to do, it is still important for you to understand the accounting process and what is happening with the financial side of your business. Of course, we have all been where there are just too many fires to put out today – but there are times when you need to take time to evaluate what is happening with your time and energy and what is the best way to proceed.

But it is also not just about the doing – it is about the reality of your responsibility – when you finally do have others working with you, you have to take the time to evaluate their fit and abilities, and sometimes the right thing to do for you and for them involves terminating their employment. This is not a pleasant experience for either side, and in fact, I have known many who avoid this and have to have (continued on next page) Business \\ 33

There are those who have been down the same road, there are times we need others to help us continue to face forward and to remind us of the importance of the journey.

(continued from page 33...) something drastic happen that jeopardizes what has been built so far in order to actually face the consequences of not having dealt with this in the first place. It is difficult, and lonely, in making these types of decisions.

Most people of good conscience question their actions and want to learn from their

WE MAKE

experiences. And how someone learns and processes information can lead to how to find the best support for the experience of being the President and CEO (as well as Founder, CFO, Inventory Control Manager, Shipper and Receptionist). Some people like to research written resources and then write out what the action plan is for today and how to address other issues. Others process verbally, and they need someone to talk to – let’s face it, we all need someone to talk to!

Our support systems are generally informal, from friends and family, to those we find that are in the same situation as we are – CEO roundtables exist in many cities, such as Calgary, and other organizations exist that will address specific areas – examples

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are Rainforest Alberta and A100 – these are organizations that are not just about networking – while A100 is situated in the tech space, it is about getting people like you together in the same room, sharing experiences, finding mentors, business connections and discovering that in your experience, you are not alone! There are also online resources, such as Bootkik, a business training app for small and medium-sized businesses created by a group of Calgary entrepreneurs who are trying to address the same emotional rollercoaster you may be trying to deal with today!

we have stalled in growing and getting to that next phase, where every decision we have to make seems to be one that leads to more demoralization – and in fact, that demoralization is a huge reason why startups fail, especially the owner/manager/founder ones. We are in it alone, even if there are others that are part of our company, as now, if we have employees and others depending upon us continuing for their livelihood, let alone that of our own family, leads to a wall of pressure that can overwhelm the best of us.

Grit and persistence matter more than talent in building success. But that is easier said than done on those times when we are at our selfdoubting and our most desperate. Yet, grit and persistence also have within them the one other key of reminding ourselves that yes, we truly aren’t alone out there unless we choose to be. There are those who have been down the same road, there are times we need others to help us continue to face forward and to remind us of the importance of the journey.

As you go through your journey, remember to look around and be grateful for those who are supporting you now in informal and formal ways, and if you are still looking for different emotional, financial and educational supports, also remember that these do exist in your community. This may be the time that you choose to find that it isn’t as lonely at the top as it seems!

Also, the personal touch is available for those who would rather have someone mentor and coach – sometimes we have to have someone listen to us who has been where we are now – in fact, it is in this art of listening that empathy can bring an objectivity to help you understand and realize what the real questions are for you and the hurdles that you need to overcome to succeed – it is always difficult for someone starting a business, in particular, to know what to do next, who to meet next, and how to learn what you just don’t know you don’t know. While there are many coaching professionals out there that you can pay to help you along, it is always difficult to come up with the rationale that you need to pay for some help like this when you are already struggling. However, valuable information is still valuable and how it is delivered adds value as well – it is YOUNIQUE really up to each individual to find ANGEL MCNEIL supports that are suited to you to "Younique’s mission is to uplift, empower, "Ask me about my lashes" validate, and ultimately build self-esteem in help you go forward when the women around the world through high-quality products that encourage both inner and outer going gets tough. beauty and spiritual enlightenment while also There is a euphoria at beginning to build a dream – but sooner or later, we all hit the “trough of despair” or “sorrow” – where

providing opportunities for personal growth and financial reward."

FB Personal: Madhatr Angel FB Biz: Angel's Beauty Market www.angelsbeautymarket.com

Business \\ 35

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MAKER MIND STEAM DAY!

