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.