Waskafest October 22, 2009 at 6:00 PM in Loretteville

Event:	WASKAFEST OCTOBER 2009
Location:	Salon de quilles Bellevue 169 Louis-IX Street Québec City, QC G2B 1L1
Information:	418-847-4784 Jean-François Néron 418-407-1425 Christian Tanguay
Date and time:	October 22, 2009 (Thursday) 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Programme:	Buffet Presentation and discussion on office software and Web 2.0 networking in non-profit organizations Ubuntu 9.10 Karmic Koala Presentation on Waska's learning method (experiential learning) and registering of new members
Cost of entry: Clientele:	Free Welcome to all, dress casual

Waskafest is a meet-up organized by Waska, autonomie et services techniques communautaires in order to gather all the main actors in the inter-NPO dialogue process, in Quebec City. This dialogue process - as the sharing and the exchange of ressources among non-profit organizations - is based on a tight network, with well-informed and well-equipped participants.

The October 22 meet-up will cover the following subjects:

• Presentation and discussion on office software and Web 2.0 networking in non-profit organizations: how to profit from the computer, at the service of the NPO. Quick oversight of the equipment, the costs (obviously, the best deal), the software and their implementation in the reality of a non-profit organization, Web 2.0 networking.
  

• Ubuntu 9.10 Karmic Koala: serious alternative to counter the prohibitive costs of commercial operating systems and software that, aside from being hard to implement in the operations of a NPO, keep bugging and getting infested with viruses.
  

• Presentation on Waska's learning method (experiential learning) and registering of new members: Students dropping out of school in Quebec and their poor performance demonstrate clearly that the academic system, as it is now, simply does not deliver good results. What makes Waska's experiential learning method better and what makes it a solution to this problem? Come and see for yourself. You can also ask questions and even register to the programmes, all evening long.

Come dressed casually. There will be a cold buffet at the beginning of the evening. All beverages are to be bought at the bar of the Salon de quilles Bellevue. There are pool tables for those who wish to end the evening in a relaxed fashion. You can attend this October Waskafest, free of charge. During the evening, games and attendance prizes will add some zest.

There are free parking spaces for all, on both sides of the building. Buses routes 87 and 72 lead you to the location, the bus stop is just across the street, at the corner of Louis-IX and Hôpital Streets. Road works are taking place in the area, please stay posted to read the latest info regarding the changes.

Waska celebrates its 27th anniversary!

Waska was founded on April 26, 1982, when students in a St. Foy, Quebec, technical institute join a "human relationships class" group in order to unite forces under one organization called "Club 3E". This non-profit entity has given itself a mission: to help people overcome problems with work exeperience and related training issues. Also, the club becomes a mutual help network. Then follows a great evolution over nearly three decades!

Right from the beginning, the organization takes a modular-shaped form of operation, where each of the elements pursue a specific goal, intended to a specific clientèle. Claudette Lemieux implements the "Aide-Amitié" section (help & friendship) taking care of the social needs of the members. Marc Dubé sets the "sports, activities and environmental awareness group". Jean-François Néron manages the learning workshops and experiential groups.

In 1983, the NPO is then renamed "Waska" and offers its workshops in a basement classroom of the St. Ursule Church in St. Foy, Quebec. To fund its humanitarian endeavours, the organization sells "English learning workshops" and "French as a second language workshops" at a fair tariff. To other associations in the neighbourhood, it is a strange mode of operation. Not used to social economy in those years, they make fun of Waska and dub it "insidious commercial entity". Today, social economy is the modern way (in Canada) to operate a non-profit organization. It is the way of the future since associations learn to be cost-effective and autonomous, which lightens the socio-economic burden of the community. Waska still offers the linguistic workshops and compiles 26 years of exeprience doing so!

1988 is a year marked by the entry of office automation in the widespread world of management. Waska launches its "computer learning workshops". Business is rolling and the NPO moves into its very own office, at 955 de Bourgogne Avenue in St. Foy, Quebec. Neighbouring offices shelter professionals such as doctors, insurance companies and lawyers. In 1991, the association moves its operations to the more prestigious Galeries Duplessis, flanking engineers and equally highly-regarded professionals. Waska adds one element to its modular structure: technical services intended to NPOs as well as individuals.

In 1999, Waska joins in with other NPOs in Quebec City and studies the phenomenon of poverty. It launches its programme "Exit poverty through autonomy/empowerment!", while promoting community discussion and solidarity (Connexion Ouest).

Today, the Quebec City-based organization operates in the cosy Loretteville quarter of the Old Capital City. Its mission is to help individuals and organizations gain empowerment; to implement a community network of solidarity, to promote environmental awareness.

Take part in Waska's 27th birthday

For its 27th anniversary, Waska is inviting you to join its various groups and causes on Facebook:

• become a fan of Waska's Official Facebook Page;
• join the group "Waska 1982-aujourd'hui/today"
• support the cause "Empowered individuals and organizations"

Autonomy and empowerment constitute the key to human justice and dignity because it allows everyone to actively take part in collective success and live a comfortable, happy life.