Hello,

My name is Valdene Callin and I am running for Red Deer City Council. On Thursday at the Real Estate, Construction and Land Development forum, all candidates were asked one final question, “What have you done to prepare to be on City Council?”

This was an excellent question asked to all candidates.

My answer was I have been preparing for this job since I moved here in 1997.

From the moment we moved here, I chose to be active in this amazing community and become a part of the Red Deer Newcomers club. The Club allowed me to meet other people new to the area and provide and opportunity to explore everything Red Deer to offer. I was the President of the Club for 2 years and made some life long friends along the way.

I worked for Family Services of Central Alberta for 13 years. During my time with the organization, I collaborated to operate prenatal, parenting, couples, senior’s programming as well as opening the Kinsmen Playspace, Intergeneration Centre at Park Plaza, Parent Link Centre and Central Alberta Children’s Festival.

I have been active in the community on various boards and committees:

• Red Deer Childcare Society Board Member 2004-2008
• Scotties Tournament of Hearts (Community Relations) Volunteer 2004/2012
• Red Deer Public Library Board Member (Vice-Chair 3 years)2003-2010
• Foundation for Red Deer Public Schools Board Member (Chair 5 years)2007-2016
• City of Red Deer Crime Prevention Advisory Committee Member 2009-2011
• Only Women’s Fitness Fun Run Organizing Committee 2012-2017
• 2019 Canada Winter Games Bid Committee (Co-Chair Community Engagement and Marketing Committee) 2013-2014
• United Way of Central Alberta Community Impact Council (Chair Wellness Priority 3 years) 2013-2017
• City of Red Deer – Family and Community Support Services (FCSS) Community Representative 2015-2017
• 100 Women Red Deer Community Member 2015-2017
• Festival of Trees Preview Dinner Committee Member 2015-2017
• Memorial Cup Volunteer (Community Relations) 2016
• Children’s Wish Breakfast Founding Committee Member 2016-2017
• 2019 Canada Winter Games (Volunteer Co-Chair Community Relations) 2016-2017
• Against the Wall Theatre/Bullskit Board Member 2017
• Urban Spirits Rotary Club Member 2017

Working with these community organizations, I am a part of a team of people who are responsible and accountable for budgets worth millions of dollars and make informed decisions about both spending and balancing these budgets.

I won the 2014 Red Deer and District Community Foundation Community Builder award. I am a collaborator who believes in working together, ultimately making any outcome stronger for our community.

I have a strong passion for our community and am running for City Council because I believe that we need to put the people of Red Deer first. I have a proven track record of building community by looking through social, economic and environmental lenses to see how issues impact on our citizens and work towards solutions that will be in the best interest of all Red Deerians.