Light MEÆT

LIGHT MEÆT brings together light-bombing, micro-funding, and a delicious 3-course meal for a night like no other.

Join NextGen on December 15 to bring a bit of cheer and light to an area that’s normally not quite so bright.

For one very special night
we’ll make one spot in Edmonton extra bright

Making lanterns by hand
creating something grand

Light bombing a tree or two
creating a spectacular view!

But microfunding is our quest
So hope you will be our guest!

When: Monday, December 15 from 6:30pm-8:30pm

Where: Secret Location (to be announced a few days before event)

Tickets are $25.00, this includes $10 towards the winner of the pitches and a 3 course dinner

Purchase Tickets here

We’ll create lanterns, enjoy a 3-course meal together, hang up the lanterns on a tree or two, and then hear some pitches and vote for a winner! Microfunding on the “lighter” side!

The last MEÆT event sold out quickly, and tickets will go fast again, so don’t wait!

Pitch your idea!

And if you have an idea, project or event you’re working on and are looking for micro-funding, please let us know! Email us at:  if you are interested in pitching at the December 15 event. Past winning pitches that have won micro-funding include projects on urban bee-keeping, Open Edmonton, and Operation Fruit Rescue.  The winning pitcher will win between $500 and $1,000 for their project/cause, and people who pitch attend for free.

It was a snowy November night that brought in the 6th annual Edmonton Timeraiser, however Boyle Street Plaza was filled with art lovers who had come to bid their volunteer hours in a silent auction for a variety of artwork. The average piece was auctioned off for 100 volunteer hours, and altogether the event raised 4,000 hours to be contributed to Edmonton non-profits and volunteer organizations.

Timeraiser is a Canada-wide initiative that aims to enrich communities through volunteer time contributions, support local artists, and create non-monetary access to artwork . The 2015 Edmonton Timeraiser may be far in the future, but you should mark your calendars as it is a lot of fun for some great causes.

However, you don’t need to wait until next year to volunteer! NextGen had the chance to speak with several non-profit organizations at Edmonton Timeraiser who will need volunteers with all kinds of skill sets. Find out below if there is anything for which you can offer your time!

CASA is a major community-focused provider of mental health services for infants, children, adolescents and their families, located in Edmonton and serving central and northern Alberta. Volunteers are needed to work the Casa Gala on May 1, 2015 and the Family Bike Ride. No prior commitment is needed, and registration is not skill specific. For further information click here.

Dogs With Wings is an organization that trains qualified assistance dogs for Albertans with disabilities. It has been active since 1996 and has provided access to 105 service dogs. Dogs With Wings needs volunteers with graphic design experience to create brochures and posters, as well as foster families for the dogs. Fostering is a two year commitment, and more information can be found here.

Freewill Shakespeare Festival is a non-profit theatre company that stages two plays by William Shakespeare each summer. Interested in volunteering? There are administrative, graphic design, photography, and fundraising positions available. Volunteer roles to work the festival as ushers, ticket takers, concession stand handlers and more. Further information to be found here.

Futurpreneur is a non-profit organization that provides financing, support, training and mentorship to young entrepreneurs throughout Canada. Their target demographic is 18-39 so is a perfect match for the interested NextGen-er. Futurpreneur is always looking for mentors to provide lessons from their own experience in business. If this sounds interesting to you, click here.

The Pride Centre of Edmonton is an organization that has provided services and support to the LGBTQ community in Edmonton for the past 40 years and is completely volunteer run. There are available roles for all skill sets, including positions to plan events, conferences, Pride month, as well as administrative volunteers and Drop-In hosts to greet people during the Drop-in hours at the centre. There is also a specific need for musicians to instruct a youth music and songwriting class. Find out more here.

There are many more non-profits in Edmonton which need volunteers. Timeraiser is one way to support these organizations, create widespread awareness and actively increase volunteering in the community. NextGen encourages all interested Edmontonians to use their skills to contribute to these worthy causes in our city.

Are you looking for an opportunity to get involved, volunteer and be part of Edmonton’s NextGen Committee? The NextGen Committee is currently looking for civic and community members to join its Committee!

What is Edmonton’s NextGen Committee?

The NextGen Committee is an Administrative Committee of the City of Edmonton that was established in 2006 in the Department of Community Services. Through community and civic projects, events and leadership opportunities, Edmonton’s NextGen fosters young leaders and provides a platform for initiatives of interest to the next generation.

There are currently 15 members on the NextGen Committee who volunteer and represent the community and the City of Edmonton. Participation on NextGen is a volunteer position.

