Meeting Minutes (draft) - Jan 26, 2015

Location: City of Williams Lake (downstairs boardroom). Light lunch provided (donations appreciated but never required).

Attendance (from sign-in sheet): Jan Fichtner, Matt Neufeld, Michael Lucas, Larry Stranberg, George

Atamanenko, Jay Goddard, Diana French, Kourtney Cook, Shannon Thom, Melinda Mitchell, Monica Johnson, Carla Bullinger, Diane Wright and Jessica Knodel.

Accept Mins & Agenda

During lunch we:

·   Reviewed meeting minutes from Oct 27, 2014 - Motion FSC

·   Reviewed meeting agenda for Jan 26, 2015 - Motion FSC

Guest Presentation by Cariboo Chilcotin Partners for Literacy (CCPL)

Presentation by Cariboo Chilcotin Partners for Literacy (CCPL) in celebrating of Literacy Week (nationally Jan 25th - 31st). During this week there is the "Read for 15" challenge and the week ends with the annual Family Festival being held this year on Feb 1 at the Gibraltar room from 10am - 2pm. This weekend is also the first annual Winter Festival in Williams Lake with lots of activities also commencing in Boitanio Park.

The CCPL has been offering services in Williams Lake and 100 Mile House since 1997 and receives lots of volunteer assistance in both communities. Some programs include:

·      Books for Babies - provides newborn with a bag containing four books. There is in partnership with Interior Health and The Kiwanis Club. The Kiwanis Club provided some funding since 2001 but since the organization folded, the CCPL is in need of another funding partner(s).

·      Bright Red Bookshelf - provides a free book exchange at thirteen locations currently including one at Boitanio Mall, Doctors offices and the Library. This initiative also involves the Community Living Association, who builds the shelves. Toyota also holds an annual book drive for this program.

·      PAL program (partner assisted learning) - a learner centered program that matches adults ages 18 or older with a one-on-one volunteer partner to help them learn at their own pace. To become a volunteer for PAL please call 250-392-7833 or email partnerassistedlearning@gmail.com.

·      Financial Literacy - assists people from all socio-economic backgrounds on topics such as budgeting, money management and understanding how credit works. Interestingly, this service is accessed by even very affluent people who lack these financial management skills.

·      Education and dialogue

Some interesting stats to consider when thinking about Literacy, British Columbians and residents in the Cariboo: 40% of adults in BC do not have the required skills to fill out a job application, or read a map. Also, 22% of adults in the Cariboo between the ages of 21 - 54 have not completed high school, and 60% of immigrants cannot read above a level three.
For more information, to book a presentation, to volunteer, or register for any of these programs please contact the CCPL  at 250-392-8161 or visit www.caribooliteracy.com

SPC Board Updates & discussions

Memberships renewals are now due - please send them via mail or bring them to a SPC meeting. If you require a form, please send an email to spc-coordinator@xplornet.com. We are an inclusive and open network that never requires a membership to participate, however monetary memberships help the SPC and are greatly appreciated to show your organizational support.

UBC Human Geography Field School Project update - The UBC Human Geography Course Instructor contacted the SPC because they are looking for a back-up partner agency for the student group that was working with the City. None of the staff who were working on this project are employed with the City anymore and they have not received any further instructions. This group of students are focusing on how the City has progressed on goals in the Sustainable Communities plan.

The SPC table discussed our capacity, and responsibility to facilitate the request from UBC and included:

·         The SPC is an independent organization and this project was endorsed by the last Council, but not necessarily the current one

·         This project topic ties in with our strategic & long term SPC goals

·         Can we offer assistance, rather than take on full partnership responsibilities?

·         We must caution to "bite off more than we can chew". The spirit of volunteerism

·         We must continue to advocate for the projects Anne Burrill was responsible for

·         We must consider possible negative impacts (e.g. on matters of perspectives and proper use of language by students)

·         Monica Johnson offered her assistance (after Apr 15th) and Matt Neufeld offered support as needed.

Action Item (based on consensus): Given our mandate with the City, we as the SPC are in agreement to pursue finding partnership assistance to accommodate the group of UBC students in light of the recent staff changes at the City. Jessica to first pursue discussions with Darrell at the City to discuss possible arrangements.

BC Transit Review Stakeholders Meeting -  Shannon Thom  will be attending the Feb 4th session for the BC Transit review on behalf of the SPC, and Jay Goddard (and Sharon Taylor) will be attendance.

