Status of Women Blog: Women’s Equality PEI
This week, the Status of Women Blog features some new publications, information about a recent Council meeting, along with other items of interest. Visit our blog at peiacsw.wordpress.com.
NEW LISTINGS THIS WEEK
1. International Women’s Day Event, Saturday March 8, 7:00 pm, Georgian Room, Charlottetown Hotel
This International Women’s Day, help celebrate Leaders Among Us – 2008. Island Champions for the Environment are:
- Bethany Doyle and Joan Doyle: Spirituality & Earth Advocates
- Gaia Singers: “O Beautiful Gaia” Singers, Advocates
- Betty Howatt: Farmer, Storyteller, Earth Protector
- Sharon Labchuk: Green Party Leader, Activist, Founder – Earth Action
- Irene Novaczek: Scientist, Marine Products Entrepreneur, Advocate
- Sara Roach Lewis: Founder, Women for Environmental Sustainability
- Jackie Waddell: Island Nature Trust Director, Environmentalist
Gaia Singers…Roundtable…Keynote…Door Prizes…Presentations…Reception
All Welcome – No Charge. Keynote speaker for the evening will be National Water Campaigner of the Council of the Canadians, Susan Howatt. For more info, call Marian, CUSO 892-2610 / Lisa, ACSW 368-4510.
2. Food Security Workshop
We are writing to invite you to an upcoming workshop on food security on PEI, which is being able to obtain enough nutritious safe food needed for a healthy active life without relying on emergency food from food banks or soup kitchens.
Did you know that…
- Every day on Prince Edward Island, children go hungry and mothers skip meals to feed their children.
- Approximately 1 in 10 Islanders report that they experience food insecurity which is not having enough nutritious food for them and their families and worrying about having enough food.
- Our farmers and fishers are struggling because they fail to receive a decent price for the food they produce or harvest.
A meeting on Food Security will be held March 4, 2008 (storm date: March 5 )
10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. , Farm Centre, 420 University Avenue, Charlottetown
- Healthy tasty lunch from Karin Laronde and refreshments will be provided.
- Funding will be available for child care.
- Moderator will be Marie Burge, Working Group for a Livable Income
The purpose of the March 4 meeting is to share our various perspectives on food security on PEI, increase awareness of food security issues on PEI, learn about the experiences and models of food security networks in the Maritimes, and identify a broad spectrum of members who are willing to participate in follow up activities after the workshop, when we hope to chart a path which will provide much needed sustainable leadership in the area of food security in Prince Edward Island.
Various groups such as the Cooper Institute, the PEI Working Group for a Livable Income and the PEI Healthy Eating Alliance have been working on aspects of food security. The PEI Food Security Network was formed recently as an initiative of three partners: the PEI Healthy Eating Alliance (Access to Safe and Healthy Food Working Group), CHANCES Family Centre/Canada Prenatal Nutrition Program and the PEI Working Group for a Livable Income.
We feel that bringing interested individuals and groups together to work toward a common goal of food security for all Islanders will be more effective. Therefore, we have formed an interim steering committee and have applied for and received funding from the Public Health Agency of Canada to conduct this planning day and, we hope, officially form the PEI Food Security Network.
We have invited a diverse group including community members experiencing food insecurity, dietitians, community activists, farmers, fishers, and other community groups so that we can look at this problem from a broad perspective and find real solutions that will have a lasting impact.
Please RSVP to Kelsey Kennedy at the PEI Healthy Eating Alliance, 620-3672, kelsey@healthyeatingpei.ca.
3. Presentation by Carla DiGiorgio
The public is invited to attend a presentation called “Access of students with learning disabilities to higher education: Issues and Solutions” by Dr. Carla DiGiorgio on March 7, at 4:30 p.m., in the Main Building, 040 (basement) at the University of Prince Edward Island (UPEI).
DiGiorgio is working with research colleagues from UPEI and Holland College, as well as the Learning Disabilities Association of PEI, to find out about barriers and challenges facing adults with learning challenges as they attempt to access postsecondary or basic education in P.E.I. The researchers are collecting data from instructors in these institutions and from various programs to discover where the challenges are for the programs themselves, and what practices can be shared and developed to increase support to adult learners.
DiGiorgio has been an assistant professor with the Faculty of Education at UPEI since 2005 and a research partner with the Social Economy since 2006. Her areas of research include inclusive education, learning disabilities, language and cultural studies, policy and school change, and gifted education. She has a PhD in Inclusive Education from the University of South Australia, and a Master of Arts in Education, Learning Difficulties and Administration from Saint Francis Xavier University in Nova Scotia.
The Social Economy and Sustainability Research Network, Subnode 2: Inclusion and Empowerment, based at the Institute of Island Studies at UPEI, is hosting the presentation.
