Community Updates (15) – Nov 14, 2014

Table of Contents:

1) Get out and VOTE tomorrow - from 8 am - 8pm

2) Social Planning Council's AGM Nov 24th- Presentation on "Project Comeback"

3) Christmas Kettles Campaign begins Nov 15th

4) City Encourages Residents To Have Their Say on Provincial 10-Year Transportation Plan

5) Hospice's 19th Annual Memory Tree Celebration

6) Williams Lake Indian Band Elders Group – Christmas Bazaar Fundraiser

7) Celebrate National Childs Day - Nov 20th from 6:45 - 8pm at the Rec Centre

8) External Review of the Williams Lake TRU campus - your input is welcomed

9) Roses: The SPC thanks the Chamber of Commerce

10) Lets talk about Food Security in rural communities! - Nov 19th from 9:30 am - 4pm

11) The 4th annual Earth Friendly Holiday Event at the arts centre Nov 28

12) Reminder - Central Cariboo Arts & Culture Society's 2015 Grant Application & Deadlines

13) City of Williams Lake - online Community Calendar of Events

14) Communities that Care's - Positive Action Word of the Week - "Healthy"

15) Youth Justice free webcast - Nov 20th in celebration  on National Child Day

1) Get out and VOTE tomorrow - from 8 am - 8pm

The Social Planning Council encourages everyone to vote in the following elections. Resources to help you get informed and ready to vote are below and online at http://socialplanningcouncil.blogspot.ca/2014/10/how-to-vote-in-upcoming-elections-on_19.html

2) Social Planning Council's AGM Nov 24th- Presentation on "Project Comeback"

This is your invitation to our Annual General Meeting being held on Monday Nov 24th at 11:30 am at the City of Williams Lake. At this meeting "Project Comeback" will presenting and everyone is encouraged to attend, and bring an interested friend.

3) Christmas Kettles Campaign begins Nov 15th

Salvation Army Kettles will be setup to take donations at Walmart, Canadian Tire, the Wholesale Club, SaveOnFoods, Safeway and the Liquor Store. To volunteer call Sandra at 250-392-1072 or Ben at 250-392-2423.

4) City Encourages Residents To Have Their Say on Provincial 10-Year Transportation Plan

The City of Williams Lake encourages all residents to provide their input to the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure’s B.C. On the Move 10-year Transportation Plan.

The Province is developing the new 10-year plan to address the transportation network British Columbia uses to move people and goods with the following short-, medium-, and longer-term priorities: Moving people and goods safely and reliably; Growing the economy; Connecting and strengthening communities; Maximizing collaboration and investment with partners, including First Nations, the federal government, regional and local governments, and the private sector.

The Province is welcoming feedback from B.C. residents until December 12, 2014. The Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure will meet with key stakeholders, including First Nations, local governments, port and airport authorities and other community leaders, to talk about transportation issues that are important to them. Discussions will focus on opportunities for improvements to the transportation network that can help build healthy, sustainable communities and support jobs and families in a growing provincial economy.

Input gathered from this public engagement process and from stakeholder meetings will be considered as government develops the new 10-year plan. The plan will be posted online in early 2015, and will set out a series of short, medium and longer-term priorities for government.

Those interested in providing feedback can do so in a number of ways:

Information about regional and local transportation and an online survey are available at www.engage.gov.bc.ca/transportationplan

E-mail transportationplan@gov.bc.ca or phone 1-800-855-4850

Mail P.O Box 3623 Vancouver Main, Vancouver, B.C. V6B 3Y6

At an upcoming Twitter Town Hall (to be announced by the Ministry).

5) Hospice's 19th Annual Memory Tree Celebration

The Williams Lake Hospice Society is celebrating their 19^th Annual Memory Tree Celebration on Sunday, December 7^th @ the Council Chambers, City Hall from 3:00pm to 4:30 pm. It is the perfect opportunity to remember and commemorate those who have passed away and a place for our community to gather for mutual support.

Our volunteers will also be sitting at Save-On Foods from Monday, November 24^th to Saturday, December 6^th from 10am- 6pm collecting loved-ones names for the Memory Book and donations for Memory Tree ornaments. The celebration opens in the City Hall lobby with snacks and refreshments, followed by poems and spiritual readings in the City Hall Chambers. Choir performances, harp music, candle lighting, reading of the Memory Book and a moment of silence are all part of the festivities. The celebration concludes with the lighting of the Memory Tree outside City Hall at 4:30pm.

