COVID-19 RESOURCES | 2020

COVID-19: TIPS for SMALL BUSINESSES | It’s safe to say that the COVID-19 pandemic is going to affect your business. An unexpected event like this means that you may have to change plans and look for new ways to manage your business and serve your customers. You may be facing immediate challenges and be worrying about the coming weeks, but it’s important to slow down, be thoughtful and proceed with a plan that is going to leave your business healthy in the long-term. – © The Business Link | https://businesslink.ca/blog/covid-19-tips-for-small-businesses/ 

COVID-19: RESOURCES for CANADIAN BUSINESSES | In an interconnected global economy, the new coronavirus (COVID-19) is affecting Canadian businesses and their operations. It has resulted in restrictions on travel, public gatherings, as well as supply chain disruptions & market uncertainty. The Government of Canada is committed to providing you with the information|support you need to make informed decisions as your business navigates through these challenges. – © Global Affairs Canada | https://www.tradecommissioner.gc.ca/campaign-campagne/ressources-entreprises-COVID-19-business-resources.aspx 

COVID-19: ERP READY | Emergencies and disasters, big and small, can occur at any moment. It’s important that you and your business are prepared when, and if, they do. Having an Emergency Response Plan (ERP) in place can offer guidance for you, your employees, and your customers in times of uncertainty, and will support an effective response to the challenges that may present themselves. A well develop ERP will also allow your business to recover quicker and more efficiently. – © The Business Link | https://businesslink.ca/blog/creating-an-emergency-response-plan-erp/ 

COVID-19: MENTAL HEALTH | A pandemic is a very stressful event for individuals and communities. It’s normal to feel some stress and anxiety. It’s also very common for people to display great resilience during times of crisis. We should remember that this is absolutely the time to lean on each other. Even if we can’t be close physically, we need to stay close emotionally. The Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) has put together some resources and suggestions to help support your mental health at this time of uncertainty. We encourage you to share this page.– © CMHA | https://cmha.ca/news/covid-19-and-mental-health 

COVID-19 | RESOURCES for FREELANCERS & SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS | If you’re a small business owner in North America, the past couple of weeks have certainly been anxiety-inducing. According to a recent survey by the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), 23% of U.S. small business owners are already feeling negative impacts from the COVID-19 outbreak. Another 43% of small business owners anticipate they will feel the impacts very soon, especially if the virus spreads. Meanwhile, north of the border, of the small business owners surveyed by the Canadian Federation of Independent Businesses (CFIB), 48% have seen a drop in sales. No matter how your business is being affected during these uncertain times, we want you to know that Fresh Books is here for you. It’s why we’ve curated this list of helpful resources specifically for U.S. and Canadian small business owners affected by COVID-19. – © Fresh Books | https://www.freshbooks.com/blog/covid-19-resources 

COVID 19 | CANADA COUNCIL – CONSEILS des ARTS du CANADA | Our thoughts go out to the many artists and arts organizations, and their loved ones around the world whose health and livelihood are being directly affected by the global spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19). The effects of the pandemic continue to raise many important questions across our borders and boundaries. Although we can’t predict the extent of its impact on Canada’s national arts community, we are sensitive to the many challenges ahead for artists, organizations and their stakeholders. – © Canada Council | https://canadacouncil.ca/covid-19-information 

COVID-19: GOVERNMENT of CANADA | Information from the Government of Canada covering several fields, regions & communities. – © Government of Canada | https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/coronavirus-disease-covid-19.html 

COVID-19: GOVERNMENT of ALBERTA | Information from the Government of Alberta covering several fields, cities & communities. – © Government of Alberta | https://www.alberta.ca/coronavirus-info-for-albertans.aspx 

COVID-19: THE CITY OF EDMONTON | Update information about local actions vis-à-vis COVID-19. What the City is doing + other helpful resources. – © City of Edmonton | https://www.edmonton.ca/programs_services/emergency_preparedness/covid-19.aspx

SOLAR DRAGON FOOD COOPERATIVES INVITATION | 03.14.2020

FOOD CO-OPERATIVES  INVITATION: Food Co-operatives, Resilient Community and new Deep Adaptation Discussion Group | You are invited to meetings and open house on Saturday March 14^th from 1:00pm to 5:00pm. This gathering will be held at the SOLAR DRAGON House about 10 km north of Stony Plain. (directions below).
AGENDA ITEMS:

- The 73 acre land and the Solar Dragon house are proposed to be the location of a food growers co-operative and a Deep Adaptation Learning Center – Paul Belanger will present the concept and start an open discussion.

