Hello everyone,

Last month I opened by saying “there are lots of projects afoot”.  This month I’m happy to say they’re not afoot any longer because … they’ve launched!  These events are our way to build support for the Green Party between elections, so it’s exciting to see so much activity going on.  It is up to all of us, the Green Party supporters in Ottawa Centre, to build support so we can make history by electing the first Green Party MP or MPP.  It will happen – let’s be the first!

Adopt-a-Park Clean Up, May 23
It’s official! The Ottawa Centre Green Party has adopted Central Park in the Glebe between Bank Street and Clemow Avenue.  As our first act as new parents we’ll be heading over to clean it up.  Join us on May 23, 9am to noon – rain or shine.  The City of Ottawa will be providing the cleaning supplies so just come prepared for the weather.  Hopefully that means sunscreen!

Date: May 23
Time: 9am to noon
Location: Central Park, Bank at Powell, between Bank and Clemow (head east from Bank).

Ottawa Centre Green Party Fundraiser & Cocktail Party
You are invited to join Jen Hunter and Elizabeth May for a stimulating evening of conversation exploring how each of these women plan to bring Leadership with Heart to Canadian Politics.  Wendy Myers and Brian Foody have kindly offered to host this social gathering in their beautiful home on Linden Terrace.  Thyme and Again Catering will be providing a wonderful menu of passed hor d’oeuvres.

Sustaining Members are invited to arrive at 6pm for a special reception and photo opportunity with Elizabeth May.  Membership in the Sustaining Members Club is automatic for all donors who have contributed $400 (or $100 after the 75% rebate) or more to the Ottawa Centre Green Party Association in the last twelve months.  To RSVP and verify your member status, or to make a donation and become a Sustaining Member contact Kevin O’Donnell.

Tickets for the main reception at 7pm are $100 (or $40 after the tax rebate).  Elizabeth May and Jen Hunter will each speak on the current state of our parliamentary democracy and give their thoughts on our future political landscape.

Date: June 19th, 2009
Time: 7pm main reception, 6pm special reception for Sustaining Members
Location: 1 Linden Terrace, Ottawa, Ontario

To RSVP contact:
Kevin O’Donnell
(613) 203-2620
kevin.odonnell@ottawagreens.ca

http://www.ottawagreens.ca/fundraiser.html

Mark MacKenzie at the Coalition For A Sustainable Ottawa Rally
The Coalition for a Sustainable Ottawa held a successful rally on May 11th at City Hall.  Mark MacKenzie, Green Party of Ontario Eastern Representative, spoke about the issue of urban sprawl and the policies the Green Party has to address it.

David Gill and Charles Ficner Speaking on Ontario’s Mining Act

Arbour Environmental awarded the Green Party Local Business Excellence Award
The Green Party of Ontario’s Local Business Excellence Award for 2009 has been awarded to the Arbour Environmental Shoppe (www.arbourshop.com).  Congratulations to co-owners Adrienne Armstrong and Sean Twomey and their staff – this award is well earned for your dedication to environmental sustainability.  We are looking forward to presenting the award to you at the fundraiser on June 19th.

Nomination Meeting Reminder
Just a final reminder that the nomination meeting to select the next federal candidate is on June 1st, 2009.  Lapsed members can still vote provided they renew their membership before the meeting begins by visiting http://greenparty.ca/join. After the nomination race itself we’re going to have a round-table discussion on how to prepare for the next election.  Your views and ideas on how to get a Green elected in Ottawa Centre are important!

Jen Hunter has joined the nomination race – see “About Jen Hunter” below to learn more about her.

Date: June 1
Time: 7pm
Location: McNabb Community Centre, 180 Percy St

Summer Canvassing: It’s Coming!
The monthly newsletter wouldn’t be complete without at least one teaser!  You could say there’s a project ‘afoot’.  We’re putting together a plan to canvas door-to-door throughout the summer to identify Green voters, sign up more newsletter recipients and take lawn-sign requests.  Reply to this email if you’re interested in participating, or sign up using our volunteer form. http://ottawagreens.ca/volunteer.html

About Jen Hunter: Nominee for Ottawa Centre Green Party of Canada

For over fourteen years I have focused my passion and my work on ensuring solid process is combined with organizational strategy to produce real and sustainable results that harness the power of our collective wisdom. I have worked with a variety of public and private sector organizations all over the world. I speak at conferences in my field, leading provocative and engaging sessions. Early in my career, I was told that my uniquely warm and approachable manner is central to my success with leaders and organizations including my own. In 2005, I left an exciting leadership role at Tomoye to create another leadership role of significance as the President and Founder of The Learning Catalyst, an organization that focuses on great people doing great work… together!

I was recruited to a leadership role at Tomoye Corporation where we built a market for community of practice software. As a leader of this technology company, I created a department called Customer Success. I built a team of service delivery professionals dedicated to service, creativity and impact in large organizations. Over three years, I was promoted from director to vice president of Leadership Development.

So far, I have worked with a number of magnificent organizations and leaders, including (but certainly not limited to): Pegasus Communications, Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC), Canadian Pharmacists Association (CPhA), Grantmakers for Education (GFE), Ottawa University, University of Wisconsin, John Deere, Air Command Staff College, US Army, NRC (Agora), UNESCO, Frame, US Department of Education, Defence Acquisition University, Rabobank, FCM, DND, International Institute of Educational Planning, Public Works & Government Services Canada, IDRC, Justice Canada, Heritage Canada, NSERC, IRG, US AID, Mars (Masterfoods), Casey House, Ontario Nurses Association, Unisys, Department of Justice, Conference Board of Canada, Bank of Canada, Health Canada, SAIC, PACT, US Navy, Labatt, Global Health Security Network, Precarn, CEDTAP, HCA Healthcare, CGI Atlantic, New Brunswick Power, Red Cross (Ontario), and Durham Regional Health & Social Services.

I am currently a member of the Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) Board of Directors. I am also a lead facilitator with Leadership Ottawa, a professor in the Algonquin Green Business Management Program and in the fall of 2008, I ran as the Green Party of Canada Candidate in Ottawa Centre.
Thank you for supporting the Ottawa Centre Green Party

• Join the Green Party of Canada: http://greenparty.ca/join
• Join the Green Party of Ontario: http://tinyurl.com/24wsy2
• Volunteer with the Ottawa Centre Greens: http://ottawagreens.ca/volunteer.html
• Event Calendar: http://www.ottawagreens.ca/calendar.html
• Follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/ottawactrgreens
• Become a fan on Facebook: http://tinyurl.com/q6gh9u