The City of Calgary has a network of 123 Community Associations throughout the city which participate in 32 District Councils. Community Associations are also organized into a Federation of Community Associations.
Neither Community Associations nor District Councils have a formal reporting relationship to the civic administration but District Councils generally meet regularly with the local member of city council from the ward covering that District. City council members are elected on a ward basis.
Community Associations are encouraged to incorporate as non-profit organizations in order to facilitate fundraising. All areas of the city have a community association or are in the process of forming one. Neighbourhood boundaries are determined by the City of Calgary Planning Department.
Resources
The Parks and Recreation Department of Calgary provides: staff support in the form of 1 full time Community Resource Coordinator for every 3-4 community associations; leadership workshops for community association volunteers, and; land for facilities developed by the community associations. Facilities range from small outdoor ice rinks to multi-service centres.
Scope of Activities
The activities that Community Associations take on are determined by the interests of the members. Most groups are concerned with developing or maintaining neighbourhood recreation facilities. The Parks and Recreation Department enforces standards for buildings or facilities that are developed by the Association but no control over operations of the Association. Groups in areas with a more established infrastructure of facilities take on other issues that affect the quality of neighbourhood life such as changes in development forms and patterns, services to specific groups, etc. Recent cutbacks in government services has resulted in an expansion in areas of involvement for community associations.
History and Comments
Calgary has a long standing history with community associations. Some groups have been in existence since the early days of this century. The associations formed a federation in 1961.
Contact: Federation of Community Associations, 403-244-4111
New Ways of Governing
The Citizen's Handbook / Charles Dobson / www.vcn.bc.ca/citizens-handbook
