News From CALL Mid‑June 2021

Year in Review

By Lorraine Smith, Chair, CALL Board of Directors and Barbara Decker Pierce, Program Committee chair

It is clear that experiencing a pandemic has not dampened CALL members’ enthusiasm for learning nor the willingness of many amazing volunteers to keep our programs operating. We can be proud of our ability to work together to respond to the challenges we faced in a time of COVID 19. CALL has continued to provide engaging programming at a time when many lifelong learning organizations needed to seriously pare down or suspend their operations. It’s time to reflect on what we have accomplished, to celebrate the vibrancy of our organization and to acknowledge the courage of many to make needed changes and to try new things.

• I’m sure most of us had never heard of Zoom until over 50 Interest Groups turned to this technology to support virtual meetings. Staying connected through Zoom was only possible due to the contributions of those working behind the scenes. The Zoom team stepped up to take on a task with a very steep learning curve and mentored us all as we struggled to remember to turn on our mikes and to figure out how to share our screens. Every CALL event since the beginning of the pandemic required hours of preparation, hard work, much learning and a willingness to try. Through the efforts of the team, we have added Zoom webinars and panel discussions to regular Zoom meetings and have been able to offer features such as polls and Q&A sessions. All of which have enhanced our programming and viewing experiences.
• The Communications Committee worked hard to keep us informed through the CALL newsletter – a bi-weekly publication showing up in our inbox. Through the newsletter we received regular updates on the programs and people that kept CALL going. We also recently revived the CALL’s social media presence. Be sure to check our Facebook and Twitter accounts for updates on CALL programming.
• A small group of volunteers, with the support of the CALL Web Team, took on the task of refreshing the CALL web site. Our home page is now more user-friendly and informative. The site has become an essential tool for program registration and delivery.
• What a year for programming! While Science and the Environment and Treks and Travels both had highly successful seasons, the pandemic did have a serious impact on other Speaker Series. But, out of the ashes have arisen some wonderful new and innovative programs. Because of the hard work and enthusiasm of those on the Programming Committee and many program volunteers we were able to experiment with individual speaker events, offer lecture series on timely topics, and deliver a hugely successful conference on Fake News – The Future of Democracy. Attendance has been strong and feedback from attendees gratifying. Check out the list below to get a full accounting of the events we have offered this year. It is truly impressive!
• Even under the rules of social isolation, two CALL Interest Groups were able to collaborate to write, illustrate and publish A Winter's Song. Grandchildren all over Calgary awoke on Christmas morning to unwrap this delightful children's tale.
• It would have been understandable if the Ukefest Committee had chosen to cancel its much-anticipated event. Instead, it transitioned the festival into a series of workshops using innovative technologies to offer exceptional teaching opportunities to our Ukulele loving members. Well done Ukefest team!
• Interest groups are the backbone of our organization and very few chose to suspend meeting once we moved to Zoom. In fact, some new groups were established: Geocaching, Massey Lectures, Coffee by Zoom, Calling ALL Poets, CALL to Lunchbox Theatre were all added post‑COVID.
• Over 135 members joined the Tuesday Walkers which evolved into a program of smaller groups travelling throughout the city – even in the cold Calgary winter. They put the “active” into active learning. Adhering to public health guidelines the Walkers were one of the few CALL groups which met in-person this year. Good news: no COVID cases were traced to CALL weekly walks.
• CALL to the Cinema was handed a game changing blow when Calgary theatres were closed. However, the group quickly pivoted and continues to meet by using Netflix as a source of films.
• Zoom has introduced us to a whole new way of connecting with each other and has enabled us to avoid traffic, parking, and weather concerns. The Science and the Environment Speaker Series had record attendance for all its events; the interest group, Not So Common Law, previously limited to the capacity of Room 310 at cSpace, was made available to all interested CALL members. Zoom has earned a role in our programming approaches. We will be exploring ways to improve program accessibility using this and other technologies in the future.
• For the first time CALL reached out beyond the borders of Alberta to join with other lifelong learning groups in Canada. Two groups were formed in collaboration with the McGill University group, Vive la Difference – NON and Prairie Quebec Novels. Next Fall we will add a third interprovincial group when lifelong learning groups in BC and Ontario join us to discuss Don Smith’s relevant and timely publication Seen but Not Seen.
• While we knew we would see a fall-off in membership from the record highs experienced in 2019, many continued with us and clearly took full advantage of what CALL has to offer. Along with those who stayed, others joined for the first time so membership, while not reaching past levels, did continue to grow and we expect an influx of new members once we emerge from COVID times.

