Author: Clicklaw Editors

Community Forum Planning Guide Now Updated

Community posts

by LawMatters, Courthouse Libraries BC

One of the key components in access to justice work is a knowledge of resources and programs available to assist your clients. Public libraries can be important partners in this, often being a starting point for those experiencing legal problems and having information and technological resources people need to address these problems.  

LawMatters, a program of Courthouse Libraries BC, works with public libraries across the province to increase access to legal information at the local level. In our work, we’ve heard a desire from both legal advocates and public libraries to get to know each other better, with the goal of ensuring faster and more effective referrals for those experiencing legal issues. CLBC and LawMatters have previously hosted community forums to connect these two groups, both in-person and virtually, the latter in partnership with Legal Aid BC and PovNet. These forums brought together access to justice actors in their communities and across geographic regions, providing space for them to get to know each other, learn more about the programs their organizations offer, and discuss the issues important to their communities. 

To support you in this connection building work, LawMatters has updated the Community Legal Information Forums: A Planning Guide. This guide was created in the hopes that it will be useful to those wanting to host their own community forums, whether in-person or virtual, and can support you throughout the process of planning and hosting your event, from start to finish. The guide also includes sample documents such as invitations, agendas, and meeting notes that you can adapt for your own event.  

If you have questions about the guide or planning/hosting your own community forum, please feel free to get in touch with LawMatters at lawmatters@courthouselibrary.ca. 

About LawMatters 

LawMatters is a Courthouse Libraries BC outreach program for public libraries. We work in partnership with libraries to provide local access to legal information in print, as well as legal reference and referral services in communities throughout the province. 

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August 2023 Events

Events

Bookmark this post! It will be updated as more events are announced. You can also get frequent updates via our Twitter. Have a suggestion? Email us.

Educating & Helping the Public

Free or low cost events for the general public to understand and use the law. Follow the links to see cost & registration info. All times in Pacific Time unless stated otherwise. See disclaimer.
August 1-6 | August 7-13 | August 14-20 | August 21-31
Looking for events for intermediaries? Jump to the next section.

August 1-6, 2023

  • Brief Introduction of BC Legal Planning Documents and Nidus Registry Service (Webinar)
    by Nidus Personal Planning Resource Centre and Registry
    • What: On the first Wednesday of each month, the Nidus Resource Centre will do a free online presentation. Nidus will do a short presentation on the legal planning documents available under BC legislation – e.g. Representation Agreements, Enduring Powers of Attorney, Wills – and a brief introduction to the Nidus Registry service. Then it is open to your questions. Your questions do not have to relate to the presentation.
    • When: Wednesday, August 2nd 2023 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM
    • Cost: Free

August 7-13, 2023

  • RDSP Level 1 (Webinar)
    by Plan Institute
    • What: Beginner RDSP workshop for those who want to learn what an RDSP is, who qualifies, how to apply for the Disability Tax Credit, and how to open an RDSP. This is best suited to people who want to learn the basics of RDSPs and get general information about the plan. No background knowledge needed to get the most out of this workshop.
    • When: Tuesday, August 8th, 2023 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM
    • Cost: Free
  • Affidavit Swearing Service Legal Forms Workshop (In-Person)
    by Amici Curiae Friends of Court Society
    • What: AC Friends of Court is hosting its legal forms workshop in the City of Richmond. There is a $0 affidavit swearing service. Bring your legal documents and ID. This is in person at CHIMO 7000 Minoru Blvd, Richmond. This service is provided in English, Chinese, Punjabi, and Hindi.
    • When: Wednesday, August 9th, 2023 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM
    • Cost: Free
  • Advance Planning Presentation with the Collingwood Neighbourhood House (In-Person)
    by Seniors First BC and Collingwood Neighbourhood House
    • What: Advance planning can help ensure your wishes will be respected if you were to become incapable and when you pass away. Presented by a Seniors First BC Staff Lawyer, join to learn about tools that can help plan for your future. Light refreshments provided. Location at Collingwood Neighbourhood House Multi-room, 5288 Joyce St, Vancouver. Mandarin Interpretation is available.
    • When: Thursday, August 10th, 2023 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM
    • Cost: Free
  • Affidavit Swearing Service Legal Forms Workshop (In-Person)
    by Amici Curiae Friends of Court Society
    • What: AC Friends of Court is hosting its legal forms workshop in the City of Surrey. There is a $0 affidavit swearing service. Bring your legal documents and ID. This is in person at Sources Community Resources Centre Newton location, Lobby 105 – 13771 72A Avenue Surrey BC V3W 9C6. This service is provided in English, Chinese, Punjabi, and Hindi.
    • When: Thursday, August 10th, 2023 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM
    • Cost: Free

