New webpage

We are currently designing another webpage to better service the needs of members and the community. We will continue to use this site in the meantime, but stay tuned for upcoming updates to this site.

Next SPC Meeting date

The next regular monthly meeting is scheduled for Jan 30th, 2012 at 11:30 am at City Hall (light lunch by donation).

Community Updates - Jan 13, 2012

Community Updates – January 13, 2012

Below are eight Social Planning and Community updates for you before the Holidays.

1) Indian residential School Adjudication Secretariat & The Cariboo Friendship Society are providing a free Information session on the Independence Assessment Process (IAP).

Community Information Sessions – Jan 19th and 20th from 9 – 4:30 pm at the Cariboo Friendship Society Boardroom (99 South Third Avenue). Everyone is welcome and refreshments will be served.

The IAP is an alternative dispute resolution process for resolving claims of serious abuse suffered at an Indian Residential School. It is one part of the Indian Residential School Settlement Agreement. IAP Info Line – 1-877-635-2648, 24hr Crisis line 1-866-925-4419. The application deadline for IAP is September 19, 2012.

2) Reminder - Lets Talk About Food! Williams Lake Local Food Forum

Saturday January 28
9:00 – 2:00
TRU Cafeteria

As many of you are already aware of, the Williams Lake Food Policy Council has partnered with the City of Williams Lake, Thompson-Rivers University and the Oliver Street Market to bring a Second Local Food Forum to our Community.

Our Five Year Food Action Plan is complete! We need YOUR input in creating our Second Food Action Plan for Williams Lake & Area, which will help to guide & prioritize local food projects and initiatives over the next 5 years. Admission is FREE, please pass this invitation along to anyone else you think might be interested.

Coffee and snacks provided by the Oliver Street Market vendors you've come to love over the summer! Local food Lunch by Cariboo Growers by small donation

As the famous quote by Wendell Berry states, "Eating is an agricultural act"; If you eat, we need to hear your voice at our Local Food Forum.

Michelle Daymond
250-267-2085
candoitconsulting150@gmail.com
tatjana.bates@interiorhealth.ca

3) Please find attached info on XploreSportz Winter 2012 from the Cariboo Memorial Recreation Complex. Registrations need to be in by Jan. 31st. Keep your fingers crossed for some snowfall! Contacy Irene Berns for more information P: (250) 398- 7665 E: iberns@williamslake.ca

4) There is still some funding available from the Central Cariboo Arts & Culture Society (deadline is Jan 16th). Check out their website for more information at http://www.centralcaribooarts.com/

5) Upcoming Library Events

Focus on Financial Literacy
Tuesday January 17th, 7pm, Library program room
DO YOU SPEND A LOT OF TIME JUGGLING DEBTS AND BILLS? ARE YOU SAVING ENOUGH FOR YOUR FUTURE? IS PAYDAY ALWAYS TOO FAR AWAY?

If so, this program is for you.

Put on by Cariboo Chilcotin Partners for Literacy, and proudly supported by a grant from the TD Financial Literacy Grant Fund

Armchair Travel Program, 2012
The extremely popular Armchair Travel program is back at the Cariboo Regional District Library Williams Lake Branch. Event organizer Pam Hedley-Smith has planned an exciting line-up of new speakers and travel destinations. Each Armchair Travel evening features the recent travel experiences of a local community member, through words, pictures, sometimes even music and food. Hold tight speakers are yet to be announced, but the dates are scheduled.

Thursday January 19th
Thursday January 26th
Thursday January 2nd
Thursday January 9th
Thursday January 16th
Thursday January 23rd

Eye Health with Dr. Averi Van Dam
Come to this session on January 31, 7pm in the library program room. In this session Dr. Van Dam will be covering the top 10 “eye myths” we’ve all heard about (ie. Is it safe to wear contacts overnight? Does eating carrots improve your night vision?)

