Membership Basics

Why should my organization join the LearningCITY Collective?

Today, a city’s ability to develop, attract, and retain talent is the most significant predictor of social and economic prosperity. Calgary will be defined by its ability to be the city that learns faster and better than all others.

Delivering this is beyond any single level of government or organization. The challenge is our rich learning system is composed of organizations and communities that often sit in silos. The LearningCITY Collective was founded as an independent, member-founded, and funded non-profit organization committed to bridging these communities to transform Calgary into the city that never stops learning. The core benefits are clustered into five areas:

1. Network Building: Access a network of Calgary’s leading learning and talent development thought leaders.

2. Advance Your Priorities: Advance your organization’s priorities by joining the larger learning community, including 48,000 organizations and 180,000 professionals.

3. Build Your Brand: Build your organization’s brand as a leader in developing an adaptive and inclusive workforce.

4. Professional Development: Advance your professional development and your employees.

Who joins the LearningCITY Collective?

The LearningCITY Collective is a collaboration of different learning communities clustered in three main areas:

Talent seekers: This includes 48,000 organizations and 118,000 managers dependent on finding people with the skills they need to succeed today and in the future.

Talent developers: This includes 3000 learning organizations and 61,000 individuals who specialize in developing the skills Calgarians require to succeed today and in the future.

Talent stewards: These organizations and individuals, from policymakers to philanthropists, aim to ensure that all Calgarians have the skills to succeed today and in the future.

How much does a LearningCITY Collective membership cost?

The LearningCITY Collective is an independent, member-founded, and funded non-profit organization. For this reason, our membership packages are designed to deliver on the priorities of our communities. Individual memberships have two tiers: FREE and $99/year, and organization memberships start at $500/year. It is important to note that 100% of our membership revenue is reinvested into the learning community.

How do I become a member of the LearningCITY Collective?

Step 1 is to review the variety of membership packages available at LearningCITY.ca. You can do this seamlessly through our website if you buy an individual membership. If you are purchasing an organization membership, email us at memberships@learningcity.ca. We will contact you and process your membership.

I represent an organization that wants to get more involved, how can I do this?

The LearningCITY Collective goal is to build system-level capacity. This vision is rooted in the value of connecting diverse learning communities, including talent developers, talent seekers, and talent stewards. Therefore, we'd love to explore opportunities where a member can donate resources supporting the LearningCITY Collective vision. For example, the most valuable resource a member could provide is people with the skills and knowledge to advance the LearningCITY mandate. For this reason, if an organization member has staff, they could loan to the LearningCITY Collective to support a priority project; this may be far more valuable than a financial commitment. Specific expertise and skills required to deliver on the LearningCITY Collective vision include, but are not limited to:  

• Human resource management

• Research

• Fund development

• Writers and editors

• Content production

• Marketing (design and digital)

• Event management

If the LearningCITY Collective was only formed in 2023, where did all the research and policy reports in the resource centre come from?

The LearningCITY Collective was formed in 2019 jointly with community partners, including Calgary Economic Development, SAIT, and Mount Royal University. Between 2019 and 2023, the LearningCITY Collective was a community project housed at Mount Royal University’s Institute for Community Prosperity. As a project, the LearningCITY Collective completed numerous studies and policy reports over the next four years. These are all available in the member’s resource centre.   

What happens once I become a member?

As soon as you join, you’ll receive your first welcome email and orientation guide to ensure you can maximize your membership benefits.

I would like to join but cannot afford a LearningCITY Collective membership?

LearningCITY Collective memberships start at $10 to ensure there are no significant financial barriers to being part of the LearningCITY Community. However, if you cannot afford a LearningCITY membership, we have made memberships accessible to those who volunteer for the LearningCITY Collective.   

What if I know an organization that could benefit from becoming a LearningCITY member?

That is fantastic. Please email your recommendation to membership@learningcity.ca, and we will contact you with additional information.

Can I cancel my membership?

Membership fees are non-refundable, non-transferable, and are not pro-rated. You may turn off your automatic renewal within the member portal.

I still have questions about members. Who can I connect with?

Contact us by email at membership@learningcity.ca. Please specify your question when you do, and we will connect you to the correct LearningCITY volunteer.