Becoming A Community Builder in the Pincher Creek region

• Program begins October 18

BACB Press release

"People closest to the problem are more likely to find appropriate and sustainable solutions to the problem.  Therefore, equip more citizens with the capacity to lead, and you'll build a thriving Community." ~ Ian Hill, Award-Winning Community Builder 

The Pincher Creek region has been selected as a Lighthouse Community for Becoming a Community Builder, a province-wide initiative to build leadership capacity in rural communities.



Becoming a Community Builder (BACB) is a 15-week competency-based program for developing community and professional leadership, offering a learning track for adults and a complementary track for high school students. The program is available free of charge to an unlimited number of participants in the town and district of Pincher Creek, Piikani Reserve and Waterton Park.


Many individuals in our communities have strong track records of community service. BACB will assist us in building more and better leadership in all community sectors, helping to rejuvenate and strengthen our foundation for leadership. We will leverage the program to build our capacities for trust and collaboration, for aligning vision and action, and for remaining open, responsive and prosperous in a changing world.

Community members can register online for this free leadership development program at www.register.becomingacommunitybuilder.ca.

BACB has been brought to the region through the efforts of Pincher Creek & District Chamber of Commerce, Southwest Alberta Sustainable Community Initiative (SASCI), Pincher Creek & District Agricultural Society, Town of Pincher Creek, Pincher Creek Co-op, Canyon School, Pincher Creek Family Resource Society, Napi Friendship Association, Pincher Creek Rotary Club, ATB Financial and several other organizations, businesses and individuals.

BACB has been designed by Ian Hill, a recognized humanitarian, social entrepreneur, business leader and award-winning agent for community change. Mr. Hill will be directly involved in the program at key points. This includes an initial community visit October 3rd, featuring a series of formal and informal activities for learning about BACB, registering in the program, and meeting program staff and Mr. Hill.

“We believe that rural communities are relevant in the 21st century”, states Hill, “and that community success always boils down to leadership. Community leadership capacity is the key, and this means leadership excellence in both formal and informal leaders within all sectors, silos, and corners of a community.”

“We are excited to have the Pincher Creek Region as a Lighthouse Community”, Hill continues. “They were selected because we believe the organizing committee and the entire community will become a great example of what can happen when a community makes an all-out commitment to developing more and better informal leadership.”

To learn more about Becoming a Community Builder in Pincher Creek, contact:

Sahra Hancock, (403) 627-7948, sahrahancock@gmail.com
James Van Leeuwen, (403) 627-8427, jvl@dusk.ca

To learn more about the Becoming a Community Builder initiative, visit www.alberta.becomingacommunitybuilder.ca  or contact:
Yvonne Fizer, Project Director, 888-957-8743 ext 6, Yvonne@thechangingpoint.com