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What is The Social Planning Council?

Activities:

o Monthly Meetings: Attend meetings with guest speakers from within the community &/or presentations at each meeting. We currently meet the fourth Monday of every month (excluding summer) at City Hall with light lunch by donation.

o Facebook & Email Group: Utilize the network on Facebook. Start discussions, learn about & share upcoming community events, projects and meetings. If you don’t use Facebook, then join the email network instead.

o Inform City Council: The SPC provides reports to City Council regularly and the City keeps the SPC informed. Use the network and have your voices heard.



Strategic Direction of the Social Planning Council of Williams Lake & Area:

o Poverty Reduction and the local Living Wage Campaign.

o Community Collaboration and Networking.

o Retention and Succession of residents within the Area.



Community Social Planning:

o Supports communities in building an integrated approach to complex problems that take into account social, economic, and environmental concerns.

o Maximizes the effectiveness of often scarce resources by working to reduce duplication, overlap and competition.

o Provides an ongoing forum for communication, coordination and conflict resolution.



Friday, July 13, 2012

Community Updates – July 13, 2012

Community Updates – July 13, 2012


Here are community updates from within the community:

1) Dancing in the Light Conference is raising awareness of sexual abuse in Williams Lake on July 17, 18& 19th.This event is sponsored by the Cariboo Friendship Society, where registration is available at the front desk. The conference is being held at TRU and there will be a number of keynote speakers and conference leaders coming in from Vancouver, Kamloops and even New York including:
Jassy Bindra (RCMP human trafficking coordinator from Vancouver), Katherine Gulley (team leader with the Kamloops North Shore child & youth mental health care), Amy Fix (singer-songwriter, survivor and lecturer from New York), Don Wright (psychology counselor and educator from the BC Society for Male Survivors of sexual abuse), Tamara Garreau (Counsellor and coordinator from the Children Who Witness Abuse program with the Cariboo Friendship Society), Sensei Lee-Ann Lainchbury (second degree black belt and 13 years of martial arts coaching) and Sam Moody will provide a workshop on the Internal Medicine Wheel and discovering your gifts. Contact Monique at 250-267-3703, Sim at 250-267-3119 or Pat at 250-305-9645 for more information.
On a related note, BC’s Friendship Centres celebrated 40 years last weekend and over 100 delegates from the province’s 25 Friendship Centres along with aboriginal youth and elders met at the BC Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres AGM in Nanaimo. Our local Cariboo Friendship Centre celebrates it’s 23rd year on July 23rd. Friendship centres programs are open to everyone in the community, not only for First Nations. Their programs include Pregnancy Outreach, Little Moccasins Learning Centre, to mental health services for youth and children who witness abuse.
2) Boitanio Day Camp – The City’s Boitanio Summer Day camp is a great alternative for children to enjoy outdoor activities this summer. The camp runs M – F 8 am – 5 pm and costs $135/week or $30/day. Children must have completed kindergarten and be no older than 12 years of age. Each week offers a different activity theme: July 2 is Invention week, July 9 is Space week, July 16 is Weird Science week, July 23 is H2O So Cool week, July 30 is Under The Sea week, Aug 6 is Super Sonic Sport week, Aug 13 is Enchanted week, Aug 20 is Tacky Tourist week, and Aug 27 is Safari week. Information and registration is at the CAriboo Memorial Recreation Complex, recreationservices@williamslake.ca or call 250-398-7665.

Summer swimming lessons are taking registrations for the following start dates: July 16, July 30th and August 13th. Register early to reserve your spot. Contact the Recreation Centre for more details at 250-398-7665.
3) Alexis Creek Daze – on July 23rd there is a host of fun activities for the whole family out in Alexis Creek. There will be Horseback & Cyclist Poker Rides, biking skills competition, youth fair, children’s games, horseshoes, arm wrestling, tug-of-war, Chilcotin 4H achievement day, talent contest and plenty of food and beverages (refreshment garden open at 1pm). There is also a “Chilcotin Chefs” chilli contest (Judging is at 4pm), silent auction and dinner with entertainment starting at 6pm. Come and join the fun filled family events to raise funds to keep their Visitor’s Information Centre & bathrooms open.

4) High School Students Invited to Apply to Serve on Junior Council: Williams Lake high school students are invited to submit an application to serve on the Williams Lake Junior Council for the September 2012 to September 2013 term.
The Junior Council is a group of seven high school students from Grades 10-12 that suggest ideas that could enhance life for youth in the city. Junior Council members are appointed by City Council and provide a youth voice to decisions made by the city. It is an opportunity to learn about and participate in the process of local government.

