Location: City of Williams Lake (downstairs boardroom). Light lunch provided (donations appreciated but never required).
Attendance (from
sign-in sheet): Jan Fichtner, Matt Neufeld, Michael Lucas, Larry Stranberg,
George
Atamanenko, Jay Goddard, Diana French,
Kourtney Cook, Shannon Thom, Melinda Mitchell, Monica Johnson, Carla Bullinger,
Diane Wright and Jessica Knodel.
Accept Mins & Agenda
During lunch we:
· Reviewed meeting minutes
from Oct 27, 2014 - Motion FSC
· Reviewed meeting agenda for
Jan 26, 2015 - Motion FSC
Guest Presentation by Cariboo Chilcotin Partners for Literacy (CCPL)
Presentation by Cariboo Chilcotin Partners for Literacy (CCPL) in
celebrating of Literacy Week (nationally Jan 25th - 31st). During this week
there is the "Read for 15" challenge and the week ends with the
annual Family Festival being held this year on Feb 1 at the Gibraltar room from
10am - 2pm. This weekend is also the first annual Winter Festival in Williams
Lake with lots of activities also commencing in Boitanio Park.
The CCPL has
been offering services in Williams Lake and 100 Mile House since 1997 and receives
lots of volunteer assistance in both communities. Some programs include:
· Books for
Babies - provides newborn with a bag containing four books. There is in
partnership with Interior Health and The Kiwanis Club. The Kiwanis Club
provided some funding since 2001 but since the organization folded, the CCPL is
in need of another funding partner(s).
· Bright Red
Bookshelf - provides a free book exchange at thirteen locations currently
including one at Boitanio Mall, Doctors offices and the Library. This initiative
also involves the Community Living Association, who builds the shelves. Toyota
also holds an annual book drive for this program.
· PAL program
(partner assisted learning) - a learner centered program that matches adults
ages 18 or older with a one-on-one volunteer partner to help them learn at
their own pace. To become a volunteer for PAL please call 250-392-7833 or email
partnerassistedlearning@gmail.com.
· Financial
Literacy - assists people from all socio-economic
backgrounds on topics such as budgeting, money management and understanding how
credit works. Interestingly, this service is accessed by even very affluent
people who lack these financial management skills.
· Education
and dialogue
Some interesting stats to consider when thinking about Literacy, British Columbians and residents in the Cariboo: 40% of adults in BC do not have the required skills to fill out a job application, or read a map. Also, 22% of adults in the Cariboo between the ages of 21 - 54 have not completed high school, and 60% of immigrants cannot read above a level three.
For more information, to book a presentation, to volunteer, or register for any of these programs please contact the CCPL at 250-392-8161 or visit www.caribooliteracy.com
SPC Board Updates & discussions
Memberships renewals are now due - please send them via mail or
bring them to a SPC meeting. If you require a form, please send an email to
spc-coordinator@xplornet.com. We are an inclusive and open network that never
requires a membership to participate, however monetary memberships help the SPC
and are greatly appreciated to show your organizational support.
UBC Human Geography Field School
Project update - The UBC Human Geography Course Instructor contacted the SPC because
they are looking for a back-up partner agency for the student group that was
working with the City. None of the staff who were working on this project are
employed with the City anymore and they have not received any further
instructions. This group of students are focusing on how the City has
progressed on goals in the Sustainable Communities plan.
The SPC table discussed our
capacity, and responsibility to facilitate the request from UBC and included:
·
The SPC is an independent
organization and this project was endorsed by the last Council, but not necessarily
the current one
·
This project topic ties in with
our strategic & long term SPC goals
·
Can we offer assistance, rather
than take on full partnership responsibilities?
·
We must caution to "bite off
more than we can chew". The spirit of volunteerism
·
We must continue to advocate for
the projects Anne Burrill was responsible for
·
We must consider possible
negative impacts (e.g. on matters of perspectives and proper use of language by
students)
·
Monica Johnson offered her
assistance (after Apr 15th) and Matt Neufeld offered support as needed.
Action Item (based on
consensus): Given our mandate with the City, we as the SPC are in agreement to
pursue finding partnership assistance to accommodate the group of UBC students
in light of the recent staff changes at the City. Jessica to first pursue
discussions with Darrell at the City to discuss possible arrangements.
BC Transit Review
Stakeholders Meeting - Shannon Thom
will be attending the Feb 4th session for the BC Transit review on
behalf of the SPC, and Jay Goddard (and Sharon Taylor) will be attendance.
