Civic Election - Monday, October 18, 2010

Please note that the Civic Election in Calgary will be held on Monday, October 18, 2010. One of the Ten Learning Outcomes that Bow Valley College has committed to as a Comprehensive Community College is to promote Citizenship and Intercultural Competence; a key part in the development of this outcome is to encourage staff, learners and alumni of the College to demonstrate their contribution to the community by excercising their right to vote.

Polling stations will be open on Monday, October 18, 2010 between 10:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. Voting station and other election details can be found at: www.calgary.ca/election

Details on candidates for alderman (all wards), mayor and school trustees can be found at:
www.calgarydemocracy.ca

Other election details, forums and event listings can be found at:
www.civiccamp.org/2010election

Making Changes: An Employment and Life Skills Program for Immigrant Women

Are you an immigrant woman who feels the need for a better future?
Do you need information about education and work opportunities?
Do you wish to improve your job search skills?

This is an opportunity to:

• Increase your confidence
• Identify and learn to market your skills
• Practice job interviews and telephone situations
• Learn about Canadian Business Culture
• Further develop your English language skills
• Develop a plan to reach your goals

Fee: FREE

Place: Calgary Immigrant Women's Association - 200, 138 - 4 Avenue S.E.

Classes begin: Monday, November 1, 2010; every Monday for six weeks (November 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 & December 6)

Time: 9:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. (bring your lunch)

Childcare: FREE (you must register for free childcare)

FOR MORE INFORMATION and TO REGISTER CONTACT:

Elaine - phone 403-262-5776 or e-mail employmentlifeskills@makingchangesassociation.ca

Silvia - phone 403-263-4414 (extension 118) or e-mail employment@ciwa-online.com

Making Changes is offered through the Calgary Immigrant Women's Association and funded by Alberta Employment & Immigration and the Government of Canada

BVC Alumnus and Interior Decorator, Alykhan Velji to offer Decor Tours through Continuing Education

You have probably seen him on Breakfast Television or HGTV ... Calgary's local celebrity decorator, Alykhan Velji (Interior Decorating & Merchandising 2003) has teamed up with Continuing Education at Bow Valley College to offer Decor Tours to help do-it-yourself decorators give their homes the look and feel of a professionally decorated space.

Aly will be doing four Decor Excursions to local retailers and offering his keen eye and professional advice to participants as part of Continuing Education's Live a Better Life series beginning September 25.

The first 5 alumni who register will also receive a free entry to this year's Home + Interior Design Show - where you can also see a display by current Interior Decorating and Merchandising Diploma students.

Register today and Live a Better Life!
Decor Excursions are $49 each
Register online or by phone: 403-410-1400 or www.bowvalleycollege.ca/apply

Support the BVCAA and get magazine subscriptions for LESS!!!

Attention BVC Alumni and Friends!

The BVCAA has entered into a partnership with QSP to offer BVC Alumni and friends the opportunity to buy your favourite magazine subscriptions at a discounted price. Subscriptions are great gifts (or even a nice treat to give yourself)! Check out http://www.qsp.ca/ for prices and available subscriptions.

4th Annual International Thanksgiving is just around the corner ...

Back in 2007, when the Bow Valley College Alumni Association (BVCAA) was created, the first official alumni event was a traditional Thanksgiving dinner for 30 International alumni. The dinner was planned in acknowledgement of the support and continued engagement shown to the College by International alumni.

In the years since, the International Alumni Thanksgiving dinner has become a permanent fixture in the BVCAA event calendar and has more than doubled in size. We are currently planning for the 4th annual dinner and invite all International and Corporate Readiness Training Program Alumni to attend. This year's event details are as follows:

Tuesday, October 5

Fort Calgary, Sanders Room

750 - 9 Avenue S.E.

6:30 - 9:00 p.m.

International and CRTP Alumni are invited to RSVP by September 30 to reserve a seat.

Calgary Vipers are play-off bound!

The Vipers led the second half of the 2010 season in the North division of the Golden Baseball League with an 8-2 record in their last 10 games.

On September 7, the Vipers began the defense of their 2010 Golden Baseball League Championship in the North Division Championship Series on the road against the Chico Outlaws, overall leaders in the North division.

The Vipers bring it home on Friday, September 10 in the best of five series; first pitch at 7:05 p.m., Foothills Stadium. Due to heavy rain on Wednesday, September 8 game two in Chico, California was cancelled. The remainder of the series will be played at Foothills Stadium in Calgary September 10-13; currently the Outlaws lead the series 1-0.

Plan a family night out and catch some professional baseball play-off action by taking advantage of special ticket pricing for BVCAA members by showing your alumni card!

Check out player stats here.

Check out league standings here.

Check out the play-off schedule here.

Check Calgary Vipers main website for the latest Vipers news here.

Cirque de Soleil "KOOZA" is coming to Calgary!

Get inspired with Cirque du Soleil!

Experience the acrobatic adrenaline rush of KOOZA from Cirque du Soleil, for less.

