COCo�s July Community e-Bulletin

Welcome to COCo's Community e-Bulletin!
Here's what we have in this month's release:

To sign up to receive COCo's Community e-Bulletin direct by email every month, email us at info@coco-net.org.

If we all did the things we are capable of doing we would literally astound ourselves. -Thomas Edison

Do we truly understand what we are capable of? It seems that we often have a much stronger sense of the problems that our organizations and communities face than of the wealth they contain- knowledge, skills, relationships, energies- all of which can be catalyzed to enormous effect.

As we get better at creating space for reflection in our work, it is important to give ourselves enough time to seek out, analyze, and nurture our individual and collective strengths and passions. The more we know about who we are when we are at our best, the more skilled we become at creating conditions in which our organizations and communities can flourish.

At COCo, we were reminded of this by an event organized by Tyndale St Georges Community Centre earlier in the year. The purpose of the gathering was to celebrate Kim Kidder, whose community service has touched and inspired so many people over the years. We found this to be quite a profound statement, given that most organizations wait until a person's job or career has ended before planning such an event. We agree with Tyndale- why wait?!

Over the past two decades, there has been a growing body of practice and research on taking a strength-based approach to personal, organizational, and community development. For some practical resources to check out in this area, see our "Site Seeing " section below.

Happy Summer from The COCo Team!

http://www.coco-net.org | info@coco-net.org (514)849-5599 | Toll free 1(866)552-2626

P.S. If you have a community posting that you would like to submit to the August e-Bulletin, please email us 100 words or fewer by July 28.

The Reflected Best Self Exercise
This exercise, developed by the Centre for Positive Organizational Scholarship, helps individuals gather and analyze detailed, practical feedback from co-workers, friends, and family members about when they are at their best and create a plan for how to more fully engage their strengths. Copies of the exercise description and guidelines is available in COCo's resource library. You can also order them for $6.00 from:
http://www.bus.umich.edu/Positive/POS-Teaching-and-Learning/ReflectedBestSelfExercise.htm.

Appreciative Inquiry Commons
A world-wide portal of academic resources and practical tools on Appreciative Inquiry, a strengths-based approach to organizational and community development. The following link highlights a number of sample tools to get you started: http://appreciativeinquiry.case.edu/practice/toolsQuestions.cfm.

Asset-Based Community Development
An approach to community building developed by the Institute for Policy Research at Northwestern University. The following document provides an overview of the theory and practice:
http://www.sesp.northwestern.edu/images/Windsor_2003.pdf.

Materials listed below are available free to community organizations for a two-week loan from COCo's Lanie Melamed Resource Centre.

Hammond has written The Thin Book as a brief introduction to this "exciting philosophy for change" outlining the major tenets of appreciative inquiry. Viewed as a major paradigm shift, appreciative inquiry suggests that instead of focusing on what is wrong to "fix" the problem; we should identify what works well and try to repeat these successes. By understanding where the organization wants to be, and using tangible evidence of successful situations, we can better create environments that facilitate doing more of what works. Our mindset shifts from everything that is wrong to everything that is possible. With summer upon us, this is a perfect quick afternoon summer read that might help you bring about meaningful change in your organization. For those who would like to delve a little further on the subject, the full version, "Appreciative Inquiry: Change at the Speed of Imagination" by Jane Magruder Watkins and Bernard J. Mohr is also available in our library.

In By Life's Grace, Fran Peavy presents readings on various topics including: war, travel, social change and inspiration. Her book provides opportunities for reflection about these and other issues, based on her own life experience or about situations and themes that she feels close to. The strength of this collection of essays is not just in the breadth of topics or in the topics themselves, but in the way Peavy has framed questions within her stories. The questions that arise from these stories reveal much about our selves, our society and our times, and show us a different way of approaching situations as opportunities for change rather than as problems - and make for a very good read.

Community Postings

If you have a community posting that you would like to submit to the August e-Bulletin, please email us 100 words or fewer, including dates, times, locations, contact info and deadlines by July 28.

1. FREE WORKSHOP: Safe in the City 101
2. EVENNEMENT: Centre Scalabrini Mega-Bazaar Familiale
3. RADICAL FILM SUMMER SERIES 2008: QPIRG McGill
4. NEW WEBSITE: St Columba House
5. NEW JOURNAL: Alternatives International
6. CURE: Community University Research Exchange
7. NEW YOUTH EMPLOYMENT CENTRE: Brossard
8. JOB OFFER: AMI-Québec Action on mental illness
9. JOB OFFER: Concordia Co-op Bookstore
10. JOB OFFERS: Montreal Children's Library
11. JOB OFFER: Canadian Council on Social Development (CCSD)
12. JOB OFFER: Dix Mille Villages NDG
13. OFFRE D'EMPLOI: Camp de jour Lajeunesse 2008
14. JOB OFFER: Montreal Urbain Community Sustainment (MUCS)
15. VOLUNTEER: Internship Positions with Save Darfur Canada
16. Bénévolat : Sauvons le Darfour Canada cherche des stagiaires

1. FREE WORKSHOP: Safe in the City 101 (July 16, 2008)

Free workshop on how to maintain your personal safety while living in Montreal. This workshop is a collaborative effort between the CSU Off Campus Housing and Job Bank, Tandem Ville Marie West and help from the Dean of Student's Office.

