SANDSTONE CONNECTS

Through our Speakers Series, Sandstone CONNECTS, we present influential speakers to expound upon the social issues that affect our world with a goal of educating and motivating the community to become involved individually.

Speakers have included: Lieutenant General Romeo Dallaire, Arnaud de Borchgrave, Norm Stamper, Alastair Crooke, Sir Ken Robinson, Dan Gardner, and Adora Svitak. Topics have included: Accountability & Influence in the Media; Recognizing Resistance; and the Science & Politics of Fear.

IMAGINE CANADA

SANDSTONE is proud to be one of Imagine Canada's 'Caring Companies', which is an ongoing investment to commitment, innovation, and leadership within our community. As a 'Caring Company', we support the principles of corporate citizenship and benchmarks for community investment established by Imagine Canada.

The commitment to Imagine Canada is as follows:

• We commit a minimum of 1% of pre-tax domestic profit to support charitable and non-profit organizations.
• We encourage and facilitate the personal giving and volunteer activities of our employees.
• We champion and sustain at least one community investment project that is supported by our President and that leverages the skills and competencies of the company to make a difference in the community.
• We demonstrate leadership by annually publishing a public Corporate Citizenship Report.

3 THINGS FOR CALGARY

A new initiative was recently launched by the Mayor’s Civic Engagement Committee called ‘3 Things for Calgary’. Essentially, this is a challenge to all Calgarians to undertake 3 things to make their streets, neighbourhoods and city better. Then to discuss, encourage, and inspire 3 friends to do the same. SANDSTONE encourages all Calgarians to take the challenge and actively participate in shaping our city.

COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS

ALBERTA BALLET

As part of our community sponsorship, we are proud to continue our partnership with the Alberta Ballet as official Sponsor of Alberta Ballet’s Artistic Director – Jean Grand-Maître. His experience in the creation of performance art is extensive and highly eclectic.

Jean Grand-Maître was the Director of Choreography for the Opening Ceremonies of the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Winter Games. The ceremonies showcased the creative talents of Jean and featured members of the Alberta Ballet Dancing for the World.

BOW VALLEY COLLEGE

SANDSTONE is pleased to sponsor Bow Valley College for a 5 year term. Bow Valley College will contribute to the vitality of communities and the strength of the economy through innovative adult education programs and services which equip people for successful living, lifelong learning, and work in a global knowledge-based economy.

imagiNATION 150!

In 2017, Canada will celebrate its 150th birthday, our sesquicentennial. SANDSTONE is proud to be a sponsor of imagiNATION 150 Calgary. ImagiNATION 150 was formed to inspire Calgarians to start imagining the future of Canada and to create a culture of citizen-lead initiatives. Together we can ensure that Canada's 150th birthday rallies citizens to create a momentous year that will resonate long after 2017.

PHILANTHROPIC FOUNDATIONS CANADA

SANDSTONE was proud to be the Lead Sponsor of the 2009 Pulse of Philanthropy national conference. This conference was an opportunity to “take the pulse” of Canadian and International philanthropy. It was also a chance to “feel the pulse” of a dynamic philanthropic community in the
Canadian west. Across the west, funders are trying new approaches to the challenges in communities, working together in a spirit of energy and innovation.

ALBERTA COLLEGE OF ART AND DESIGN

SANDSTONE was a proud sponsor of the fourth annual President’s ACAD Smart Night. This event was launched in Calgary in 2007 as a means to challenge ideas and stimulate dialogue within our community. In 2010, the featured speaker was Dr. Chip Heath, a professor at Stanford University, and co-author of Made to Stick: Why Some Ideas Survive and other Die. His new book, Switch: How to Change Things When Change is Hard explores our resistance to change in our business, community and personal lives.

AGA KHAN FOUNDATION CANADA

SANDSTONE is proud to support the social development programs of the Aga Khan Foundation. These programs focus on four core areas: health, education, rural development and building the capacity of non-governmental organizations. Gender equality and protecting the environment are integrated into every program.

The annual World Partnership Walk raises awareness and funds to fight global poverty. In 2009, SANDSTONE participated in the walk along with 40,000 Canadians to raise a total of $5.5 million to support international development. With your support, SANDSTONE raised the 2nd highest dollar amount in Calgary which also contributed to the $5 million total raised across Canada.

VOLUNTEER WORK:

- Calgary Drop-In and Rehabilitation Centre
- Heart and Stroke Foundation
- Junior Achievement
- Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation

BOARD INVOLVEMENT:

- CentrePoint Non-Profit Management
- The Calgary Bridge Foundation for Immigrant Youth
- One Yellow Rabbit
- Calgary Arts Development Authority