Nobody knows the future – but we will continue to try out new programming ideas and to explore how technology can help us reach our goals. We will be meeting in-person again soon. In many ways post-pandemic CALL will probably feel a lot like pre-pandemic CALL- older Calgarians staying active, developing strong bonds of friendship and pursuing new knowledge with other active learners. Heartfelt thanks is extended to all the volunteers whose dedication and commitment have carried us through these challenging times. Special thanks to those who have provided leadership during this time of challenge and change – to Board members, Committee members, Coordinators and Facilitators, a much deserved thank you. It has been a year of challenges but also a year to celebrate the accomplishments of us all. Bring on next year!

CALL Events in June

Check the CALL website for details of the following events. Registration is required for all these online events. You must be a member to register.
Avoid disappointment: the gerbils in the intertubes need a little time to deliver emails. They recommend registering at least a couple of hours before an event to ensure the registration confirmation email with the event link arrives in your inbox in time.

June 16, 7:30 - 9:00pm. Treks and Travels

China 2017: A Glimpse Behind the Bamboo Curtain
Presenters: Patricia Fosbrook, Margaret Verenka

China has become a powerhouse on the world stage. In the last few decades, it has undergone a tremendous change from a secluded communist country to an active participant in the global economy. It is an unusual blend of capitalism and communism, mystery and intrigue.

We bring you two perspectives – one from Patricia’s experienced eyes and the other from Margaret’s, looking for ancestral roots.

For more information and to register, go to the Treks and Travels page.

June 19, 6:00pm; June 20, 6:00pm. CALL to Lunchbox Theatre: Plays in Development

As part of Lunchbox Theatre's First Stage new play development program, eight plays will be presented in a Zoom reading format. The CALL group will watch two of the plays and then have an interactive Zoom discussion among themselves afterwards.

Two play readings:
Saturday, June 19, 6pm: Woman Against Gravity followed by a CALL Zoom discussion
Sunday, June 20, 6pm: The Gatekeepers followed by a CALL Zoom discussion

** you may register for one or both play reading discussions. Maximum 20 members per discussion.

To participate: 1. register at Lunchbox. You will receive the Zoom link for all four plays.
2. register with CALL – go to the CALL to Lunchbox Theatre page for details and registration link for the CALL discussion.

CALL in the Summer – New Members Welcome

1. CALL Geocaching Interest Group (GIG)

   GIG came about after the CALL Geocaching 101 course held this past March and April where fifteen CALL members learned about geocaching.  Some of the participants wanted more, so we decided to continue as a CALL Interest Group which, as the facilitator, I creatively called the Geocaching Interest Group – GIG.

   The group meets monthly (2nd Wednesday) online over the summer and into the early fall, which is typically geocaching season: July 14, August 11, September 8, October 13.

   The group is in the process of determining its purpose and learning more about geocaching.  With the possibility of changing Covid protocols the group may, and hopes, to be able to participate in geocaching activities together.

   GIG is open to any CALL member even if they don't know anything about geocaching – we will teach and share our experiences with you.

   Go to the CALL Geocaching Interest Group page for more information and to register.
   Wayne Marshall, GIG Facilitator
    

2. Tuesday Walks in the City of Calgary

   Tuesday walks remain temporarily suspended. The walk leaders will convene near the end of June with plans to restart the walks in accordance with pandemic guidelines. Dates are not firm as of yet. New members can sign up by contacting the facilitator. Interested CALL members who sign up will get an email as to what is happening/what will be happening.

   Go to the Tuesday Walks in the City of Calgary page for more information and to register.
   Blair Pierce, Facilitator
    

3. CALL to the Cinema – New Summer Session.

   This popular CALL Interest Group has eight spaces available for a special summer series. The films are available for viewing on Netflix and the discussions take place on Zoom.

   The films and discussion dates are:
   Fried Green Tomatoes – July 13
   The Glass Castle – August 3
   Ghandi – August 24.

   Go to the CALL to the Cinema page for more details and registration.

Successful Uke Festival Workshops & Upcoming Concert

By Edna Einsiedel

Five tremendously successful ukulele workshops featuring local instructors have been completed by CALL’s ukefest community, leading up to a final concert on June 19 showcasing these instructors.

The free workshops held via Zoom on five monthly Saturdays starting in January of this year highlighted such skills as strumming styles by James Buchholz, bringing ‘colour or spice’ to your playing by Don Gowan, understanding chords and playing by ear by Barry Luft, fingerpicking led by Mustafa Kamaliddin, and ensemble playing led by Gary Glewinski and Kyle Swenson.

Attendees to the workshop numbered between 200 to 400. While the majority of attendees were Calgarians and other Albertans, other attendees came from five or six other provinces and surprisingly, from four other countries as well. These attendees had glowing reviews of the workshops.

In addition to honing uke musical skills, the workshops were designed to support local musicians who were provided an honorarium. A series of free online workshops and final concert are again being planned for Fall.

CALL Events 2020/21

By Lorraine Smith, Chair, CALL Board of Directors and Barbara Decker Pierce, Program Committee chair

Over the past 10 months and despite a global pandemic CALL volunteers have been able to offer 35 programs and events to its members. An enormous thank-you goes out to those CALL members who organized, moderated, and helped deliver this slate of diverse, interesting and timely events.