Meeting with MLA Donna Barnett - Subjects for the upcoming meeting with Donna Barnett were discussed and included: Hospital renovations, retention and succession issues (including stats and info from Larry Stranberg), adult literacy issues, provincial plans (other than LNG/Liquid Natural Gas), increasing number of retirees.

Action: Jessica will create a general information package on the SPC including a copy of the last Community Updates for this meeting.

SD no. 27 Community Use of Facilities policy follow up update - Bruce is continuing to pursue problem solving discussions to remove barriers.

Strategic Planning & discuss impacts of recent City staff changes - In light of the recent staff changes at the City of Williams Lake, namely the termination of the Social Development Manager position held by Anne Burrill, the initial thoughts of the SPC's strategic planning for the upcoming year is to focus on relations and communications with government bodies including the City, Province and Cariboo Regional District. Strengthening the flow of communication between City Council and the SPC is also a priority.

Action - Jessica will setup a meeting with Darrell Garceau, CAO for the City of Williams Lake to discuss these changes and how to best proceed.

Roundtable Updates (those not included in the weekly emails)

 

Monica Johnson (Self Employed) - All City staff who were working on this project have been terminated so Monica will finish her action items and submit them to Darrell CAO for the City.

Melinda Mitchell (United Way) - It is an exciting time of year for the United Way with the Community Investment Fund grant application process underway. It was also an amazing experience to see the group of volunteers who coordinated the first annual Winter Festival - they were so enthusiastic, full of energy and rallied the support from so many local businesses.

Shannon Thom (WL Employment Services WLES / Horton Ventures) - WLES was granted the opportunity to offer the TIOW (Targeted Initiative for Older Workers) program which is a fourteen week employment program for those between the ages of 55 - 65 and offers everything from self esteem to computer skills. There is also a $350/week training allowance. For more information contact Horton Ventures at 398-5133 or inquiries@hortonventures.com

Kourtney Cook (Taseko Mines) - Copper prices are at a five year low and there have been staff layoff as a result (including contractors e.g. Ledcor). The contributions to the UW community investment fund have also been cutback as a result.

Diana French (Cariboo Chilcotin Conservation Society) - The City has been providing a fee for service for their Water Wise education program since 2008 and recently they announced they would be cutting this funding. Since that announcement and subsequent presentations to Council and the Committee, the City agreed to continue this funding for a two year period.

Jay Goddard (TRU)- 1) There has also been cutback at the University but enrollment is anticipated to increase. 2) A Campus Advisory Committee is being reestablished - stay tuned for invitations to participate. 3) Child and Youth care program is still on the "radar" as it has been identified as a community need (at risk youth). 4)Spring break courses  for those working with people with disabilities still has 8/16 spots available. 5) Fetal Alcohol Syndrome course is being introduced and currently is looking for an instructor. 6 ) New blended block course is being offered which combines one full week of classroom time, combined with online time to allow more flexibility.

George Atamanenko- The Seniors Advisory Council will be working towards creating more linkages between organizations including the downtown WLCBIA and TRU. Volunteers are always welcomed

Larry Stranberg (Community Futures) - One area Community Futures is focusing on is diversification of local businesses and exploring ways smaller communities (e.g. Horsefly) to create their own businesses and consequently jobs.

Michael Lucas (RCMP Victim Services) - There have been staff changes at the RCMP detachment. Michael's focus is on the Integrated Youth Team.

Matt Neufeld (Boys and Girls Club) - A new "Amazing Race" style fundraiser event is taking place on May 23rd within a five km radius within the downtown core. It is pledge driven (min $380/team) open to teams of four from businesses, agencies and organizations. The winners receive two WestJet tickets for anywhere WestJet flies). Checkpoints are needed. Contact the Club for more info or to get involved. Visit www.raceforkids.ca, on Face book (RaceforKids) or Twitter (RaceforKidsCan). Sponsors include CapitalOne, easyhome Ltd, and WestJet.

Jessica Knodel (SPC, Cariboo Growers) - Jessica has started another small contract position as Coordinator of the Cariboo Chilcotin Coast Invasive Plant Committee (CCCIPC).

Meeting was adjourned. The next SPC monthly meeting will be held on Feb 23/15 at 11:30 am - location TBA