News

Celebrating 35 Generous Years

Posted on By Communications Team

21 Spring has sprung, which means registration is now open for our annual Vipond Earl Grey Charity Golf Classic! This year marks the tournament’s 35th anniversary of charitable support for the DDRC, and we are looking for golfers to make this fundraiser a hole-in-one success.

The Vipond Charity Golf Classic is one of the oldest charity golf tournaments in Canada. Our partnership with Earl Grey Golf Club began in 1981. Since then, the generosity of the Vipond Committee and many sponsors has resulted in more than $2-million for the DDRC. Tournament participants have helped fund current and past programs such as Learning and Leadership, the Augmentative and Alternative Communication Centre, Advanced Industries, Bow Catering, Bow Place, and many more.

The tournament will be held on June 15th at Earl Grey Golf Club, where DDRC clients and staff members will volunteer to help around the golf course. 14

Entry fees are $300 per person, or $1,100 per team of four. Registration includes lunch, green fees, golf cart rental, dinner, and a reception featuring a live auction.

If you’re not a golfer but would still like to contribute to this great fundraiser, you can become a sponsor or volunteer at the event. For more information, please email Austin Clem or call him at 403-240-7314.

Three Cheers for Volunteers!

Posted on By Communications Team

April 12 to 18 is National Volunteer Week, and here at the DDRC, we have a lot to celebrate!

We are infinitely grateful to our many event volunteers, without whom we could not have such a strong fundraising and community presence. We are also fortunate to have regular volunteers within the organization, who believe in our vision that everyone belongs™ and contribute directly to the quality of life of our clients. Many of our employees have gone above and beyond the call of duty, giving much more than their scheduled time to help out with our Holiday Open Houses, Inclusion Awards, and other major events.  Finally, we are incredible proud to boast that our clients continue to volunteer all over the city of Calgary. From churches, to festivals, to restaurants, DDRC clients make volunteering look easy!

We’ve decided to celebrate our volunteers with a free lunchtime barbeque, inviting everyone to fill out one of these cards in exchange for their meal:

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We then put the cards on display at the DDRC office as a visual representation of the impact that volunteering has.

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Thank you to all of the volunteers who are working to make Calgary a more inclusive city!

For more information on volunteering at the DDRC, e-mail [email protected].

The everyone belongs Toastmasters Club

Posted on By Communications Team

Founded in 2011, the everyone belongs™ Toastmasters Club has received rave reviews from the Area Governor, and has been praised as fostering a caring and safe environment for all members. As of April 9, 12 members from the past year have graduated, and now the club will welcome 10 new members.

Crysta Trask and Denis Falconer address the Toastmasters group.
Crysta Trask and Denis Falconer address the Toastmasters group.

Toastmasters, for those who are unfamiliar, is an international organization that allows people the opportunity to master the art of public speaking, receiving feedback from peers rather than an instructor or coach. For DDRC clients, this is a chance to speak out and be heard in a supportive environment.

The club is overseen by Crysta Trask, the DDRC’s Creative Coordinator. Trask believes that Toastmasters is an ideal way to build self-esteem and confidence, while developing speaking and leadership skills. Participation also provides practice of basic conversation skills that are essential for successful social inclusion.

“We do all of this in a safe, relaxed, and non-judgemental environment,” Trask said. “We celebrate individual successes equally, and we delight in group successes.”

The everyone belongs Toastmasters Club was founded by long-time DDRC client Marilyn Wilson, who passed away last July. Wilson’s views on public speaking were that “the more you do it, the better you will be.” This has been proven by our club’s members: as of the end of March, each member of the everyone belongs™ Toastmasters club has received their “Competent Communicator” designation, awarded after their tenth and final speech.

Theresa shares her experiences at her final Toastmasters meeting.
Theresa shares her experiences at her final Toastmasters meeting.

Theresa is one of the members who has completed her Toastmasters journey at the DDRC. She shared her experiences with new members who might be anxious about public speaking.

“When I first started Toastmasters, I was kind of worried, so I asked people about it and asked for advice,” Theresa said. “I’ve learned a lot, and I’ve come a long way. I like Toastmasters now.”

Area Governor Dennis Falconer visited the everyone belongs group in March, and commented that our club “has taken the ethos of Toastmasters and offers something more than words can describe to this wonderful group of people.”

Members of the club meet every Thursday in the Learning and Leadership Centre.

Nominations are Open!

Posted on By Communications Team

It’s that time of the year again … time to recognize the wonderful people in your networks who are working to make Calgary a more inclusive city! And what better way to do that then by nominating them for a beautiful, shiny trophy?

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Oooooh!

 

Established in 1996, the Inclusion Awards (formerly the Awards of Distinction) celebrate the contributions of individuals, organizations and businesses that go above and beyond in promoting the inclusion of people with developmental disabilities in the community in real and meaningful ways. The Awards continue to grow in size and prestige every year.  Last year’s event at the Glenmore Inn saw almost 400 guests come together to celebrate inclusive communities.

Click here to download a nomination form in PDF format.

Nominations will be open from April 15 until July 15. For more information, visit the DDRC website.

Sponsorship opportunities are available!  Click here to download our sponsorship package or contact Austin Clem by e-mail [email protected], or by phone at 403-240-7314, for more information.