Almost every person I know is on a committee, and almost every committee I know is seeking funds for something. From bake sales, to chase the ace, from dances with a bar, to lotteries, each of these committees are training to raise funds mostly to improve the quality of life for some sector of our population. Grant writing is an important tool in the tool box for non-profit groups of all kinds. Some organizations depend on grants for their organizational operations, while others look to grant...

When I read ads from small communities looking for an economic developer, I often notice that part of the job description involves some aspect of marketing the community so that people will bring their businesses from out of town to come and and set up shop in their town. This strikes me on a couple of levels. One, it clearly demonstrates that the committee that is hiring does not realize that no amount of marketing your community to business is going to result in a benefit to your communi...

Introduction If you sit on a town, village or hamlet Council, it is important you understand that the decisions you make now, more than ever, will have a direct impact on whether or not your community is still around in the next 10 years. Gone are the days when you can just react to whatever thing is happening outside of your community limits. If your community is going to survive, and eventually thrive, it is time you started considering the following essentials when it comes to sustaining ...

People living in small populations need to give some serious thought to the sustainability of their communities. I believe sustainability starts with good asset management, meaning in 10 years your community can still provide the same or better quality of life as it does right now. 1. Infrastructure, like water and sewer, was put into these communities with the understanding the communities would maintain them. There is no office you can call that will replace these things for communities ...

Every time I leave the house, I see people, and I wave and smile, and they wave and smile. Sometimes, there is a little conversation, a time to catch up, and I come home feeling a little happier, and a little bit a part of something. I think people need a little face to face contact with other people in their communities, and unless we build it in, we can go weeks without seeing anyone besides our own family, and immediate circle. That is why projects like walking paths, good sidewalks, n...

Hello, all. I decided to make sure everyone knows about the many events that go on in our neck of the woods. However, I adore our local paper, and so will only share those events for which there is an accompanying ad in paper. I know papers are often going the way of the dodo (Look it up you young whippersnapper....) but our paper serves our community very well, and I'd like to do all I can to support it. They've certainly done all they can to support me, from musician to running a bed ...

To All Community Organizations Carlyle (Posted as a public service by the Sustainability Project--shared from a paid ad in the Carlyle Observer)  The Saskatchewan Lotteries Community Grant Program is again available to community organizations. The purpose of the program is to provide funds to volunteer organizations that provide programs and services in sport, culture and recreation. Funds are provided through the Town of Carlyle to maintain, improve and expand on programs and opportuni...