Leadership Networks has been a wonderful learning opportunity for me. Using the concept of the 'community as a classroom', we have learned about current and future leadership issues from leaders / writers in the field and from leaders in our community, who shared their experiences so generously with us. As a result of the program, my personal, professional, and community lives have become more integrated. Most importantly, I have a great network of colleagues to further that connection and to share opportunities with. Read more about my experience and learning in my presentation at the Information Launch for Leadership Networks 2005. Click here for Presentation

Our community project was to assist Primestock Theatre become sustainable, through board development and capacity building. Our group worked with Primestock Theatre Board for the past 8 months. It was enlightening in a number of ways: not only did we learn about theatre and production, and community board issues, but also experienced considerable personal growth through the group process.

I have been a member of the United Way of Central Alberta Board of Directors for the past 3 years. IN addition, I have also participated in the Citizen's Review Committee (CRC) for 2 years, and this past year, I chaired the CRC. IN the Fall of 2003, I chaired an ad hoc committee who reviewed a number of policy decisions with respect to allocations. I strongly believe in the philosophy of the United Way as a means to one stop shopping for charitable giving. I also believe that, as stewards of those funds, that we need to be engaged in a transparent and accountable allocation system, and as Chair of CRC I am committed to CRC being a continuous improvement process.

Category	Activity (Brief Description)	Credits	Current	New	Completion Date
Business	Tour the worksite of a fellow participant: On {date} I spent half a day at the Central Alberta Aids Network. Jennifer Vandershaege gave me a tour of the premises and described the various components of CAANS. I also had an opportunity to chat one on one with a number of the staff about their work in the community.	1			December, 2004
	I subscribed to The Globe and Mail in January 2004 to gain a better sense of business world and the economy in general. I have learned a great deal about global, national and regional business and the world of investment, particularly the influence of politics and current events on the stock market.	1			January, 2004
Community Need & Service	For the past year, I have chaired the Citizen's Review Process for the United Way of Central Alberta. This has included chairing an ad hoc committee of key stakeholders to review / revise the allocations process, and oversight of the 2004-5 agency review and allocations process. This year, over 40 volunteers took part in the review of 50 agencies.	2			October - March 2004
Community Planning	In October, 2003 I attended a public forum/meeting in Innisfail that addressed the controversial development of the Upland Aspen area, a popular recreational area close to the town.	1			October 2003
Education	I took out a membership at Red Deer Public Library and spend 1 hr reviewing materials. The holdings include books, magazines and journals, & electronic media. There are also computers available for public use.	1			April 2004
Environment	My husband and I are regular visitors to Kerry Wood Nature Centre. It is a peaceful refuge, to walk, or to sit and watch a variety of birds, such as woodpeckers, owls, and waterfowl, and other wildlife, including moose, porcupines, and deer.	1			Ongoing
Government	Attached is a letter to my MP, Bob Mills, about my Permanent Resident card issue	2			April 2004
Human Need & Service	For the past 3 years, I have served as a volunteer Board Member with United Way of Central Alberta. I participated in the 2002 and 2003 Citizen's Review Process, and chaired the Personnel Committee in 2003. I am currently second Vice Chair of the Board.	3			Ongoing
	Part of my role with the United Way is to keep informed about member agencies and their activities. Each year, we organize an agency tour for Board Members and volunteers to visit member agencies and meet with their staff . As a result, I have visited a number of Red Deer agencies including Central Alberta Women's Outreach Society, Crisis Centre, Clothing Bank, Canadian Mental Health, as well as agencies in Central Alberta such as Camp Evergreen, Sundre Nutrition for Learning. It is always an inspiring and humbling experience to witness the extraordinary efforts of dedicated and enthusiastic staff and volunteers in our community.	2			Ongoing
Leadership Networks	For my personal portfolio, I have developed [with some technical assistance] a website for my business, Arden Research. It has been a great learning experience	2			May 6, 2004
	I participated in planning the Leadership Networks Final retreat and Graduation	2			May 6, 2004
Public Safety & Judicial System	I attended "Law Day", an open house put on by justice agencies in Red Deer. It was held at the court house and two of the highlights were a tour of the Law library .. a great resource that I was unaware of, and the mock trial which was both entertaining and informative in terms of court process.	2			April 17, 2004
Quality of Life	We attended a John Ralston Saul lecture at Red Deer College; it was part of their Classics series. The topic was Globalization and Nationalism; JRS was a very engaging speaker and there was lots of food for thought in his presentation. He echoed many of the concerns that my husband and I have about the global economy.	1			March 19, 2004
	I attended the One Act Plays at Red Deer College. This a year end performance by the Arts and Culture students. I have been before but this year was extra special because I was invited along by Jacey (LN), and she gave us a tour of the backstage and costume departments .. fascinating!	1			March 20, 2004
Totals		22