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is a Vancouver-based nonprofit organization that specializes in providing information and referral regarding community, government and social services in BC. Our help line services include 211, the Alcohol and Drug Information and Referral Service (ADIRS), the Problem Gambling Help Line, VictimLink BC, and the Youth Against Violence Line.

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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, December 20, 2013

Community Updates (10) – December 20, 2013



Community Updates (10) – December 20, 2013

1) Social Planning Council - post AGM update
2) Salvation Army's Christmas dinner in Williams Lake - Dec 25th
3) Cariboo Chilcotin Conservation Society - Free skate (and skates) - January 5th
4) Operation Red Nose - 250-392-2222
5) Central Cariboo Arts & Culture Society's - Grant Writing Workshop - Jan 8
6) Reminder - Salvation Army's Intensive Eight week Recovery Day Program
7) Central Cariboo Arts & Culture Society's - Project Grants Reminder
8) United Way's Youth Initiative Grant funds available
9) Project Comeback - input from residents under the age of 35 is wanted
10) Positive Action word of the week


1) Social Planning Council - post AGM update
The SPC held their AGM Nov 25th and the new Board of Director's is: Sharon Taylor (Chair), Bruce Mack (Vice Chair), Rosanna McGregor (Treasurer), Diane Wright (Secretary), Shannon Thom, Kourtney Cook, Matt Neufeld, and Carla Bullinger.

Our next Social Planning Council meeting will be on Monday January 27th from 12 - 1:30 pm at the Immigrant and Multicultural Services Society (IMSS) with a presentation from nurses at the new TRU Medical Clinic.

The SPC office will be closed until the new year and happy holidays to you all!

2) Salvation Army's Christmas dinner in Williams Lake - Dec 25th

There will be a turkey dinner and music starting at noon and running until 2 p.m. on Christmas Day. For seniors (or others with mobility issues), there is a level entry entrance at the back of the building. If anyone has difficulty getting to the dinner, they can call 250-392-2423 (it is best to call in advance on the 23rd or 24th). In 2012, 150 people, including volunteers attended the dinner.

3) Cariboo Chilcotin Conservation Society - Free skate (and skates) - January 5th
If you don't have skates you can use a pair that has been donated and sharpened for the ice. You register with the Conservation Society to get setup and then go skate for free at 2:45 pm. This skate is sponsored by Johnston Meirer Insurance.

4) Operation Red Nose - 250-392-2222
Need a ride home this holiday season? If you are drinking (or not) this holiday season and need to get home safely, please call Operation Red Nose. They will drive you home, in your own car. The service is confidential and is available to any person operating a motor vehicle who does not want to drive for any reason.

5) Central Cariboo Arts & Culture Society's - Grant Writing Workshop - Jan 8
Grant Writing Workshop - Jan 8th, 2014, 6pm – 8pm, at the Central Cariboo Arts Centre with Instructor: Graham Kelsey

This is a free workshop – Register by January 6^th with the CCACS at 778-412-9044 or info@centralcaribooarts.com. The workshop will introduce commonly made pitfalls in grant applications (e.g. budgeting, project description, etc). It will be focused on the CCACS Project Grant application.

For further information please contact CCACS Coordinator Leah Selk at 778-412-9044 or email info@centralcaribooarts.com

6) Reminder - Salvation Army's Intensive Eight week Recovery Day Program
Salvation Army's Intensive Eight week Recovery Day Program commences Monday January 6/14 and ends on Feb 28th. This program is open to adults ages 19 years of age or older who are experiencing problems related to substance use/misuse/abuse. To register please contact Steve Hakes at 250-305-2492 or email WLaddictions@shaw.ca

7) Central Cariboo Arts & Culture Society's - Project Grants Reminder

2014 CCACS Project Grants:

Project grants are available for non-profit organizations or community groups in Williams Lake and the Central Cariboo (CRD Areas D, E, and F) to support and develop arts and culture within this region. The funding for these grants is courtesy of the City of Williams Lake and the Cariboo Regional District (Central Cariboo Arts & Culture function), subject to the availability of funds.

