The management of a recreation facility is responsible for providing an environment that is as low-risk as possible for patrons and members of your team. Minimizing and eliminating risk begins with injury prevention. Facility managers need to understand how the actions and behaviours of your staff play a critical role in the overall injury-prevention plan at your facility. Supervisors should also understand the role you play in supporting your staff in this effort.

Dave Adamson of the Canadian Red Cross will identify some of the major situations that increase the level of risk at your recreation or aquatic centre, identify ways to improve your staff knowledge of, and involvement with, risk management and provide audit tools for you to evaluate the level of risk at your recreation or aquatic facility.

The One Simple Act program from Alberta Environment engages Albertans in conversations and actions on waste reduction, water conservation and energy efficiency. Since its launch in the spring of 2008, the program has engaged over 50,000 Albertans. The tools the One Simple Act program draws on include: a community outreach booth, workshops, presentations on greening the home and the office, a re-useable bag program and more! The One Simple Act program and their staff are a free resource that can come to your community to help support your environmental and sustainability goals. The presentation will give an overview of the program and what we can offer in your community. www.onesimpleact.alberta.ca

As our cities mature and the infrastructure deteriorates, there is a constant need for renewal. Davies' presentation will focus on the conflicts that arise between civic infrastructure renewal and a city's trees, where, traditionally, it's the city tree that loses. The presentation will go beyond the obvious aesthetic value provided by trees, and their asset value, to include the health and wellness of people and trees in their environment.

Stand Up for Your Life is a social marketing program designed to influence Albertans' knowledge, attitudes and behaviours around chronic disease prevention. It's about repositioning "living healthy" in a fun, non-proscribed way and emphasizing the short term benefits of behaviour change: improved energy, feeling good and setting an example - the "here and now" motivators for lifestyle change. It doesn't include a proscribed way of doing things; it's unique for each Albertan and every Alberta community. The session showcases this Alberta healthy living movement and presents opportunities for leveraging community-level action to support Stand Up For Your Life.

A journey into the belief system where all children are capable of success - no exceptions! This two-part session is designed to inspire, empower and transform all participants, providing a compelling body of knowledge, principles and strategies drawn from resiliency, positive psychology, recreation and education theory, research, and application. By synthesizing a wide range of evidence-based findings into a simple series of practices, adults will possess the capacity to unleash the potential in all children.

Cultural intelligence is the ability to observe, learn, understand, and evaluate your own culture as well as the culture of others. We are all becoming multicultural "cyborgs," part technician and part human consciousness. If we are tone-deaf to culture and diversity, our own and other cultures will pay a high price. We risk losing support and clients if we don't know how to provide service for them. We risk criticism from those who feel left out, or want a forum in which to be heard. Understanding how our cultural tapestry is being unravelled and rewoven opens our perspective and eases our anxiety.

Corporate sponsorship is a business. Using case studies, Haber will outline the process that publicly funded projects and events must go through in order to be successful in working with the corporate sector. Specifically, Haber will review the steps required to evaluate your property or project, and how best to package that opportunity for presentation to the corporate sector. She will outline a process for developing a list of corporate prospects for each project, and discuss what's required to get those prospects to agree to support your initiative.

In 2007, the Red Deer community began the process of visioning its ideal cultural future. This session will outline the Appreciative Inquiry process that was applied to the project and how it resulted in interesting, empowering ideas that have the support and encouragement of the entire community, including the civic government. By approaching the community as full of creative possibilities, rather than as problems to be solved, community members can clearly understand their roles: individually, as organizations, and as active participants, creators and consumers within the cultural fabric of the city. Learn how Red Deer is now primed to move toward the creative result.

Traditional marketing and websites are increasingly taking a back seat to Web 2.0 approaches. Web 2.0 recognizes that a website - a static marketing piece (like a digital brochure) - is no longer enough to achieve success. Technologies like Facebook, Twitter, Wordpress, and phpBBS are required to increase connectivity and engagement between your service population and your operation, and ensure that your outcomes are achieved.

Join Todd as he leads you through a discussion of Web 2.0 and samples of the technologies that make it work - real-world examples and strategies that are replicable in your workplace.

What is a needs assessment, and why should you do one? How do you undertake a needs assessment? What are the pitfalls? What's the difference between demand for service and need for service?

