Community Updates (6) – May 31, 2013

Community Updates (6) – May 31, 2013

1) Graduation season is coming up… and the Glass Slipper Boutique is open:

Boutique Description: Helps graduates with low income attend their festivities. Loans prom dresses, arranges tux rentals; possible support with grad fees, hair appointments, or other grad expenses. Phone: (250) 267-1467 Email: lora.fairbrother@sd27.bc.ca.

This year, sponsor a grad, help rent a tux, assist with hair and makeup the day of, or help get the boutique items on their “wish list” - see the Boys & Girls Club website http://www.bgcwilliamslake.com/assets/new%20glass%20slipper%20wish%20list.pdf. Currently they are in need of hangers, hair, nail and make-up items fabric, patterns and sewing materials.

There is also a free salon day on Saturday Jun 15 from 10 am – 2 pm to assist with hairdressing, nail art & makeup with volunteers from around the community.

Contact Lora Fairbrother at the Boys & Girls Club for more information at 250-392-5730

2) Women’s Contact Society Updates below

a) Diabetes information Session – Jun 4 from 12 – 1 pm

In partnership with Shoppers Drug Mart , the Womens Contact Society ( is hosting a free information session in their Board Room located at 301 – 19 N. First Ave (above Caribou Ski).

b) Handbags of Hope Auction and Tea – Jun 12 from 5 – 8 pm. Tickets are $25 and available at the Women’s Contact Society, M&M Meats and the Yellow Umbrella. The annual Handbags for Hope fundraiser where people can bid on handbags that contain prizes and gifts (all proceeds go to the Womens Contact Society). Call the Society for more information at 250-392-4118.

c) The Children’s Festival last weekend was cancelled – due to the weather forcast predicting thunderstorms all day. The call, while unfortunate, was made out of respect for the safety of children, participants, and volunteers.

d) Check out the new Women’s Contact Society website at www.womenscontact.org

3) Immigrant & Multicultural Services Society’s  - 2^nd Multicultural Café

On Thursday Jun 6^th from 7 – 8 pm at the Cariboo Regional Library, Caroline Derksen will demonstrate the Mango language. Contact the Library or Sharon Taylor at 778-412-2999 or sharont@imss.ca for more information.

Multicultural Conversation Cafe with Mango Languages:

Thursday June 6^th – 7:00 to 8:00pm

Williams Lake Branch Library - Program Room

Suite A, 180 N. Third Ave, Williams Lake, BC

Learn English, Spanish, French, Hindi, Korean, Mandarin, Tagalog and more on your computer or smart phone.

4) Scout Island Natures Centre – Free event tonight May 30^th at 7 pm.

Fin Donnelly is one of our true conservation heroes. He campaigned to raise awareness of the sorry state of the Fraser River by swimming the entire 1365 kilometer distance from Tete Jaune Cache to Vancouver –TWICE! Now his Rivershed Society runs the annual Sustainable Living Leadership Program, a 3-week rafting expedition/inspirational leadership training for environmentally aware youth.  They traverse the route of his iconic swims learning about the river and designing their own sustainability projects.  Mary Forbes’ project from a few years back is manifesting as the Potato House! More info: http://rivershed.com/sustainable-living-leadership-program_2013

As if that were not dedication enough, he has served as NDP MP for New Westminster-Coquitlam since 2009.

Now, author Helen O'Brian s coming to Scout Island to launch her new book "Fin's Swim". The book is aimed at youngsters in Grades 6-9, but it's a story that will amaze everyone. History, ecology, First Nations significant and of course King Salmon. It should be a fascinating evening...join us, please, and help us spread the word.

May 30, 7:00 pm. 

Free, of course

Scout Island Nature Centre

5) Heart & Stroke Foundation Big Bike – Jun 11

The Heart & Stroke Foundation’s 30-seat Big Bike visits Williams Lake for the 20^th anniversary of it’s fundraising campaign. Individuals can sign up as part of a team of 14 or 29 riders. Ride times can be scheduled between 11 am – 7 pm. For more information visit www.bigbike.ca

6) From the Recreation Complex

a) On Saturday, June 1, 2013 there will be a Toonie Swim at the Sam Ketcham Pool from 1:30 – 4:0pm to celebrate National Health and Fitness Day.

b) KidSport Classic Run – Jun 23

For more information, entry forms & route maps please visit  or call the recreation complex at 250-398-7665 http://www.activewilliamslake.com/activeindex.asp?p=834

Mission:  KidSport of Williams Lake & District is a non-profit organization that is part of a national and provincial network of community based volunteer groups whose goal it is to ensure that all kids in need have access to the positive experience of sport and physical activity. We believe that sport and physical activity provides life-long opportunity for self-expression, goal setting, dedication, and positive-thinking and increased self-confidence for kids.