A day full of workshops for kids and youth

STEAM challenges, Engineering challenges, Cooking challenges, Fitness challenges and Leadership, Business & Music. THERE IS SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE! Grades 1-3, Grades 4-6, Grades 7-8, Grades 9-12 Special Guest Speaker: Sophia Fairweather from Start up By Sophia For more information and to register: www.eventbrite.ca

Thank you to our Sponsors Cardel Accounting, Scholastic Books & Heloise Lorimer School

CARDEL ACCOUNTING

CUP E L OCAL 709 Ca lg a ry Ci vi c F ore m a n Un i on

COMMUNITY

Community \\ 37

Setting an Example a Lunch (LWOL) to network, learn, share and plan. Bedford is the friendly, energice face everyone sees every week at the front of the room. Not only does she facilitate LWOL, she engages with every new member, every long time member and coordinates news, projects and encourages people to gather outside of LWOL.

“

The RainForest is an informal organization of people working together to improve Alberta’s innovation ecosystem” - Rainforest Alberta.

As we follow the progression of the Rainforest, it’s members and projects we first need to stop and learn a little bit more about what makes, keeps and leads the Rainforest to success.

Meet Mackenzie Bedford, Rainforest Alberta’s (Calgary Chapter) Community Engagement Manager.

“Diamonds are made under pressure.”

“This is my personal mantra, and personal excuse as to why I procrastinate so much. I think a good time constraint also makes you come up with efficiencies otherwise you wouldn’t come up with”.

- Bedford.

Every week people from around Calgary gather together on Wednesday’s at noon for Lunch Without 38 // Community Now!

As a Calgary based artist and manager Bedford brings creativity, insight and communications knowledge into an ever changing innovative community.

Bedford sets an example every week by bringing the innovation ecosystem together and providing examples of the social contract by acting on them.

When Bedford was asked “why is the innovation, tech industry so important to the growth of our ecosystem” she replied “In my opinion: Tech has become so ubiquitous in our world, both on a local and global scale. The industry is evolving rapidly, and its forcing entrepreneurs and companies to learn and adapt at the same pace.

Its fundamentally changing how we operate as individuals and as an organization.” Continuing; Bedford stated “This is important for the growth of our ecosystem because its giving a plateaued province a refresh, and offering a new way to build together. It’s not just the tech that’s

coming out of the province that’s important for Alberta, but the way we work together. We’re learning new tricks, to be open and to share and to think big and I think that’s exciting.”

Fun Facts About Bedford: • portrait painter and illustrator • puts on a killer performance at karaoke.

• Is a huge sci-fi nerd and loves a good dystopian flick on an intergalactic scale.

Alberta’s innovation ecosystem is important to the growth of our city, businesses and the next generation.

We need to set an example and be able to provide opportunity for everyone in the innovation industries. Providing a place for people to network, ask questions, help each other and promote each other is essential but without someone to lead, gather information and promote the group and space there would be no LWOL. Stay Tuned to learn more about the faces, projects & goals behind The Rainforest, Alberta (Calgary Chapter)

To check out Bedford’s art @mackenziebedford

RAINFOREST SOCIAL CONTRACT I am joining the Alberta community of people sharing a common faith in continuously growing the CULTURE of innovation and entrepreneurship. We are an inclusive, silo-busting, sector-agnostic, all-industry, open-source, ego-shrinking, ecosystem-building, entrepreneur-focused, wide-open, social-barrier-smashing community.

This agreement describes what it means to innovate together. It defines what we allow and pursue versus what we resist and avoid.

It is a litmus test for the quality of our decisions, actions and ways of being together. By signing this agreement I agree to join the Rainforest community, to embrace and promote this explicit set of 10 values and principles:

1.

DIVERSITY - I embrace diversity, strive to create equal opportunity for every person and I am open to meeting anyone in this community.

2.

FREE HELP - I understand that I will receive valuable help from others for free.

3.

TRUST - I will give trust to others before expecting to receive trust in return.

4.

PAY IT FORWARD - I agree to “pay forward” whatever positive benefits I receive.

• For every introduction I get, I will provide an introduction to another person.

• For every hour of advice I receive, I will give an hour of advice to someone else.

• For every risk someone takes with me, I will take a risk with a different person.

5.

FAIRNESS - I will be nice and treat everyone fairly. I will take advantage of no one.

6.

LISTENING - I will bring people together and listen, as none of us is as smart as all of us. I believe in the big tent. I believe we gain strength through diversity.