Junior Councillors will attend 2-4 meetings a month, will take turns attending City Council meetings, and help plan activities to engage youth in civic affairs, among other duties. Requirements to serve on the Junior Council are that the person be a student at a Williams Lake high school, is 18 years old or younger, and must be able to attend at least 75% of Junior Council meetings.

“Since our first Junior Council was formed last year, I have been inspired by the level of effort, dedication, and creativity our Junior Councillors have brought to Council and to the city,” says Councillor Geoff Bourdon. “I am looking forward to the next term of Junior Council, and I encourage all high school students to consider serving their community in this capacity.”

Applications can be submitted by e-mail to juniorcouncil@williamslake.ca or by dropping off the application form at the city or giving it to one of the current Junior Council members: Talia Baptiste, Cody Haley-York, Ivona Ognjanova, Abbi Taylor, Patrick Newsome, and Ana Lomavatu.

For more information, contact Manager of Social Development Anne Burrill at 250-392-8480.

Friday, July 6, 2012

Community Updates - July 6, 2012

Community Updates – July 6, 2012


Here are community updates from within the community:

1) Spanish Mine Socioeconomic Study – get involved!

Laurie McNeil & Associates – which has been contracted by Spanish Mountain Gold Ltd. to carry out a socio-economic study as part of the company's preparation of an application for the Spanish Mountain Gold Project under the Province's Environmental Assessment process. Overall direction for their work is being provided by Knight Piésold Ltd.

They will be in the Williams Lake area from July 9-13, to meet with a few key individuals who have detailed knowledge of the area. Their focus is the social aspects such as health, education, social services and public safety. We are looking for insights and information regarding the socioeconomic “baseline”, as well as potential benefits, impacts and mitigation measures relevant to the mine activity, the communities and the region.

The SPC will be meeting with Heather on Wednesday July 11th at 1pm, at the Community Policing Board Room on the corner of 3rd & Oliver Street to discuss. You and your organizations are invited to get involved in any capacity, and/or to attend this first meeting. Heather Myers can be reached directly at 250-392-4109 or HeatherMyers@shaw.ca

2) SPC Meeting Minutes are attached (Living Wage Update, Strategic Planning, and Roundtables). REMINDER –Emails from the SPC are sent out weekly to avoid sending many emails all week long. It is important to send updates asap to be included in a timely fashion. Thank-you everyone for using this network! Our regular monthly meetings will begin again in the fall.

3) Cariboo Mountain Biking Captures the Attention of Motorists Travelling to Whistler

Sea-To-Sky Highway, BC - A 10’X20’ billboard has been strategically placed en route to Whistler in an effort to promote Williams Lake, and area, as a premiere mountain biking destination. The billboard, which will remain in place for the majority of the summer, is the result of a partnership between the City of Williams Lake, Cariboo Regional District (CRD), the Cariboo Mountain Biking Consortium and the Northern Development Initiative Trust.

The billboard directs viewers to the www.ridethecariboo.com website. This website showcases the unique trails and mountain biking culture that the Cariboo has to offer.

"The Sea to Sky area has long held the majority of the mountain bike market in British Columbia, and for good reason - they have great riding to offer. But times are changing and the Cariboo offers something unique that mountain bikers are increasingly seeking," says Justin Calof, Cariboo Mountain Biking Consortium Executive Director. "Un-crowded trails, fast, tight and flowy single track and a relaxing mountain bike culture to chill with is what we invite people to experience.”

The promotion of Williams Lake as a mountain bike destination is identified in the City’s Business Expansion and Attraction (BEAS) Strategy. “We were really fortunate to secure that particular location for the billboard as the majority of mountain bikers in British Columbia travel that length of highway each summer on their way to Whistler. Ideally, we will tap into that market and steer people from the lower mainland to all the great mountain biking that we have in the Cariboo,” says Williams Lake Mayor Kerry Cook.

“The Cariboo has long been known in the mountain biking community as a premiere destination and we want to let everyone else know what we have to offer,” says CRD Central Cariboo Co-Chair Joan Sorley. “We take every opportunity to work with our partners to promote the important resource that we have to share.”

The billboard image, which was provided by John Wellburn, captures Cariboo Mountain Bike Consortium sponsored rider James Doerfling along the “Ashtray” near Williams Lake and is sure to grab attention from passing motorists.

4) Come and celebrate with us at the 7th annual ARTS ON THE FLY July 13th & 14th! We're extremely excited to bring you a week-end full of amazing music, dance, and fun for all ages.

We'll be showcasing fabulous musical acts such as FIVE ALARM FUNK and FISH & BIRD and LINDA MCRAE. And back by popular demand the TIM READMAN BAND with the awe-dropping EIRE BORN IRISH DANCERS.

