 How can a community build more engagement?
How can a community get more things done? How can we make our communities more vibrant? Vitality in rural communities brings more memorable experiences, strong relationships and improves quality of life. Every community has a uniqueness, yet some rural places seem to grow and thrive, while others seem more challenged in strengthening social relationships and ties to their communities. This Big Exchange will explore ways to make rural communities really wonderful places to spend our lives. Take this opportunity to share your ideas and experiences with our two conversation leaders. Betty Bastien Sikapinaki. PhD RSW. Currently with Red Crow Community College on the Blood reserve, as the Director of Academic Programs. Her research and publications include Indigenous ways of knowing, revitalization of Indigenous languages, intergenerational trauma. She has received awards which are highlighted by the Alumni awards from the Universities Lethbridge and Calgary, and by Lethbridge and YWCA and District and Esquao Award for her distinguished commitment for the Advancement of Women. She has recently launched groundbreaking Programs, the Indigenous Bachelor and Master's Social Work Degree; and her work has carried her internationally, the most satisfying was the Revitalization of Language and Culture Project in Guizhou China. Dr. Tanyss Munro has had unusual experience through her work as an educator from the local to the federal and intra-governmental levels both in Canada and abroad. She is deeply committed to creating a world worthy of our world’s children and youth. Within Canada, her work has included living in remote Indigenous communities in Canada’s far north as school principal and director of education with dysfunctional schools. Internationally, she directed Good Governance for the Commonwealth of Learning in Africa, Asia and the Pacific working with universities, governments and non-governmental organizations. What binds the overlooked Indigenous populations and the illiterate, destitute women in mega-city slums, is her conviction that these dismissed populations are as capable as anyone in the world of doing the impossible if they’re just given half a chance. For their work, she and her husband were recipients of the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medals.
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 Do rural learners learn differently?
What qualities help rural learners? What qualities hinder rural learners? How can we improve on rural learning? Many rural non profits work in rural education and training in some capacity, but often it can have it's challenges. At Green Hectares we have been working in this space for over 10 years and we still have many questions and much to discuss. Join us on March 25 to learn and discuss how learning happens in a rural environment. We are hosting another Big Exchange Roundtable where we have three experts to ground our conversation in real world experience. Read their biographies below. Despite her prediction that her life was over, Jackie Northey was transplanted to Rural Alberta with her siblings and parents at the age of 14 when her father purchased a farm in his small hometown community. Four years later at the age of 18, Jackie started her 44 year serial volunteer habit. Jackie volunteers, engages and advocates for rural and agricultural communities and organizations nationally, provincially and regionally. Her extensive experience includes adult education, strategic planning, capacity building, rural development, communications and non-profit governance. Jackie oversees programs and strategy, leading organizations forward by facilitating transformative thinking and discussion. Jackie and her husband still reside in Bashaw, with a strong conviction of the importance of family and community, never more evident than watching their own children raise their young families in the community as well. Jamie Galloway is the Vice Principal of Altario School. She grew up on a large cattle ranch just south of Czar, then went off to university to become a teacher. She was asked to go teach in Altario and have been there ever since. She lives with her husband on her ranch just west of Kirriemuir, Alberta. At Altario they have worked to develop an Agriculture Academy in their school and she oversees that program. Each year they raise a number of animals at the school and students take part in all elements of the agriculture lifestyle, from chores to nutrition decisions to financial matters, and all other things that running an agriculture operation requires. Josie Van Lent is currently the Dean of Agriculture Technology and Applied Research at Lakeland College in Vermilion, Alberta. Prior to that, she was the Dean of Agriculture Sciences for 13 years. She enjoys working to advance ag technology, ag research and academics within the school of Agriculture and to the Student Managed Farm. She spent the first half of her career working for Alberta Agriculture, Food & Rural Development as a District Agriculturist and Beef Specialist. Following she was employed in the crop service industry as an agronomist, first with Webb’s Crop Services in Vermilion and then as manager of the crop input division for the United Farmers of Alberta (UFA) in northeastern Alberta. Josie and her husband are also partners in a commercial livestock and grain farm, with bison, elk, beef and crop enterprises. Click on the registration button below to join in the conversation.  Agriculture is an integral part of society, however with the urban and rural divide getting larger on a regular basis, a greater call has been made within the agriculture industry to communicate better with all consumers. With so many options for communicating, how can we in agriculture explain the complexities of the industry with more than a soundbite but also take in information that the consumers want to share with us? This roundtable aims to explore the opportunities and how to overcome challenges of communicating in two increasingly complicated industries - communications and agriculture. Our session will be grounded with two experts who have years of professional communications experience in the agriculture industry.