This workshop is the first of its kind. Refreshments will be served.
July 16, 2008 from 5-7pm, in the Hall Building, H-760 Registration is not required. Contact us for more info:

Off-Campus Housing & Job Bank
Concordia Student Union
1455 de Maisonneuve W., suite H-260
Montreal, (QC) H3G 1M8
Tel.: 514.848.7474 x. 7935
Fax: 514.848.7419
hojo@csu.qc.ca

2. EVENNEMENT: Centre Scalabrini Mega-Bazaar Familiale
Au Stationnement du Centre Scalabrini, 655 rue Sauriol
(Côté Millen) Information au : 514 387-4477
5 JUILLET 2008
9am à 8pm
Vêtements pour tout la famille, soulier, accessoires de cuisine, électroménagers, ordinateurs, jouets pour enfants, objets de décoration, meubles, bibelots, et autre. On aura un coin bistro et un coin pour enfants (jeux gonflable, etc.).

3. QPIRG McGill Radical Summer Film Series 2008
Chill out in an air conditioned cafe with some iced beverage, good friends and great documentaries! Admission is free!

*Monday July 7, 2008, 7pm
Le Cagibi, 5490 St. Laurent (corner St. Viateur)
Life Inside Out (2005, 73mins)
A vérité-style documentary that takes us inside the walls of Grand Valley Institution - one of five federal prisons for women in Canada.

*Monday July 14, 2008, 7pm
Le Cagibi, 5490 St. Laurent (corner St. Viateur)
Shameless: The art of disability (2006, 71mins)
Art, activism and disability are the starting point for what unfolds as a funny and intimate portrait of five surprising individuals.

*Monday July 21, 2008, 7pm
Le Cagibi, 5490 St. Laurent (corner St. Viateur)
Black Coffee (2005, 174 mins)
Black Coffee is a remarkable three part documentary that chronicles coffee's origins in Ethiopia and its triumphant spread over five continents, sparking revolution, controversy, creativity, business and slavery all along the way.

*Monday July 28, 2008, 7pm
Le Cagibi, 5490 St. Laurent (corner St. Viateur)
Young Soul Rebels (1991, 105 mins)
Director Isaac Julien examines the interaction between youth cultural movements (skinheads, punks and soulboys) in late 1970's Britain along with the social, political and cultural tensions between them.

For more info contact:
Quebec Public Interest Research Group at McGill University
3647 University, 3rd Floor
Montreal, Quebec, H3A 2P3
Tel. 514-398-7432
Fax. 514-398-8976
http://www.qpirgmcgill.org

4. NEW WEBSITE: St Columba House
St Columba House has a new website, through which visitors can make online donations. Check out
http://www.saintcolumbahouse.org.

5. NEW JOURNAL: Alternatives International
Alternatives started publishing an English monthly journal called Alternatives International Journal in May! You can read the journal online at:

http://www.alternatives.ca/rubrique484.html

To get involved in the journal or to subscribe contact Ceyda Turan at
ceyda@alternatives-international.net

6. CURE: Community University Research Exchange
The Community-University Research Exchange (CURE) is a student research program being developed over the course of this summer in conjunction with QPIRG Concordia and QPIRG
McGill.

The CURE program will take the form of an online database of research requests submitted by community groups and non-profit organizations. These research requests can be extremely concrete (i.e., research on a particular corporation's ableist hiring practices, or an analysis of a specific municipal code), or they can be broader explorations in which students research, critique, or archive local movements, activisms, and/or groups. Participatory research models, where students embed themselves in and actively contribute to the subject of their work, are an encouraged option. Proposals will be submitted by community groups and listed online, where students will be able to browse and choose those projects which are appropriate to their areas of study. Students will be advised through the process of seeking course credit for their research, but the products of their research will be shared between the student and the organization, as well as posted on our website under a Creative Commons license (unless either party objects to this agreement). Our website will also include a comprehensive listing of community groups and organizations, which students may pursue for research independently.

We are not yet soliciting concrete research requests, but are developing a list of groups interested in participating in the project. If your organization or group would like a more detailed description of our mandate, and/or be listed on our website with your name, contact information, and a brief description, please email cure.mtl@gmail.com.

