Meeting Minutes (draft) - Apr 27, 2015

SPC Monthly Meeting Minutes draft

Apr 27, 2015 - 11:30 am – 1:30 pm

Location: Central Cariboo Arts & Culture Society

In attendance (from sign-in sheet): Bruce Mack, Rosanna McGregor, Carla Bullinger, Matt Neufeld, George Atamanenko, Larry Stranberg, Melinda Mitchell, Jan Hermison, Shannon Thom, Janice Fichtner, Jessica Knodel, Leah Selk, Diane Wright, Sheila, Julie Bowser, and Kathie Vilkas.

Accept Mins & Agenda

During lunch we:

·   Review & Accept meeting minutes from Mar 23, 2015  - Motion FSC

·   Review meeting agenda for Apr 27, 2015 - Motion FSC

·   Revisit action items from last meeting (all completed)

·   Roundtable Introductions

Introduction to Strategic Planning Session

This is the first time this exercise has been done at the SPC table. There was a table for each section of the OCP (see below) and participants were asked to spend some time at tables that were relevant or of interest to them. Discussion was encouraged and each person was given a worksheet (see next section).

Some tangible examples of how the SPC has and can provide assistance with (Jessica):

• Share your information through our networks via online, community updates and Facebook
• Networking and information sharing,  save you time (and money). Community Action Employment Plan (Karen Newman). She stated we saved her 3 months of research in one phone call and one sit down meeting.
• CCPL mentioned losing Kiwanis funding for Book for Babies at this table, and after the meeting George went to the WLDCU who then called CCPL with a funding opportunity.
• Bring presentation and guest speakers to topics that are relevant to our members and community (e.g. Seth Klein, Dr. Glen Schmidt)
• We are an organized platform for getting the info you wanted shared, with the people you want it shared with (e.g. We converse regularly with Council, the CRD and local MLA and the United Way)
• Monthly presentations - by member request, or organizations that want to share with our group
• Write Letters of Support
• Provide advice & feedback, and any support you might need. If we cannot do it directly, we can connect you with people who can.
•  Provide links and documents (e.g. want a copy of the Project Comeback presentation? Want a copy of Venture Connect? Want to find the OCP?)
• Reduce the duplication & overlap of work (e.g. similar to Let's Talk About Mental Health in the Cariboo).
• Reduce the duplication & overlap of work (e.g. similar to Let's Talk About Mental Health in the Cariboo).
• We celebrate and highlight the great work in the community. Geoff Bourdon said hearing from the SPC was one of his favourite committees to hear from because everything was always so positive.  
•          www.accesswilliamslake.org - a project initiated at this table in response to there being no regularly updated community resource database.
•          Communities that Care is another example of how the SPC helped the community. We took it on when no one else had the capacity, and pass it over when there was capacity.
    
  Official Community Plan - Social Well Being and Resilient Economy Section Summaries - viewable online at http://www.williamslake.ca/310/Official-Community-Plan-OCP
  
  
  
  SWB - Coordinated Planning:
  The following polices will promote working in partnership with the community to increase capacity and address social issues in Williams Lake. Coordinating the delivery of services ensures that gaps in services are identified and duplication of programs is eliminated. Strengthening organizations governance so that they can deliver quality services and explore new and innovative programs is important to a small community like Williams Lake where social service organizations serve a wide region.
  
  
  SWB - Youth:
  Williams Lake has a high percentage of youth under 19. For the community’s well-being it is important to provide educational opportunities and employment possibilities for these youths.  These policies will support the development of programs to help youth in the community.
  
  
  SWB - Children and Families:
  The well-being of families in the community is key to ensuring the economic success of Williams Lake. Families require access to a diversity of programs and a built environment that is safe and provides opportunities for children to play. The following policies will work to ensure that Williams Lake is a child and family friendly community.
  
  
  SWB - Poverty & Access to Employment:
  The well-being of a community depends on the ability of its residents to access employment, have safe and affordable housing and the ability to participate in community life. The following  policies address issues of living wage, literacy, and access to employment to promote equity in the Community. Please also refer to the PA-RE-Resilient Economy in this OCP.
  
  
  SWB - Literacy:
  Cariboo Chilcotin Partners for Literacy was established in response to literacy as a serious social and economic issue in the Cariboo Chilcotin. More important than the simple ability to read and write, literacy focuses on the ability to use printed information. Cariboo Chilcotin Partners for Literacy Society (CCPL) has been leading community based literacy activism in the Cariboo Chilcotin, forming in 1997 and becoming a registered society in May 2000.
  