KidSport provides funds to cover the costs of sport registration for kids who might not otherwise get the chance to play sports.  The statistics are clear: a child involved in sport is likely to be a better student, is less likely to be a burden to the social justice system and will develop life-long physical activity habits which reduce health care costs. The benefits to the child are immeasurable.

Community Updates (5) – May 24, 2013

Community Updates (5) – May 24, 2013

1) Next SPC Meeting – Monday May 24, 2013

Taseko Mines will be presenting to the Social Planning audience at the next SPC Monthly meeting this Monday May 24^th at 11:30 am

Last month’s minutes are available online at:

http://socialplanningcouncil.blogspot.ca/2013/05/monthly-minutes-apr-22-2013.html and both the minutes and agenda are attached.

2) Annual Children’s Festival May 26th in Boitanio Park this weekend!

The annual Children’s Festival organized by the Women’s Contact Society is on Sunday May 26^th in Boitanio Park from 10 am – 3 pm.  Craft booths, picnic sports, local talent performances, free activities, door prizes and more including Magic Show by Magical Jesaja, Children’s concert with Alley-oop, and Interactive Theater with Terri Smith.

3) Children First – Community Planning Session – June 5^th

Please join us in developing a two year plan to make children first. This is a free event for any individual interested in improving early childhood services in our community. We intend to: highlight the social and economic aspects of early childhood services, and assess our community needs.

Dinner will be provided; however we do need to know you are attending. Please RSVP to the Women’s Contact Society at 250-392-4118

4) Fathers Day Pow Pow – Jun 14 – 16^th

The 29^th annual Chief Will-Yum Fathers Day Pow Pow is on Jun 14 – 16^th – everyone is welcome. Weekend highlights: Coming out Ceremonies, Giveaways, Princess Pageant & Little Brave, Honouring our Father’s Celebrations and La Hal Games. Breakfast on Sat & Sun, traditional feast on Sat at 5 pm, Sugar Shack concession on site, and vendors welcome (contact Virginia Gilbert at 250-296-3128 or Mary Alphonse 250-296-3059). Absolutely no alcohol &/or drugs permitted with security on site at all times.

5) CTC’s Positive Action Word of the Week

The Positive Action Word of the Week is:  Self Improvement – To make yourself better by using positive actions.

For more information please contact: Carla Bullinger, Facilitator, Communities that Care, comthatcares@sd27.bc.ca or 250-267-8249.

Monthly Minutes - Apr 22, 2013

Minutes - SPC Monthly Meeting

Apr 22, 2013 - 11:30 am – 1:00 pm

Location: Fellowship Hall (267 Borland Street – Salvation Army location – Church side / Thrift Store next door)

In attendance (from sign-in sheet): Leah Selk, Melissa Newberry, Shannon Thom, Cody Slinn, Carol Thiessen, Krista Niquedet, Claudine Kadonaga, Tatjana Bates, Rosanna McGregor, Bruce Mack, Sharon Taylor, Deb Radolla and Jessica Knodel.

Accept Mins & Agenda  11:30 am

During lunch we: 

Reviewed meeting minutes from Mar 25, 2013

Reviewed the agenda for Apr 22, 2013 meeting

WLFPC Presentation 11:45 am

Tatjana Bates with Cody Slinn showed a short video presentation from the Williams Lake Food Policy Council (WLFPC) and highlighted projects they have worked on, and will be working on in 2013 (visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cRK59-i3I9M). This was the first public showing of the video therefore comments and suggestions were also shared. Tatjana answered questions and encourages people who want a community garden plot to contact them for more details at foodpolicycouncil@hotmail.com or call 250-392-0294.

Community Collaboration 12 pm

Our committee made the following recommendations to the group:

a) An identified need of Social Planning is to involve more organizations from different sectors that we typically do not have represented (in addition to Social Service sectors).

b) One way to accomplish this is to have a relevant guest speaker/presentation at each meeting that would draw different people to the table (for the presentations that are relevant to them e.g. Chamber of Commerce),

c) We also recommend hosting each meeting at a different location each month to also encourage more participation and more diverse involvement.

d) Everyone is encouraged to invite someone they think would be interested in the next meeting’s topic and presentation (see below).

