As far as I know, Saskatchewan does not have a resident gopher to prognosticate on our weather chances. We’re pretty sure that, flirtations with spring-like weather a few weeks ago aside, winter won’t be leaving any time soon – it’s -23 as I write this, with the windchill making it feel like -32! Fortunately, the sun is out, the sky is clear, and there’s plenty happening in Saskatoon to keep busy and warm.

More events!

Lots happening in Saskatoon this week!

Station 20 West, a great community space in the west end, is holding a Winter Celebration open house this afternoon from 3-6. The event includes music, food, kids activities, and an opportunity to connect with the organizations that call that space home.

Also today, the Children’s Discovery Museum is hosting an open house to discuss the ideas for their new space at the Mendel Art Gallery, opening in 2017. The event takes place at the Mendel from 10-8, with presentations at noon, 4:30, and 7pm.

Previously mentioned in my last news blast, a reminder about the Saskatoon Food Bank and Learning Centre’s Community Engagement event happening Wednesday, February 4 at Station 20 West from 10-1 and again from 5-8.

Sheena Greer is hosting another #sknpchat this coming Thursday, Feb 5 at 11am CST for Saskatchewan based nonprofits on the topic of corporate partnerships. I’m sure that non-Saskatchewan Twitter peeps are welcome, as long as you can properly pronounce and spell “Regina”.

Saskatchewan Council for International Cooperation is hosting their annual awards gala this Thursday at the Roxy Theatre on 20th Street West. I know two of the recipients via the Two Twenty, namely the Poverty Costs Campaign (an initiative of SFBLC, Upstream, and the Saskatoon Anti-Poverty Coalition) and Reyn Lauer, and I can’t think of who else would be more deserving! Free and open to the public (RSVP’s appreciated). Doors open at 6 and the program starts at 6:30.

NextUp, a youth leadership program, is hosting a Human Library – instead of taking books off a shelf, you engage in conversation with human “books” and get to hear their stories! The theme of this library is “History of Women and Transgender People Making Change in Saskatchewan”, and will take place at Station 20 West (lots of events there!) next Monday, February 9, from 6-8:30pm.

Last but not least, Innoweave has some webinars and online workshops coming up in the next few months, including on Social Enterprise and Collective Impact. Some of the events require registration with dates coming up soon – see their Events page for more details.

Applications!

Saskatoon Community Foundation is accepting applications for their Youth Empowerment Saskatoon (YES!) grants, with priority given to projects focusing on Support for Economically Disadvantaged Youth, Arts and Culture, Healthy Living, Youth with Disabilities, Social Support for Youth, or Education and Employment. Applications are due March 1.

Leadership Saskatoon has opened nominations for their Community Leader award – more details available on their site. They’re also starting to accept applications for their Leadership development program – I was part of the 2013-14 cohort and it was a great opportunity to reflect on my leadership journey, stretch my abilities, and learn from individuals across the public, private, and nonprofit spheres. The deadline for the application is June 1, but if you’re interested, best to apply soon as possible.

Finally, a quick reminder about the Social Innovation Residency application that I wrote about a few weeks ago – it would be great to see some Saskatchewan-based innovators in the inaugural cohort!

Strong Roots on the Road!

Are you a non-profit based in Winnipeg ? I’ll be in town next week, primarily for a family visit but I’m also up for connecting with individuals or organizations for conversations around evaluation, social innovation, social enterprise, or non-profit capacity building in general. Have coffee, will chat!

Anything I missed? Upcoming news to share about happenings in Saskatoon? Let me know!