Celebrate Family Literacy Week Jan 21-27, 2012
Read a book and pick up a Literacy Passport at the Williams Lake Library
In partnership with the Cariboo Chilcotin Partners for Literacy, join us Friday January 27th for a Robert Munsch puppet show at 3:30pm. Seating is limited so register early at the front checkout.

Library to hold Elder College class on Introduction to using Ebooks and Audiobooks
Feb 3, 1-3pm – Library program room
Feb 10, 10-12pm – TRU library computer lab
Registration is January 18th, 2012, 1:00pm-2:30pm at St. Andrews’ United Church Hall

NFB Film Nights during the month of February
Wednesday Feb 1, 2012, 7pm

The Chocolate Farmer – Documentary (71 min 22 s)
In an unspoiled corner of southern Belize, cacao farmer Eladio Pop works his plantation in the tradition of his Mayan ancestors. A tender and moving tale, this lush cinematic journey captures a year in the life of the Pop family as they struggle to preserve their values in a dramatically changing world.
Wednesday Feb 15, 2012, 7pm

Mighty Jerome – Documentary (83 min 38 s) – Marking African Heritage Month (February 2012)
A film about the rise, fall and redemption of Harry Jerome, track and field star and one of Canada’s greatest athletes. Gorgeous monochrome imagery, impassioned interviews and astonishing archival footage are used to tell the compelling story of what has been called “the greatest comeback in track and field history.”

Wednesday Feb 29, 2012, 7pm

The Future Is Now! – Documentary (91 min)
In an effort to re-connect a pessimistic “everyman” with humanity, a journalist takes him on a voyage of possibilities, encountering leading thinkers in the arts and sciences. Will the journalist succeed in turning the cynic into an optimist? Will it matter? What can one person do?

6) Community Cookbook… needs you!

The Canadian Mental Health Association in the Cariboo Chilcotin is celebrating Williams Lake’s wonderful and diverse community and is inviting residents of the Cariboo to participate in a community cookbook. Please contact Marilyn Livingston or Tom Salley at 250-398-8220 or marilyn.livingston@cmhawl.org for more info or to get involved.

7) Cariboo Chilcotin Partners for Literacy

REACH A READER & FAMILY LITERACY WEEK
Reach a Reader is taking place Thursday, Jan. 26, 2012. The Williams Lake Tribune is one of our partners and CCPL provides articles, news, and stories for this issue. This issue is then sold by volunteers and local “celebrities” who roam the city and hang around town and businesses on January 26. You can support this effort by making a donation and/or buying a newspaper from one of our volunteers.

Family Literacy Day is Jan. 27, but the Williams Lake Library & CCPL have activities planned for the entire week. In addition, you can visit the ABC Life Literacy website for activity ideas around family literacy. There is a Journey to Learning Passport for Family Literacy Day for families – copies of passport are available at the WL library - , and there is also a section just for adults with adult-themed tip sheets and activities to encourage year-long learning. Their website: www.abclifeliteracy.ca

FAMILY FEST
Family Fest is confirmed for Sunday, February 5 at Marie Sharpe School from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. This is a popular free event which CCPL has been organizing for the last few years. Kirsten Stark, whom you’ve probably met as our Financial Literacy Coordinator, is organizing the event. You can contact Kirsten at kirsten@caribooliteracy.com for more information. We also welcome volunteers who can help set up or clean up on the day of the event.

FINANCIAL LITERACY
Kirsten Stark, Financial Literacy Coordinator, will be offering one-to-one support as well as workshops beginning in February. An information session on her free workshops will be held at the Williams Lake library on Jan. 17 at 7:00 p.m. Monthly workshops will begin in February, and they will take place at various locations with a range of guest speakers from local financial institutions. Attached with this update is the workshop schedule. For more information contact Kirsten at kirsten@caribooliteracy.com

ABORIGINAL EMPOWERMENT GATHERINGS (POSTER IS ATTACHED)
CCPL received funding through the Aboriginal Community Adult Literacy Program to provide this program. The purpose of the Urban Aboriginal Empowerment Gatherings is to: support the literacy needs of Aboriginal learners creatively, flexibly and sensitively; and to enhance confidence and improve well-being. The first session will take place on January 18th, 12:00 p.m. at TRU and the topic will be Motivation and Encouragement. Philip Johnson from Nenqyani Treatment and Wellness Center has graciously volunteered to attend as our guest speaker. Caroline Derksen from the Cariboo Regional District Library will be in attendance with books on motivation and has offered to be part of the discussion. Child minding and lunch will be provided. For more information contact Janette Moller, 250-392-8161.

INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTERS
This free workshop will take place:
Where: Public Library
When: Every Second Tuesday starting Jan. 17 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Who is it for: This workshop is intended for people with no prior computer knowledge or experience.
People must pre-register at the library or with Janette Moller at the PAL office, 250-392-8057 or by email at partnerassistedlearning@gmail.com

8) A Series of Sustainable Gardening Workshops are starting at the end of February. Please contact TRU for more information or to register.

Community Updates

Community Updates – Nov 11, 2011

1) If you were unable to attend the Social Planning Council AGM and Social Development Strategy Input Session in partnership with the City of Williams Lake you can still have your voice heard. To participate online, please email aburrill@williamslake.ca or call 250-392-2311.

2) Municipal Election Kits are still available. View, print or download online at http://www.firstcallbc.org/pdfs/CurrentIssues/MuniKit2011.pdf .

3) CCACS 2012 Grants Available

The Central Cariboo Arts and Culture Society is making grants available in 2012 for arts and culture in Williams Lake and the Central Cariboo (CRD Areas D, E, F).

Project Grants of between $300 and $2,000 are available for projects which
• Are new or build creatively on previous work
• Increase participation in arts & culture
• Must be completed before December 31, 2012

Operating Grants of up to $3,000 are available to assist registered non-profit arts and culture organizations in developing and enhancing their arts and culture programming.

The deadline for applications is Monday, January16, 2012 at 5pm, and full details, adjudication criteria and application requirements can be obtained by visiting www.centralcaribooarts.com or by request from info@centralcaribooarts.com.

Awards will be made by the Cariboo Regional District and the City of Williams Lake on the recommendation of the Central Cariboo Arts and Culture Society

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

4) Toyota Evergreen Learning Grounds Funding is available. Schools can apply for up to $3500 and daycares to $2000 to go towards school ground greening and food garden projects across Canada. There are three more deadlines to submit an application for the 2011 – 2012 school year (Dec 2, 2011 March 16, 2012, and Jun 1, 2012). Contact Evergreen at 1-888-426-3138 or email info@evergreen.ca for more information.

5) The Central Cariboo Arts & Culture Society invites you to the following workshops.

Grant Applications: A Grantor’s View: November 17, 2011, 6pm – 9pm, at the Central Cariboo Arts Centre with Instructor: Graham Kelsey. Registration: No charge. Please register at 778-412-9044 or info@centralcaribooarts.com. The workshop will introduce commonly made pitfalls in grant applications (e.g. budgeting, project description etc.) Participants will be engaged in working on how to avoid them.

Running Productive Meetings: DATE HAS CHANGED TO JANUARY 12, 2012 6pm – 9pm, at the Central Cariboo Arts Centre with Instructor: Graham Kelsey. Registration: No charge. Please register with the CCACS at 778-412-9044 or email info@centralcaribooarts.com. Participants will learn the basics of preparing, chairing and constructively participating in meetings that are efficient, effective and stimulating.

Building an Artist Portolio: January 21, 2012, 9am – 12:30pm, at the Central Cariboo Arts Centre with Instructor: Cat Fink. Registration: Cost is $20 per individual, or $35 includes registration for “Creating Artist Proposals”. Please register by January 13, 2011. This workshop is on the basics of creating your portfolio.

Creating Artist Proposals: January 21, 2012, 1:30pm – 5pm, at the Central Cariboo Arts Centre with Instructor: Cat Fink. Registration: Cost is $20 per individual, or $35 includes registration for “Building an Artist Portfolio”. Please register by January 13, 2011. This workshop is on the basics of putting together a proposal for entry to group shows, solo shows, and residencies.