As a member of the Bow Valley College Alumni Association, you can take advantage of:

~ Family 4-pack - two adult and two child tickets for one great price (packages starting at $138)

This exotic visual world full of surprises , thrills and chills will spark creativity in all who experience it. KOOZA explores themes of fear, identity, recognition and power, and highlights the physical demands of human performance in all its splendor and fragility.

KOOZA opens in Calgary under the Grand Chapiteau at Stampede Park on September 16.

Book your tickets today for your KOOZA experience, click here for details.

The BVCAA goes on the road for Rewards of Recognition and Rejuvenation

As part of an ongoing initiative to strengthen our ties with alumni in helping professions with the help of funding from RBC Foundation, the BVCAA has been taking nominations from supervisors, clients and co-workers of BVC Alumni who are working as LPNs, Health Care Aides, Education Assistants, Early Learning and Child Care workers or Personal Care Attendants. On Thursday, June 17 the BVCAA awarded Amanda LeClaire (Practical Nurse program, 2003) with the first official BVCAA and RBC Foundation sponsored Reward of Recognition and Rejuvenation.

The following letter was submitted on Amanda's behalf by her co-worker, Marie Boczkowski, at Lethbridge Community Care. It speaks to the good work being done in the community by Bow Valley College Alumni.

I would like to tell you about an awesome person that I work with, her name is Amanda LeClaire. I work with Amanda is Community Care in Lethbridge. She goes the extra mile and is the sweetest, smartest, most caring LPN. She always has a kind word and helping hands for whoever needs them.

She recently had the opportunity to care for an elderly man who had undergone treatment for cancer, this gentleman had a difficult time talking after he returned home and had a tube feed. Amanda would spend extra time assisting him and caring for the tube dressing; she would give him the attention he required to allow him to let her know what he needed, even when he just wanted to tell her about himself and his life. Amanda would place calls to Calgary to arrange for dressing supplies and tube feeds and make calls to arrange his follow-up appointments.

This client thinks she is the best. I did not have the opportunity to ask him if I could add his name to this nomination letter, but I know that he would not have hesitated in letting me do so. This gentleman no longer has his tube feed and is doing quite well, I know that he looked forward to Amanda's home visits and will miss her.

Amanda is a credit to the LPN profession and she will do great things during the course of her career. I am priveleged to be able to work with her.

Amanda graduated from the Bow Valley College Practical Nurse program which was brokered to Lethbridge College in 2003.

Sincerely, Marie Boczkowski
Marie (left) and Amanda (right) are show above at the celebration for Amanda on June 17 at Lethbridge Community Care - Lethbridge Centre location

The staff at Lethbridge Community Care celebrated the award alongside Amanda by gathering for the presentation (and delicious Crave cupcakes) and presenting her with a card signed by everyone in the office. Alberta Health Services also had members of their communications team out to write an article on Amanda and her work as an LPN in the Lethbridge community.

Nominations for the Rewards of Recognition and Rejuvenation program will be accepted on an ongoing basis. If you have an employee, co-worker or are a client of an exemplary BVC Alumnus working in a helping profession please contact the BVCAA at alumni@bowvalleycollege.ca

New benefit for Alumni - access to the Library and Learning Commons!

The Bow Valley College Alumni Association is excited to announce that BVC Alumni are now able to use the Library and Learning Commons (LLC) at North Campus (332 - 6 Avenue SE) as part of their alumni benefits.

While students will maintain priority when the LLC is at capacity, this benefit will provide valuable resources and work space options on an ongoing basis for alumni.

Alumni who would like to take advantage of this special access must be carrying their alumni benefit card with a second piece of photo identification.

If you do not have an alumni card please contact: alumni@bowvalleycollege.ca

BVC is fundraising to provide disaster relief aid in Haiti

On January 12 a devastating earthquake took place near Port-Au-Prince, Haiti. It is feared that 200,000 people lost their lives, 250,000 are suffering from injuries related to the earthquake and 1.5 million people have been left homeless. While Haitians try to rebuild their lives, fundraising to aid with relief efforts is taking place all over the world. On January 25 Bow Valley College will be hosting a Bake Sale to raise funds to be donated directly to the Red Cross Haitian Relief Fund.

What: Bake Sale Fundraiser for Haiti Disaster Relief
When: Monday, January 25, 2010
Time: NOON - 1:00 p.m.
Where: Bow Valley College, 2nd Floor Lobby, 332-6 Avenue S.E.

Another way to donate through Bow Valley College ...

The Fund Development team at Bow Valley College has generously offered to collect and submit donations made out to registered charities on behalf of alumni, staff and students of the College. Donations can be sent to:

Bow Valley College
Attn: Karen Filbert (Fund Development Office)
332 - 6 Avenue SE
Calgary, AB T2G 4S6

All donations received will be submitted directly to the registered charity of your choice and will demonstrate the generosity and caring of the Bow Valley College community. Funds will be collected until Friday, January 29, 2010.

As Bow Valley College President, Sharon Carry stated in her message following the earthquake: "With perhaps 200,000 lives lost and 3 million lives shattered, cash contributions to reputable relief organizations make a difference."

Up to date information on the crisis in Haiti is available at the Globe and Mail .