In addition, if your group has any concrete research needs you would like to submit, please email us, and we will follow up with you in the near future.

We are also very open to suggestions, criticisms, comments, or questions: just email cure.mtl@gmail.com

7. NEW YOUTH EMPLOYMENT CENTRE: BROSSARD
Service Canada Centre for Youth employment is now open in Brossard. The Centre offers employment services free of charge for youth between 15-30
Location: 2501 Lapiniére, Brossard (close to the Auto-Park). Open Monday to Friday from 8:30 am to 4:pm. Call 1-800-550-9004 Ext 550.

8. JOB OFFER: AMI-Québec Action on mental illness
Community Worker-Counselor (Full time)
AMI-Québec Action on mental illness is a non-profit community-based organization committed to helping families cope with the effects of mental illness through support, education, information and advocacy.
We are presently looking for a Community Worker-Counselor to help with the delivery of our support programs.
Family support and guidance is provided in groups and through individual counselling. The Community Worker-Counselor, who works under the direction of and is responsible to the Executive Director, would be involved in the delivery of support services, in both group and individual settings.
The successful candidate:
-Has knowledge of mental health/illness
-Has professional experience in the field
-Is fluently bilingual (English/French)
-Is flexible and motivated
-Is both autonomous and a team player
-Is interested in community-based care

Please send your C.V, along with references, to Ella Amir at AMI-Quebec, 5253 Decarie,
Suite 200, Montreal, Québec H3W 3C3, Fax 514-486-6157, or email amique@amiquebec.org.

9. JOB OFFER: Concordia Co-op Bookstore
Assistant Administrator

Responsibilities: light bookkeeping, paper and supply ordering, billing, invoicing, accounts receivable and payable. S/he must: carry out orders; control and check the reception of merchandise; update the inventory; set prices on merchandise according to the Co-operative's pricing policy, organize the presentation of items in the store; supervise and assist the cashiers in the completion of their tasks as well as other daily, weekly and monthly tasks. CLE (Centre local d'emploi) subsidized position, to be eligible you must be currently unemployed and a non-student.

Job requirements:
-Ability to work with public, with a group or alone;
-Ability to work with a computer (PC and Mac) Word, Excel, Simply Accounting, Illustrator, FileMaker Pro;
-Bilingualism required (French and English, spoken and written);
-Ability to multi-task, be organized, proactive, and show initiative a must;
-Self-motivated and self-directed with the ability to work unsupervised and within deadlines.
-Interest in community-based groups and non-corporate, self-managed environment; knowledge of the co-operative environment and principles an asset;
-Experience in a bookstore an asset;

Hours : 30hrs/week
Salary : 10$/hr
Duration : 6 months to 1 year
Starting Date: August 2008 - April 2009 (with training and possibility of renewal)
Contact person : Larissa Dutil Tel: 514-848-7445

By fax: 514-848-7450
By email: orders.coopbookstore@gmail.com
By mail: Concordia Co-op Bookstore
Drop off: 2150 Bishop Street, 1455 De Maisonneuve O. K-103 (Guy-Concordia metro), Montreal Mon-Fri 10AM-6PM.

Deadline for applications: by or before July 17th, 2008 at 6PM. Only applicants accepted for interviews will be contacted. Please take note that resumes sent without a cover letter will not be taken into consideration. Resumes and cover letters can be sent in French and/or in English.

10. JOB OFFERS: Montreal Children's Library
*Science Literacy Coordinator
The Montreal Children's Library seeks a part-time Science Literacy Coordinator to coordinate a pilot project designed to promote science literacy at the three branches of the Montreal Children's Library. The successful candidate should have a working knowledge of both French and English, have experience with project coordination and networking, and take a collaborative approach to planning and organizing. Experience with children and with libraries an asset. 8hrs/week, $13.13/hr. Email resume to: robin.sales@mcl-bjm.ca. Application deadline is July 10th, 2008 (only short-listed candidates will be contacted).

*Part-time Librarian's Assistant
The Montreal Children's Library seeks a part-time Librarian's Assistant for the Jean-Rivard branch in Saint-Michel. Tasks will include help with the regular tasks of the library, including circulation, programming, reference, cataloging, and other duties as required. General computer literacy and experience with children are required. Experience with libraries or with library studies an asset. The successful candidate should have a very strong knowledge of French and at least a working knowledge of English. Salary to be discussed. Email resume to:
robin.sales@mcl-bjm.ca. Application deadline is July 10th, 2008. (only short-listed candidates will be contacted.)

