National Volunteer Week – It Matters! In Canada there are a host of nationally declared days, weeks and months that are highlighted and recognized – some better known than others.  National Volunteer Week, which is fast approaching April 22-27, provides a great opportunity for everyone to consider how important volunteers are to the fabric of their lives.  National Volunteer Week was first recognized in 1943 as a means to create attention about the vital contributions women were making on the home front during the war. It was forgotten after the war but in the 60’s found a resurgence as organizations recognized the importance of thanking volunteers across the country.  National Volunteer Week has grown ever since. There is something very different about this week – and those who work or volunteer in the non-profit sector know it – they recognize that without volunteers many of the services, festivals and the spirit that characterizes communities across Canada would and could not exist except for the involvement of volunteers. In fact according to the Canadian Survey of Giving, Volunteer and Participation almost 12.5 million Canadians, the equivalent of 46% of the population aged 15 and over, volunteered for charitable and nonprofit organizations.  Collectively, these volunteers contributed just over 2.1 billion volunteer hours, equivalent to almost 1.1 million full-time jobs. If you were to convert these hours into wages based on Alberta’s minimum wage ($9.40) this is billions of dollars.  However, what volunteers truly contribute cannot be measured in numbers.  How much is laughter and love worth in a situation where there seems to be no hope?  Trying to move humanity forward, does it have a value?  Consider the impact of volunteers who have a profound desire to change the world, and the social problems they are willing to roll up their sleeves for, give their time and bring their talents. There is no accounting terms that can describe the worth in all of that. It has been said that most people’s lives have been touched by a volunteer in some way.  When you consider that in Alberta there are 19,000 non-profit societies and charities who engage approximately 2.5 million volunteers, this statement is most likely true.  Therefore, as a member of the public, or as an organization that engages volunteers, taking a moment to recognize the impact of volunteers in the delivery of a multitude of programs and services, celebrating their contributions and generously investing in professional volunteer programs are some of the best ways to say, “Thank you, your contributions matter!”   For more information about our Volunteer Management Certificate Program, visit...

1. Have a consultation with your hairstylist early on.  After you’ve chosen a skilled stylist you feel comfortable with, make sure you start planning your look well in advance. Consulting with your stylist early on ensures that all the essential preparations can be made in time for your dream ‘do. If you are considering custom-made hair extensions, intricate decorations or any other type of complicated accessories, this is the time to communicate your ideas so that your hairstylist can make and order all the necessary elements. 2. Write an agreement that details your Wedding Day appointment. Include your wedding date, your stylists and any assistants day of wedding contact information (if outside of the salon, their mobile phone numbers), appointment time, approximate time you will finish, style description and notes, pricing, and onsite address if your stylist is traveling to you. 3. Don’t make any drastic hair changes before your wedding. This just screams disaster. If you and your stylist have decided to style your long brown hair, don’t throw a curve ball by chopping it all off and frying it with peroxide. There’s only so much a stylist can do to repair damaged hair, a bad dye job or an edgy haircut at the last minute. Don’t bomb the whole styling plan right before the Big Day. Resist the urge to make drastic changes before your wedding; let your stylist make those calls for you. 4. Ask your stylist for Wedding Day preparation advice. If your stylist tells you to wash your hair the morning of your wedding, then you should do that. Ifinstead your stylist tells you to not wash for a certain amount of time beforehand, then follow her advice. Depending on how you want your hair styled on the Big Day, certain variables may make it harder or easier to style. For example, if your stylist is going to tease your hair or use a lot of heat tools, it can actually be better to show up without squeaky clean hair that will not hold the style you desire for the length of time you need it to. Your stylist knows hair, so go ahead and trust her. 5. Schedule a trial Schedule a Wedding Day trial followed by a dress fitting. Once your hair is styled, you can see how your chosen hair style and veil will look with your dress. If you color or highlight your hair, you may opt to add, define or tweak highlights or color in the weeks leading up to your wedding, so they are properly balanced with your wedding day do’.  For your hair trial, follow the preparation advice from your stylist just as you would for your Wedding Day. Bring your...

Did you know some brides get an extra ring?Married women in Sweden wear a third ring with their wedding and engagement rings. In a traditional Swedish wedding ceremony, the groom will give his bride an engagement ring representing that she has been ‘wooed’, a second band to confirm the marriage of the couple and the third (and most highly prized ring) to indicate motherhood and maternity. Though it’s not uncommon for Swedish couples to wed after having children together, brides are given maternity rings to bring fertility. It is also the groom’s way of showing gratitude to the woman who has or will give him children. The three rings are invariably made of plain gold as are the two rings the husband...

The TANK – A DEFYENEURS Event Series in Edmonton Connect, engage and build new success habits.  Thursday TANKS were originally founded by Gerry Visca, Canada’s Creative Coach.  A transformational evening of inspired thinking and conversation designed to help you uncork new possibilities for your life.  Thursday TANKS are expanding geographically and typically include a maximum of 35-55 individuals.  Milena Santoro and Cheryl Renzenbrink   Each TANK is fueled with insights and creative principles from Gerry Visca who works closely with local brand ambassadors Cheryl Renzenbrink and Milena Santoro who host and facilitate TANK events.  TANKS are typically scheduled on the 3rd or 4th Thursday evening of every month from 6:00 – 9:00pm.  Thursday TANKS help you stay the course. To register for the Edmonton Tank on April 23, 2013 click here: http://thetankedmontonapril23.eventbrite.com/?s=13479987 or email us at edmontondefyeneurs@gmail.com  ...

As you begin your search for the best wedding photographer, follow these helpful tips to ensure you capture the day perfectly. 1. Hire a professional  Even if a friend or a relative offers to tackle the task, even if they’re amazing behind the lens, and even if they’d agree to a pro-bono arrangement, you still should hire a professional photographer for your wedding-day photos. For one thing, you won’t have to worry about how to pay professionals since they’ll give you a set rate, unlike a friend or family member, who may feel cheated out of hard work in the end or pick an argument over appropriate compensation. For another, you won’t have to worry about directing a professional or instructing them on when to take pictures, unlike a friend or family member, who may take pictures at all the wrong times or slack off to enjoy the open bar. Anyone who’s ever used a camera can take a picture, but a professional photographer has a world of knowledge on the art of composition, the importance of lighting, shooting from the best angles, and how to develop, touch up, and finalize each individual picture to perfection. If the photographer is really top-notch, he or she may get booked up pretty far in advance, so you should try to hire one about six months to a year before your wedding day. 2. See for yourself  Take a look at other married couples’ wedding photos and get their feedback on the photographer they hired. You’ll want to choose someone with solid references, but more often than not, the proof is in the pudding, or rather in the pictures. Look for someone with an extensive portfolio of portraits, active shots, and most importantly wedding photos.Even if a photographer is highly technically skilled in landscapes or still-life, that doesn’t mean they’re as adept in other forms of photography. It takes a keen eye to achieve the “look of love” when subjects aren’t posing, to capture an active moment in a single frame, and to tell a story without words or context. If you like what see, schedule an engagement photo shoot and see the results of their work first hand. Key in on your comfort level as you interact with the photographer during the shoot as well as the final results of their work. 3. Make a photo checklist A professional wedding photographer should know when and where to take pictures to chronicle the timeline of your wedding day, but you may have some additional ideas, so make a checklist of all the moments you want captured and the names of all people to be included in the photos. Afterward, put all the photos...