Date	Event	Presenter
September	Canadian Federalism in 2020	Audrey Doerr
	CALL Café Kick-Off	MC - Geoff King
October	CALL Annual Meeting	CALL Board
	Civil Rights – Canadian Law on the Subject of Racism and Discrimination	Jim Conway
November	A Slice of Happiness	Calgary Foothills Primary Care Network
	A Conversation with Madeleine King	Madeleine King
	Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID)	Jim Conway
December	December CALL Café	MC – Geoff King
	Memory Strategies for the Aging Brain (Health & Wellness)	Dr. Cameron M. Clark
January	CALL 2021 Ukulele Festival (Jan. – Jun. 6 workshops)
	Alzheimer’s Disease: We’re Getting There (Science & Environment)	Jay Ingram
	A Look at Islam (10 Sessions)	Joud Shafiq
	John A. Macdonald and the First Nations;	Don Smith
	Have Camera – Will Travel (Treks & Travels)	Karen McDaniel
	Should Insanity be a Defense to Criminal Acts?	Jim Conway
February	Your Alberta Pensions in the Time of Climate Change	Adam Scott, Patrick De Rochie
	Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID)	Jim Conway
	Capturing Carbon for Planet and Profit (Science & Environment)	Madison Savilow
	France by Barge and Bike (Treks & Travels)	Patricia Fosbrook
	Legal Arguments Against the Crown	Jim Conway
	Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID) and How to Access in Alberta	June Churchill
March	Coal Mining on the Eastern Slopes (Science & Environment)	Dr. Jim Byrne, Dr. Nigel Bankes, Kevin Van Tighem
	The Perils of Dogmatic Certainty in Uncertain Times	Judy Johnson
	Is there a Future for Long-term Care?	Dr. Pat Armstrong
	Oaxaca Mexico: The Day of the Dead	Owen Tobert, Paul Fesko
	Can the Law Stop Internet Harassment?	Jim Conway
April	Alberta’s Energy Transition (Science & Environment)	Dr. Blake Shaffer
	Now Let Us Now Praise Ordinary People	Doug Coats
	Svalbard (Treks & Travels)	Jeff Zambory
	Medieval History: Knights and Needlework (4 Sessions)	Dr. Alana Gowdy
May	Climate Change on the Prairie	Dr. David Sauchyn
	“Fake News” and the Future of Democracy (3 Event Conference)	Dr. Brooks DeCillia, Kim Groome, Jane Murphy, Dr. Gillian Steward, Dr. David Swann
	Greenland (Treks & Travels)	Jeff Zambory
	Climate Change and Calgary’s Future: Panel Discussion	Druh Farrell, Noel Keough, Annalise Klingbeil, Dr. Melanee Thomas
	Why Do We Use Jury Trials	Jim Conway
June	China 2017: A Look Behind the Bamboo Curtain	Patricia Fosbrook, Margaret Verenka

Benefits of Being a CALL Facilitator

By Pat Hogan

When I think about the half dozen or so interest groups I have facilitated and the speaker series that I have set up, mine has always been a very rewarding experience.  Some of the groups have been over a finite period, others have lasted for years. In each instance I have created an opportunity to explore an area that I wanted to learn more about and in so doing have found like-minded people who want to take the journey with me.  We have worked together to determine the shape and direction for the group and I am always impressed with where that takes us. My personal interest is not only addressed but it is always expanded and enhanced by interaction and collaboration with other group members.  So I have grown in ways I couldn’t have imagined on my own.  I’ve formed close bonds with members of the groups and count many of them as new friends.  I’m so grateful for the opportunities that being a CALL facilitator have provided. 

Check out CALL’s Facebook page. Be a Friend – and follow us.

Membership in CALL – Renew Now

Did you know that memberships purchased or renewed now are valid until August 31, 2022? Go to the website and click on the Membership tab for information about how to join. You can join online or by mailing your Membership form.

A CALL membership gives you access to all CALL events and Interest Groups where you can develop new skills and share your ideas with other interesting people. Members can also contribute by initiating new Interest Groups and exercising leadership skills as committee members, Interest Group facilitators. Coordinators or members of the CALL Board.

Your CALL Newsletter

The CALL Newsletter is our way to communicate what is going on in our community. Usually we communicate to members about upcoming events, however, since all CALL gatherings are postponed for an undetermined period of time, we decided to use the newsletters as a way to ‘peek behind the curtain of CALL’, to give some general information about CALL groups and members.

You are invited to send your ideas and suggestions for future issues to newsletter@calgarylifelonglearners.ca. Let us know what your Interest Groups are doing and your strategies for coping with this situation in which the whole world finds itself. We reserve the right to edit for length and clarity; not every submission will necessarily be published.

Meanwhile, be well, stay well in every sense of the word.