Calgary’s program started with Orientation over October 14, 15 and 17th with our 8th Cohort. This year there are 14 participants. We’ve made a few changes to the structure of the program in response to evaluation and guidance from the Calgary Advisory Network. This year we’re wrapping up in April. We’ve also moved away from our monthly Saturday sessions in favour of 4 full weekend sessions. We’re looking forward to some deeper immersive learning spaces over those two days. In other changes, we’re now meeting for Tuesdays at the Offices of the Alberta EcoTrust Foundation, who also happens to be a funder for some of Next Up’s Alberta programs. CommunityWise is still our location for weekend sessions, and our annual Community Connection. There’s no way we’d ever want to have a potluck anywhere else.
This year’s cohort has a wide range of interests and experiences and has already demonstrated a keen interest in participatory learning, and a willingness to tackle difficult conversations around justice and privilege. Our Advisory Network has reconvened to help make ongoing evaluation more transparent, accessible and accountable to all. They’re also helping out with fundraising plans, and in the redevelopment of some of the sessions. This year will see the return of our peer mentoring program, which has been capably organized by Jolene and Amy for quite a few years. This year, we’re looking for one or two folks to take over it’s coordination. All Calgary grads, supporters and donors are invited to be a part of the Advisory Network’s ongoing program support. Contact the Coordinator if this interests you.
Finally, a number of the cohort will be travelling to the far northern realm of Edmonton, where we’ll be volunteering (and socializing with our NU Edmonton pals) at the Parkland Fall Conference. We’re kind of excited with the conference title (Collapse: Neoliberalism in crisis), and are glad that this day has arrived, seriously, the speaker line up is great! We hope to see many friends over that weekend.
Stay tuned to our next Next Update - we’ll be reaching out for community support to organize and run Community Connection 6.
All the best to everyone for the fall and approaching winter.
Mike Byerley
Next Up Calgary & Climate Leadership Program Coordinator.