With the previous recommendations in mind, the table then planned the next meeting as follows:

-Taseko Mines will present

-We will be holding at the CCACS/the old fire hall (if available),

-The group then discussed what Taseko should focus on in their presentation/ tailoring it to our table’s needs - they were asked to present on how their organization is planning for any anticipated effects their project will have on the community, and encouraged to address the issues our table has discussed and that Dr. Glen Schmidt spoke about in his presentation last year. More specifically…

·   What are Taseko’s plans concerning the anticipated social impacts of the Prosperity Mine Project? E.g. The increased demand on recreation services, housing, addictions etc. (Dr. Glen Schmidt covered a lot of this subject matter with real life examples from other communities).

·   Perceived timelines – can Taseko provide more information on the specific timelines, critical markers and milestones of the Prosperity Mine project for social planning purposes. Specifics timelines were asked for, rather than just general information. E.g. If we know there is 1-2 years before (blank), then we can plan ahead to (blank).

·   Speak about the list of employment opportunities that were on the display setup in 100 Mile House and how these positions will be filled or recruited for (including any temporary foreign worker plans and/or negotiations with First Nations).

·   Discuss positive steps that Taseko is taking to address potential concerns.

·   How could community organizations help Taseko to plan to mitigate negative anticipated impacts?

Roundtable Updates* 12:30 pm

Sharon Taylor - Immigrant and Multicultural Services Society (Williams Lake Branch)

a) Open House and Launch Party at the IMSS Centre on April 4 was a success with approximately 45 people in attendance including Donna Barnett and Surinderpaul Rathors and lots of media coverage.

b) They are at the beginning stages of designing an Indo Canadian history with memorial statue and/or mural. In WL alone there is over 60 people from the Philippines and over 300 Indo Canadians.

c) They are also working on starting some courses at TRU in the Fall.

Melissa Newberry – United Way

Continue to send updates for www.accesswilliamslake.org – updated printed copies will be distributed throughout the City and if anyone knows of additional locations where a copy would be valuable please let Melissa know.

Krista Niquidet – Taseko Mines

 The Williams Lake Indian Band (WLIB) and Taseko signed a participation and cooperation agreement earlier this month. This is a very positive step that addresses a variety of issues ranging from environmental management, employment and contracting, to economic benefits flowing from the operation of Gibralter Mine.

Claudine Kadonaga – Salvation Army

Funding for the Community Kitchen project was received and a Kitchen Coordinator position will need to be filled. This initiative will include everything from planting food to processing and preserving food. Tatjana Bates, Deb Radolla are also going to talk with Claudine and work together on other community kitchen project goals. Including a multicultural themed event, bringing on other food groups (including the Potato House, Cariboo Growers and WLIB preservation of food) will also be explored.

Rosanna McGregor – Cariboo Friendship Society

a) The SPC Executive met earlier this month to discuss what we are going to present on at the next Council Meeting. Distinguishing the role of The Leaders Moving Forward group was one area discussed.

b) From the Communities that Care (CTC) table – lots is going on including anti-bullying kits. Anecdotal results from the impact of this program are already being felt by parents of younger children.

c) The Commemoration Project celebrations are taking place May 16 – 17^th and is very important to our community as a whole. On a personal note, Rosanna mentioned that she is the first Mother in her family not to have attended St. Josephs Residential school and as many don’t realize, attending this school has had significant impacts on the parenting skills of many First Nations. There are a few websites to visit including  http://www.sjmcommemorationevents.com/. Dr. Brokenleg will also be in Williams Lake again on the 17^th of May for these events and a keynote lunch.

d) Fathers Day Pow Wow is in June and all are invited to attend. Non Native people are welcome and encouraged to join the festivities. More information will be forwarded.

Bruce Mack – Cariboo Chilcotin Partners for Literacy

Funding was reinstated for the Literacy Coordinators. New Horizons also provided some funding.

*All other updates were sent via community updates.

Site Visit (Salvation Army) 12:45 pm

After roundtables, the group moved across the street for a tour of the Salvation Army facilities.

Meeting Adjourned – the next monthly meeting is scheduled for Monday May 27^th at 11:30 am – Location TBA.