Dear Calgary Community,

We are reaching out to local organizations and communities to offer you an opportunity to promote FREE rounds of golf to EVERYONE that is taking part in your organization or community. We have partnered with the United Way and donated our two golf courses for the first 10 days of the golf season for FREE rounds of golf. We were very successful last year raising tens of thousands of dollars, but this year we are looking to take the promotion to a new level. Our greatest challenge is letting Calgary golfers know that they are able to receive a free round of golf at both of our courses.

We are hoping to partner with you so we can both benefit. You can promote the free golf for the United Way to your teams and we can promote your organization through our golfers and website.

Please call me at 403-465-3692 to discuss the concept in more detail or email me directly. I look forward to hearing from you. For additional information visit chipincalgary.ca. Feel free to pass on the website freegolfcalgary.com for everyone you think might be interested in the FREE golf promotion so they can register.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Barry Ehlert
Managing Partner
Windmill Golf Group
403-269-8005

A few months ago the Board provided Calgarians with some information on the recommendations it put forward to the Alberta Government regarding possible ways to make reductions to school board budgets. Now that the budget has been announced, the Board is pleased to see that Minister Hancock has been responsive to feedback provided by school boards and other stakeholders in this year’s budget.

While the reductions many were anticipating for Education are not a reality, there are still some potential budget implications for the CBE. Recent wage increases granted to teachers and staff will have an impact on how the Board is able to allocate its budget dollars, as Alberta Education has asked school boards to pay for the current year’s wage increases for the time being. Education Minister Dave Hancock plans to request additional funds from the Treasury Board to help cover some of these costs, but it will not be known until later this Spring if any of the additional funding will be granted.

Trustees also recently provided input to the government on the School Act. The Board’s suggested changes would allow the CBE to be responsive to changes as they occur and better prepare students for future success. If you’d like to review these recommendations in full, please visit: www.education.alberta.ca/media/1164781/calgaryboardofeducation.pdf.

Another important consideration for 2010 is the fact that Calgarians will be going to the polls this year to elect their school board trustees at the same time they elect their aldermen and mayor. The Board encourages interested citizens to learn more about what is involved in serving as school board trustee. If you have a passion for education and want to help CBE students reach their full potential, we invite you to attend an event on the evening of Wednesday, May 12 to learn more about this exciting opportunity. Or you can visit: www.cbe.ab.ca/trustees for more information.

If you have any comments or concerns, I’d be happy to speak with you. Feel free to contact me at 403-294-8123 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Pat Cochrane
Trustee, Wards 8 and 9