March 28, 2011 Meeting Minutes
Attendance (from sign-in sheet): Carrie Sundahl, Cindy Davis, Michelle Daymond, Ray E. Saunders, Michael Lucas, Nancy Gale, Annie McKitrick, Sally Errey, Monica Johnson, Jay Goddard, Jessica Knodel and Jocelyn Wood.
1)Review and acceptance of the Feb 28/11 meeting minutes and Mar 28/11 agenda
2)Feature Speaker – Dr. Ray E. Sanders (Director, Williams Lake Campus and Regional Centres, TRU) talks about the new "Leaders moving Forward" task force in Williams Lake.
Background: Dr. Ray Saunders grew up in Oklahoma and recently moved to Williams Lake. He started as the new campus Director at TRU in Williams Lake in September and is very happy to be in this community. “Leaders moving Forward” is an informal and non-political group of individuals within the community that came together in response to the question “What happens if we do, or do not get Prosperity Mine” and what social impacts will this have. The group meets every three weeks on Friday mornings at Alley Katz and consists of many individuals including Kerry Cook, Tracy Gard, Diane Wright, Gordon Horton, Jeremy Vogt, Glen Holling, and Katherine Witman.
Summary: "Leaders moving Forward" task force recognizes that economic development does not occur without social development (and vice versa). Their focus is on the big picture and act as a clearing house for ideas across agencies. The goal is “improving quality of life for everyone at every level”. The group brought in a consultant to tackle three out of ten areas of the City’s Official Community Plan (OCP): Social Well Being, Resilient Economy and Partnering with First Nations which has since became their focus.
Discussions which followed:
Jay pointed out that the SPC’s is currently the “go-to” body (within the City’s OCP) as a leadership table for Social Development and Well-being therefore the Leaders moving Forward task force and the SPC need to work together. Now is the best time to start collaborating as the SPC continually struggles to get representatives from the business sector to the table, and as Ray stated the Leaders moving Forward group recognizes “economic development does not occur without social development (and vice versa)”.
Ray agreed the work of the Social Planning Council (SPC) has a huge role to play and currently individuals within the Leaders moving Forward group that also work with the SPC include Diane Wright and Nancy Gale. This group however has no formal mandate such as the SPC which is a formal Society. Rather, it is individuals (as themselves) meeting to informally discuss. If they get too formal group attendance will die out so they want to remain informal. Nancy added that they did not get together as a group per se, rather as people with experience in many different areas.
Jay asked what the relationship between the SPC and Leaders moving Forward group is and Monica expressed surprise that the SPC wasn’t involved especially by recommendation of the outside consultant since this Society is very old and established within the community. Jay and Michael highlighted communication as key at all levels and that social well-being needs to be approached by many different lenses (e.g. social worker & business chairman).
Ray reiterated the Leaders moving Forward group has no power by itself. Instead it is breaking down silos and cross pollinating ideas. The goal is to generate ideas and collaborate to locate resources. Nancy mentioned it takes time for all groups to even understand what each other does and Kerry Cook as Mayor responded by bringing people together so the community could start tackling the issues and concerns that are continually brought to her desk.
Michael acknowledged and thanked the Leaders moving Forward group for modelling good behaviour and way of doing things including taking the time to speak at the SPC table today.
Jay concluded that dialogue should continue around the crime prevention issues the CTC program raised within Williams Lake. Everyone agrees our community is an exciting place to be and it is a golden opportunity, right now, to combine dialogues between the Social and Business communities.
3) Discuss any SPC business items.
Communities that Care (CTC) – Carries Sundahl
•CTC attended the Gabor Training’s evening presentation
•RCMP has funding for Positive Action (PA) materials.
•PA packages were made available at the Library on Mar 14 (I-Mind for grades 6-10).
•Art mural and Ceremony with the Cariboo Friendship Centre’s SWAT (Strong Woman of Tomorrow).
•Oversight meeting to create a work plan for the program’s transition
•In Anahim money is available for the program “Empowered by Horses” which is tailored to the risk factors of women.
•PA has extended into 100 Mile House schools which is a very positive spin off of the CTC Program.
•Jay noted testimonials and presentation of direct results is invaluable for securing ongoing momentum and spin-off projects. Nancy added that “Worry Dragon” was kept because of program testimonials.
Food Policy Council (FPC) – Michelle Daymond
•Carson Drive garden is continuing to be developed.
•The Cariboo Lodge wants to provide garden space again this year.
•Seedy Saturday event is on April 16. It is being held at the Community Corner building Parking lot in conjunction with the first year anniversary of the site housing Cariboo Growers, BIA and Community Policing.
Living Wage Project – Monica Johnson
•The project is almost complete. The final draft will be sent to the SPC Executive first and then to the Board.
•In addition to its original calculations it will include different variables and other instruments (e.g. benefits and/or salary options).
•There will be a presentation on the Living Wage as part of the BC Rural Networking Conference.
•There may be available funds to bring Michael MCCarthy Flynn (a Living Wage BC expert) to speak in Williams Lake. On April 11 in the GVRD there is a conference which Sally is attending. Sally will bring back information she learned to the SPC table.
•Michael noted a presentation on the Living Wage would be very valuable for the Leaders moving Forward group.
•Both the CDC and Boys & Girls Club are now Living Wage employers.
