Lori Harasem ~ Councillor-Elect for the Town of Coalhurst
Building Community, Engaging With You!
Coalhurst, thank - you for your trust in me. I will work hard, transparently, and with constant updates to you - community members deserve no less!
And with 18+ years of experience in municipal government; decades of volunteering in emergency management, sports and recreation, arts and culture, events, and in Coalhurst; and extensive work in fund development and program creation and implementation, I am excited to continue our community growth in a responsible and transparent way!
I look forward to representing our community members, ensuring all voices are heard, and to prioritize making sure the community knows what is going on BEFORE Council makes decisions that affect you.
​
Follow my Facebook for daily updates on my platform, ideas, and experience - click here
​​
Not on social media, text or call me at 403-330-9473, or use the link below to email me, and I'll share information that way.
I'M EXCITED TO WORK FOR YOU
I will be a Councillor who will be easy to meet, whom you know how to access, and who makes you feel welcome doing so. I will keep you informed BEFORE decisions are made and strive to make this a community the best it can be by improving the quality of life for all community members.
Community Engagement
Tired of feeling like you have no idea what decisions are being made until it is too late?
Frustrated with receiving notices in legalese and just want to know what's going on so you can have a voice?
​
I have office hours both online and in person every week (alternating between days/evenings/weekends for accessibility by all) so you can ask questions, share concerns, and get updates on Council work.
​
I will also provide regular updates on social media about meetings, and when community feedback is being sought, so that people have a chance to share their thoughts and ideas.
Quality of Life
As Coalhurst grows, we need more opportunities for recreational and social activities for all ages!
While I was a member of the Wetlands Committee, I have heard some great ideas our community members have.
I look forward to using my background in fund development bringing in millions of dollars to Lethbridge, and my diverse relationships, to support our administration and the rest of Council to grow and offer more for our community.
I'm also excited to ensure we maximize the use of the land we have for the short and long-term vision of our community that makes sense both fiscally and for quality of life.
Advocacy
As more new funding comes out from the provincial and federal governments, there are opportunities to address some of Coalhurst's needs from business development to providing services right in town, from ensuring our emergency planning and fire hall are funded to continue to be there for when we need them to infrastructure to address recreational and social gaps in a growing community.
Advocacy for some of those provincial and federal dollars for our community, since those grants include our tax dollars, will help us grow responsibly while being fiscally responsible and transparent.
About Me
Mom & Wife
I have lived in Coalhurst since 2007 with:
three children - one is a paramedic and two are students at Lethbridge Polytechnic
​
senior rescue dogs - one is blind and one is deaf
​
a rescue cat - dislikes people so no photos of her
​
my husband - an educator who currently works in Lethbridge and has worked in Fort Macleod and Pincher Creek schools previously
Government Experience
18+ years experience
Areas of responsibility included:
​
Grants and sponsorships to create new programs and facilities without increasing taxes
​
Sports, recreation, arts, culture - including identifying and addressing barriers to participation (gaps, needs, costs, transportation, childcare)
​
Tourism including events of all sizes, from local to international
​
Social Services - food security, affordable housing, addiction and recovery, poverty
​
Volunteer management
​
Fund development - planned giving, annual giving, capital campaigns, gifts-in-kind, partnerships, business sponsorships, community donors
​
Marketing, communication, public engagement
​
Community Volunteer (recent and current)
Emergency Management
​
Over 20 years with Canadian Red Cross in emergency and disaster services (i.e. Fort McMurray fire, local house fires).
​
Emergency and disaster preparedness instructor including Business and Organizational Service Continuity planning for two decades.
​
Search and Rescue Ground Searcher and Certified Search Manager for 8 years.
Boards and Committees
Coalhurst Wetlands Committee
Alberta Recreation and Parks - 3 committees, and former chair of the provincial conference (twice)
​
Family Centre
​
Volunteer Lethbridge
​
Special Olympics
​
Kidsport
​
United Way
​
Inclusion Lethbridge
​
Butterfly Way
​
Lethbridge Housing Authority Community Advisory Board​
​
University of Lethbridge Senator
​
and more!
Events, Projects, and Other
Coach a visually impaired dragonboat team (the first south of Red Deer!)
​
Volunteer with the Invictus Games (injured, ill, and sick veterans)
​
Triathlon Alberta Level 1 official
​
Fundraising support/grant writing for organizations such as Lethbridge Astronomy Society
​
Conference Proposal Reviewer for numerous conferences
​
Grant adjudicator for multiple local and provincial grant programs
​
AdventureSmart Instructor (snowmobiling, back country, water planning and safety)
​​
and more!
​
Education
University of Calgary
Currently working on a
Master of Education (M.Ed.) degree in School Counselling, focused on mental health and well-being of youth and
young adults
Graduate Certificate from the Werklund School of Education
in Post-Secondary Leadership and Learners (to be conferred November 2025)
Pacific Coast University for Workplace Health Sciences
Certification:
Effective Workplace Responses to
Mental Health (2024)
Mount Royal University
Certifications:
Change Management (2022)
Addictions Counselling (2007)
Event Management (2005)
​​
​
​
Plus a Volunteer Management certification (2004) from Volunteer Lethbridge (program no longer exists)
University of Lethbridge
Bachelor of Arts (1993)
Get Involved
Volunteer Opportunities
There are a lot of opportunities to volunteer in our community. Watch this space as I highlight different ideas and contacts so you can help make a difference for Coalhurst!
Connect With Me
See below to connect with me! I'd love to hear from you about ideas, questions, and if you have concerns. We can meet in person or virtually - whatever works best for you, or via email/text/phone if that is your preference.
Council News and Updates
Follow Lori4Coalhurst on Facebook and Instagram and share with other community members!
​
Not on social media? I can email you the same - just send a request to Lori4Coalhurst@gmail.com for all the updates I share on social media to be sent to your inbox.
Get in Touch
Please reach out with your thoughts/ideas/concerns, let me know if you want a visit (virtual or in person), or ask your questions.
403-330-9473