The Atlantic chapter of the Social Economy seeks to increase the region’s capacity for a dynamic social economy built on partnerships, knowledge and networks by working with its peoples and community partners to meet their research needs and to influence policy at the provincial and municipal levels.
The goal for Subnode 2 is to bring community partners and academics together to conduct research and to hold information sessions focusing on the theme of inclusion and empowerment of marginalized people in the social economy of Atlantic Canada.
For information about this event, please contact the Institute of Island Studies at (902) 566-0377.
4. Public Consultations
The Prince Edward Island Disability Services Review Committee is asking Islanders to share ideas and concerns through a series of public consultations that will be held from 6:30 to 8:30 pm as follows:
* February 26 at École Évangéline in Abram’s Village (French simultaneous translation available)
* February 28 at Montague High School
* March 4 at the Souris Hospital (in the downstairs classroom)
* March 6 at Athena School in Summerside
* March 11 at Westisle Composite High School in Elmsdale.
* April 2, consultations will be held in Charlottetown from 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and again from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Murchison Centre at 1719 St. Pius X Avenue (behind the Irving off St. Peter’s Road and across from the church).
Sign language services will be available at all events.
A background paper and questions for discussion and written submission is available on-line at www.gov.pe.ca/disability. The questions are as follows. In considering services and supports for people with disabilities: What is working? What are the gaps and problems? What are the solutions? What roles could individuals, families, community, business and government play? Written submissions can be sent to Ascent Consulting Services, PO Box 1531, Charlottetown, PE C1A 7N3 or by email to wendy@ascentstrategy.ca by April 10, 2008.
For more information about the Disability Services Review, contact (902) 368-5967 or 1-866-594-3777 or visit the website at www.gov.pe.ca/disability.
5. News Release
One of our regular weekly readers thought this news release entitled “Leading Engineers and Scientists Identify Advances That Could Improve Quality of Life Around the World – 21 Century’s Grand Engineering Challenges Unveiled” would be interesting and informative for our mailing list.
Please click on the link below to see the entire text of the release:
http://www8.nationalacademies.org/onpinews/newsitem.aspx?RecordID=02152008
6. Yes 4 Youth Toolkit
We are pleased to announce that the Yes 4 Youth Toolkit is now available on line as well as in hard copy.
This Toolkit includes a discussion of the causes of youth peer violence and a listing of programs for age groups 0-6, 7-12, and 13-18. It was produced for the Youth Peer Violence Prevention Committee with funding from Crime Prevention Canada.
Please have a look at the Toolkit at the website: violenceispreventable.com. Click on ‘Youth Peer Violence Prevention’ on the left side of the screen. If you would like a copy mailed to you please contact Anne Nicholson at anne@bghj.com or 892-2096.
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PREVIOUS LISTINGS
1. Fundraiser
There is a fund-raiser dance in aid of PEI Citizen Advocacy, a non-profit organization which works with Islanders with intellectual disabilities,
with live music from the Roger Jones Band,
on Friday, February 22th at the Charlottetown Legion at 99 Pownal St.
Come and enjoy yourself and support a great cause in the process!
Only $8, $5 for People First members or people living on low incomes. Tickets available at the door or from the Voluntary Resource Centre at 81 Prince St. or form Curtland Studio at 58 Queen St.
Doors open at 9 p.m. Ph: 566-3523 Contact person: Rosalind Waters
2. Benefit Concert for Kate Poole
There will be a benefit concert and adult dance for Kate Poole at
the Vernon River Hall, Saturday Feb 23 at 8:00. The concert will
feature Kendall Docherty, John Webster, Gordon Belsher, Bobby
Murphy and Teresa Doyle. Adult Dance to follow with The
Blueprints at 9:30. Cash Bar. Admission by donation. Come enjoy
some great music, dancing, food, a loonie auction, and a 50/50
draw. All proceeds are for our friend Kate Poole in her journey with
cancer.
Donations can be made at Brett’s Cappuchino Booth at
the Farmers Market, any Saturday. For more information contact
Teresa Doyle at 838 -2973.
3. PEI Business Women’s Association Upcoming Events for March
The Productivity Factor – Summerside
Presenter: Corey Poirier, Island Business News / International Sales Training Institute
In today’s competitive business landscape, it has become more and more difficult for business owners and business professionals to keep up with rising demands. But the question is: are we just being busy or are we being productive? This workshop is designed to help participants truly take the power back, prioritize more effectively, and get more done in less time, with less effort.
Location: Loyalist Country Inn
Date: Thursday, March 6, 2008
Time: 12:00 – 1:30 pm
Cost: $15 + GST for members, $20 + GST for non-members
To register, contact Elizabeth Noonan by e-mail at elizabeth@peibwa.org or by phone at (902) 436-0386. Registration deadline: Tuesday, March 4, 2008 at 4 pm.
