AGM 2025 - Join the Board!

If you’re looking for a deeper way to contribute to your community, becoming a director is a great way to do so. These positions allow you to collaborate with your neighbours, build your project management skills, and leave a legacy.

With ongoing support from the executive committee and board of directors, you can help RCL achieve our mission and help make our neighbourhood a better place to live and play.

We are looking for creative leaders to join these exciting Ritchie Community League teams. Is that you?

Whatever your strengths and interests, we have a spot for you!

ONE - TWO - THREE

Here are the three ways you can learn about and express your interest in taking a more direct role in the operation of your community league.

1. Read all the requirements and responsibilities for our board.

2. Chat with a member of the Executive about director and team lead opportunities; email executive@ritchie-league.com to get started

3. Read the list of roles below and find one that aligns with your skills and interests.

LIST OF BOARD MEMBER ROLES

Here is a list of board member roles that we are seeking support with in our 2025-26 year. What looks good to you?

Remember, if you have any questions, please reach out to the executive committee directly via email.

Treasurer

The Treasurer oversees RCL’s finances, which includes:

• ensuring all payments and deposits occur on time

• Preparing a monthly budget 

• Helping the executive committee plan for RCL’s financial sustainability

Fundraising

Do you have an interest in creative fundraising?

This Director takes the lead on RCLs fundraising initiatives, which include grants, casino, and partnership opportunities. As fundraising director you also oversee the teams running our Ritchie store and innovative Ritchie Crew subscription program. These initiatives allow community members to directly support RCL while scoring some exciting branded merch.

Secretary 

The Secretary is responsible for taking minutes at each board meeting, ensuring there is an official record of actions taken and decisions made. This allows RCL members to stay informed about what the board is doing on their behalf and keeps up in alignment with our bylaws. As a member of the executive committee, you attend meetings twice a month and contribute your unique voice to directing the future of the league. Our current secretary says: “this is a great opportunity for introverts who love quiet computer work”.

Communications

Are you skilled at task management, content creation, and leading a team?

Making sure our members know what is happening is an important job that we take seriously! Information about and from the RCL can be found in many places, including an email newsletter, print newsletter, website, and socials. The Comms Director and Team know what is happening, keep all that info organized, and spread the word to membership and the wider community.

Events

Ritchie is known for being a happening place! 

This role ensures annual flagship events like the Ritchie Summer BBQ and Community League Day happen on schedule (and on budget), as well as identify opportunities for new events to engage our diverse neighbourhood. The Ritchie Events Director is the ultimate host, who with the support of volunteers, can organize a variety of events throughout the year.

Sports

Are you passionate about engaging youth in recreational sport, supporting adult movement, and collaborating with neighbouring communities to make the most of all available opportunities?

We need someone who can be responsible for tasks related to our sports programming, including planning classes, engaging with program leaders, and acting as the RCL representative to various sports governing bodies.

WE ARE A TEAM

No matter which role you are considering, remember that there is a whole team of directors who have your back! Whether you want to build on your existing skills or try something new, we have a spot for you.

There are a lot of ways to support the Ritchie Community League with your time and energy, and we are committed to finding the right people and putting them in the right places.

The new term for our board of directors starts on June 1. This is the best time to consider getting involved in your Ritchie Community League in a deeper way. Get in touch and we can help you figure out exactly what that looks like.

Long-term volunteer opportunity

ONGOING VOLUNTEER POSITION TAKING APPLICATIONS NOW

Position Title: Grant and Business Donation Tracker

Project: Ritchie League's Hall Replacement Project

Time Commitment: ~3 hours per week

Duration: Ideally for a year to support fundraising

Position Overview:
The Hall Replacement Project is a transformative initiative aimed at creating a new community hub that will serve the vibrant and growing Ritchie neighborhood and adjacent neighbourhoods. This new hall will not only be a centerpiece for the community but also a beacon of art, accessibility, social connection, sustainability, and community pride. We are seeking a detail-oriented and organized volunteer to assist in tracking and managing grants and business donations, ensuring that the board meets deadlines, that sources are researched and that financial contributions are properly recorded.

About the Hall Replacement Project:
This project is more than just a building; it is a cornerstone for the future of the Ritchie community:

1. Art Hub: The new hall will serve as an art hub for emerging artists in Edmonton, providing a creative space for workshops and dance, music, and theatre performances.

2. Accessibility: Designed with full accessibility in mind, the hall (especially the kitchen) will support all members and residents, including those who will benefit from an inclusive space today and as they age into their senior years.

