Celebrating Calgary’s community associations and the volunteers who run them
The City of Calgary is grateful for the 152 community associations that represent almost 200 neighbourhoods in our city. Every year, they provide amazing events, activities and programs for Calgarians as a result of the hard work of many volunteers. To acknowledge our community associations and their dedicated volunteers, we’ve proclaimed March to be Community Association Awareness Month, encouraging all Calgarians to consider volunteering and become members of their local association.
“We value our community associations all year and are happy to dedicate the next 31 days to celebrating all the ways these local neighbourhood organizations provide a voice to community life,” said Tim Mowrey, Manager of Sport, Recreation & Community Partnerships at The City of Calgary
“When you think of all the events and programs community associations provide to Calgarians around the city, harnessing Calgary’s volunteer spirit, it is very inspiring,” adds Mowrey.
More than 20,000 community association volunteers contribute approximately 2.4 million hours of public service every year to organize and host social, recreational and educational programs and events in every neighbourhood across Calgary.
“I do this to ensure community associations continue to thrive in Calgary. These events and programs don’t just magically happen. Volunteers are the lifeblood of community associations,” says Travis Merrick, President of the Kincora Community Association, which has 280 household memberships. He says he finds his role as President as well as volunteering as a youth hockey coach, personally fulfilling.
“Community associations are a way for local communities to interact, come together, and make your local area better. It allows our community to feel like a village within the big city,” adds Merrick.
The City of Calgary works closely with community associations through Neighbourhood Partnership Coordinators (NPCs). They help with partnership management, organizational development and connecting community associations to resources.
To help promote Community Association Awareness Month, the Federation of Calgary Communities is holding a social media contest for community members to share their appreciation for their communities. Follow them on Instagram at @FedYYC to learn more.
In celebration of Community Association Awareness Month, please consider connecting with your local community association, attending an event, joining a program, volunteering or becoming a member of your community association. Find out more at the Federation of Calgary Communities.