Project Grants of between $300 and $2,000 are available for projects which:
a) Are new or build creatively on previous work, b) Are likely to increase participation in arts & culture, c) Take place within the Central Cariboo region (Williams Lake and/or CRD Areas D, E, and F) and d) Will be completed by December 31, 2014

The deadline for applications is Friday, January 31, 2014 at 4pm, and full details, adjudication criteria and application requirements can be obtained by visiting
www.centralcaribooarts.com or by request from info@centralcaribooarts.com

8) United Way's Youth Initiative Grant funds available

Do you have an idea for a project that will make your community a better place? Youth Initiative Grants were created to support projects developed by youth for youth (25 years and younger).   Sponsored in part by Telus, and Interior Savings.

The mission of United Way is to improve lives and build community by engaging individuals and mobilizing collective action. Youth Initiative Grant applicants are encouraged to align their projects with one of our 3 focus areas. The 3 focus areas are: 1) All that kids can be, 2) Poverty to possibility, and 3) String Communities. For more information on these focus areas, please visit http://www.unitedwaytnc.ca/

The Thompson Nicola Cariboo United Way’s Youth Club reviews all applications. Decisions will be made at the end of January 2014. Grant cheques will be presented to successful applicants in February of 2014. For more info please contact Melissa Newberry at melissa@unitedwaytnc.com or call 250-392-8145

Please submit this application no later than Friday, January 17th, 2014 at 12:00pm to:

Attn: Youth Initiative Grants
Thompson Nicola Cariboo United Way
177 Victoria Street
Kamloops, BC V2C 1Z4

Phone: 250-372-9933
Fax: 250-372-5926

9) Project Comeback - input from residents under the age of 35 is wanted

Take a few minutes this holiday to participate, or tell friend or relatives to participate in this project...

Project Comeback is a project of the City of Williams Lake, in partnership with the Fraser Basin Council, that is designed to gather input from young people who are new to the community (or have returned) about what attracted them to Williams Lake and what they would like to see change. If you are 35 years or younger and have moved (or returned) to Williams Lake in the past five years, we want to hear from you!

You can click on the link below to participate in our survey. You will be asked to enter your email - this is so that we can share the results of the survey with you as we go along in this project, and give you the opportunity to participate in the project in other ways if you wish. We want to assure you that your email address will be kept confidential, it will not be associated with your responses to the survey, and will not be shared with anyone or used for any purpose other than sending you an email with information about the Project Comeback process. If you have any questions, please contact Anne Burrill at aburrill@williamslake.ca (250-392-8480) or Alan Madrigga at amadrigga@williamslake.ca (250-392-1764).

If you have any friends or colleagues you think would be interested in participating, please feel free to forward this email to them.

This process will take between 20 minutes and 30 minutes to complete. You don't have to complete all the questions at one sitting. You can participate at any time before the process completes and continue, change or even delete your answers.

Please complete this process by: Friday December 20, 2013 01:00 PM
Click here to participate: http://thotstr.ca/ZjzftbmCYVvV

Project Information: Many rural communities face the twin demographic trends of youth out migration and an aging baby boomer population. Succession is becoming a major issue in many rural communities, as aging baby boomers approach retirement with little in the way of a succession plan or successor. If these trends are not proactively addressed many rural communities will suffer from the closure of their small businesses and the continued out migration of their youth. In an interconnected world, people can live and work almost anywhere. As a result communities across BC are in a global competition for local talent. Communities that are able to retain and attract a vibrant work force will likely be able to take advantage of the opportunities created by broadband internet access and more knowledge based job opportunities. To do communities must become places that are attractive to their younger citizens.

Through a survey, workshops, and a community project, Project Comeback will help us understand how we can respond to the needs of our younger citizens and become a place that people want to come (back) to. For more information, please contact: Anne Burrill at 250-392-8480 or aburrill@williamslake.ca

2) CTC’s Positive Action Word of the Week

There will be no word of the week over the Christmas holidays.  However, there is an article about Positive Action and the kindergarten class at Mountview school in the Dec 11th edition of the Tribune for you to enjoy!  Happy reading, and happy holidays.