Meeting with MLA Donna
Barnett - Subjects for the upcoming meeting with Donna Barnett were discussed
and included: Hospital renovations, retention and succession issues (including stats
and info from Larry Stranberg), adult literacy issues, provincial plans (other
than LNG/Liquid Natural Gas), increasing number of retirees.
Action: Jessica will create
a general information package on the SPC including a copy of the last Community
Updates for this meeting.
SD no. 27 Community Use of
Facilities policy follow up update - Bruce is continuing to pursue
problem solving discussions to remove barriers.
Strategic Planning &
discuss impacts of recent City staff changes - In light of the recent
staff changes at the City of Williams Lake, namely the termination of the
Social Development Manager position held by Anne Burrill, the initial thoughts
of the SPC's strategic planning for the upcoming year is to focus on relations
and communications with government bodies including the City, Province and
Cariboo Regional District. Strengthening the flow of communication between City
Council and the SPC is also a priority.
Action - Jessica will setup
a meeting with Darrell Garceau, CAO for the City of Williams Lake to discuss
these changes and how to best proceed.
Roundtable Updates (those not
included in the weekly emails)
Monica Johnson (Self Employed) - All City staff who were working on this
project have been terminated so Monica will finish her action items and submit
them to Darrell CAO for the City.
Melinda Mitchell (United Way) - It is an exciting time of year for the
United Way with the Community Investment Fund grant application process
underway. It was also an amazing experience to see the group of volunteers who
coordinated the first annual Winter Festival - they were so enthusiastic, full
of energy and rallied the support from so many local businesses.
Shannon Thom (WL Employment Services WLES / Horton Ventures) - WLES was granted the
opportunity to offer the TIOW (Targeted Initiative for Older Workers) program
which is a fourteen week employment program for those between the ages of 55 -
65 and offers everything from self esteem to computer skills. There is also a
$350/week training allowance. For more information contact Horton Ventures at
398-5133 or inquiries@hortonventures.com
Kourtney Cook (Taseko Mines) - Copper prices are at a five year low and
there have been staff layoff as a result (including contractors e.g. Ledcor).
The contributions to the UW community investment fund have also been cutback as
a result.
Diana French (Cariboo Chilcotin Conservation Society) - The City has been providing a
fee for service for their Water Wise education program since 2008 and recently
they announced they would be cutting this funding. Since that announcement and
subsequent presentations to Council and the Committee, the City agreed to
continue this funding for a two year period.
Jay Goddard (TRU)- 1) There has also been cutback at the University but enrollment
is anticipated to increase. 2) A Campus Advisory Committee is being
reestablished - stay tuned for invitations to participate. 3) Child and Youth
care program is still on the "radar" as it has been identified as a
community need (at risk youth). 4)Spring break courses for those working with people with
disabilities still has 8/16 spots available. 5) Fetal Alcohol Syndrome course
is being introduced and currently is looking for an instructor. 6 ) New blended
block course is being offered which combines one full week of classroom time,
combined with online time to allow more flexibility.
George Atamanenko- The Seniors Advisory Council will be working towards creating
more linkages between organizations including the downtown WLCBIA and TRU.
Volunteers are always welcomed
Larry Stranberg (Community Futures) - One area Community Futures is
focusing on is diversification of local businesses and exploring ways smaller
communities (e.g. Horsefly) to create their own businesses and consequently
jobs.
Michael Lucas (RCMP Victim Services) - There have been staff changes
at the RCMP detachment. Michael's focus is on the Integrated Youth Team.
Matt Neufeld (Boys and Girls Club) - A new "Amazing Race"
style fundraiser event is taking place on May 23rd within a five km radius
within the downtown core. It is pledge driven (min $380/team) open to teams of
four from businesses, agencies and organizations. The winners receive two
WestJet tickets for anywhere WestJet flies). Checkpoints are needed. Contact
the Club for more info or to get involved. Visit www.raceforkids.ca, on Face
book (RaceforKids) or Twitter (RaceforKidsCan). Sponsors include CapitalOne,
easyhome Ltd, and WestJet.
Jessica Knodel (SPC, Cariboo Growers) - Jessica has started another
small contract position as Coordinator of the Cariboo Chilcotin Coast Invasive
Plant Committee (CCCIPC).
Meeting was
adjourned. The next SPC monthly meeting will be held on Feb 23/15 at 11:30 am -
location TBA
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