August 14-20, 2023

  • RDSP Level 2 (Webinar)
    by Plan Institute
    • What: This Advanced RDSP workshop is for those who already have a RDSP or have already taken Level 1 and would like to deepen their knowledge and learn how to maximize growth. This workshop includes more complicated financial information so attendees should already understand RDSP basics and review our glossary of terms before attending this workshop.
    • When: Tuesday, August 15th, 2023 10:00 AM to 11:45 AM
    • Cost: Free
  • Frauds and Scams Presentation with Sunset Community Centre (In-Person)
    by Seniors First BC
    • What: In 2022 in Canada, there were 91,190 reports of fraud totaling 57,055 victims of fraud? with a total of $431M lost. This workshop introduces what frauds and scams are, common methods and schemes targeting Canadian seniors, safety strategies, and resources to consult if you or someone you know has been affected by frauds/scams. Location at Sunset Community Centre, 6810 Main St, Vancouver.
    • When: Friday, August 18th, 2023 12:30 PM to 2:00 PM
    • Cost: Free

August 21-31, 2023

  • Frauds and Scams Presentation with the Victoria Immigrant and Refugee Centre (In-Person)
    by Seniors First BC
    • What: In 2022 in Canada, there were 91,190 reports of fraud totaling 57,055 victims of fraud? with a total of $431M lost. This workshop introduces what frauds and scams are, common methods and schemes targeting Canadian seniors, safety strategies, and resources to consult if you or someone you know has been affected by frauds/scams. Location at the Victoria Immigrant and Refugee Centre, 1004 N Park St, Victoria. Arabic and Chinese interpretation provided.
    • When: Tuesday, August 22nd, 2023 10:00 AM to Noon
    • Cost: Free
  • Government Benefits Presentation with Terrace and District Community Services Society (In-Person)
    by Seniors First BC
    • What: In partnership with the Terrace and District Community Services Society, a Seniors First BC legal advocate will present an overview of federal and provincial government benefits for seniors, including Old Age Security (OAS), Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS), Canada Pension Plan (CPP), Fair Pharmacare, BC Senior Supplement, and Shelter Aid for Elderly Renters (SAFER). Location at Terrace Public Library, 4610 Park Avenue, Terrace.
    • When: Thursday, August 24th, 2023 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM
    • Cost: Free
  • Affidavit Swearing Service Legal Forms Workshop (In-Person)
    by Amici Curiae Friends of Court Society
    • What: AC Friends of Court is hosting its legal forms workshop in the City of Vancouver. There is a $0 affidavit swearing service. Bring your legal documents and ID. This is in person at 312 Main, A Centre for Social and Economic Innovation. This service is provided in English, Chinese, Punjabi, and Hindi. An appointment is required.
    • When: Thursday, August 31st, 2023 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM
    • Cost: Free

Learning & Community Building

Free or low cost professional development events for intermediaries, the people providing information and support to members of the public in their interactions with the legal system. We only include those that are open to non-lawyers. Also, events by organizations who help British Columbians in their interactions with the legal system. All times in Pacific Time unless stated otherwise. See disclaimer.
August 1-6 | August 7-13 | August 14-20 | August 21-31
Looking for public legal education events? Go back to the beginning.

We will update this section when more events are announced.

Disclaimer: These events are being provided as a convenience and for informational purposes only; they do not constitute an endorsement or an approval by the Clicklaw team of any of the products or services of the organizations. Contact the external site for questions regarding their events.

Stay up to date with the latest in public legal education and information in British Columbia. Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog.

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