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.

Neighbouring for Climate

One of RCL’s core values is to be a sustainable league. Right now, that looks like:

• designing a new hall with lots of energy saving features

• installing a new bike rack in the spring

• hosting workshops and presentations with sustainable themes

• partnering with local organizations to help residents build relevant skills

• planting native species in our garden boxes

• hosting a Community Garden in West Ritchie

• organizing Climate Connector meetups

In 2024, the City of Edmonton launched Neighbouring for Climate, a program designed to help bring neighbours together to take local action on climate change. The city and the Edmonton Federation of Community Leagues have been encouraging leagues across the city to take a leadership role in the program. With RCL’s interest in sustainability, we thought it would be a natural fit, and organized our first “Climate Connectors” event in February 2025.

Neighbouring for Climate toolkit

The cards included in the toolkit describe a variety of climate-action ideas within 6 categories. Some examples are: grow your own food, create an emergency plan, conduct a home energy assessment.

The city includes other helpful resources like postcards, conversaton tips, posters and a guide book. But they are encouraging each community, street, or group of neighbours to work together to decide on the next steps that make the most sense for them.

The Ritchie Community League hopes to use this program as a tool to help:

• connect neighbours who are climate champions

• generate ideas for events or actions that can be taken on by our volunteers

• recruit volunteers who are excited to help out in their community

RITCHIE CLIMATE CONNECTORS

We started this project with a small workshop on February 9, 2025. Hosted by Lisa (Secretary) and Hanna (Director), we invited people from Ritchie and the surrounding communities to join us for an afternoon of learning and idea generation.

Everyone in the group got to read through the Neighbouring for Climate cards, chat with our neighbours about the reality of implementing ideas, and brainstorm ways we could start working on local solutions within the community league framework.

It was a fun afternoon with a group of folks from diverse backgrounds, ages, experiences. We generated a lot of great ideas, brainstormed solutions to potentials barriers, and set ourselves up for success as we move to the next stage of this program.

LOCAL IDEAS - LOCAL SOLUTIONS

Neighbouring for Climate offers suggestions and tips, but each community contributes different skills and assets. This has a huge impact on what types of adaptation strategies we can pursue, and how the league can offer us support. That’s where the local solutions part comes in.

Here are a few of the ideas our group generated at our first event:

• host a harvest party for neighbours to share food they grew in their gardens

• outreach to our neighbours

• organize a swap for household items and personal skills

• start a “Ritchie Classifieds”

• seed sharing event

Ritchie Community League’s plan for this program – and for our future sustainability goals – include:

• forming a sustainability committee

• hosting solutions-focused events for all of our residents

• connecting community leaders with each other

• joining with our neighbouring leagues to accomplish some larger projects to benefit all our residents

The ideas part has been “easy” so far, but we are on the lookout for folks who have the time and energy to put these ideas into action and to connect with each other to keep the momentum going.

Is that you?

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE

Ritchie Presents: Edmonton Native Plant Society on Thursday, March 20

QUESTIONS? COMMENTS?

Please email secretary@ritchie-league.com with your ideas for future Climate Connector events, or if you would like to lend a hand getting some of these initiatives off the ground.

Building new skills at Ritchie Hall

WORKSHOPS AND PRESENTATIONS

These past few months at Ritchie Hall we have been building skills, learning new things, meeting neighbours, and increasing our resilience as a community!

We were excited to host Paths for People in January and learn about their history advocating for people-centered streets. There were a lot of  questions and comments from the audience, and we had a great discussion about some specific ideas and projects. 

Their big idea about the 76 Avenue bridge in Mill Creek Ravine generated a great discussion about how people use our streets right now and how they might want to use them in the future. There were so many thought-provoking questions and the Paths for People volunteers answered them with practiced ease and interest. Ultimately, it will be the city who decides what happens here, but we learned that there are a lot of ways to speak up and have our voices heard.

RCL Secretary Lisa with Paths for People volunteers (Brandon, Cheryl, Shannon, Tania)

Ritchie’s collage workshop hosted by Not Ladylike Community

Neighbourhood group “Not Ladylike Community” hosted an exciting collage workshop, where we all answered the question “who am I?” using colourful paper and old magazines! Everyone made a beautiful collage, and we overheard a lot of fun “getting to know you” conversations.

These workshops have proven to be an excellent place to get to know your neighbours, or made a new pal.

FEEDBACK

We heard you loud and clear, and are already implementing some of your feedback in our upcoming presentations!

• quiet activities for kids so parents can attend

• clear messaging online for easy registration

• more snack options

Thanks to all of the attendees who filled out their feedback form. If you attended a recent workshop or presentation and would still like to offer your feedback, please send it directly to secretary@ritchie-league.com.

COMING UP NEXT

We have almost filled our calendar for the spring sessions! Here’s a bit more information about what you can expect to see over the next two months.

FEBRUARY

While our workshop has now passed, we have a great presentation lined up for later in February, featuring an expert knowledge holder. Daniela Guerrero-Rodriguez is here all the way from BC (virtually) to help you tap into creativity that helps you respond in an emergency. You’ll leave with all the info and skills you’ll need to build your 72 hour emergency kit and stay cool in a future crisis. February 20.

MARCH

Do you have a young person in your life, say from the ages of 18 to 25, who is struggling to launch themself into the working world? Okama Brook from the African Caribbean Heritage Alliance is here to offer tips to create a standout cover letter, efficiently completing a job search online, and empower youth to take charge of their future. March 16.

Edmonton Native Plant Society has put together a lovely presentation for you filled with beautiful photos of native plants and their pollinators. Learn from an experienced Edmonton gardener about what types of native plants he’s been growing in his year - he has over 60 varieties! March 20.

APRIL

Explore your creative side with artist Elliot Rose’s Instapressionism. This workshop will take you through the basics of his technique, help you create an original piece of artwork, and empower you to continue your creativity at home. April 13.

Ritchie gardeners are going to be excited to see more plants on the schedule! Touch Grass Club and Waste Free Edmonton are coming to the hall in April to teach us about:

• how to create an environmentally friendly yard

• the best native plants for your needs

• the history of lawns

You’ll also have the opportunity to get some native seeds started for your garden! April 17.

April 2025

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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!