Hi there,

It seems we have lost the true meaning of community. How can we understand the function of a neighbourhood and the people who live, play and work in communities when we have created a mismatch of roles and we don’t know who does what? 

We view communities as problems instead of viewing them as solutions. We look to solve those problems with programs instead of letting communities look within. But this way isn’t working. We need to change the way we show up in community and work together to realize our role and how we can make our communities better places to live. 

So, what if we thought of community as a three-lane highway, like Cormac Russell suggests – a lane for those who live in neighbourhoods, a lane for associations and groups, and a lane for institutions and organizations? We need to, not only, respect each other and understand how to merge into each lane, but also know when to get back to our own. 

We invite you to join our team on June 6–8 at the 2023 Deepening Community national gathering, Asset-based Community Development: When Community and Municipalities Meet in the Middle, in beautiful St. Albert, Alberta.  

Dive in!

Heather Keam, Associate Director of Deepening Community

Let's Build Change Together!

Join 200 community change makers from across North America that have taken a bold shift to change the way they show up in community. We will also hear from local neighbourhood people who are taking back the function of their neighbourhoods and becoming leaders for change.

Three Reasons to Come to the Event

Reason #1:
Learn from Peers Who Are Changing the Way They Show Up in Community

Read about how the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo, a Deepening Community Member, is changing its approach to engaging its residents. They will be at the event to share their story!

Reason #2
Learn More About Using ABCD (Asset-Based Community Development)

Read about how the St, Louis, Missouri-based Hopeful Neighourhood Project used Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD) to leverage the gift of mental health first aid training. Come to the event to learn more about what ABCD is and imagine the possibilities where you live!

Reason #3:
Meet Deepening Community Members

We are excited to partner with four Deepening Community members from across Alberta (the Cities St. Albert, Wetaskiwin and Edmonton and the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo). Come and network with other peers doing this work at the municipal level.

Reason #4:

Build Your Collaboration Toolkit

Our keynote speakers and workshops will bring together a diverse collection of collaboration stories and strategies. Come and learn from teams that are making it work.

What Kinds of Topics Will We Cover?

Are you looking for free learning opportunities to build your knowledge base before June? Check out two upcoming webinars on relationships and resident-led action and bring your questions and ideas to St. Albert!

Webinar: Understanding the Impact of Building Relationships

Date: February 1, 2023

Speakers: David Jay with Lisa Attygalle

We can invest in relationships, and we can be very strategic when doing so, but it requires a radically different form of strategic thinking than most organizations and funders are used to. Join David Jay, founder of Relationality Lab, for a scientific perspective on the relational work that is essential to almost all meaningful social impact.

Webinar: When Residents Lead: Creating Change by Coming Together Locally

Date: February 22, 2023

Speakers: Laura Cunningham-Shpeley, Jon Morgan and Rak Prasad

In advance of our upcoming event this June in Alberta, we are highlighting amazing stories of organizations within the province doing inspiring community work. Join us on February 22, 2023, as we welcome the Edmonton Federation of Community Leagues for a conversation on the importance of local leadership to create vibrant neighbourhoods – with the capacity to identify and address issues that matter most to them. 

Don't miss out!