Alexis Kienlen lives in Edmonton, where she is a reporter for "Alberta Farmer" newspaper. Alexis is also a freelance writer, poet, and fiction writer. In April 2020, she released her first novel, "Mad Cow." Jill Harvie ranches with her husband and their daughters Tinley & Lyla Harvie near Olds, Alberta under the name Harvie Ranching. The ranch runs 250 purebred polled Herefords, Charolais and Commercial cattle. Jill has worked in the Canadian Beef Industry in animal health policy development and public relations and recently her passion for Agriculture can be seen through her new podcast called Food Careers. Jill received a Bachelor of Applied Science in Agribusiness at Olds College and a Diploma in Agriculture in Animal Science from the University of Guelph. Jill is currently the co-chair of the Agriculture Industry Advisory Council to the Alberta Minister of Agriculture. All of our roundtables are recorded and shared with those who are looking to gain greater insight into the topic of the roundtable.  Volunteers are critical links to for rural services and culture. They are often key participants in supporting a strong rural quality of life. Green Hectares is hosting another Big Exchange roundtable to discuss our rural volunteers and the organizations that depend on them. Bring your questions, ideas, obstacles and opportunities to our next Big Exchange which will have two experts well versed in volunteering and rural communities.
Karen Link has volunteered and worked for, with and in the nonprofit sector for more than 30 years. Karen is a lifelong learner with expertise in collaborative models, partnership brokering, system design, change and project management and coaching young leaders. Kim McConnell is a leading voice for Canada’s agriculture industry. Founder of AdFarm, he is considered a pioneer of agricultural marketing in North America and has spearheaded numerous successful national and international campaigns that have helped this important sector thrive. He is widely sought after for his insight on modern media and is a devoted member of a wide range of farming and community organizations. He is also known for fostering entrepreneurship and for mentoring youth in rural communities  Are you creating the impact in your rural community in the way that you want to?
How do you know you're actually making a difference? Creating impact in rural communities also means that we need to understand what impacts we want to make. Being able to identify what actions will make the difference and measuring those actions or outcomes takes much critical thinking. This is a tricky area where we need to combine the skills of visionary thinking with practical action and measurement. This roundtable conversation will be exploring the best ways we as individuals and community organizations to improve quality of life in rural Canada. Join us for a Big Exchange Roundtable discussion on what are good measurements, connecting those measurements to quality of life, and how to make sure your actions are creating the impact you would like. Our next discussion will be led by Dee Ann Benard and Nienke van Bezooijen on October 28, 2020, 1-3 mst. Dee Ann Benard is the Alberta Rural Development Network's inaugural executive director. After earning her B.Sc. (Biology) and M.Sc. (Plant Pathology) from Simon Fraser University, Dee Ann moved to Edmonton in 1994 to work with Alberta Agriculture. Eventually, she joined private industry to manage the Alberta operation of Integrated Crop Management Services (ICMS), Inc. Later, she moved to the Alberta Research Council (now called Alberta Innovates) in Vegreville where she worked first as a plant pathologist, and later in business development. In 2004, she joined the newly formed Agricultural Research and Extension Council of Alberta (ARECA) as executive director, a position she held for over five years.Dee Ann served as a member of the Agriculture and Food Council for several years, where she held roles such as Chair of Advancing Canadian Agriculture and Agri-Food and Treasurer. She is an active volunteer in her community and in her professional life. Dee Ann enjoys skiing, kayaking and hiking. Nienke van Bezooijen started her working career as a nurse and after 25 years in healthcare, top- management, she started her second life as an entrepreneur with her first business in 2008. While working as a consultant, she exchanged knowledge with entrepreneurs and she became passionate about training and coaching. She travelled all around the globe to learn these skills from the top masters in the field of speaking in public. Nienke is a catalyst for the new future based on global collaboration through differences. Leaving the old style of the patriarchy she is paving the path for the transformation to a balanced world in the synergy between men and women. Inclusion, cooperation, transformation, consciousness, wisdom and listening beyond words are characteristics Nienke is known for. This next Big Exchange will take place on October 28, 2020, 1-3 pm mst.  Civic engagement can improve our communities and strengthen community vitality. It is an ongoing process that is important to be nurtured over the long term. Join us for a Big Exchange discussion on how to take action on opportunities, engage a wide swath of the community and build your community for the future. Our next discussion will be led by Jackie Northey and Leslie Sim on September 30, 2020, 7-9 mst.