For more information contact Carla Bullinger - Cell: (250) 267-8249 or email: comthatcares@sd27.bc.ca

Friday, December 13, 2013

Community Updates (6) – December 13, 2013




1) The Library's Free Holiday Movie Event The Polar Express
2) Free Recreation Events - Saturday Dec 14
3) Operation Red Nose - 250-392-2222
4) Salvation Army's Intensive Eight week Recovery Day Program
5) Better at Home program in Williams Lake - volunteers needed
6) Boys & Girls Club AGM - Dec 17th at 6pm



1) The Library's Free Holiday Movie Event The Polar Express

Come out with the kids on Saturday Dec 21 to watch the classic children's holiday film The Polar Express and make a Christmas decoration. On Xmas eve, a doubting boy boards a magical train that's headed to the north Poe & Santa Claus' home. Seating is limited to please come to the front desk or call 250-392-3630 to register.

2) Free Recreation Events - Saturday Dec 14

Punky Lake is hosting a free skate this Saturday at Total Ice, 2:00-4:00.  The Recreation Centre is also hosting a free skate, 1:00-2:30.  If you can’t make one, enjoy the other.  And if you really love skating, you just might do both!

3) Operation Red Nose - 250-392-2222
Need a ride home this holiday season? If you are drinking (or not) this holiday season and need to get home safely, please call Operation Red Nose. They will drive you home, in your own car. The service is confidential and is available to any person operating a motor vehicle who does not want to drive for any reason.

4) Salvation Army's Intensive Eight week Recovery Day Program
Salvation Army's Intensive Eight week Recovery Day Program commences Monday January 6/14 and ends on Feb 28th. This program is open to adults ages 19 years of age or older who are experiencing problems related to substance use/misuse/abuse. To register please contact Steve Hakes at 250-305-2492 or email WLaddictions@shaw.ca

5) Better at Home program in Williams Lake - volunteers needed
The Better at Home program for seniors in Williams Lake needs volunteers to help seniors remain independent at home. This is a non-medical program with services ranging from friendly visits, snow shoveling, housekeeping, grocery shopping, yard work, home repairs to transportation to a medical appointment. The Better at Home office is located at the Seniors Activity Centre in Williams Lake and is open Mon - Fri from 9am - 12pm. Anyone interested in volunteering should contact the office at 778-412-2430

6) Boys & Girls Club AGM - Dec 17th at 6pm
You are invited to attend the Boys & Girls Club AGM on Dec 17th at 6pm at the Cooperative Building located at 51-4th South Avenue in room 116. Parking is available behind the building and there will be coffee, tea and dessert.

Friday, December 6, 2013

Community Updates (10) – December 6, 2013



1) Reminder -The Museum's annual Christmas Tea & Bake Sale - Dec 7th
2) CTC’s Positive Action Word of the Week & next Community Board Mtg
3) Project Comeback - input from residents under the age of 35 is wanted
4) United Way's Youth Initiative Grant funds available
5) Riel Christmas Celebration - Sat Dec 7th
6) Salvation Army - volunteers and donations needed
7) Child Development's annual Yuletide Dinner - Dec 10th
8) Reminder - Literacy Photo Contest - Cariboo Chilcotin Partners for Literacy
9) Williams Lake Film Club - date changed to Dec 10th
10) StepUp BC's web-based resource hub available in February 2014

1) Reminder -The Museum's annual Christmas Tea & Bake Sale - Dec 7th

Museum of the Cariboo Chilcotin annual Christmas Tea and Bake Sale in the museum 113 North 4th Ave.  December 7th,  11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

2) CTC’s Positive Action Word of the Week & next Community Board Mtg

The word of the week for Dec 2nd is:  Curious – Eager to learn how and why things happen.

Communities that Care Community Board Meeting, Tuesday, Dec. 10 from 1:00-3:00 p.m. at Punky Lake Wilderness Camp Society, 253 4th Avenue.  Everyone welcome.

