(well …almost …)
Good news from
the Oldman Watershed Council (OWC) - funding is in place to extend the
Communications Coordinator’s contract until spring 2015! Anna Garleff was hired
in February, 2014, to put in place several enduring key communications tools
and to train the team in their use.
The signature piece
of this suite is a film. It will not be a typical educational film. Rather, it
will create a space for people to have an experience and draw their own
conclusions through presentation of the facts. This is important in a watershed
with perhaps the most extreme stakeholder diversity: the goal of the film is to
communicate clearly where water comes from, where it ultimately goes and what
happens in between.
The core message
is: "We are all downstream".
About 10 - 15
minutes in length, this film will be presented at: exhibitions and trade shows;
schools; Watershed Planning & Advisory Council summits; municipal, county
and provincial government meetings; in conservation and environmental arenas;
and more. It will be made available on the web site free-of-charge and will be
an important tool to attract further donors and sponsors.
This film will be
shown to audiences up and down the watershed - and beyond - with the intent to educate,
inspire and contribute to a stronger sense of community. It will portray southern Alberta's diversity and
entrepreneurship via watershed use. Following the growth of the region from the
mid-1700s through to 2025, it will use historical photos, interactive maps from
the ALCES project (A Landscape Cumulative Effects Simulator - headed by Dr.
Brad Stelfox), and spectacular footage of the people, places and landscapes.
The film is the centre piece to a larger vision. Complementary to the film, spin-off videos will be created around 10 themes, such as: Irrigation, Recreational Vehicle Use, Water Quality, Invasive Species, etc. – as well as the story of OWC itself.
The film is the centre piece to a larger vision. Complementary to the film, spin-off videos will be created around 10 themes, such as: Irrigation, Recreational Vehicle Use, Water Quality, Invasive Species, etc. – as well as the story of OWC itself.
In addition to
our own Board, we have consulted with: Dr. Kerry McArthur (a film scholar)
about the conceptual ideas; Dr. Mark Wolfe (a Communications Professor) about
the integrity of the ideas; Belinda Crowson (a local provincial historian and
author) about the accuracy of the timeline; William Singer, Lori Brave Rock, and
Elders of the Kainai (Blood Tribe) regarding the creation story and the naming
of the river; Debby Gregorash – one of the founders of the pre-OWC entities; Pete
Lovering (SouthGrow); Roger Hohm (Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development /
Irrigation Secretariat); David Hill (University of Lethbridge); George Gallant (a
film maker; Lethbridge College); Clint Dunford (former provincial Cabinet
Minister); and, Morton Molyneux (a long-time film maker) about the viability of
the script. Thumbs up from everyone!!!
After all, it is
their story, too. It is up to us to show the way forward for future generations
of people who depend on the Oldman River watershed for work, play and existence.
Over the years,
the OWC has had incredible support from its many volunteers and donors. The OWC
mandate has much in common with the environmental stewardship goals of
industry, tourism, farming, ranching and recreation … to name a few. So many
people and organizations are working hard to promote progressive water
management practices with the inherent awareness that "Water is vital to
life, the environment and the social and economic well-being of communities"
(Ref: Alberta Irrigation Project Association). This presumes a common
understanding of the challenges and opportunities. We believe this film project
will increase the common understanding exponentially.
The Oldman Watershed Council is inviting key
decision-makers / thinkers / community builders and supporters to be a part of
this exciting project!
OPPORTUNITIES TO PARTICIPATE ¹
We are seeking five (5) 'founding partners' to
provide initial seed money through a
donation of $1,000 each.
We are also requesting
donations from individuals in any amount from $10 and above – as well as strong
organizational support.
The
OWC thanks you sincerely for your consideration to support this exciting
project!!
TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE FILM OR HOW TO BECOME A SPONSOR, PLEASE CONTACT:
Anna Garleff, PhD in
proficio
Communications Coordinator,
Oldman Watershed Council
anna@oldmanbasin.org OR 587
224 3793 (cell) OR 403 3824239 (OWC office)
HERE'S HOW YOU CAN BECOME A SPONSOR OF THE OWC FILM PROJECT:
OPTION A: BECOME ONE OF THE
FIVE FOUNDING PARTNERS*
Every entrepreneurial idea
needs seed money - those vital funds to both begin the project and also inspire
others to become involved. The OWC is looking for five (5) Founding Partners - individuals or organizations - to provide
$1,000 to kick-start this inspiring project.
Opportunities Include:
o Your Watershed Story will be professionally written and released to all media channels, including the press and our blog
o first mention thank you with your name and logo on the credits of the film
o mentions throughout the film release on our social media channels (i.e., Facebook, Twitter, Blog, OWC website)
o credit on all media releases and articles
o a cheque-signing ceremony as part of a media / fundraising campaign
o free access to the film to show to your stakeholders / audiences
o a tax-free charitable receipt
o Your Watershed Story will be professionally written and released to all media channels, including the press and our blog
o first mention thank you with your name and logo on the credits of the film
o mentions throughout the film release on our social media channels (i.e., Facebook, Twitter, Blog, OWC website)
o credit on all media releases and articles
o a cheque-signing ceremony as part of a media / fundraising campaign
o free access to the film to show to your stakeholders / audiences
o a tax-free charitable receipt
*The OWC is thrilled to announce that the
City of
Lethbridge - Water Department - is confirmed as the first Founding Partner.
As of this afternoon, the second Founding Partner is Heleen Jacobsen of realestatecentre.ca
OPTION B: BECOME A COLLABORATIVE PARTNER
Let's face it. Some of our
most important work here in southern Alberta is reliant on water to thrive,
survive and create the conditions for prosperity for the region. Highly
complex, these organizations have a hard time communicating to the public what
they do, how they use and care for water and why their work will become of
increasing importance as time goes by. The OWC is inviting sponsors of $5,000
and above to collaborate directly in an enduring relationship with the OWC.
Opportunities Include:
o
Three 5-minute (approx) videos about you,
your business and why watershed health is essential to it.
(These will be
scripted, filmed and edited professionally and will: populate our You Tube Channel, be featured on
our website and form an essential part of watershed education for the OWC. As
applicable, one video will be aimed at schools, the second for the general
public, and the third for other professionals and scientists in the field.)
o
an invitation to speak and be filmed at our
upcoming OWC Watershed Summit 2015
o
a name and logo mention on the credits of
the film
o
mentions throughout the film release on our
social media channels (i.e., Facebook, Twitter, Blog, OWC website)
o
credit on all media releases and articles, including
a new suite of printed OWC material
o
a cheque-signing ceremony as part of a media
/ fundraising campaign
o
free access to the film to show to your stakeholders
/ audience s
o
a tax-free charitable receipt
OPTION C: Both
A and B
Yes, it is possible to become a Collaborative partner
AND
get your Watershed Story written with first credits on the film -
- Be one of the first 5 Founding Partner sponsors!
OPTION D: BECOME A FRIEND OF THE OLDMAN WATERSHED COUNCIL
We are all part of the watershed; we use water to bathe, recreate, prepare
our food, keep our lawns green and for our kids to run through when the summer
days are hot. Water IS life and it's essential that the headwaters remain in a
healthy condition so that there is plentiful, clean water for generations to
come. We are ALL downstream. The Oldman Watershed Council is inspired by
the outpouring of support for a smarter, more caring world where people interact
with the environment like it's the only one we've got. The OWC welcomes all
gifts of any amount - or community-sourced fundraising - to help make this film
the best that it can be.
Opportunities include:
o
an invitation to a "how to film the
watershed" seminar (to be offered in Taber, Lethbridge, Pincher Creek)
after the film release
o
an invitation to participate in the OWC Watershed
Summit 2015
o
mentions throughout the film release on our
social media channels (i.e., Facebook, Twitter, Blog, OWC website)
o
free access to the film to show to your stakeholders
/ audiences
o
a tax-free charitable receipt
o
Donations from anyone under 18 will be
honoured with a photo opportunity with the OWC and a special blog posting