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Dealing With Difficult Customers – Charlottetown
Presenter: Sherry Pelkey, The Marrek Group
This session is intended to assist participants in understanding and dealing effectively with difficult behaviours. Topics include: separating the behaviour from the individual to develop a greater understanding of the actions of others, learning the role that the participant plays in a difficult situation, identifying hot buttons in self and other, and developing strategies to encourage positive behaviour.
Location: Best Western Charlottetown (Cabot Room)
Date: Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Time: 12:00 – 1:30 pm
Cost: $15 + GST for members, $20 + GST for non-members
To register, contact Paula Laybolt by e-mail at office@peibwa.org or by phone at (902) 892-6040. Registration deadline: Friday, March 7, 2008 at 4 pm.
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The Power of Gratitude – Montague
Presenter: Tammy Younker, Inspired Life Coaching
This session highlights the simple but yet effective ways in which the lives of our employees and co-workers can be enhanced. Gratitude has the power to change any environment. Build a strong, connected, positive working environment through thankfulness. Learn about the gratitude letter and other ideas to help inject a new energy into your workplace. A work place with people who feel appreciated includes exchanging gratitude freely and frequently.
Location: Active Communities, 540 Main Street, Montague
Date: Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Time: 12:00 – 1:30 pm
Cost: $15 + GST for members, $20 + GST for non-members
To register, contact Paula Laybolt by e-mail at office@peibwa.org or by phone at (902) 892-6040. Registration deadline: Friday, March 21, 2008 at 4 pm.
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Please note: If you register for any Lunch and Learn session and are unable to attend, please let them know 48 hours in advance. People who do not cancel in advance will be invoiced.
4. Bonshaw Ceilidh
The monthly Ceilidh/Concert at the Bonshaw Community Centre is set for 7-9 pm on Sunday, February 24th. Special guests are the local folk/country group Barstool Conspiracy, with Pat Campbell and Larry Yeo on vocals, guitars and bass, and Wade Silliker on vocals and banjo. Also 15 year old Paige LeClair from New Haven will be fiddling and stepdancing, and there will be other singers, open stage, lunch, 50-50 draw, and more! Admission by donation to the monthly cause,which is, for February, the Heart and Stroke Foundation of PEI. For more information, contact Ruth Lacey at 675-4282 or Sheldon MacNevin at 675-2855.
5. Bonshaw Women’s Institute Hobby Night
Also in Bonshaw, the Women’s Institute has organized a winter event for all area residents every second Thursday until March Break. ‘Hobby Night’ will be held at the Bonshaw Community Centre Feb 7th and 21st and March 6th, from 7-9 pm, and is a chance for all ages to get together for social crafts, games, music or other activities. For more information, call 675-2640.
6. Workshop
Special offer - NEW!
MOVING FROM GRIEF TO NEW LIFE
This workshop will explore:
- reactions to the experience of loss
- the necessary phases of grief
- obstacles that may hinder the healing process
- what enables us to go on
- and life beyond thoughts and emotions of grief
that give meaning to our lives.
Facilitator: Sr. Myrna Aylward
Dates: Thurs. – Sat. Feb. 21 – Feb. 23
Times: Thurs. & Fri. 7:00 pm – 9:30 pm
Sat. 9:30 am – 4:00 pm
Location: Mount St. Mary’s, Charlottetown
Fee: $ 35.00
- Please register before Feb. 18, 2008
This popular workshop has been scheduled again so
register early to reserve your place.
Information: 892-6585 or myrna@transforming-self.com
Registration form at: www.transforming-self.com
7. Child Protection Act Public Consultation Schedule Announced
The Prince Edward Island Child Protection Act Review Advisory Committee is asking Islanders to share ideas and concerns about the operation and administration of the Child Protection Act through a series of public consultations in February and March.
The advisory committee will host public consultations that will run from 7 to 9 p.m. as follows:
* February 25 at Colonel Gray High School in Charlottetown
* March 5 at Montague High School
* March 10 at Souris High School.
The Mi’Kmaq Confederacy of PEI will host a public consultation at 2:00 pm and a youth consultation at 5:00 pm for members of the Aboriginal community on March 3 at Centre Belle-Alliance in Summerside.
Individuals or groups can also provide input to the advisory committee through a private and confidential meeting or a written submission. Written submissions can be sent to Patsy MacLean, HRA at cpareview@hra.ca before March 14, 2008.
For more information or to book a private consultation, contact Wendy Hughes at (902) 368-5294 or 1-866-594-3777 or visit the advisory committee’s website at www.gov.pe.ca/go/cpareview.
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For further information or questions specifically relating to these notices, please contact the individual or organization hosting the community event.
