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.