7.

HONESTY - I will be truthful and frank. I will break rules and call out elephants in the room.

8.

TEAM SPORT - I will create teams to play, dream, experiment, iterate, and persist. I understand mistakes happen. Failing quickly and cheaply are acceptable ways of testing new ideas.

9.

SHARING - I will open myself to learning from others. I am eager to act to learn.

I will share my knowledge in the spirit of the Creative Commons to help nurture learning in others.

10. ROLE MODEL - I will lead at times and follow at other times.

Each person acts as a role model for everyone else. I will live these ideals and enforce them as a member of the Rainforest community.

I AM JOINING I agree to join the Rainforest community, to embrace and promote this explicit set of 10 values and principles.

NA ME ( P L EA SE P RINT )

SI G NATURE

DATE

#RainforestABcontract After you sign the social contract, post a photo of it on social media with the hashtag #RainforestABcontract to let everyone know that you've pledged your support. Want to see who else has signed and uploaded the social contract? Go to RainforestAB.ca to see the complete gallery.

RAINFOREST ALBERTA | COMMUNITY SOCIAL CONTRACT | SEPTEMBER 2016-2017

Innovation isn’t a place.

It’s a state of mind.

Community \\ 39

Opinions Matter!

THIS IS HOW IT STARTS Join us every month as we ask the community what we can do better.

Below listen to community advocate, influencer, creator, inspirer and family man Brian Cymbaluk discuss what we can do better and then join us on Facebook to debate, explore and share knowledge about how to be better as a community.

CALGARY NEEDS to FIND HER PASSION ONCE AGAIN!!! - Brian Cymbaluk Back on January 9th of this year, the day before my 61st birthday, I was asked by Krista Malden, the Founder of Community Now Magazine, “what do you think we can do better as a city to bring people together?”

Now I don’t mind sharing, that this question hit me over the head like a ton of bricks!

Perhaps it was just timing?!? As I told you earlier, I was turning 61 the next day, and birthdays have a way of skewing our perception of the world around us for a short 40 // Community Now!

time, or perhaps it was because at that point, I was still walking on egg-shells waiting to see my Oncologist to hear how my almost 2 year fight with cancer had gone / was going?

(Thankfully the news I got on January 14th was very positive)! Or perhaps, it was simply because I was trying to decide exactly what path in life I wanted to pursue, after selling my company Axe Music last June, (after 30 years in Calgary, and 40 years in Edmonton), which has since left me “unemployed”?!?

Yes… the seriousness of this relatively “simple on the surface” question was overwhelming, and I needed time to properly reflect upon

start BELIEVING in HERSELF once again, finding unity within a resurrection of CIVIC PRIDE, as we band together to achieve and succeed towards our future!

So what is Civic Pride exactly, and… exactly, what does this all mean?!?

Simply put… Civic pride is most easily defined as HAVING PRIDE in ONE’S CITY!!!

In January we asked “what do you think we can do better as a city to bring people together”

and digest the opportunity and privilege to fashion an answer I felt best reflected how intensely urgent I truly felt this question was!!!

Apparently, that time was almost a month in total… Go figure… but anyway… here goes!!!

I must start by saying that anything of this nature is purely subjective, based solely on MY OPINION, and as such, I’d greatly appreciate if you don’t shoot the messenger, (ME), till you’ve at least given what I have to say a fair shake!

I feel, and yes I believe, the KEY to INSPIRING OUR CITY to DO BETTER, is to have Calgary

Civic Pride is what brings a community together! It is the glue that makes a community feel good about where they live, work and play. PEOPLE are the HEART and SOUL of any dynamic and vibrant city, so fostering a PASSIONATE CIVIC PRIDE in our community, is the key to ALL of US achieving a quality of life we can, and will be proud of!!!

And once we do, hang on, I guarantee you… it’s infectious!!!

When I first arrived in Calgary in 2003, a sense of Civic Pride was much more prevalent!

If you didn’t already live here and KNOW HOW GREAT CALGARY WAS, you heard about her prosperity all over Canada, and many travelled far and wide to live in “the promised land”, and to share in the SUCCESS OUT WEST!!!

