Banff, Alberta, May 16, 2010 -- Communities across Western Canada will benefit from a $1.5 million investment from Encana Corporation and Cenovus Energy to support leadership programming at The Banff Centre. The five-year Community of Leaders program presented by Cenovus and Encana will bring participants from towns and cities across Alberta, Saskatchewan, and British Columbia to The Banff Centre to build their personal leadership skills and confidence, and to nurture local community projects from ideas to reality.
Sara Twiddy of Calgary’s Neighbourlink is one of 14 leaders selected to participate in the 2010 Community of Leaders program. Twiddy says she appreciated the opportunity to meet, and learn alongside, other community leaders. “It was really great to hear from other participants - it reminded me that yes, what I do is important, and it also helps other people.”
Participants in the 2010 program came from Grande Cache, Tilley, East Coulee, Cold Lake, Paddle Prairie, Hinton, and Calgary, Alberta; from Weyburn, Saskatchewan; and from Fort St. John and Dawson Creek in British Columbia. Each took part in an initial three-day Leadership Development program at The Banff Centre, and then returned to their community to work on projects, supported by regular check-ins with faculty and peer advisors. Six months later, they returned to the Centre to report on their progress, and to share their successes with other participants.
During the Community of Leaders program Twiddy focused on building the skills she needs to launch the Clearing House program, a large scale, interagency warehouse-based program that will collect and distribute donated household goods to Calgary families and individuals living in poverty.
Lynne Douglas, Group Lead for Community Investment with Cenovus Energy, says her company believes the Community of Leaders program can help participants face challenges and learn from others with a wide variety of experience. “The skills they will take away from participating in the program will strengthen their leadership, help them support local organizations, and help them build a healthier, sustainable community,” Douglas says.
Lois Wozney, Community Investment Advisor with Encana Corporation agrees. “Ultimately, our Community of Leaders participants will be more able to complete projects that add vitality, and improve overall quality of life in their communities, now and into the future.”
”The Banff Centre is very proud to partner with Encana Corporation and Cenovus Energy on a program that will benefit communities across Western Canada,” says Mary E. Hofstetter, president and CEO of The Banff Centre. “This program will provide emerging leaders with the skills they need to generate positive social and economic change at a grassroots level.”
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MEDIA CONTACT
Cenovus Energy
Rhona DelFrari, Advisor, Media Relations
Tel: (403) 766-4740
Encana Corporation
Carol Howes, Advisor, Media Relations
Tel: (403) 645-4799
About Encana: Encana Corporation is a leading North American natural gas producer that is focused on growing its strong portfolio of prolific shale and other unconventional natural gas developments, called resource plays, in key basins from northeast British Columbia to east Texas and Louisiana. By partnering with employees, community organizations and other businesses, Encana contributes to the strength and sustainability of the communities where it operates.
About Cenovus: Cenovus Energy is a leading integrated oil company headquartered in Calgary, Alberta. Its operations include growing enhanced oil projects and established natural gas and crude oil production in Alberta and Saskatchewan as well as ownership in two quality refineries in Illinois and Texas. Cenovus is respectful of the environment and communities where it works and is committed to applying fresh, progressive thinking to the development of energy resources the world needs.
About The Banff Centre: The Banff Centre’s mission is inspiring creativity. Thousands of artists, leaders and researchers from across Canada and around the world participate in programs here every year. Through its multi-disciplinary programming, The Banff Centre provides them with the support they need to create, to develop solutions, and to make the impossible possible.