Making decisions about whether or not to undertake a needs assessment, and how to approach one, can be daunting. The session will answer your basic questions, provide an overview of tips and techniques, and demonstrate the benefits of a needs assessment, whether you undertake one by itself, or as part of a broader planning initiative. Johnston and Meunier will provide interesting background and how-to and what not to do tips for board members, elected officials and practitioners.

Continued from A5

People often communicate based on gender, generational background, religion, class or culture. But future leaders will need to think more about similarities and competencies than age or differences, given the mixing of cultures and generations. Communities and workforces are increasingly multicultural on many levels, and four generations now share our communities. Increasing individuality makes us even more diverse than we might have imagined, but all generations and cultures share some basic values. Knowledge of these values is crucial to the planning of places, spaces and the fostering of community spirit.

You've heard about it, you've wanted to try it, now here's your chance! Join Jack W. Peters, author of Idiots Guide to Geocaching, as he leads this active geocaching session. In small groups, you will use your GPS unit to seek and find actual geocaches. Is it a virtual or is it a micro? Maybe you'll be lucky enough to find a travel bug! Dress appropriately for outdoors (GPS units are graciously sponsored by GPS Central in Calgary, AB).

How can nonprofit organizations and community groups more effectively attract support from the local business community? Explore why many businesses are no longer content to simply make monetary contributions to their favourite causes, and how they want their support to return benefits to their businesses. Learn how to develop a plan to identify potential business supporters and how to appeal for their support with a stronger understanding of the business manager's perspective. Examples of the approach will be provided to further demonstrate this unique fund development perspective.

The Land-use Framework was approved in December 2008 by the Government of Alberta. This session provides an overview the Land-use Framework (LUF) and seven basic strategies to improve land-use decision-making in Alberta.

The panel of speakers will offer an update on the strategies, discussion of the Alberta Land Stewardship Act, an update on the status and development of regional plans, and discussion as to how the regional plans will take into consideration economic, environment and social impacts of land-use decisions in very different parts of the province. The presentations will demonstrate the ways land conservation for ecological and recreational services is being integrated into the plans.

The Green Communities Guide was developed by the Land Stewardship Centre of Canada (LSCC) to help communities implement strategies to conserve water, protect water quality, conserve agricultural land, open spaces and wildlife habitat in Alberta's built environment. The tools presented in the Guide were selected to address the key issues identified by planners and developers, from preliminary surveys and discussions. Tools were researched, described and accompanied by appropriate case studies to provide details on implementation as well as contact information. Through the Guide municipalities, planners, developers and builders will be informed about innovative approaches other communities are taking to avoid, mitigate, or reduce impacts that may, otherwise affect ecological processes and reduce the flow of goods and services.

We rarely have time to reflect on the trends that are changing the essential nature of the recreation enterprise. In this session, we will reflect on "big picture" societal change, trends in leisure, participation and demand shifts, dynamics related to professional competencies, and what's next. Balmer and Clarke present from a foundation of 30 years of trend-watching for the leisure field, with an emphasis on recent trend analyses conducted for the Canadian Parks Council, the Canadian Tourism Commission, the National Learning Initiative and ARPA/ACE Communities.

Kristy provides an overview of how public art can be included in parks and municipal spaces, how artists can be involved in parks planning, a practical understanding of what public art is. and the process of administrating or accessioning a public artwork.

Calgary AfterSchool is an exciting collaborative approach for children and youth in Calgary during the critical hours between 3:00 and 6:00 pm. The City of Calgary Recreation has implemented after-school programming specifically for junior high-aged youth at six facilities across the city as a result of this collaboration. The session provides a brief overview of the development of Calgary AfterSchool, and focuses on the lessons learned and successes experienced in implementing this program within a facility-based environment.

Through the power of storytelling, this keynote will embrace the challenge of enhancing performance through the dynamics of building engagement. Five themes will emerge: building success; power of affirmation; valuing differences; starting where people are at; and being respectful. Stories encompassing the worlds of business, education, municipal recreation, government and professional sport will support the themes.

This is a repeat of session B7; see page 9 for more information.

The Richmond Olympic Oval, the signature facility for the Winter 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Games, is a third-generation venue that focuses on significant legacy uses post-games; it attempts to leverage its iconic value to transform its site and the entire community. Learn how the City of Richmond, their partners, and the designers collaborated to create a sustainable legacy from the Olympic Games, develop Richmond as a Community of Excellence for Sports and Wellness, enhance the livability of the city, and serve as a model for Canada and the world. The facility is targeting LEED Silver certification.

