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Do you have a background in legal expertise? Are you looking for a fulfilling way to contribute? Check out this great opportunity with Autism Society Alberta!

Description

Autism Society Alberta (ASA) is a provincial organization connecting to its members through regional partners and networking with agencies and associations throughout the province and nationwide.

ASA is dedicated to increasing public awareness about autism and the day-to-day issues faced by autistic individuals, their families and the professionals with whom they interact. The Society and its partners share a common mission of providing information and education, as well as supporting research and advocating for programs and supports for the autism community.

Why Become a Director?

• Develop and enhance your leadership skills
• Networking opportunity
• Support a great non-profit organization
• Work with a diverse group of people to fulfill a mission you are passionate about

Role of a Director

• Provide strategic leadership
• Monitor and evaluate the implementation of policies and strategies
• Ensure the organization’s financial viability and sustainability
• Oversight of management – evaluate the performance of the President
• Be an ambassador for the organization and promote its work in the community
• Maintain the Board – select, recruit and nurture new board members; develop and review the performance of board members; assess its meetings and own performance as a Board

Terms of Service: One year

Average Time Commitment: Three to five hours per month

Director Qualifications

In 2024, ASA is seeking an individual to join the Board of Directors in the following:

• Legal expertise

With:

• Integrity and high ethical standards
• Demonstrated management and leadership experience or community involvement
• Capacity to attend no less than 75% of regular board meetings (Board meets every 2 months)

How to Apply: If you are interested in joining the Board, please email president@autismalberta.ca with a brief statement of interest and resume.

Deadline to Apply: Until a suitable candidate is selected.

We are excited about our upcoming Autism Alberta’s Alliance Event: Connecting Communities, taking place June 13-14, 2024 at Mount Royal University in Calgary. This two day event will feature our various communities of practice and the work that they’ve been doing. Day one’s theme is “Sharing Possibilities”. Day two’s theme is “Braiding Indigenous Connections in Autism”.

Registration is now open for in-person and livestreamed attendance.

Go here to find out more!

Our partners at Sinneave Family Foundation and Autism Housing Network of Alberta (AHNA) have developed some Alberta specific resources for those looking for housing and working toward independent and supported living. We are excited to be able to share them on our website. You can go through the resources online or download a PDF workbook.

Check out our new Alberta Housing Roadmap here.

From Autism Alliance of Canada’s Website:

We are thrilled to welcome you to CALS2024, taking place from April 17th to 19th, 2024, at the Fairmont Chateau Laurier in Ottawa and livestream. This coming April, we aim to:

• Inform: Gather experts with updates on the National Autism Strategy (NAS) and the development of national disability policy for Canada that addresses the diverse needs of Autistic people and their families.
• Implement: Identify policies, programs, services and supports with the potential to strengthen the impact of the National Autism Strategy.
• Innovate: Explore valuable processes, promising and emerging practices, ideas, and research that can advance our collective work.

For more information on how to register for this important event, go here.

On Sunday, December 3rd, we recognize International Day of Persons with Disabilities. From today through to December 4th, there are many events being held across our province in recognition of this day. Some of the events you may find our Family Resource Coordinators at are:

• Lethbridge
• Crowsnest
• Calgary Jewish Federation
• Disability Without Poverty
• Events across the province

Message from the Government of Canada:

“The Canada Disability Benefit Act received Royal Assent on June 22, 2023, after being passed unanimously by the House of Commons and being passed by the Senate.

The Government of Canada is taking the next step in implementing the Canada Disability Benefit, with our launch of the Canada Disability Benefit Regulations Online Engagement Tool, which will give all Canadians, but especially Canadians with disabilities, the opportunity to have their say in the development of the benefit’s regulations. The engagement tool provides an overview of the regulatory areas under the Canada Disability Benefit Act, and space to comment on each of them. The engagement tool is accessible and available in American Sign Language and Langue des signes québécoise. See the news release for the launch of the engagement tool here.

The Canada Disability Benefit is a cornerstone of Canada’s Disability Inclusion Action Plan and has the potential to transform the lives of working-age Canadians with disabilities currently living in poverty. The benefit aims to reduce poverty and support the financial security of working-age Canadians with disabilities by supplementing, not replacing, existing federal and provincial and territorial supports.”

Autism Alberta’s Alliance will be hosting a two-day Connecting Communities event in Calgary on June 13 & 14, 2024. Presentations will be made by the Alliance’s communities of practice, the Indigenous Relations Circle and other stakeholders.

Stay tuned for more details in the coming months.

The Indigenous Relations Circle is starting a newsletter!

The Indigenous Relations Circle is an initiative of Autism Alberta’s Alliance and is interested in the Indigenous and autistic experience in Alberta. The newsletter will be distributed four times per year and will include work that our circle is doing as well as events happening around the province that you may be interested in. We hope to increase connection and community between Indigenous autistic communities.

If you would like to subscribe to the newsletter, please click the button below.