Sadly, over the years, the ALBERTA ADVANTAGE has started to tarnish and rust like many of the out of work Oil and Gas Rigs dotting the Alberta countryside, and the MILLION-DOLLAR QUESTION… is WHY?!?

Well… the MILLION-DOLLAR ANSWER is; (and again, this is merely my subjective opinion), but evidently, times have changed, and we face a much different energy environment today, one that is arguably

(continued on next page) Community \\ 41

“

Civic pride could be illustrated as volunteering throughout the community, raising money for great causes within that community, or simply sweeping or shoveling your neighbour’s walks.

”

(continued from page 41...) moving away from fossil fuel dependency, and as such, Alberta and especially Calgary have been left to re-tool, re-build and refocus towards a new future, a future of diversification, a future where we can once again lead the way to prosperity, and we have been left to do so ON OUR OWN, all but ignored by the Federal Government!!!

Change is a constant in this fast paced world, but why has Calgary lost her way in the face of this adversity? Why is Calgary drowning?

Why is Calgary fast becoming a shadow of her former self?!?

42 // Community Now!

I feel the blame lays heavily on the shoulders of the Right Honourable Mayor Nenshi and our esteemed city council!!! They appear to have lost focus, have failed to forge a plan of municipal prosperity and progressive thinking, and subsequently, have lost the ability to engage their bosses, the constituents and the taxpayers of Calgary who “hired” them to govern OUR CITY on OUR BEHALF! This should always be their first sacred responsibility, and this has been lost! We are in dire need of someone who WILL show us all how to MAKE OUR CITY GREAT AGAIN!!!

Now trust, I’m not a Trump supporter by any stretch of the imagination, but the most

powerfully intelligent and brilliant thing he did, was to speak to the nation about NATIONAL PRIDE! “THE DONALD” spoke about believing, and that TOGETHER, everyone could MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN! That played no small part in what got him elected in the first place!!! He gave people a reason to believe, and as a politician, that is a great position to be in!!! The problem is, CALGARY HAS NO ONE to BELIEVE IN, and that has direly hurt us in this downward slide!

Ultimately, PEOPLE are the heart and soul of any vibrant and dynamic city, and encouraging, building, and fostering Civic Pride, is essential for a community to work together to realize a quality of life they desire, a quality of life they will protect! This is what City Council has failed to do of late… but we can always hope!!!

Now of course Civic Pride means many different things to everyone around us!

Civic pride could be illustrated as volunteering throughout the community, raising money for great causes within that community, or simply sweeping or shovelling your neighbour’s walks. It could mean organizing a Graffiti Clean-up, with the sole purpose of making our city look her best, or helping an elderly to cross the street. It could mean “paying it forward” by covering the cost of a coffee and doughnut for the person behind you in line at TIM HORTON’s, or standing up to indignities and negativity you encounter on a day to day basis! It could be simply pulling over to help someone change their flat tire, or fostering an atmosphere of tolerance amongst your family and friends, both real and virtual on social media. Or perhaps, it could simply be saying HI to strangers, or thank you when someone holds a door open for you! Maybe it’s as

simple as maintaining your yard in a way that improves the beauty of our neighbourhoods!!!

CIVIC PRIDE should be about appreciating our existing community, and having a WANT, NEED and DESIRE to improve her!!! CIVIC PRIDE is all about noticing, recognizing, and bolstering traditions that make our community unique, and finding ways to work as a T.E.A.M. to make it better!

Sadly, City Council has lost the T.E.A.M., (Together Everyone Achieves More) mentality this city used to have… and they MUST come together, REGROUP, and find a way to put aside “THEIR” pettiness aside, so they can once again realize what Calgary needs today!

Then, perhaps THEY CAN BEST SERVE ALL OF US… THEIR COMMUNITY!!!

On a municipal level… City council’s job, (the one we hire them for at election time), is to act as the governing body of the municipal corporation and the custodian of its powers, both legislative and administrative. It is a continuing body, notwithstanding changes in membership through the election process every four years. Council is responsible for establishing policy direction, monitoring and evaluating the implementation of programs, and authorizing the revenue collection and expenditures required to fund the City’s operations on behalf of their employers; the constituents of their city! They should oversee active transportation, progressive urban design, the preservation of civic history, and the encouragement of arts and culture in the city, along with city planning, and ultimately, the branding of our amazingly great city!!!