Leslie Sim has over 15 years of executive experience in leading organizations toward innovative transformation through cultural change and leveraging information and technology. She helps organizations define the visions, strategies and coaches them in creating the operational culture to be successful. Jackie Northey is a community influencer and Bashaw Adult Learning Council leader. Despite her prediction that her life was over, Jackie Northey was transplanted to Rural Alberta with her siblings and parents at the age of 14 when her father purchased a farm in his small hometown community. Four years later at the age of 18, Jackie started her 44 year serial volunteer habit. Jackie volunteers, engages and advocates for rural and agricultural communities and organizations nationally, provincially and regionally. Her extensive experience includes adult education, strategic planning, capacity building, rural development, communications and non-profit governance. Jackie oversees programs and strategy, leading organizations forward by facilitating transformative thinking and discussion. Jackie and her husband still reside in Bashaw, with a strong conviction of the importance of family and community, never more evident than watching their own children raise their young families in the community as well. This next Big Exchange will take place on September 30, 2020, 7-9 pm mst.  Organizations of all types are finding themselves in transition in this new era of COVID 19. If you're looking for ideas from those who have experienced it or are experiencing it take part in our next Big Exchange. Trudy Harold and Michelle Wright have previously participated in our Big Exchanges and have imparted their experiences of businesses in transition. We wanted to continue the conversation with them and you on succession planning and all types of transitions in business. Trudy Harold's BioMichelle Wright's BioIf you have something to add or learn from these useful conversations register and join us on Zoom on August 26, 2020 at 7 pm mst.
 Every business owner will tell you that they would do things a little (if not a lot) different if they could start over. Whether you have an established business, are a young person starting one, or a volunteer with a non profit, why not ask the questions that will help shore up the foundation for your bright future.
On July 8, 2020 we will be hosting another Big Entrepreneur Exchange on from 7:00-9:00 pm via Zoom. In this Big Exchange you will have the opportunity to learn from Geoff Oberg of KRP Chartered Professional Accountants and Greg Knott from Tailor Made Insurance about how the best steps to create security in your business. This format will allow you to engage in conversation, network or simply listen to some great advice. Geoffrey (“Geoff”) is a Partner in the Business Advisory, Audit and Assurance group of Kingston Ross Pasnak LLP. He has over 15 years’ experience working with owner-managed privately held companies, non-profit organizations and government bodies. He serves his clients as a trusted business advisor in a wide range of services including business consulting, corporate governance, accounting, assurance, internal controls, business processes, succession planning and tax strategies. Geoff has specialized training and experience with respect to corporate governance and tax planning arrangements. Geoff has an extensive agricultural background as a family member of a fourth-generation grain and cattle farming operation near Forestburg, Alberta. This provided a foundation for specialty services concerning agricultural taxation, family succession, estate planning and government program funding. Geoff is a proud husband to spouse Caroline and father to four children aged 6, 8, 11 and 14. Greg Knott has been married to his wife DeeAnn for 29 years and has two grown children, Kelsey & Colton. Greg grew up in the Ardrossan, Alberta area and that is where they decided to raise their family. In 1993 after the birth of their daughter Kelsey Greg and his brother took a step of faith and started their own general insurance business. November 1993 Tailor Made Insurance was born. Now 27 years later they are still in business with sales of over 35 million and employee 45 people throughout five communities in Northern and Central Alberta. In 2018, Tailor Made Insurance won the top insurance company in Canada rated by Insurance Business Magazine They feel very blessed and thankful to all of those that have helped make their dream possible. Register now to to reserve your spot.  Communications is critical in any organization, it is the grease to your organization operational and marketing wheels. But to get a message across you need to know how to connect to others. If you're finding your thoughts and ideas aren't landing in the way that you want them to, maybe it is time to learn the strategies to build on what you already know.