Nominate an employee or co-worker today for a Reward of Recognition and Rejuvenation

The Bow Valley College Alumni Association, in partnership with the RBC Foundation, is planning to celebrate Random Acts of Kindness Week 2010 by recognizing the good work that BVC Alumni in helping professions are doing in the community.


If you work with or supervise an outstanding BVC graduate who is a: Health Care Aide, LPN, Education Assistant, Early Learning Child Care worker or Personal Care Attendant, please consider nominating them for one of these special rewards.

The 2010 Rewards of Recognition and Rejuvenation will be presented in the workplace between February 16-19. This year ten nominees will be presented with a certificate of recognition from BVC and RBC, a rejuvenation gift package and a copy of the nomination letter that was submitted on their behalf.

Nomination criteria is as follows:

Nominators must be ...

• a supervisor, co-worker or client of the nominee


• available to co-present the reward between February 16-19, 2010


• aware that their letter of nomination will be passed on to the nominee on their behalf as part of the reward package

Nominees must ...

• have had a positive impact on the lives of co-workers, clients, visitors or the community


• have committed a selfless act which has built the morale of others


• be a graduate of Bow Valley College or AVC (Calgary)

Nomination letters summarizing the nominee's eligibility must be sent to the Bow Valley College Alumni Association (BVCAA) by Friday, January 29 at 4:00 p.m. to be considered by the selection committee. Nominators will be notified by Friday, February 5, 2010 of the top ten nominees.

*Please note that every nominee will receive a copy of their letter of nomination and a certificate of recognition, however only the top ten nominees will have a workplace presentation by the BVCAA. It is encouraged that the nominator be available to present the certificate of recognition to nominees who do not fall within the top 10.

Nominations can be sent via mail, email or fax to:

Bow Valley College Alumni Association
c/o Amanda Fusaro-Smith

6th flr, 332 - 6 Avenue SE

Calgary, AB T2G 4S6

Fax: 403-297-4871 (Attn: Amanda Fusaro-Smith)

E-mail: afusaro@bowvalleycollege.ca

Lisa Ling (former co-host from The View) to speak at Tony Robbins event on March 9!

On March 9, 2010 the Power Within is presenting Tony Robbins and guests at the Telus Convention Centre for a day of inspiring presentations and valuable information-sharing. It has just been announced that former co-host of Barbara Walter's hit daytime show The View, Lisa Ling has been added to the docket to speak on World Affairs:The Significance of Global Events on our Future.

The BVCAA has partnered up with the Power Within to offer reduced rates to this amazing speaker event.

Tickets for BVC Alumni and friends are $189 (a savings of $140!)

Call Peter at the Power Within today to book your seat toll free at 1-866-883-5198. To receive alumni discount tickets must be purchased over the phone.

For more details on speakers and the BVCAA discount please click here.

Volunteer Opportunity for Random Acts of Kindness Week

Random Acts of Kindness week is February 15-21, 2010 and the BVCAA is putting together a group of 10-20 alumni volunteers who would like to give back by volunteering at the Calgary Food Bank.

When: Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Time: 12:30 - 3:00 p.m.

Place: Calgary Food Bank, 5000 - 11 Street SE (East of Blackfoot Trail)

If you are interested in this volunteer opportunity please contact Amanda Fusaro-Smith at 403-355-4666 or alumni@bowvalleycollege.ca

Some fast facts about the Calgary Food Bank:

• Last year the Food Bank served 124,713 (40% increase over the year before)


• 41% of Food Bank clients are children


• 15,607 clients were referred by partner agencies


• 9825 family and individual referrals were made by the Food Bank to other community agencies

Help us help our fellow Calgarians by volunteering!

Congratulations Class of 2010!

The BVCAA would like to congratulate the more than 400 students who will graduate at Bow Valley College's Winter Graduation today. Welcome to the Alumni community!


The following is a short profile about Nova Lee DoBush, the valedictorian for Business and Industry; originally posted as a Media Advisory by the BVC Marketing and Communications department:


Nova Lee DoBush, like so many other Canadians, lost her job in 2009 due to the recession. Mother of two, she turned to Bow Valley College (BVC) in order to upgrade her existing skills and embark on a new career path to support her family.


On Monday, January 11, DoBush and more than 400 other students from Bow Valley College will take part in graduation ceremonies at Jack Singer Concert Hall. They'll receive their diplomas and certificates knowing that they're well equipped with job-ready skills and training.


DoBush begins a practicum in February as a Hospital Unit Clerk, joining a sector that has seen strong job growth. In its December 2009 labour force statistics, the Government of Alberta reported that the health care area has experienced some of the highest employment gains in the province.


"Bow Valley College has a Hospital Unit Clerk program that worked for me", DoBush says. "It gave me the opportunity to upgrade my skills quickly and join the workforce right away." Six months after enrolling in her program, she will represent her classmates as valedictorian for the Business and Industry department.


Students from programs in Academic Upgrading (Valedictorian: Kathleen Israel) and Health and Community Care (Valedictorian: Emily Hart) will also graduate on January 11.