A well-designed city fosters community and neighbourhood development. City Council NEEDS to remember, and then remind us (continued on next page) Community \\ 43

(continued from page 43...) why CALGARY is an amazing city, and how each of us could be an ambassador for the greatness of our city. A concerted effort needs to be made by council to engage the community and help Calgary understand the value of Civic Pride, and how it WILL benefit our city for years to come.

Calgary has sadly become of city of divisiveness! We have lost our way, and our ability to achieve!!! When our family, friends and neighbours start to share a strong sense of Civic Pride once again, amazing things CAN and WILL happen. ENGAGED CONSTITUENTS have a drive to take action to improve or support the well being of their community, and in turn, just like “keeping up with the Joneses, those who witness Civic Pride first hand, are more compelled to join in on the momentum.

Local businesses are kept in business, we shop locally, we have a better sense of whom we deal with and we foster better and deeper relationships! Litter is reduced; property values increase, criminal activity declines, and our city looks and feels better! As a result… so do we!!! A healthy Civic Pride drives INDIVIDUAL RESPONSIBILITY, rather than complacency and atrophy! Civic Pride must be nurtured to the point that where it becomes contagious.

Ask yourself: • Why do I love CALGARY? • What big things make me proud to live in Calgary?

• What are the little things that make me proud to live in Calgary?

DON’T list what bothers you! That is what we most often do as a society, but rather, look at what you love, and BUILD from THERE!!!

Take the time to ask yourself exactly what Civic Pride means to you, and realize that YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE!!!

As a community, WE HAVE a REAL OPPORTUNITY to embrace Civic Pride.

Cities with a strong sense of Civic Pride have happier, more engaged and more involved residents, and once we finally recognize that we all play a part in taking care of our community, that will unite us, and bring us together again, so that together… we can all “MAKE CALGARY GREAT AGAIN!!!”

Cheers!!!

Brian Cymbaluk A.E.C.P.A. (An Engaged Civic Pride Advocate)!!!

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Community \\ 45

One Parents Story

with Vanisha Breault Part 2 of 3: Boundaries

When we think about our household and family and how our lives run day in and day out, most people think of routine and rules or structure and expectations which when bundled together becomes our family, our personal and our household boundaries.

Below we discuss boundaries with Vanish Breault; Founder & Executive Director, Terminator Foundation.

“Deciding what your boundaries and house rules/expectations will be for your home/ family is a very personal decision. One that is usually based on your beliefs, values, morals and your understanding of what boundaries mean to you.” Breault 1.) What does it mean to set boundaries with children and for yourself and household?

Boundaries are guidelines, setting boundaries with children means they’re protected and children will themselves feel more secure with boundaries that the parents have set in place. Boundaries teach our children self respect, responsibility for themselves and others. Having and setting clear boundaries 46 // Community Now!

lays the groundwork for healthy relationships and assists our children in their interactions with their peers and the world around them.

2.) As a parent why is it important to set boundaries I believe boundaries are so important so everyone in the family is aware of the limits and expectations. Having and setting boundaries is like having the rules to a board game. In order to effectively play the game it’s important everyone knows the rules.

Even as parents, boundaries help us to know what our limits are and how to manage our expectations.

3.) How hard is it to stick to boundaries Depends how long you’ve been practicing boundaries. It’s like anything that’s “new” sometimes it can take a bit to get the hang of it and to find your own personal sense of balance within your boundaries and the boundaries you set for your life, your space and your family. Over time and practice, you get better and better and it becomes natural, apart of who you are.

4.) What did having boundaries do to help you in your journey with dealing with your kids recovery?

Having boundaries for myself assisted greatly in saving my life, essentially, my sanity. Dealing with addiction can be “crazy making” and developing boundaries (some really hard ones) was THE BEST thing I did for myself and my family. Having strong, healthy boundaries supported me in my journey to be able to go the distance (so to speak) Boundaries also helped me to live in the moment and take it day by day.

Through this experience my children also learned a great deal about boundaries. These kids are always watching us.

Discovering what your boundaries are is in direct proportion to you discovering yourselfknowing who you are. As people we create our boundaries from our own sense of self worth, knowing our truth.