Successful professionals take advantage of opportunities that get them closer to their career-building goals. Key components include resume building and networking, as well as goal setting, career pathing, professional development and self-management. The session introduces emerging professionals to these concepts through interactive dialogue with industry professionals.

ARPA's ACE initiative - Active, Creative, Engaged communities - is designed to enhance the quality of life in rural Alberta by strengthening community leadership, collaboration, and innovation through recreation, parks, arts, culture, and heritage.

Learn more about this exciting initiative from leaders working at the grassroots level to apply community development approaches. The session will provide examples of local initiatives, challenges faced along the way, and what they've learned on their respective journeys.

After researching leading practices across North America, the City of Edmonton is embarking on a new, comprehensive approach to creating and sustaining great neighbourhoods. All city departments will work together, and with our partners and citizens, to deliver services more effectively and efficiently, synchronize our planning efforts and facilitate improved two-way communication with residents. Hear the story of why Great Neighbourhoods was initiated, what challenges it will address and the opportunities it creates.

"Cultural Planning for Creative Communities" features Gord Hume in an exclusive and dynamic ARPA session on municipal cultural planning. The sesson showcases how cultural planning is critical to building vibrant, dynamic and prosperous communities in the 21st century, and how "The CRINK Economy"™ is reshaping our views of municipal government. Hume's presentation looks at local and global issues, opportunities and ideas, and presents realistic solutions for helping local municipalities. You don't want to miss this exciting presentation and Q & A.

The value and benefits of recreation, parks and culture in our communities depend upon the proposition that these services ultimately add to the public good. But what do we mean when we speak of the public good, and how do recreation and parks services, programs and facilities contribute to its enhancement? This presentation addresses a series of questions concerning the roles played by recreation and parks practitioners in pursuit of the public good. What is the public good? What kinds of products and services make up the public good? How do recreation and parks services contribute to it? How has Alberta's changing population affected the ways in which recreation and parks practitioners go about providing for it? How can user fees for recreation and parks services be reconciled with it? What are the pivotal questions we face in the immediate future as a profession dedicated to serving the public good?

Continued from C7.

Have you ever wanted to learn the fine art of improvisational comedy? Maybe you just want to improve your speaking skills, or your ability to think fast on the fly. Join members of the Loose Moose Theatre Company in this introductory workshop into improv comedy!

This session is designed to specifically review corporate sponsorship opportunities with sport, culture, and recreation. It will address issues such as: what is corporate sponsorship, really, and how can it provide value and benefits to your organizations at the community and individual levels?; how can it benefit your bottom line from a capital or operational perspective, and ensure that escalating fees and subscriptions are not part of your community and individual programs?; how will sponsorship affect your positioning among the community at large and with individuals?; and do you have to sell the farm like NASCAR to be successful?

The Calgary Folk Music Festival began its commitment to reducing the environmental impact of its main event over a decade ago. The festival is proud of its achievements, but they haven't been reached without trials and tribulations. Volunteer Manager Talia Potter will present a decade's worth of lessons learned and programs rolled out in greening this annual outdoor party. With an honest look at the challenges faced and opportunities taken by the CFMF, participants will come away with a renewed faith and drive to start or continue eco-initiatives of their own.

What does a physically literate community look like? Who are the partners in physical literacy? How does the mastery of fundamental movement benefit the entire community? The Canadian Sport for Life (CS4L) model is an excellent framework that, with collaboration from municipalities, sport, health and education sectors, has the potential of influencing physical literacy development of all children and youth. ARPA is leading the development of a municipal complement to the CS4L strategy to assist Alberta's communities to be active for life. The concept of a versatile "Alberta-made" model will be discussed through a panel of cross-sectoral experts in an open forum session that will challenge participants to collaborate on a vision for the municipal strategy. As well, there will be discussion on implementation strategies for rural and urban communities.

This session will focus on ways to think about and understand the experience of parks and recreation users. Experiences live inside people, so we can't influence them directly. Each person brings a unique history with them to your property. And they bring the 'wiring' all human beings have, which influences our experiences. Then they interact with people, policies and procedures, marketing and communications, and every other element from the parking line-up to natural environment. All these elements combine to create emotions, memories, and our overall sense of value. You can learn to use the elements of experience the way a designer uses colours and textures to create amazing experiences, positive memories and long-term loyalty.

