1. What does the Discovery Ridge Community Association (DRCA) do?
The DRCA represents the community of Discovery Ridge and its residents on all matters not under the NDHA (New Discovery Homeowners Association) umbrella. An elected Board of Directors oversees our community association.
2. What is the difference between the NDHA (New Discovery Homeowners Association) and the DRCA?
The NDHA is responsible for green space maintenance, boulevard/median plantings, winter pathway snow clearing, and winter lights. The DRCA is responsible for all other community matters and acts as the official voice of and liaison to the City of Calgary.
3. How is the DRCA structured?
The DRCA is run entirely by volunteer residents of Discovery Ridge. Our volunteers commit their time and effort to the betterment of our community. The DRCA has an elected Board of Directors and then numerous committees that oversee the daily functions of our community.
Board of Directors:
The Board of Directors consists of a required minimum of 6 elected officials up to a maximum of 20 officials. Within the Board, there is an Executive Board consisting of a President, Vice Presidents, Secretary, and Treasurer. The other members elected to the Board are known as Directors.
Committees:
The DRCA has the following committees:
- Casino
- Communications
- Environment
- Events
- Membership
- Planning
- Recreation Facility
- Safety and Security
- Traffic
- Volunteer
4. What do the DRCA committees do?
The committees plan and work through topics relevant to their respective area. They determine strategies and budgets as well as implement and monitor related initiatives. Each committee has a Chair and at least one DRCA Board Member sits on each committee and is responsible for reporting to the Board at each monthly Board meeting. Committees prepare requests for expenditures but all expenditures can only be approved at the Board level. The committees have the following responsibilities.
Communications Committee:
- the DRCA website
- the Ridge Review, our official community newsletter that is published monthly
- monthly members-only e-communications
- additional e-communication as required
- social media
Environment Committee:
- fighting litter
- tree planting
- preventing graffiti
- addressing doggy-doo on sidewalks
- exploring energy efficiency programs
- conducting fire-related informational programs
- keeping in touch with the City of Calgary regarding flood response
Casino Committee:
- the Bottle Shack
- the Raise the Park Campaign
- grants
- casinos
Membership Committee:
- works towards the goal of ensuring all Discovery Ridge residences hold a valid DRCA membership
Recreation Facility Committee:
- planning and development of the recreation facility
- Ice Rink Sub-committee
- Tennis Court Sub-committee
Safety & Security Committee:
- liaises with with our Calgary Police Service Community Liaison Officer on matters relevant to Discovery Ridge
- Griffith Woods Sub-Committee
- Graffiti Sub-Committee
Events Committee:
- Coordinates special events such as:
- Stampede BBQ
- Fall Fun Run
- Galas
- Swim with Santa
- Pumpkin Hunt
- Family Skate
Traffic Committee:
- liaises with the City of Calgary and Province of Alberta on traffic matters
- works with the residents of the community to identify and improve traffic concerns
Ring Road Committee:
- monitors Ring Road decisions and progress
5. How do I join the DRCA Board of Directors or a committee?
To express an interest in joining the DRCA Board or to simply ask questions about any role or committee, please complete our Board Member Inquiry Form.
6. How do I get a membership to the DRCA?
The membership year runs from September 1 to August 31. A DRCA membership costs $25/household, which is due annually. Purchase a membership online by clicking here or by clicking the DRCA Membership button on any page of this website.
7. What benefits are there to having a DRCA membership?
For a low fee of $25/year, we offer so much! Some highlights include:
- Recreation Facility: ice rinks, tennis courts, and the seasonal maintenance of each
- Fundraising: a Raise the Park initiative for Phase 2 of our recreation facility development
- Traffic: liaising with the City of Calgary regarding traffic safety, improving Highway 8, and other concerns
- Communications: this website, Facebook, the Ridge Review newsletter, and regular member-only e-communications
- Events: Stampede Breakfast, Food Truck Nights, Community Clean Up, and many more
- Safety and Security: collaborating with residents and the police/fire departments to prevent and combat crime and vandalism
- Environment: promoting the wise use of our land, water, and other resources
All DRCA Members In Good Standing ($25 annual fee paid up to date) are eligible to vote at our Annual General Meeting (AGM). The more members we have, the better the DRCA can serve its residents and the stronger our collective voice when lobbying on community concerns with the City of Calgary.
8. Do I need to be on the Board of Directors or on a committee to volunteer?
No. Volunteers are continually needed for a multitude of events and initiatives. We have a fit for everyone’s preference, whether that is serving as a Board member, working on a committee, volunteering for an event, or helping out with our facilities. An hour or two of time for a specific event can make a big difference!
9. What volunteer opportunities exist?
All of our committees need volunteers. Simply select an area you are passionate about. For example, you could help maintain our ice rink, tennis courts, or bottle shack. All of our special events (Stampede Breakfast, Community Clean Up, etc.) need volunteers too. You could help plan the event, obtain donations/sponsors, or contribute on the day of the event.
For details on any opportunities or to simply express an interest and ask questions, please complete a Volunteer Form.
10. How much time do I need to commit if I volunteer?
It depends what volunteer role interests you. A Board member typically commits a few hours a month on top of the monthly Board meeting. In addition, most Board members also sit on at least one of the committees. Committees can take 1-10 hours per month depending on our community’s current needs and initiatives. Alternatively, we have several events such at the Stampede Breakfast where we need volunteers on the day of the event for 2-5 hours. We have several events every year.