3. Social Gathering Space: The hall will be an incredibly social gathering space, adaptable for both large and small events, helping to keep the community connected, active, and healthy.

4. Sustainability: We are aiming to be the first net-zero public facility in Alberta- we want to lead the way! With sustainability at its core, the building will be designed for minimal heat and power costs and will serve as a safe haven during extreme heat or cold, poor air, and unpredictable events. 

5. Pride in the Community: This hall will be a space that the entire Ritchie community can be proud of, reflecting the spirit and values of the neighborhood.

Key Responsibilities:

• Research & Identification: Identify potential grants and business donors who may be interested in supporting the hall replacement project. With support of board members, identify and hire a campaign manager for fundraising and securing donors.

• Fund Tracking: Monitor and track the status of grant applications and donations, ensuring that deadlines are met for grants and follow-ups are conducted with donors, as needed.

• Record Keeping: Maintain accurate records of all grants and donations received, including donor details, amounts, and any specific conditions or stipulations attached to the funds.

• Communication: Liaise with the board regarding deadlines, needs, and reporting. Liaise with a hired campaign manager to assist with donors.

• Reporting: Prepare a report for executive meetings, at meetings or in writing, on the progress of grants and donations.

• Collaboration: Work closely with executive and finance teams to ensure proper allocation and utilization of funds.

Qualifications:

• You're a good human - we think that's always a good start.

• Organizational skills.

• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal

• Proficiency in google office (email account and training provided).

• Ability to work independently and contribute to a team.

• Attention to detail and a commitment to accuracy.

• Awareness of grant writing and fundraising is an asset.

• Member in good standing of Ritchie Community League

Benefits:

• Contribute to a meaningful and impactful community project.

• Gain experience in grant tracking, fundraising, and business relations.

• Develop skills in project management and donor relations.

• Network with other community leaders.

• Receive recognition and references for your volunteer contribution.

How to Participate:

Please submit an email to president@ritchie-league.com by Friday, November 15.

If you’re interested, but have questions, consider attending a brainstorming meeting on Wednesday, November 13. Email if you'd like to join!

Join us in shaping the future of Ritchie by helping to secure the funds needed for a hall that will serve as the heart of our community!

New Hall Coming?

I certainly hope so…on behalf of the current and past Board of Directors, the Ritchie Hall Revitalization Committee (RHRC), league members and Ritchie residents, I am pleased to announce that we have finalized site and hall plans! We have applied to the City of Edmonton for development permits and are awaiting a response from both the federal and provincial government on their support for funding assistance for this incredibly forward-thinking project.

Click picture for project details and detailed drawings

Almost 10 years have passed since we began planning to replace Ritchie’s dilapidating community hall. In the intervening period, its condition deteriorated such that the league has prioritized a new building. RCL faced some unique challenges throughout the planning and design phases, including the following:

• The League does not own the land upon which it operates. Instead, it leases land from the City of Edmonton. As such, capital improvements are subject to an extensive (and helpful) City review process and the League must meet standards that exceed the usual bylaws and building codes.

• Since it does not own the land, RCL is not eligible for a mortgage. To build any capital assets, the League must rely on grants funding and fundraising.

•  The grants for which the league is eligible have tight timelines and require an extensive amount of volunteer time. Moreover, they are often oversubscribed and amounts fluctuate from year to year.

• The cost of construction (labour and materials) has exploded since 2018 and continues to increase due to supply chain issues, wildfires, global conflicts and inflation.

Nevertheless, the League persevered - the RHRC has applied for development permits, a federal grant and for Alberta Capital Plan funding. We are currently putting together a tender package.

You can see some of the drawings and learn about where we’re at on our website (direct link here). There’s also some background information, if you’re not familiar with the project.

Some key learnings and highlights in the construction drawing process are as follows:

• Regardless of whether the League renovates or builds a new hall, the site infrastructure below ground requires an overhaul. This means the electrical service lines, water lines, drainage, and parking lot are not grandfathered and require updating.

• To prevent damage to elm trees, to align with programming needs (provided during engagement), and to keep the hall operational during construction, the new building will moved to a different site within our licenced area.

• The cost of the project is greater than what the League’ can save by collecting donations or in selling t-shirts. The only way to raise the money needed is through grants, partnerships, and fundraising. And we’re not the only league with this challenge…

• Designing a facility that is safe, accessible to all, resilient to extreme heat, cold and wind, and that can produce as much energy as it uses, requires highly qualified professionals and comes at a very high cost.