On May 27, 2020 we will be hosting another Big Entrepreneur Exchange on from 7:00-9:00 pm via Zoom. In this Big Exchange you will have the opportunity to learn from Dr Olive Yonge and Elisabeth Disman about how to connect and convey your ideas. Join us to be a participant who shares their questions or to sit back and garner great ideas. Either way this will be worth it for you and impact your rural organization. Raised in rural Saskatchewan on a mixed (up) farm, Dr. Olive Yonge learned early on how to solve and not create problems. Currently she is transitioning away from her life as an academic administrator into her third Act of Life. With this journey she is looking behind and forward. One of her questions is how she will leave a legacy? How can she hoist others up to stand on her shoulders as she stood on other peoples' shoulders, be they her family, friend, strangers who at times bent with her weight. In her life knapsack she carries a number of strategies like deep listening, critical questioning, integrative whole brain thinking and discriminatory skills like when to push and when to pull back. Above all she believes in compassion for herself and others. Life can be hard but it also can be joyous and even more joyous when shared with others. Elizabeth Disman grew up in the Kootenays in British Columbia with her 4 sisters and a lot of chickens, goats, geese, 2 pigs, one cow and a mother whose dream it was to move from London, England at the age of 23 and live off the land. Elizabeth got a lot of her tenacity and vision from her mom and built her HR company - Daeco HR Consulting - 20 years ago. Her motto has always been - there has to be a better way to do things. She will do whatever it takes to get something accomplished even if it’s an inconvenience to her. She has an amazing capacity to really listen to people and get to the heart of a matter and is passionate about making a difference in the world. She is a lifelong learner who not only continues to engage in personal transformation programs, but she also leads them and coaches others on how to create transformational change in their lives. Register now to to reserve your spot.  It sounds like a trick question but its not. We always can look back on our earlier stages of business and see how we could have done better now that we have the wisdom we've gained with that experience. It can be the most exhilarating part of business, but it can also be the most frustrating part of entrepreneurship as well. Walking the crooked line of discovery to get to your idea of success. We're finding through our Entrepreneur Exchanges that our panel of experts see the issues from their experience. They help the entrepreneurs overcome their obstacles, and in some instances, create opportunities beyond what the entrepreneur first anticipated.
On March 31, 2020 we will be hosting another Big Entrepreneur Exchange on from 7:00-9:00 pm via Zoom. In this Big Exchange you will have the opportunity to learn from the deep knowledge that Marrisa Loewen, Jacquie Fenske and Jamie-Rae Pittman will be providing. We hope you will join us to be a participant who shares their business or you can be an observer. Either way this will be worth it for you and your rural business. Our panel of experts will be Marissa Loewen who is a transformational business coach, creative entrepreneur and a pricing and pitching consulting. Marissa has partnered with Etsy Canada to produce the largest Etsy Made in Canada show across the country. She initiates powerful conversations that provide opportunities for outstanding change. She is passionate about entrepreneurship, building communities and her ultimate part in letting the world know that creativity is BIG business. Jamie-Rae Pittman has been an entrepreneur for the past 14 years. She has been involved in the creation of two graphic design companies, and currently operates her own company Pittman Print Media. She also farms and ranches with her husband, and their three children. Jamie-Rae offers specialized print media work through her company, as well she teaches classes on design theory and graphic design technique. Jacquie Fenske is currently the Acting Leader of the Alberta Party. Jacquie is a community connector as well as working in her family business Fifendekel. She is leading the marketing and PR in their small business success story. Jacquie is also the principal in her personal business Experience Alberta Inc as a person who sees and delivers opportunity as a facilitator, entrepreneur focusing on tourism and economic development in rural Alberta. The past entrepreneurs who have had individual Entrepreneur Exchanges have been blown away by information, insights and connections they have received by their participation in an exchange. We look forward to learning and connecting with you too. This program is supported in part by the Government of Alberta's Status of Women Innovation Project Funding. You can connect with this program and the many resources through their blog, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube. |
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