“The most basic boundary setting word is no.

It lets others know that you exist apart from them and that you are in control of you.” -Dr. Henry Cloud & Dr. John Townsend

Vanisha Breault Founder & Executive Director, Terminator Foundation 587-899-6800 | vanisha@terminatorfoundation.com www.terminatorfoundation.com www.vanisha.ca/ The Truth is You CAN Recover!

5.) Can you give some examples of house rules and or boundaries you set ?

I had boundaries etc while I raised my kids, but then when the landscape of our family changed and the disease of addiction began to infiltrate into our family, I began the journey of rewriting the rules and boundaries.

One of the key boundaries I set for my household/family was our home was a sober only home. Living in Recovery has become a way of life for all of my children. Our home has become the “safe zone” for living in recovery.

Setting this boundary in many ways laid the foundation for other boundaries.

Some other guidelines we’ve adopted are: Taking responsibility for oneself (thoughts, feelings, behaviour) & Respecting the limits of others.

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The kids are not allowed to come and go as they please (all hours of the night and day) They need to have routines, schedules and responsibilities.

Community \\ 47

Fluffy And What Happened To My Teen Adette Lacerte, Traditional Life Coach It’s a typical Monday morning, but the pleasant

complexity. Our expectations of them also need

respectful children that you have been raising

to be re-evaluated. When they were younger they

for the past 15 years have turned into mystical

learned at an incredibly rapid rate, gobbling up

beasts. Schoolwork is incomplete, the alarm

huge amounts of information (remember how

clock has been set to snooze at least three times,

many dinosaurs they could identify and name).

there are more wardrobe changes than you can

Your expectations of what they were capable of

count, squabbling between siblings for bathroom

learning are now based on the past learning rate.

time, no lunches made and breakfast is a granola

With the added brain activity, their ability to

bar as they walk out the door late for school. You

process new information becomes increasingly

might be wondering what happened and how

difficult and as such things slow down.

can you get your sanity back.

Growing up my parents encouraged me to find

You are not alone. Parents across the globe are

friends that reflected the same values that were

dealing with their own version of Fluffy the

prominent in our household rather than trying to

three-headed dog from the Harry Potter series.

fit into the popular crowd at school. At the time,

It’s just a matter of figuring out what their Fluffy

I had no idea how valuable that would be in my

needs to settle them down to a manageable

teen years. Turns out that during this massive

beast.

transformation of the brain we have some chemical

The science around teenage brain development is fascinating and provides for a huge insight as to what is happening to your teen. The amount of change that is occurring in your teenager’s brain is second only to infant brain development. Starting as early as ten years of age not only do hormone changes start to occur, but so does the start of a fifteen-year re-write, re-structure, and re-wire of the brain. Changes are not just happening in one area of the brain, but throughout the entire brain on top of all of the physical changes.

So what does this mean? It means that your kid is going to start behaving like Fluffy; one minute they are a wild animal willing to rip the head off of anyone who looks at them sideways and the next they want to cuddle up to you and take a nap. In fact, all of that brain activity is going to make them excessively sleepy and it is going to be difficult for them to concentrate on their studies. Which if you hadn’t noticed, the workload is increasing in volume and 48 // Community Now!

changes including surges of testosterone in both girls and boys. The research shows that there are higher levels of risk-taking in boys while both boys and girls have a greater inclination towards sensation seeking and sensitivity to rewards. At the same time their ability to self-regulate is not fully developed. However, the effects of the testosterone were either heightened or diminished depending on their social groups and environments. So if you relate this to the Harry Potter series, Harry’s risktaking is often moderated by his peers Hermoine and Ron, while Malfoy’s peers actually encouraged poor behavior and risk-taking which heighten the effects. It’s not to say that your teen won’t take risk if they hang out with a good group of friends, it’s just more likely that they will apply some critical thinking around the risks before proceeding.

You also want to keep in mind that those peer groups that they are forming and adjusting are super important to them right now. This is the time where they are establishing their own unique tribe. As much as they love and respect you, there

is a part of their brain that is awakening to gaining their own independence. There is an awareness that they cannot live under your roof forever and that they need to establish new support groups that will be there as they mature into adults. It’s going to feel a little bit like a tug-of-war game.