Get your tickets at www.artsonthefly.com, at Clarke’s General Store in Horsefly, and in Williams Lake at the Bean Counter and the Gecko Tree.

5) The Food Policy Council and TRU have partnered to present a workshop on cooking with fresh vegetables. The course instructor is a local Certified Red Seal Chef, so don't miss this fantastic opportunity to either learn something completely new or add on to your cooking repetoire!

You can register for these courses through the TRU Continuing Studies Department, 250.392.8010
Cooking With Fresh Produce • XHOM 0710• NEW

This informative evening workshop will discuss the advantages of fresh produce: how to cook with fresh vegetables (different techniques and terms); and how your harvest depends on what you want in the kitchen (example: small carrots or large carrots, etc.). Students will be introduced to different cooking techniques for a variety of vegetables. Bring your appetite!
Fee: $39
Date:
Jul 11, 2012
Wednesday, 5 - 8 pm
Location: Room 1258
6) Performances in the Park in Williams Lake
Williams Lake, BC - Presented by the Central Cariboo Arts and Culture Society, the City of Williams Lake and the Cariboo Regional District.
This year’s line up for Performances in the Park summer concert series rocks! Local and provincial performers will light up the stage in Boitanio Park each Thursday evening from July 5th to August 16th. From 5 - 6 pm performers will be or will cater to children and youth, and from 7 - 8 pm acts, oriented towards adults, will be family friendly. The line up includes Rock and Roll, Jazz, Bluegrass, Dancers, Theatre and more.
Youth acts are diverse in genre and capture the attention of young and old alike. Local teenager, Robyn Ferguson, will kick off the series at 5pm on July 5th with her renditions of country and soft rock. Later at 7pm, Doug Koyama will take the stage and captivate the audience with songs of life, love, peace and truth, yet by listening to his lyrics one would never know. He uses looping, a capella and improv to create music to the ears.
The series unfolds to reveal some of the musical talents of Williams Lake, the surrounding villages and countryside, and the province of BC. Acts include Horsefly duo Carmen and Dena who, on July 26th, will mesh their voices into beautiful harmonies while singing of love loss, self discovery and friendship. On August 9th, the members of Big Twang Daddy will gather together from the Cariboo landscape to create folk and rock that will get your toes tapping and your body moving. On July 19th, another Horsefly favourite, Pharis and Jason Romero, share their passion and adeptness for roots, folk, early country and old time music with beautiful harmonies. Local bluesy jazz sensation, My Wife’s Quartet takes the stage July 12th following a performance by an incredible Chilcotin youth, the Magical Jesaja. He has already taken the Quesnel Farmers Market by storm and will perform at ArtsWells on the August long weekend as a part of Potato Dreams. A version of this play, Potato Dreams, will take the stage at 5pm on August 2nd, featuring Likely Gold, a dramatic group of youths directed by Venta Rutkauskas. These young actors will open for the always entertaining, dance inspiring Maria in the Shower. This Eastside Vancouver foursome shifts with ease from uptempo swing to sensitive folk ballad, or energetic samba to subtle waltz. Prepare to dance up a sweat while taking in their captivating performance.
Mill Girl Follies, a collective of Can Can dancers from throughout the province, but mostly from Clinton, will take you back in time at 5pm on July 26th. Energetic and talented, they will make you want to join their troop. Other youth oriented openers include the local Uke Tuba Trio whose fun music is entertaining and reining from Hope, and on August 9th, the Ta Daa Lady brings her mesmerizing charms. Tap dancing, puppetry and singing are just aspects of her presentation.
To keep everyone on their toes, the August 16th concert format, the series finale, is a little bit different. Big Lake youth Sam Tudor mingles his musical talents with the likes of Marin Patenaude and Drum & Bell Tower in two sets of great music starting at 5pm and again at 7pm.

Please check out www.facebook.com/PerformancesinthePark or www.centralcaribooarts.com for updates, details, and pictures from the summer Performances in the Park concerts.
For more information or for interviews please contact Beth Holden, performances.wl@gmail.com, 250-305-5014



Contact Us

The Social Planning Council is made up of volunteers from the community. Many of us work in social services agencies or also volunteer for other organizations.

Our Mailing Address is Box 20045, Williams Lake BC V2G 4R1

To reach the Society Coordinator Jessica Dunn please email spc-coordinator@xplornet.com or call 250-243-2126

To reach the Communities that Care Project Facilitator Barb Jones please email communitiesthatcare.wl@gmail.com or call 250-305-4838

To reach the THRIVE Williams Lake Project Manager Anne Burrill please email annelburrill@gmail.com or call 250-267-7211

To reach the current SPC Chair Larry Stranberg please email happytrails@cfdccariboo.com or call 250-392-3626