To register or for more information please contact Leah Selk, Coordinator , Central Cariboo Arts and Culture Society, 778-412-9044, info@centralcaribooarts.com

AGM & Social Development Strategy Input Session in partnership with the City of Williams Lake

Social Development Strategy Input and Social Planning Council Annual General Meeting

The Social Planning Council of Williams Lake in partnership with the City of Williams Lake would like to invite you to an opportunity to give input to a social development strategy for our community. This is the next step of planning for our community now that we have a new Official Community Plan (OCP).

We also hope to establish priorities for the work of the Social Planning Council in the coming year.

In addition we invite you to:

Hear updates on Social Planning projects over the last year,

•The Living Wage Project
•Communities that Care
•Access Williams Lake
•The Memorandum of Understanding between SPC and the City of William Lake
•Food Policy Council

And to participate in our Annual General meeting

When: Monday Oct. 24 5:00 – 8:00 pm
Where: Thompson Rivers University Gathering Place

Dinner provided RSVP: Jessica Knodel
Social Planning Council of Williams Lake & Area
spc-coordinator@xplornet.com, 250-243-2126

See you in the Fall

Monthly Social Planning Council meetings will resume in the fall. Our next meeting is scheduled for Monday September 26, 2011 at City Hall (11:30 am start time). See you then!

Meeting Minutes – March 28, 2011

Meeting Minutes – March 28, 2011

Attendance (from sign-in sheet): Ann Smith, Carrie Sundahl, Nancy Gale, Michelle Daymond, Jocelyn Wood, Michael Lucas, Tatjana Bates, Frances Rutherford, Annie McKitrick, Jay Goddard, Jan Fichtner, Rosanna McGregor, Kimberly McLennan, Sally Errey and Jessica Knodel.

1) Review and acceptance of the Mar 28/11 meeting minutes and May 2/11 agenda

2) Feature Speaker – Sally Errey, BBP (blood borne pathogens) Prevention Worker for the Boys & Girls Club, discusses Harm Reduction Strategies.

Presentation Summary: All of us take risky behaviours throughout our lives and BBP Harm Reduction Programs provide safe options and alternatives to minimize these risks and thereby reducing costs to people and society.

Blood Borne Pathogen Harm Reduction strategies include: Drop-in centres, public health outreach, emergency shelters, condom distribution, needle exchanges, overdose prevention campaigns, needle drop boxes, prescription narcotics, supervised drug consumption facilities.

Harm Reduction strategies are evidence based from research all across the world and is supported by Interior Health. As an example the Insight Society reported a 30% reduction in over doses after Harm Reduction strategies were implemented.

The group of third year nursing students working with Sally have now completed their project on this subject. They applied a Community Readiness Assessment Tool kit and administered survey questions to a wide sample of friends, family, teachers and others from around the City. Their Final Report results showed high scores in denial and resistance. The students Bobby Lindemark, Connie Casler and Haley
Engel also created a brochure about Harm Reduction that should be printed soon with assistance from Interior Health.

What can we all do? Strategies in the tool kit include: a) Announcing and highlighting the prevalence of BBP within the local community to really “hit home” (a local example is that there is a high prevalence of chlamydia and gonorrhea within Williams Lake), b) speaking to groups at every opportunity and sharing what you learn with others afterwards, and c) having an educational table and display at events.

One current initiative in Williams Lake is providing free & confidential CARE Packages which include condoms available at Shoppers Drug Mart, Public Health Office (540 Borland), CMHA (across from Safeway), Womens Contact Society (above Cariboo Ski), Kornak & Hamm’s Pharmacy, Cariboo Friendship Society, the Yorston Medical Clinic, and Mental Health office (487 Borland Street).

To book a presentation to help raise awareness or for copies of brochures or posters, please contact Sally (prevention@noopa.org, 250-392-5730).