*Science Animator
The Montreal Children's Library seeks a Science Animator to animate an hour-long weekly science club in French at the Jean-Rivard branch in Saint-Michel. Tasks will include leading creative hands on activities that make learning about science exciting and accessible to children aged 5-12, as well as other community events. Requirements for this position include experience with children's animation, and a high level of competency in French. A background in science and/or education is an asset. 4hrs/week, 12.88/hour Email resume to: robin.sales@mcl-bjm.ca. Application deadline is July 10th, 2008. (only short-listed candidates will be contacted.)

11. JOB OFFER: Canadian Council on Social Development (CCSD)
The President of the Canadian Council on Social Development (CCSD), Marcel Lauzière, will be leaving the Council at the end of the year, after 8 years at its helm. The CCSD is currently seeking a new progressive and dynamic president who will continue to provide strong leadership to the organization in the years to come. Please visit http://www.ccsd.ca/home.htm for more information on the position.

12. JOB OFFER: Dix Mille Villages NDG
Part Time Assistant Manager
Looking for a job with meaning? We are seeking a bilingual, energetic and self-motivated individual to work as Assistant Store Manager of our Fair Trade Boutique in Monkland Village, Montreal. This post is for 20 hours per week with additional hours over the holidays. Further information is available at www.dixmillevillages.ca. Click on 'Get Involved' and then 'Employment Opportunities'. The successful candidate should demonstrate a commitment to the mission and fair trade practices of Dix Mille Villages NDG. Email resume to: montreal.monkland@villages.ca. Application deadline is July 12th 2008.

13. OFFRE D'EMPLOI: Camp de jour Lajeunesse 2008
Accompagnateur-trice pour enfant ayant des incapacités ratio de
1/3 maximum
1 postes à combler
Salaire : 10 $ /h - 35 hres /semaine. 7 semaines

Exigences du poste
Expérience pertinente. Carte valide de secourisme et RCR obligatoire. Être disponible immédiatement.

Faire parvenir votre curriculum vitae.
par télécopieur : (514) 278-0106
par courriel : info@centrelajeunesse.org
http://www.centrelajeunesse.org

14. JOB OFFER: Montreal Urbain Community Sustainment (MUCS)
The MUCS Dining Co-op is a growing group of people interested in co-creating an engaging community space in NDG where people can come together to cook and share meals as well as benefit from group food buying.

Dining Co-op Coordinator tasks:

-Facilitate collective responsibility among Dining Coop members.
-Coordinate volunteers and members to keep an inventory
of Dining Coop food, and make food orders.
-Liaise with work groups, community partners, and attend meetings of MUCS Core coordinators.
-Be responsible for certification and legalities of community kitchen
-Establish systems of shared responsibility for volunteer shifts - cleaning, cooking, laundry, compost, etc
-Establish communication networks between members, work groups and the public, and be a hub for this communication
-Manage membership payments and new member orientation
-Have basic language skills in both french and english

In addition, the Dining Coop Coordinator will be required to become a member of the Dining Coop and fulfill membership obligations, including dining dues and volunteer commitments. For more information about dining co-op membership go to www.mucs.ca

Compensation: $10 per hour and 10 hours per week (possibility of increased
hours in the future). Target Start date: July 12th. Preference will be given to members of the MUCS Project and/or the MUCS Dining Co-op, and residents of NDG. Please send a brief cover letter and CV to info@mucs.ca. Deadline for application: July 8th, at 5pm. For more information on MUCS and this position, please visit the MUCS website: http://www.mucs.ca/welcome.en.html

15. Volunteer: Internship Positions with Save Darfur Canada
Save Darfur Canada, a not-for-profit national coalition of organizations, is seeking volunteers to help out with the following tasks: outreach and campaigning, media research, news monitoring and filtering, website updating and programming, bookkeeping, technical support, graphic design, video editing, research into funding sources, and general administrative support. Positions range in length from one month to six months or more, and the weekly time commitment varies. For students, the option for academic credit exists if permitted by the university or college attended. Go to http://www.sdcanada.org/internships to view detailed descriptions of available positions! Please contact john@sdcanada.org with any questions or comments.

16. Bénévolat : Sauvons le Darfour Canada cherche des stagiaires
L'organisme à but non lucratif, Sauvons le Darfour Canada, une coalition nationale recherche présentement des bénévoles pour du travail dans les domaines suivants : participation aux campagnes de sensibilisation, veille médiatique sur le Darfour, mise à jour et programmation du site Web, comptabilité, soutien technique, infographie, montage vidéo, recherche de sources de financement et soutien administratif. La durée des stages varie d'un à six mois ou plus et l'horaire hebdomadaire diffère d'un stage à l'autre. Les étudiants peuvent recevoir des crédits d'étude si l'université ou le collège qu'ils fréquentent le permet. Consultez la page http://www.sdcanada.org/stages de notre site Web pour tous les détails des différents stages! Si vous avez des questions ou commentaires, veuillez nous contacter à l'adresse suivante : john@sdcanada.org