For more information contact Carla Bullinger - Cell: (250) 267-8249 or email: comthatcares@sd27.bc.ca

3) Project Comeback - input from residents under the age of 35 is wanted

Project Comeback is a project of the City of Williams Lake, in partnership with the Fraser Basin Council, that is designed to gather input from young people who are new to the community (or have returned) about what attracted them to Williams Lake and what they would like to see change. If you are 35 years or younger and have moved (or returned) to Williams Lake in the past five years, we want to hear from you!

You can click on the link below to participate in our survey. You will be asked to enter your email - this is so that we can share the results of the survey with you as we go along in this project, and give you the opportunity to participate in the project in other ways if you wish. We want to assure you that your email address will be kept confidential, it will not be associated with your responses to the survey, and will not be shared with anyone or used for any purpose other than sending you an email with information about the Project Comeback process. If you have any questions, please contact Anne Burrill at aburrill@williamslake.ca (250-392-8480) or Alan Madrigga at amadrigga@williamslake.ca (250-392-1764).

If you have any friends or colleagues you think would be interested in participating, please feel free to forward this email to them.

This process will take between 20 minutes and 30 minutes to complete. You don't have to complete all the questions at one sitting. You can participate at any time before the process completes and continue, change or even delete your answers.

Please complete this process by: Friday December 20, 2013 01:00 PM
Click here to participate: http://thotstr.ca/ZjzftbmCYVvV

Project Information: Many rural communities face the twin demographic trends of youth out migration and an aging baby boomer population. Succession is becoming a major issue in many rural communities, as aging baby boomers approach retirement with little in the way of a succession plan or successor. If these trends are not proactively addressed many rural communities will suffer from the closure of their small businesses and the continued out migration of their youth. In an interconnected world, people can live and work almost anywhere. As a result communities across BC are in a global competition for local talent. Communities that are able to retain and attract a vibrant work force will likely be able to take advantage of the opportunities created by broadband internet access and more knowledge based job opportunities. To do communities must become places that are attractive to their younger citizens.

Through a survey, workshops, and a community project, Project Comeback will help us understand how we can respond to the needs of our younger citizens and become a place that people want to come (back) to. For more information, please contact: Anne Burrill at 250-392-8480 or aburrill@williamslake.ca

4) United Way's Youth Initiative Grant funds available

Do you have an idea for a project that will make your community a better place? Youth Initiative Grants were created to support projects developed by youth for youth (25 years and younger).   Sponsored in part by Telus, and Interior Savings.

The mission of United Way is to improve lives and build community by engaging individuals and mobilizing collective action.Youth Initiative Grant applicants are encouraged to align their projects with one of our 3 focus areas. The 3 focus areas are: 1) All that kids can be, 2) Poverty to possibility, and 3) String Communities. For more information on these focus areas, please visit http://www.unitedwaytnc.ca/

Criteria:
-Youth Initiative Grant applications should:
-Be written by a youth or group of youth (age 25 or under).
-Support youth engagement within the applicant’s community (must be within the Thompson Nicola Cariboo Region).
-Be clearly defined, realistic, sustainable, and cost-efficient.
-Be completed by the end of the 2014 year.
-Request funds for $1500 or less.
*Grants cannot cover prizes or overseas initiatives (unless the funds requested are for a local component).
**Staff expenses may only be requested in exceptional cases. Please speak with United Way to see if you are eligible.
***Grant applications may include up to 3 additional pages of information including timelines, maps, pictures, etc.

Important Note:
Grant cheques can be made out only to organizations that have a registered charity number. Applicants can partner with an organization. The partnering organization then receives the funds on your behalf and gives you access to the money so you can complete your project. 
Need a partnering organization? Check with your school, church, sports association, arts or culture group, or local government! If you need help partnering with an organization, please contact us at youth@unitedwaytnc.ca

Decision Making Process:
The Thompson Nicola Cariboo United Way’s Youth Club reviews all applications. Decisions will be made at the end of January 2014. Grant cheques will be presented to successful applicants in February of 2014. For more info please contact Melissa Newberry at melissa@unitedwaytnc.com or call 250-392-8145