Discussions which followed:

Annie noticed that unlike other communities Williams Lake appears to be lacking options and asked what types of Pregnancy Prevention Programs are available to people in Williams Lake?

Sally answered the long term goal is to get a clinic in Williams Lake for marginalized youth with no options available to them. Currently it is very hard to even get a PAP screening in town for those without a family doctor (which many don’t have due t the limited amount of local Physicians. Current local options include a) “Compassionate Package” which is a Government Program through referral from a family doctor and takes 4 – 6 weeks, and b) Emergency contraceptive is available at the cost of approximately forty dollars.

3) Employment Program Contract Proponent Requests

Two employment services proposals from Williams Lake are being submitted to the Province of BC for consideration. The SPC has been asked to write letter of support for both Horton & Associates (Williams Lake Employment Services) and jointly for AXIS & ESP Consulting. The table agreed that it is not in conflict of interest to write letters for both agencies as long as the SPC focuses on the “need” of the services both these proposals provide (rather than endorsing agencies themselves).

Action: Jay will draft both letters and circulate them for feedback. The SPC will then send a letter of support to each agency.

4) Williams Lake Food Policy Council (WLFPC) Community Gardens

Currently the FPC needs 3 million liability insurance for their garden space before the City can allow people to use the sites.

Pursuing insurance for the gardens requires other layers of insurance to be in place within their “parent” organization, at present the SPC. Other options include finding another parent organization (currently there is not enough man power at the FPC to form their own society).

The SPC Executive wants to assist the FPC to get their community gardens available for use as soon as possible and is comfortable keeping the FPC as a sub-committee for the interim, but require more communication with the Board of the SPC. Jay point out that Director’s Insurance for example doesn’t help anyone if the SPC is not involved with the FPC.

It was decided that at least one Director from the SPC Board needs to have an active role within the FPC and report directly to the SPC Executive. Nancy Gale was nominated to be a Board Member for this role and agreed to be the liaison between the SPC Board table and Michelle Daymond the current sub-contracted Food Action Coordinator for the FPC.

The SPC does not currently have the additional insurance policies the FPC requires, and since they have no confirmed funding past June, the FPC offered to help pay for insurance.

Action: Rosanna will follow up with Insurance Agent to pursue further insurance.

5) Communities That Care Program update April 2011 – Carrie Sundahl

Sustainability Working group meeting - Goals were determined as:

oContinuation of Contract
oForward planning regarding Youth Survey
oGrowth in membership
oGrowth in Evidence Based programs

Youth Engagement Working group – Art Mural ceremony with the Strong Women of Tomorrow. The ceremony was emotional and very profound as each youth shared their experience. Other organizations have approached the group to do a mural.

Implementation Working Group – RCMP have secured more funding to purchase Positive Action materials for Alkali Lake. It was stressed that the RCMP not be seen as a funding resource. A press release will be written to announce the funding.

Three one page description were created to help inform the community:
oWhat is Communities That Care?
oWhat is Positive Action?
oHow to Invest in Communities That Care Evidence Based Programs?

April 13/14 I-minds presentation and Pro-D Day. CTC participated in the workshop to promote the CTC project and Positive Action as well as learn more about the Imind program resources

April 18 – CTC Board Meeting. Items discussed were:

oCTC contract renewal. MCFD chose the School district as the new contract holder. The new contract will start September 2011 – May 2012. Reasons included:

oInfrastructure was considered within the 9 month period
oAligns with goals of aboriginal framework
oFuture funding was considered
oChallenging for a new agency to establish goals in the 9 month period
oOver the 9 months, the school district could make lead way in the business, aboriginal and social service sectors.
oQuestions were written on 5 pieces of flipchart paper to get the Board members feedback:

1.What is the role of CTC?
2.What is the role of the Key Leader Board?
3.What is the role of the Community Board?
4.Who needs to be involved?
5.What resources do we need?

