Recreation and Culture Grant funds divided
During the regular council meeting on Dec. 17, $14,991 was divided between five applicants for the Community Recreation and Culture Grant. This money was allocated for the grant during 2012 budget deliberations.
Council agreed that $4,539.84 should go to the Sundre and District Historical Society, $3,639.84 for the Sundre and District Curling Club, $3,731.64 for the Sundre and District Allied Arts Society, $1,539.84 for the Sundre West Country Senior Centre and $1,539.84 for the Sundre Rodeo & Race Association.
The grant program supports recreation and cultural facilities operated by not-for-profit organizations in Sundre. The funds help with costs of electricity, natural gas, water, sewer and insurance.
Achievement grants approved
Council passed a motion on Dec. 17 to issue achievement grants to individuals, groups, organizations and teams who represent Sundre in arts, culture, athletics and performing arts.
The grants will be given based on need, level of achievement as well as travel requirements. This is to encourage a sense of accomplishment and pride within the community.
The grants will go as high as $500 depending on the situation. They would need to be approved by council before exceeding that amount.
Town of Sundre employees award
Town council has adopted an Employee Initiative Award Program, which awards employees of the Town of Sundre for bringing forward initiatives and new ideas that result in a financial benefit for the community.
The program committee will include the chief administrative officer, director of operations, director of corporate services, one member of council, the mayor and the legislative assistant. The committee will meet at least quarterly to discuss suggestions brought forward.
There are two types of awards for this: tangible and intangible. A tangible award is given in the case of the suggestion resulting in an identifiable monetary savings to the town, which cannot exceed $2,000 unless approved by council.
An intangible award is given in the case where the benefit to the town cannot be measured in terms of dollars, or where the suggestion leads to other measures. The employee is eligible to receive $100.
The minimum award for all cases is $50.
Community ambassadors sought
A motion was passed during the regular council meeting on Dec. 17 to adopt a new Sundre Community Ambassador Policy.
This policy is to recognize individuals in Sundre for their achievement, lifelong commitment and contribution in the community by making them Official Community of Sundre Ambassadors.
An eligible ambassador can be involved in agriculture, arts and culture, business, education, community groups, health, seniors' affairs, teams and volunteers.
Each ambassador is to represent and promote the town. They will be nominated by people within the community and then reviewed by Mayor Annette Clews and Dean Pickering, chief administrative officer, before being brought to council.
Summer Games Foundation appointment
During the regular council meeting on Dec. 17, Roy Cummings, former Sundre mayor, was appointed as Town of Sundre representative for the Mountain View Summer Games Legacy Foundation.
The foundation supports the development of arts and sports in Mountain View County. Residents or organizations involved receive grants from income generated through the 1983 Summer Games. It is the foundation's responsibility to separate the grants.
Members of the foundation meet in October annually to discuss the grant applicants.