Please submit this application no later than Friday, January 17th, 2014 at 12:00pm to:

Attn: Youth Initiative Grants
Thompson Nicola Cariboo United Way
177 Victoria Street
Kamloops, BC V2C 1Z4

Phone: 250-372-9933
Fax: 250-372-5926

5) Riel Christmas Celebration - Sat Dec 7th

On Sat Dec 7th at the Royal Canadian Legion basement on Bernard St - doors open at 4pm and dinner will be at 5pm. Please bring a potluck style dish. Santa will make an appearance and there will be entertainment, carolling and games. Contest will be held for the family who creates the best Metis Gingerbread house or Xmas scene.

6) Salvation Army - volunteers and donations needed

Funds raised with Christmas kettles provide hampers and toys for children, the Christmas day dinner and ongoing food bank expenses. Two hour shifts are available between 10 am - 8 pm Monday through Saturday until Dec 24th. To book a shift please call 250-267-8447 or 250-392-2423.

7) Child Development's annual Yuletide Dinner - Dec 10th

The 16th annual Yuletide dinner is being held on Tuesday Dec 10th from 4-7 pm at the Ramada Convention Centre. Community members are encouraged to sponsor a guest(s) plate with a $10/per plate donation or $40/per family of four. Donations can be dropped off at the CDC at 690 - N.2nd Ave. Tax receipts issued.

8) Reminder - Literacy Photo Contest - Cariboo Chilcotin Partners for Literacy (CCPL)

Take your best shot and win valuable prizes (digital photo or film). Guidelines: 1) All photos must represent people (any age) involved with reading or writing activities, 2) Photo info must include names of people in the photo, 3) One winner from each category (adult - taken by someone 18+ years, child - taken by up to age 17, and random draw from all entries). 4) All photos will be posted in the CCPL website at www.caribooliteracy.com, 5) Prizes will be awarded by CCPL and published in the 100 Mile House Free Press.

Email photos to Melody by Dec 17th or email melodynewcombe@gmail.com or mail to: PO Box 48, 108 Mile Ranch, BC V0K 2Z0. Sponsored by the Kiwanis Club Books for Babies project and the Williams Lake Tribune.

9) Williams Lake Film Club - date changed to Dec 10th

The Colour of Paradise is the last film of the season and will be held at 7pm in the Gibralter Room (doors open at 6:30 pm).

10) StepUp BC's web-based resource hub available in February 2014

Are you having difficulty recruiting and retaining talent for your organization? Are you struggling to create a compelling package of employee rewards to compete with the private and public sectors? Have you developed a plan for leadership training and succession?

StepUp BC is devoted to helping BC's non-profit sector address its long-term human resource needs. Non-profits play an essential role in shaping BC's future prosperity, and the common challenges of attracting and retaining workers and developing leadership – faced by all organizations and individuals within the sector – are areas where we aspire to offer support.

Emerging from the BC Non-Profit Sector Labour Market Partnership Project, StepUp BC is currently assembling a one-stop shop of solutions for the most pressing issues in managing and developing the sectors workforce.

In February 2014, StepUp BC will launch a comprehensive web-based resource hub that will be available to all non-profits in BC -free of charge. Hundreds of offerings designed to effectively support you in managing your organization's greatest asset – its people– will be launched in support of every non-profit in the province.

Over the coming months, StepUp BC will reach out to non-profit leaders, employees, volunteers and those interested in the sector. These bulletins will provide regular updates and connect you with the conversation. Subscribing will also establish you and your organization on our list of upcoming users who will be eligible to hear about our knowledge exchange events, and receive sneak previews of some of our resources in the months leading up to the launch.

To stay informed about the launch of our online resource hub, we encourage you to sign up now via our website splash page at
stepupbc.ca and become a part of our growing community of stakeholders. Your involvement will be essential to ensure that our future endeavors are shaped by your voice and the needs and concerns of your organization.

I look forward to your engagement with StepUp BC and hope to correspond with you further in the future. If you have any comments or questions, please do not hesitate to contact me directly at heather.hay@stepupbc.ca.

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