There are going to be times where they push you

The following are some strategies that you may want to incorporate into your own processes.

• Always wait for cooler heads to prevail before having a serious discussion • Teach your teens some techniques for selfregulation

away, but other times where they are going to need

––

Tapping

your support to navigate these new relationships.

––

Breathing

As a result of all of the brain transformation, there

––

Meditation

are also going to be times when your teen receives mixed or incorrect messages from the brain. That’s where the heightened sensitivity becomes a real problem. Think of a when you asked your teen to

• Find a safe word to help de-escalate the emotions ––

but we need a time out”. Have fun

put something away and all of a sudden it became

with this. It could be something like

a yelling match or maybe they stormed out of the

“Riddikulus” or “Banana”

room. This is just a case of mixed messages in combination with the heightened sensitivity. Their brain took the benign message and turned it into an attack by dementors. Where their fight-flightfreeze response kicked in.

Should you find yourself in a power struggle with your teen be careful which battles you choose to fight and how you choose to fight them. Discipline

This is a word that says “I love you,

• Stay inquisitive, without judgment when having discussions • Ask questions about how an action or behavior is serving them and what they could do differently to get the results they want

and structure are important so make sure that

• Ask questions about the types of friends

the discipline is something that you can control.

they choose and what they like about them.

For example, if their grades are the issue, forcing them to spend more time studying is probably going to backfire because they hold the balance of power. Just because they are being forced to sit and study, doesn’t mean that they are taking in more information or that they will execute better on an exam. Instead, choose to limit something that you can control such as their time socializing with friends. Negotiate what the expectations are to regain their socialization time. Make sure the expectations are realistic otherwise you will set yourself and your teen up for more conflict.

As a parent, this can be super overwhelming and that’s why it’s important to arm yourself with as

––

Be careful not to bad mouth their friends

––

Don’t interfere. It’s alright to give suggestions and coach them on how they might handle friendship issues, but leave it in their court to work out the details.

• Find ways to break up their studying into smaller manageable chunks so as to give their brains a rest • Find ways to increase their sleep time to 9-10 hours per day

much information and understanding as you can

Living with a Fluffy can be both frustrating and

so you can create some parenting magic and find

magical. Take a deep breath, you can do this.

the right tune to resonate with your Fluffy.

Community \\ 49

UP AND COMING

EVENTS

JUNE 2019:

AUG 2019:

Let’s Build Together

COME AND CELEBRATE WITH THE CN! FAMILY

LOOKING FOR SUBMISSIONS FROM THE COMMUNITY!

Come meet all our advertisers and sponsors, and learn about what they do.

In June 2019 CN! Would like to bring the community together to build a garden, restore a park, plant trees…..

Enjoy some amazing food and hear speeches from amazing community members. As well as an auction and door prizes!

Does your community need help with a project?

Money raised from the auction will be donated to Fresh Start Recovery. The money raised on Alex’s Amazing Art will be donated to Operation Smile.

Go online and fill out the CN! Submission form.

Aug 17 2019 More details to come!

Submissions dealine: April 1 2019.

Submissions will be reviewed by a panel of judges and the winner will be announced at the end of April 2019!

To become a sponsor, donate prizes or auctions items please contact publisher@communitynowmagazine.com “Alex’s Amazing Art”

“Alex’s Amazing Alex wants to sell some of his amazing art (water colours & Limited Edition Art” Prints), to enable a child with a cleft palate to have Operation world - art he (water has such a huge heart!Edition Proceeds aretogoing to abuy a child smile, while Alex wantsSmile to sellchange some oftheir his amazing colours & Limited Prints), enable child with aacleft palate to you have anhave original artistic piece!

Operation Smile change their world - he has such a huge heart! Proceeds are going to buy a child a smile, while you have an original artistic piece!

Enjoy these unique pieces at just $75 per original canvas or $25 for Limited Edition Prints – and then select your own Enjoy then select your own frame to suitthese yourunique decor!pieces at just $75 per original canvas or $25 for Limited Edition Prints – and(more on reverse) frame to suit your decor!

“Alex’s Amazing Art” (more on reverse)

Alex wants to sell some of his amazing art (water colours & Limited Edition Prints), to enable a child with a cleft palate to have Operation Smile change their world - he has such a huge heart! Proceeds are going to buy a child a smile, while you have an original artistic piece!