Everyone is invited!! Whether you are there to remember a loved one and purchase an ornament in their name or simply to celebrate the season.

If you wish to donate in memory of a loved one and have their name added to the Memory Tree, please come see us at Save On Foods from November 24th -December 6^th.

Call Hospice at 250-392-5430 for more information.

6) Williams Lake Indian Band Elders Group – Christmas Bazaar Fundraiser

When: November 29, 2014

Where:  Elizabeth Grouse Gymnasium 2674 Indian Drive Williams Lake

Time: 10:00 am—3:00 pm

Come on out and show case your crafts or shop for that unique Christmas Gift. Concession, 50/50 Draw, Loonie Auction also available.

Willie Sellars will be on site from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. for book signing – Dipnetting with Dad.

To rent a table contact  Roxanne Stobie at (250) 296-3507 ext 101 (Roxanne.Stobie@williamslakeband.ca) or Sally Wynja 250-296-4628

**Early registration $10/table  or day of event $15/table**

7) Celebrate National Childs Day - Nov 20th from 6:45 - 8pm at the Rec Centre

Free event on Thursday Nov 20th from 6:45 - 8pm at the Recreation Complex. Bring your child to the Complex to enjoy a free swim, music fun, dental health and PJ story time. This event is sponsored by Success by Six and the CRD. For more  information please call 250-398-7665

8) External Review of the Williams Lake TRU campus - your input is welcomed

The SPC is invited to participate in an external review of the Thompson Rivers University Williams Lake Campus. The SPC now asks for you to send answers to the questions below as posed by TRU so we can accurately reflect the viewpoints of our membership and community members. Please send your replies by Nov 28th.

-Are the Williams Lake and Regional campuses meeting the key responsibilities to students -and the community?

-What is your perception of service and quality of programming?

-Is the current nature of programming appropriate?  If not, what additional programming should be offered?

-Are the Williams Lake and Regional Campuses meeting the needs of aboriginal peoples?

-What are the strengths and weaknesses of Williams Lake and the regional campuses?

-Are the current budget model and resourcing of the regional operations appropriate? 

-What changes need to be considered in the near and/or long term?

-How should Williams Lake and Regional Campuses measure success?

9) Roses: The SPC thanks the Chamber of Commerce

"The Social Planning Council of Williams Lake and Area would like to send a big bouquet of roses to the Chamber of Commerce for allowing us to be involved in the planning of the two all-candidates meetings October 27 and October 28.

We knew that our organization did not have the capacity at present to organize and manage such a meeting, and so we asked the Chamber if we could send them some questions about the social needs of the community for candidates to answer. To our delight, the Chamber leadership invited us to participate more fully in planning the events, and were very pro-active in seeking broader community representation.

When asked in the Tribune about working with the Social Planning Council, Chamber representative Scot Durward pointed out that "social and livability issues are very important for the health of the entire community, including businesses." There is no natural division between business and social interests - a good community which supports all its members is likely to also be one which has a stable economic base. We look forward to working with the Chamber on other issues of sustainability and retention strategies.

A special bouquet of flowers goes to Claudia Blair, ED of the Chamber of Commerce, and Jaylyn Byer, who provided great administrative support." - Sharon Taylor

10) Lets talk about Food Security in rural communities! - Nov 19th from 9:30 am - 4pm

Please save the date Wed Nov 19 from 9:30 – 4:00 for a Food Security webinar for rural communities.  Williams lake Food Policy Council has registered as a host site which means we will have a room booked in Williams Lake for participants to watch the webinar together and interact or you can watch the webinar from a computer in your community.  Having a host site will allow many other people across to BC participate and not use up too many lines.  You can choose to come to Williams Lake or host in your own community.  There is no need to register, as a host we will do that for you.  The webinar will be a great opportunity to discuss food security in rural communities together!  Please spread widely and contact Tatjana for room details at 250-267-5412 or 250-302-5010 or tatjana.lauzon@interiorhealth.ca or visit the links below:

http://planh.ca/events/virtual-food-connections

http://planh.ca/sites/default/files/food_security_connections_draft_schedule.pdf

11) The 4th annual Earth Friendly Holiday Event at the arts centre, Friday November 28th from 6 - 9pm, and Saturday November 29th from 11 - 2. Enjoy a bowl of soup to the sounds of live seasonal music, or make your own gifts from recycled materials. Local artists and crafters will guide you in making wreaths, wrapping paper, bird feeders and ornaments. Visit the gift shop, where local artisans and producers will have their goods on sale. As usual the event is free to all ages. This event is made possible with the support of the Cariboo Regional District and City of Williams Lake via the Central Cariboo Arts and Culture Society.

