Why would someone leave a Government job to run a non-profit? That was the dilemma my face had to wrestle with when my friend divulged her plan. I couldn't decide on the appropriate expression, so . . . because we are that kind of friends, . . . bluntly asked – WHY!?

Name: Amanda Goodnough
Title: Executive Director
Organization: The SPEC Association for Children and Families

WHY? I love the versatility of non-profit, to see a need and adjust. Like Liam Neeson says in the Taken movies, "I have a particular set of skills” . . . skills that make me flexible in finding solutions in a rapidly changing environment. SPEC has the resources to help children, youth, parents, caregivers and newcomers thrive.

CHALLENGES: We depend on the government and our community for funding and volunteers. We are fortunate to have our community’s generous support in both. When people invest in SPEC, they are investing in the future of our community!

COVID-19 Updates - 1 active case in Brooks and 1 in the County of Newell. View the COVID-19 status map for more details.

JBS Canada Centre is open for individual low-intensity exercise by appointments booked with 1.5-hour time-slots. High-intensity exercise is now permitted one-on-one with a trainer by appointment.

Centennial Regional Arena walking track is open for low-intensity exercise by appointment. Track times will be 8am – 4pm Monday to Friday.

To book an appointment, please call 403-362-3622.

Election 2021 - Through the chair to mayor and council . . .

"As a member of City council, you will have the opportunity to significantly influence the future of your community." from the Candidates Guide: Running for Municipal Office in Alberta.

NORM GERESTEIN: A key piece to that statement is missing. OUR community elected me to advocate and act on behalf of ALL citizens in ALL decisions (water, sewer, roads, housing, police-fire-community services, the list goes on and on), bringing positive results for OUR entire community. So WE can say that Brooks is a place WE are ALL proud to call home. That is what first compelled me to run for City Council, and my approach has not changed over my time on council.

Red Tape Reductions the City has made to receive funding from the Alberta Government:

• Removed the business licence fee in the Brooks Region;

• Waived development fees for 2020 and 2021

• Minimized the applications required to go to the Municipal Planning Commission;

• Changed the types of development that need a development permit

• Updated the website to ensure the information that businesses need is online;

• Conducted surveys and interviews with businesses and residents about the development process.

Alberta Police force? Councillor Dan Klein reported on the President’s Summit on Policing. The majority of municipal representatives were not in favour of getting rid of the RCMP. The experience of Surrey, BC in making the transition resulted in a significant increase in cost. To make up for the cost Surrey is proposing a $200 levy on each household and a 2.9% property tax increase.

For all those who asked for another sample of an actual 911 call to help remember what number to dial for non-emergencies of course ;). This is a sample call provided in the City of Brooks RCMP report:

A resident reported to Police that his neighbour was parked in front of his house and he wants the vehicle towed. Police advised the complainant that the vehicle was parked legally therefore Police could not remove it. The complainant was upset saying he would take matters into his own hands. Police warned him if he committed an offence, he could be charged.

REMINDER the lesson here is to dial 403-362-5535 for this kind of “emergency”. A NEWS & Knowledge reader has suggested this should become a regular feature? Hit the button below to vote YES.

Gophers typically come out of hibernation in March. They can pose a significant threat to the landscape. Control work is much more effective when done early in the season. Call the County of Newell for pest control solutions 403-362-3266.

Today is International Women’s Day this year’s theme, Women in leadership is not just words; Data Shows Women Make Better Leaders. Countries run by women have better managed the Covid crisis. American states ran by women governors lost fewer of their people to Covid.

According to a recent study by Agri-Food Analytics Lab, almost half of all Canadians intend to order food online at least once a week after the pandemic.

3 ways to optimize a menu for
Take-out-Tuesday

1. Focus on the visual appeal Aim to share two to three high-quality images of each menu item and ensure your dishes closely resemble these when they’re delivered to customers.

2. Write clear, compelling descriptions of your dishes, so that customers feel confident about placing their orders.

3. Re-create experiences consider custom menus, like a movie or date-night menu.

If you have other suggestions I will take your order below and deliver it to participating local restaurants.

Weekly SPURring

To sustain your belief through situations that completely undermine it is quite something – Ben Okri

We started hiking. People have asked me what the views were like from Kilimanjaro. I have to admit. I never looked up. All I did was stare at the guide’s boots. I made sure that wherever his boots went. my boots went. If he went over something I would have rather gone around. I went over it. If he went around something I would have rather gone over. I went around it. What I realized is if you’ve got a guide you can trust, you don’t need to worry about the path you’re on.

Sustained belief is the deep-down knowledge that your pursuit is worth the effort.

BE TENACIOUS! Don’t quit just because it’s not going quite the way you thought it would as you try, you learn. Keep at it. Are you tenacious or will you have to develop this skill as a part of your life?

Bob Goff - Dream Big Framework.

Thank you for sharing your Absurd Expectation –
“increase my income by hiring more people?!”
–
now, Sustain Belief your pursuit is worth the effort!

Anyone else learning to sustain your belief through situations that completely undermine it like I did last week? It would spur me on to hear your experience.