  
  SWB - Homelessness:
  Homelessness may be related to affordable housing but in our region homelessness frequently involves other issues such as education, mental health and addictions. Currently the existing shelter meets demands during the winter months. The following policies will ensure that the City plays a part in advocating for homelessness in the future.
  
  
  SWB - Seniors:
  Williams Lake is home to many seniors who live and have moved into the community from the region to access medical and other services. Statistics show that the number of seniors in the community will increase over the next decade. To address this trend the following policies support services needed for seniors in our community.
  
  
  SWB - Sense of Belonging:
  The connection of residents to their community promotes safety, volunteerism, and the development of community well-being. The following policies will promote the participation of community members of all ages, life stages and lifestyles to feel connected and valued within the community.
  
  
  SWB - Anti-Racism and Cultural Diversity:
  Municipal governments can play a lead role in enhancing the diverse nature of their communities and in fostering respect and equality for all residents. Municipal governments can make equity a basic tenet of their own operations and seek the same commitment from their partners in the public and private sectors. The following policies are designed to foster an environment that celebrates the multicultural and aboriginal aspects of Williams Lake, while working to promote cooperation, communication, and harmony between various groups.
  
  
  SWB - Accessibility:
  An accessible community provides an environment where all residents with challenges can participate in activity. Accessibility has been addressed inclusively in the development of other chapters of this OCP. The following policies are designed to ensure that all residents can fully access community services, use public transit, and feel safe in the city. 
  
  
  SWB -Resilient Economy:
  Goals and Objectives: Our economy relies on a diversity of resource-based industries, the strengths and assets of our local community, and innovation. We are committed to designing our local economy to fulfill community-held strategic goals for the future and the principles of sustainability, resulting in prosperity for all community members. Further, the City will also support the following objectives as they are consistent with the input from the Imagine Our Future process includes:
  
  
  1. Sustainable Economic Benefit: Focus on Economic drivers that generate new and sustainable wealth that enhances economic diversity of Williams Lake.
  2. Employment: Create new, long-term quality jobs that provide opportunities for the local labour force.
  3. Supporting Infrastructure: Provide a physical infrastructure that strengthens business competitiveness and better connects businesses to their markets.
  4. Community Image: Reaffirm and create awareness of Williams Lake’s competitive advantages as the service centre of the Cariboo-Chilcotin.
  5. Quality of Community Life: Maintain and enhance the quality of life of the community.
  
  
  Worksheet Questions
  Under which Official Community Plan area(s) does your organization’s work fit best?
  SWB: Coordinated Planning
  SWB: Youth
  SWB: Children & Families
  SWB: Poverty & Access to Employment
  SWB: Literacy
  SWB: Homelessness
  SWB: Seniors
  SWB: Sense of Belonging
  SWB: Anti-Racism & Cultural Diversity
  SWB: Accessibility
  RE: Resilient Economy
  
  
  Please describe your organization through the "lens" of the OCP
  What type of work is your organization doing this year?
  What type of work does your organization want to develop in the future?
  What are the most common obstacles your organization faces on a regular basis?
  In what ways can the Social Planning Council help your organization?
  Are there other comments, suggestions, recommendations or information you would like to share?
  
  
  Roundtable Updates (those not sent out via community updates)
  Julie Bowser (TRU) - The continuing studies department at TRU needs to think outside the box for programming (e.g. Camp Cook, traditional Aboriginal Languages). TRU is at a public programming stage, and ideas for courses are always welcomed.
  
  
  Rosanna McGregor (Cariboo Friendship Society) - 1) Canadian Health Institute for Research is starting a diabetes initiative program to address underlying health concerns rather than just the symptoms of, 2) Seeds of Empathy training is ongoing, 3) The Cariboo Friendship Society has been approved to start a social enterprise in partnership with the Cariboo Chilcotin Partners for Literacy - looking at a training program in commercial painting (helps people gain employable skills in areas where jobs are needed.
  
  
  Bruce Mack (CCPL) - The SPC can help ask people what their barriers to employment are and can engage companies in this discussion (e.g. does a Janitor actually need grade 12?). Note - the GED exam is no longer offered in Canada.
  
  
  George Atamanenko (Seniors Advisory Council and Accessibility Committee - 1) There used to be a skills centre in Williams Lake that had funding (but no more). Longevity of funding is required to maintain consistent programming. Hospital Renovation are still scheduled to take place but there are major delays taking place. George has been writing to officials to help expedite this process and is collecting and encouraging people and organizations to write letters of support.
  
  
  ACTION: the SPC will write a letter of support and send it to George (motion was FSC).
    
  Motion to adjourn the meeting was FSC. The next monthly meeting is scheduled for April 27, 2015 at 11:30 am location TBA