Enjoy these unique pieces at just $75 per original canvas or $25 for Limited Edition Prints – and then select your own frame to suit your decor! (more on reverse)

Rainbow Heart

BR AN D G U I D ERainbow LI N EHeart S

To discuss his art, or book him to

speak, Yvonne To discuss hisplease art, orcall book him at: to 403.455.7344. speak, please call Yvonne at: 403.455.7344.

Pink Heart

Rainbow Waterfall

Pink Heart

Rainbow Waterfall

Proceeds from Alex’s Art go towards Operation Smile,Alex’s to help donate Proceeds from Art go towards enough money to help change a child Operation Smile, to help donate with a cleft palate’s world, by “buying a Alex Gorski is an “up and coming” enough money to help change a child smile”: artist, living in Alberta. He is a with a cleft palate’s world, by “buying a Alexunique Gorskiartist, is an who “up and coming” leverages his smile”: www.operationsmile.org artist, living in capabilities Alberta. He is a special needs to have unique artist, who the patience oftenleverages required his to www.operationsmile.org createneeds truly artistic work. to have special capabilities

“Alex’s Art”

“Alex’s Art”

the patience often required to At age 21,artistic he is a social create truly work.and friendly young adult, who has a huge and generous (golden) heart, and is

At age 21, he is a social and friendly always thinking how he can make young adult, who has a huge and someone’s day. His custom artwork generous (golden) heart, is already given as gifts, and and is now always thinking howavailable he can tomake making his work the someone’s day. available, His custom artwork public. Now new book already given as around gifts, and is now Creating Smiles the World. making his work available to the public. Now available, new book Creating Smiles around the World.

(Art requests to Alex at: alex.gorski@shaw.ca)

(Art requests to Alex at:

alex.gorski@shaw.ca) ORDER ONLINE (Donate) AT: https://alexsamazingart.wordpress.com/

ORDER ONLINE (Donate) AT: https://alexsamazingart.wordpress.com/

Rainbow Heart To discuss his art, or book him to speak, please call Yvonne at: 403.455.7344.

Pink Heart

Rainbow Waterfall

Proceeds from Alex’s Art go towards Operation Smile, to help donate enough money to help change a child with a cleft palate’s world, by “buying a Alex Gorski is an “up and coming” smile”: artist, living in Alberta. He is a unique artist, who leverages his www.operationsmile.org special needs capabilities to have the patience often required to create truly artistic work.

“Alex’s Art”

At age 21, he is a social and friendly young adult, who has a huge and generous (golden) heart, and is always thinking how he can make someone’s day. His custom artwork already given as gifts, and is now making his work available to the public. Now available, new book Creating Smiles around the World.

WORKING TOGETHER TO PROMOTE CALGARY BUSINESSES, EVENTS, COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS, EDUCATION AND NEWS (Art requests to Alex at: alex.gorski@shaw.ca)

ORDER ONLINE (Donate) AT:

https://alexsamazingart.wordpress.com/

IT TAKES A VILLAGE WE ARE CALGARY

COMMUNITY NOW

Thank you Calgary for helping moms know they are not alone.

To all of the volunteers, donors, & supporters who help Made by Momma help families in crisis, thank you!

innovation • education • community • business innovation • education • community • business THANK YOU TO THE COMMUNITY innovation • education • community • business innovation • education • community • business innovation • education • community • business innovation • education • community • business innovation • education • community • business Jill Les Tracy Zanika Jenn • business Brian innovation •Kenzie education • community innovation • education • community • business innovation • education • community • business innovation • education • community • business innovation • Stacy education • community • business Adette Sophia Diane Peter Jade Vanisha innovation • education • community • business innovation THANK • education • community • business YOU FOR A innovation • education • community WONDERFUL 2018! • business innovation • education • community • business innovation • education • community • business innovation • education • community • business innovation • education • community • business innovation • education • community • business innovation • education • community • business innovation • education • community • business innovation • education • community • business innovation • education • community • business innovation • education • community • business innovation • education • community • business

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www.communitynowmagazine.com Facebook: @communitynowmagazine Twitter: @communitynowma1 Publisher@CommunityNowMagazine.com