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Death Cafe

Start Time

19:00

End Time

20:30

Date

May 8, 2025

Location

101 Bear Street

Banff Public Library

Success!

Success!

About the Event

Join volunteer co-hosts Valerie, Jackie, and Judy as we gather to discuss everything and anything that you know, don’t know, have experienced, are scared to talk about, are dying to talk about… (the list goes on) pertaining to death.

Expect cake, tea, & good company in a safe and friendly space to connect with one another.

PARTNER REGISTRATION here https://www.banfflibrary.ab.ca/Events-Calendar/2025/05.-May/Death-Cafe?id=1746752400-849991

About the Host

Banff Public Library (BPL) was founded in 1949 through the work of the Junior Chamber of Commerce. First located in the basement of the Banff Clinic. In 1962, Peter and Catharine Whyte along with their sister-in-law, Barbara Whyte, provided space for the Library in a private home at 111 Bear Street. In 1968 the Library moved to a shared space with the Archives of the Canadian Rockies. In 1974, BPL became a full-fledged municipal library, financed by local taxes and government grants. In 1984, the Whyte Foundation, seeking a shaded space for its growing collection, offered the Library Board a sub-lease for the building of a new library. On April 1985 the current library official opened and holds 37,000 books and audiovisual materials.

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Volunteer Opportunity: Chair – Banff Mental Health and Addiction Week (BMHAW)
Term: 2 Years
Location: must live or work in Banff
Start Date: September 2025
Application Deadline: September 15, 2025

 

About BMHAW

Banff Mental Health and Addiction Week (BMHAW) is a community-driven initiative dedicated to promoting mental health and wellness in Banff and Lake Louise. Over the past two years, BMHAW has brought together partners from health, hospitality, community foundations, and residents to foster meaningful conversations and actions around mental health.

As BMHAW enters a potential new phase, the initiative is seeking a committed and community-minded Volunteer Chair to lead the next chapter of this important work.

 

Position Overview: Volunteer Chair

The Chair is a liaison and figurehead role, distinct from day-to-day coordination. Coordination will be done by a paid position. The Chair will guide the initiative strategically while fostering collaboration among stakeholders.

Note: This role must be independent—not affiliated with the government or any of the governing partner organizations.

Key Responsibilities

  • Organize and lead Working Group and Program Working Group meetings

  • Ensure all activities align with the Terms of Reference

  • Hire and manage the BMHAW Coordinator on behalf of governing partners

  • Serve as the primary spokesperson for BMHAW

  • Foster collaboration among working groups, partners, and community members

  • Manage the BMHAW budget

  • Provide updates (written and/or presentations) to stakeholders

  • Work with governing partners to identify and secure future funding

 

Desired Qualifications

  • Proven leadership in a community or nonprofit setting

  • Excellent communication and organizational skills

  • Ability to build consensus and foster collaboration

  • Commitment to building mental health awareness

  • Comfortable with light financial oversight and reporting

  • Familiarity with the Bow Valley region is an asset

 

Time Commitment

  • Approx. 8–10 hours/month, with flexibility depending on the phase of the initiative

  • Two-year volunteer term (renewable)

 

Next Steps

We are currently in a restructuring phase, and looking for a new chair by mid-September 2025. When the chair is appointed they will begin the new cycle of BMHAW including onboarding, transfer of key materials (e.g., bank account, website, social media), and hiring a new Coordinator.

 

How to Apply

If you're interested in serving as Chair or want to learn more, please express your interest to the email above bmhaw24@gmail.com.

Join us in shaping the future of mental health awareness in the Bow Valley.

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