NextGen is looking for individuals who are within the next generation demographic, who have a keen interest in community and civic development, who are interested in projects and events that are relevant to 18-40 year old residents of Edmonton and who are able to lead a Working Group of volunteers.

The NextGen Committee is currently looking to fill these 3 Committee positions:

1. Pecha Kucha Working Group Co-Chair

Pecha Kucha Night (PKN) events provide opportunities for Edmontonians to share their diverse interests, talents and knowledge to an engaged audience. Key skills for this position include event management, volunteer management and strong communications skills. The PKN Co-Chair will be responsible for:

• Working with the PKN Co-Chair and managing and leading a group of 10-12 volunteers

• Executing three Pecha Kucha Nights a year

• Developing yearly strategies and goals that are in line with the overall goals of the NextGen Committee

• Developing and monitoring a yearly budget, and working closely with the partnerships chair to secure sponsorships/partnerships

• Engaging and informing volunteers about NextGen Committee events and initiatives

• Serving as a representative of NextGen at the PKN events

This position is expected to attend the following meetings:

• Monthly NextGen Committee meetings every second Monday from 5:30-7:30pm

• Monthly Pecha Kucha Working Group meetings every 3rd Wednesday from 5:30-7:30pm

2. Communications Co-Chair

The Communications Co-Chair will be responsible for providing support to NextGen Working Group projects and events and assisting with NextGen’s overall communications internally with the Committee and externally to the public. The Communications Co-Chair will be responsible for:

• Working with the NextGen Communications Co-Chair and managing and leading a group of 5-10 volunteers on projects that focus on communications activities

• Assisting in the coordination and hosting monthly Working Group meetings

• Working with the NextGen Committee and NextGen Coordinator on internal and external communications of NextGen projects and events

• Facilitating the communications needs of the NextGen Committee and Working Groups by providing overarching communications support

• Assisting the management of the Edmonton NextGen website for updates, copy writing, maintenance, and activating the use of multi-social media platforms to promote NextGen in the community

This position is expected to attend the following meetings:

• Monthly NextGen Committee meetings every second Monday from 5:30-7:30pm

• Monthly Sustainability Working Group meetings every 3rd Thursday from 11:30am-1:00pm or 5:30-7:00pm (these meetings will rotate in time)

• Communications Working Group meetings (time and dates TBD)

3. Partnerships Chair

The Partnerships Chair will be responsible for managing existing and soliciting new NextGen community partnership and sponsorship opportunities with the support and advice from the NextGen Committee and the NextGen coordinator. The Partnerships Chair will be responsible for:

• Working with NextGen Committee Co-chairs to build, sustain, and enhance relationships with community partners to support NextGen’s work

• Developing strategies to acquire new partners and sponsors to support NextGen’s work

• Supporting strategic initiatives (such as NextGen month) through partnership solicitation and collaboration

• Working to develop formal processes related to acquiring, approving and maintaining NextGen partners (revising terms of reference, developing selection criteria etc.)

• Working with the NextGen Committee to ensure that NextGen partners are aligned with and support NextGen’s work and mandate

• The Partnerships Chair will work closely with NextGen Committee Co-chairs and will be expected to attend monthly committee meetings, monthly sustainability working group meetings, and periodic NextGen events.

• The Partnerships Chair will support both internal and external workings of NextGen, with a focus on representing NextGen in the community

This position is expected to attend the following meetings:

• Monthly NextGen Committee meetings every second Monday from 5:30-7:30pm

• Monthly Sustainability Working Group meetings every 3rd Thursday from 11:30am-1:00pm and 5:30-7:00pm (these meetings will rotate in time)

Time Commitment for all positions include:

-Commit to a minimum of a two-year (2) term

-Commit to a minimum of 10-15 volunteer hours a month

-Take on one of the above Committee positions, work with a Co-Chair and and co-lead a group of approximately 10 volunteers that meet 1-2 times a month

-Attend 10 regularly scheduled meetings of the NextGen Committee during the year. Additional meetings may be held at the call of the Co-Chairs

Being part of the NextGen Committee provides the opportunity to work and be involved with a group of engaged next gener’s who are interested in helping build and make Edmonton an innovative, exciting and vibrant city!

If you are interested in applying to be on the NextGen Committee, please send your cover letter indicating the position(s) you are interested in and resume to: Christine.Causing @edmonton.ca by 5:00 pm on Thursday, December 4. 2014. 

Once we receive all applications, the nominating committee will review and select candidates for an interview for a Committee position. Interviews will take place the 3rd week of December. Only successful candidates will be contacted for an interview.

Thanks for your interest in being involved on NextGen!