A key objective of the RCMP's National Youth Strategy is working with young people to prevent crimes in which they are involved as victims or offenders. The RCMP offers programs to help engage children and youth in positive and meaningful activities. One of these, the Running and Reading Club, involves students and volunteers in a 36-week program based on The Search Institute's 40 Developmental Assets. The session will highlight the 40 Developmental Assets and program integration and outcomes based on the asset approach.

ARPA Education & Professional Development Committee has identified a set of core competencies directly related to the recreation and parks field, and has developed a resource tool for practitioner use. One of the biggest challenges a supervisor faces is to understand which competencies and behaviours make your staff effective. You will leave this session with a tool kit that will help you identify your specific competencies and those of your staff. Knowing these, you can plan effectively for:

• Coaching sessions

• Performance management strategies

• Succession planning

• Recruiting the best match for your requirements, and

• Creating a learning and development plan customized specifically for your staff.

Join us and be one of the first practitioners in Alberta to have the Recreation and Parks Professional Development Resource Kit.

Do you know what people in your community are saying about recreation and parks? This session centres on the 2007 "In Alberta Recreation and Parks Matter! (Public Perceptions on Use and Benefits of Local Government Recreation and Parks Services)" research. Hear new information that complements the original study and discover how some Alberta communities have used the research to garner support and inspire change. Exchange ideas about how you can use this information to enhance recreation and parks in your community.

Join a panel of individuals from both urban and rural municipalities that are currently engaged with various models of community gardens. The panel will outline how each of their local communities operates and will discuss items such as cost vs benefits, gaps and issues and potentaial solutions for moving forward. Find out what model of community garden would work best in your local community.

Learn what ARPA has been doing in response to the groundswell of interest stimulated by the book Last Child in the Woods, by Richard Louv. Highlights include an outline of programs undertaken in variety Alberta municipalities, opportunities to get kids outdoors in Alberta Provincial Parks, and work in this area by the Alberta Council for Environmental Education. Participants will leave with contacts and links to websites that will enable them to plan their own nature experiences for Alberta youth.

Recreation and leisure service providers are strong advocates of healthy, active living. We believe we're a large part of the solution to inactive, overweight citizens. So why are our facilities full of unhealthy food? Is it our responsibility to manage the food choices of facility users? How will guidelines and policies around healthy food and beverage provision impact our concession and vending contractors, or the community groups that provide concession services as part of their sustainability? This panel discussion will provide insight into the Alberta Nutrition Guidelines for Children and Youth, as well as a municipal perspective regarding the challenges of implementing nutritional guidelines in our facilities and services.

Words are great tools for many things, but they evoke rational thinking, and sometimes that's not what we need. Images are powerful and accessible to all. Much of our thinking is in metaphors, often metaphorical images. When we want creative thinking, images can help people find metaphors, emotions, unexpressed wishes, and dreams. They can take any group to a creative place more quickly, tap into hard-to-express ideas, and keep judgment at bay. It's the single compelling graphic, not the thirty-page report, that goes up on the bulletin board. This interactive session will give participants another tool to use with groups to help them envision a better future.

What qualities make a great leader? Having the motivation to do personal development is key. Having the ability to self-reflect and work on yourself as an individual can lead to an openness and awareness of life. Mindful people make better leaders! Mindfulness means learning how to be present in your life; it's about making choices that best suit you, as opposed to reacting to others out of habit. Mindfulness means learning how not to be a victim of habitual thought patterns; it's about coming home to yourself and living a wonderful, fulfilling life. We know we have the ability to change ourselves. As Gandhi said, "Be the change you want to see in the world." Practising mindfulness helps us to get out of autopilot and become better people, and better people make better leaders.

This presentation provides background information on the Active Living Alliance for Canadians with a Disability (ALACD) and walks you through the components of the All Abilities Welcome toolkit, which provides practical tips on how to be more inclusive in recreation programs and services. Annex H "playspaces and equipment for persons with disabilities" will also be presented. Through practical examples, stories, and audio/visual media, you'll learn about resources that have been developed for use in building understanding and applying Annex H in your community. Weaving the values of access and opportunity for all throughout the community allows everyone to engage in and discover their own sense of place.

Get outdoors with a senior park naturalist and discuss the cornerstones of the latest management initiatives in Canada's first national park. Learn about Lake Louise's recent infrastructure improvements that help keep the park safe for visitors and wildlife alike.