Preparations are being made for the BC Rural Network presentation on May 24/25. A video will be created with interviews from community members on their experience with CTC

Next Community Board meeting will be May 10, 2011, and the next Key Leader meeting will be June 14, 2011. An invitation was passed around for new members to join the Key Leader Board and attend the next meeting.

Materials made available at the meeting included: “What is Communities that Care?”, “What is positive Action?”, “How to INVEST in CTC Evidence Based Programs” and a formal “Invitation to join the CTC Key Leader Board”– For copies of these documents please email ctc@williamslake.ca or spc-coordinator@xplornet.com

6) BC Rural Network AGM and Conference May 24 & 25th, 2011 reminder

With visitors from all across British Columbia, this incredible two day event is sponsored in partnership between TRU, the SPC and the South Cariboo Social Planning Committee. Some confirmed activities include:

•Communities that Care Presentation
•Living Wage Presentation
•Michael McCarthy Flynn (aka “the Living Wage Guru”) from the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (CCPA) will be speaking on May 24th,
•Panel discussions – Food Initiatives, Natalie Clark on Engaging Youth, Social Media for Community Development
•Un-sessions (with a theme and moderator) – Food Policy, Youth Leadership, and Arts & Culture
•Tuesday afternoon session on “e-learn”

These events are free for youth, and for adults costs $20 for a half day or $40 for a full day. You can also join the BC Rural Network for $40 and as a member can get in for free (if there is space left).

The SPC also discussed asking Michael McCarthy Flynn to speak at a venue open to the public Tuesday evening.

Maureen will be sending out press releases and invitations.

7) Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the City of Williams Lake - Annie McKitrick

The draft MOU between the SPC and the City of Williams Lake that was distributed to the membership for feedback last month is being presented to Council for consideration tonight. Council will also be reviewing the Secondary Suite Policy and reading the Official Community Plan (OCP).

This will be the last SPC meeting Annie will be attending as she is moving to Alberta to work in a similar capacity. Anne Burrill will be returning as the actual Manager of Social Development for the City of Williams Lake on May 17, 2011.

The SPC took this opportunity to thank Annie for all the hard work and amazing work she has done in the community during her time at the City. Her work is appreciated by everyone at the table and we thank-her very much. Annie also thanked the group for their hard work and cooperative efforts.

8) Round table updates (limited due to time constraints)

Annie - The last Community Capacity Building meeting was a very valuable meeting which Monica attended and can provide more information about. The SPC should continue with these capacity building initiatives.

Nancy (CDC) – a) Expansion Plans for the 2nd Avenue Building continue. The greatest need is for more office space, meeting space, and service centre & client space. Instead of two floors the design plans now include single storey additions with a retaining wall, b) Good News! - Funding has been approved for a new clinic to server the broader Chilcotin Area and two Shuswap communities.

Michelle (FPC) – Upon Annie’s recommendation, Michelle recently attended an Enterprising for Non-profits Seminar and learned about many available funding and programs available. If anyone would like more information please contact Michelle at 250-267-2085 or michelle.daymond@gmail.com.

Sally (Boys & Girls Club, Canadian Cancer Agency) - Provided posters for some ProD Day Sessions on May 13th, 2011 - To register for either of the sessions below please contact Rayna at rayna.carpenter@sd27.bc.ca or 250-398-3855

•Creating Safe Spaces Workshop focused on discrimination and bullying is taking place on the Pro D Day May 13th from 1 – 3pm at Columneetza Secondary School. This is for Counsellors, Social Jstice Advocates, Youth Workers, Community Service Providers, Parents and Students.

•Hi5Living Toolkit – Hi5Living.org is an interactive toolkit designed by Teachers, for Teachers. It was created by the BC Cancer Aency Prevention Programs as part of our Healthy Living School Program to deliver positive messages and reliable information about healthy choices. There is a Pro D Day session on May 13th from 9:30 – 11:30 am at Columneetza Secondary.

Meeting Adjourned: the next regular scheduled meeting is rescheduled for Monday May 30, 2011 11:30 am City Hall (due to May 23 being a holiday).