12) Reminder - Central Cariboo Arts & Culture Society's 2015 Grant Application & Deadlines

The CCACS for Williams Lake and CRD Areas D, E and F

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 on the recommendation of the Central Cariboo Arts and Culture Society (Central Cariboo Arts & Culture function), and is subject to the availability of funds.

The 2015 Grants program is now accepting Project Grant applications with a deadline of January 30, 2015 at 4pm.

Project Grants of between $300 and $2,000 are available for projects which

• Are new or build creatively on previous work
• Are likely to increase participation in arts & culture
• Take place within the Central Cariboo region (Williams Lake and/or CRD Areas D, E, and F)
• Will be completed by December 31^st 2015
• Include some financial or in-kind contribution by the applicant

GRANT WRITING WORKSHOP
January 8^th, 2014, 6pm – 8pm, at the Central Cariboo Arts Centre
Instructor: Graham Kelsey
This is a free workshop – Register by January 6^th with Leah at 778-412-9044 or info@centralcaribooarts.com

(Pre-reading is required).

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.

FURTHER INFORMATION
Applicants, specifically new applicants, are encouraged to contact CCACS before filling out the application. For further information on this program, contact CCACS Executive Director Leah Selk at:

Central Cariboo Arts and Culture Society
90 Fourth Avenue North, Williams Lake, BC  V2G 2C6
Telephone: 778-412-9044
Email:  info@centralcaribooarts.com
Web: www.centralcaribooarts.com

13) City of Williams Lake - online Community Calendar of Events

Did you know, when the City of Williams lake launched their new website they added a Community Calendar of Events? If your group or organization has upcoming events please email the following details to bholden@williamslake.ca:

Name of Event

Date including start and end time

Location with address

Cost

Short description of the event

Contact person with email and/or phone number & website

Check out the calendar at www.williamslake.ca

14) Communities that Care's - Positive Action Word of the Week - "Healthy"

On Monday, Nov. 17, schools are starting Unit 2 of Positive Action:  Physical and Intellectual Positive Actions for a Healthy Self-Concept.   

Here’s a summary of what the lessons will focus on:  Students become aware of their responsibility for the care of their bodies and minds, and learn the physical and intellectual aspects of self-concept.  They learn that positive people take good care of their bodies and minds; they feel healthy and strong and are excited by ideas.  Lessons focus on specific positive actions for physical health (nutrition, hygiene, avoiding harmful substances, exercise, sleep, avoiding illness) and positive actions for intellectual health (learning, problem solving, creative thinking, memory, curiosity).

The Positive Action word of the week of Nov 17th is Healthy: To be well or have good health.

If you would like more background information about Positive Action please contact Carla Bullinger at 250-267-8249 or email comthatcares@sd27.bc.ca

15) Youth Justice free webcast - Nov 20th in celebration  on National Child Day

Youth Justice is hosting a free webcast on November 20^th in recognition of National Child Day called "A Discussion about the Real Life Experiences of Youth in Canada".  

The Youth Justice and Strategic Initiatives Section and the Family Children and Youth Section at the Department of Justice Canada are co- hosting this webcast in recognition of National Child Day.  Celebrated annually on November 20th, National Child Day is dedicated to promoting and safeguarding the rights of children and youth, and commemorates the United Nations' adoption of the Declaration of the Rights of the Child on November 20, 1959 and the Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) on November 20, 1989.  This year we celebrate the 25^th Anniversary of the UNCRC.

Our presenters will share information and personal experiences relating to: The history of the UNCRC in the Canadian context; Key UNCRC provisions relating to the protection of children from harm; and the importance of the UNCRC for vulnerable youth in Canada, especially those who are involved in the child welfare and youth justice systems, and those who have experienced violence and exploitation.

*Pre-registration is required – please register here to view this webcast:

http://www1.webcastcanada.ca/stream/registration/nov2014eng.php

This session will be broadcast live and will not be accessible afterwards.

Once registered, a URL will be sent to participants. The presentation will be delivered in English with simultaneous interpretation in French.

Participants will have an opportunity to send questions via email to the speakers during the webcast in both official languages.

For more information about National Child Day and other events taking place across Canada, visit: http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/ncd-jne/index-eng.php .

Take time to celebrate children's rights on National Child Day and throughout the year! Join us on November 20, 2014.