- Several co-operatives are in the works: A local number of skilled and interested local individuals will be the team that makes this initiative happen. Without a committed and organized effort this initiative will not happen. Are you one of these individuals? Do you know of someone who could fit the description? An open discussion of what this work entails will be led by Ahmad Sabet and Paul Belanger.

- Short Tour of the Solar Dragon house by designer/builder Paul Belanger. House is grid-free and can be 100% solar and wood powered. The mechanical systems will be looked at including a rainwater harvesting system which provides potable water see photos at: http://sunandstraw.com/ ...

- We will also begin a discussion group on the topic of Deep Adaptation as it relates to our regional social environment. This topic is closely related to the views and concerns of Extinction Rebellion and the ways we can prepare ourselves for the existential threat that climate change has become. This will inform the cooperative as well. We will use the four R's forum of deep adaptation and evolve it for our group. For further details please see: https://jembendell.com/2019/03/17/the-love-in-deep-adaptation-a-philosophy-for-the-forum/ ...

Directions: From Edmonton take highway 16 West and turn North on Highway 44. Then turn West on Villeneuve Road (Hwy 633). Travel West about 10 Kms. until RR280. Turn North (right) onto RR280 for about 633 meters until you see the driveway sign on the right which reads: 54213-RR-280. If needed call Paul Belanger at: 780.263.8810.

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY CELEBRATION - EDMONTON 2020!

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY 2020 | Come and Celebrate International Women’s Day and honour 5 Outstanding Women in Edmonton! Soroptimist International Club of Edmonton is celebrating its 25^th Annual International Women’s Day on March 08, 2020 at the Chateau Louis Conference Centre at 11727 Kingsway NW, Edmonton. We are   announcing 5 Awards totaling more than $15,000.00 to Four Live Your Dream Award Winners and 1 Joy Award. These Soroptimist Dream programs work to ensure women and girls have access to the education and training they need to reach their full potential and to live their dreams. The Live Your Dream Awards are given to female adult students who are heads of their households and attending post-secondary school or trade school while at the same time supporting a family!  

GUEST SPEAKER: Kate Quinn, Executive Director from CEASE, the Centre to End All Sexual Exploitation. CEASE helps persons with past or present sex trade experience lead more successful lives with quality supports & education. Also, CEASE works to help sex buyers stop their exploitative ways. Details: https://www.ceasenow.org

HONOURING: We are honouring 4 Edmonton Post-secondary Students: Andrea Parry, University of Calgary, Edmonton Campus | Amanda Robinson, Concordia University, Edmonton | Jennifer Lee, Athabasca University | Jennifer Z, Concordia University Edmonton.

JOY AWARD: Soroptimist International Club of Edmonton’s Joy Award is awarded this year to Josephine Pallard from Changing Together https://changingtogether.com | Her outstanding walk is as a  woman who leads the Edmonton Community in the reduction of harm from Trafficking and Prostitution especially through support for immigrant women both citizens and newcomers to Canada to overcome personal and systemic barriers that keep them from participating fully in our Edmonton community.

Tickets are available at: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/international-womens-day-celebration-fundraiser-for-soroptimist-international-club-of-edmonton-tickets-87746826119

About: Soroptimist International Club of Edmonton is part of a larger program for women in 122 countries across the world. The mission of Soroptimist is to improve the lives of girls & women through programs leading to social, economic empowerment and gender equality. Visit: https://www.siedmonton.org or contact Anna Der at: siedmonton@soroptimist.net ||| Telephone: 780.903.0426.