BC Rural Networking Conference – Jay Goddard
Theme “Bridges to the Future – Engaging Youth” will bring over 75 delegates from across the province to Williams Lake. Panel sessions will include the topics: Solutions to the challenge of educating the next generation, how can youth take over the business sector, discussions around Social Media, and Food Security, Leadership and Arts and Culture Initiatives.
Action: SPC to forward a registration package or visit BC Rural Network online.
Official Community Plan – Annie McKitrick
Action: Members to send OCP recommendations by email to Annie McKitrick by Thursday.
4)SPC Website - What do you want to see? How can we best utilize the site to serve all the needs of our membership?
Action: A survey requesting feedback from members will be sent out by email using Survey Monkey.
Action: Contact our membership to encourage linking www.accesswilliamslake.org on their website.
5)Round table updates and networking between table members and organizations.
Jay – TRU
•Experiential Youth Leadership Course delivered by expert Gavin Clark will take place in May.
•On April 14th the Thursday Film will be with Dorothy Christian at the Gathering Place at TRU at 1 pm. Please RSVP to Rhonda at TRU.
Monica – Boys & Girls Club
•There will be age 7 – 12 summer programs available.
•The drop-in centre is busy planning spring activities.
•The AGM was recently held.
Sally – Boys & Girls Club & Canadian Cancer Agency
•As BBP Prevention Worker for the Boys & Girls Club Sally is currently working with 3rd Year Nursing Students at TRU on education and prevention practices. They have completed their interviews which Sally will relay at the end of the month.
•May 13 is a Pro-D Day and Diane Willis, Safe Spaces Coordinator will speak about many topics including bullying & sexual orientation. She will present both during the day as well as in the evening. These talks are open to anyone who wants to attend.
•The Womens Contact Society is hosting a safe-space after school program. Kits are already purchased.
Annie – City of Williams Lake
•On March 31st United Way’s Brenda Amesly will be facilitating the City on occupational capacity and board development which includes all organizations across the board (from art groups – local food groups). This will be held at 3pm in Council Chambers. Brenda would also like to learn more about the Living Wage Project of the SPC.
Nancy – Child Development Centre
•School aged team is now back at the 2nd Avenue location (since recent budget cuts).
•Architects have been working on how to best expand the location on Second Avenue with two floors and increased meeting space.
•There have been 31 new referrals from MCFD last month which exemplifies the demand for services.
•Three Corners Health has received funding to deliver a clinic with parents and care providers in mind.
•Action Requested: Add SPC Board Updates to next month’s meeting agenda.
Sherry – School District No.27
•Positive Action in the schools is going really well. The program started midway through the school year so teachers are now starting to pre-plan how to incorporate the materials more next year.
•The School District is partnering with MCFD to get a counsellor who is available at least once a week. Hopefully this will materialize by the end of this school year.
Cindy – Womens Contact Society & Early Childhood Education
•The Early Childhood Development Network is yearly planning session is in June. People encouraged to attend include child care providers as well as people with children.
•Group sessions for young parents under the age of twenty are being held at the Kids Daycare until the end of June. Sessions are every other Thursday from 3:30 – 4:30pm with the next one being held April 14.
•Annual Children’s Festival in Boitannio Park is being held Sunday May 29th from 10 – 3pm. Registration forms are available through the Womens Contact Society.
Meeting Adjourned: April’s Meeting is rescheduled until May 2 (due to the holiday). Location to be announced.
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Feb 28 Meeting Minutes
Meeting Minutes – February 28, 2011
(City of Williams Lake 11:30 am - lunch provided)
Attendance (from sign-in sheet): Kimberly McLennan, Michelle Daymond, Ryan Desjardins, Jan Fichtner, Jay Goddard, Cindy Davis, Annie McKitrick, Deb Radolla, Bruce Mack, Jocelyn Wood, Dave Dickson, and Jessica Knodel.
Lunch & watch the short video everyone is talking about - Changing Education Paradigms with speaker Ken Robinson
As part of our transition back to being less program based, we are having short presentations at the start of each meeting. This month we showed the video entitled “Changing Education Paradigms” with speaker Ken Robinson.
This film is both engaging and entertaining and provides a good encapsulation of 21st learning. It provides a different perspective about how we can support moving towards new learning structures within our education system.
Some discussions that followed included:
Within post secondary institutions there is too much emphasis on judging students based on marks alone.
The school system is only one institution among many that need to promote new ways of learning. Shifts in schools need to be accompanied by shifts everywhere else. Parents, employers, coaches, mentors, counsellors all need to work together.
For those of you who missed watching the video we featured at this meeting please see the link below:
http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/ken_robinson_changing_education_paradigms.html
Review and acceptance of the Jan 24/11 meeting minutes and Feb 28/11 agenda
Review and discuss the City's draft Social Well Being Sections (4.11 - 4.16) with Annie McKitrick, Acting Manager of Social Development for the City of Williams Lake.
In April Council is scheduled to adopt the OCP which will be used to assist in decision making. The City of Williams Lake used an innovative way to create their OCP that included gathering input from groups and individuals directly which resulted in ten priority areas including Social Well Being. Final drafting of the City’s OCP is almost completed and the City has asked for continued feedback during these final stages.
The Social Planning Council distributed copies of the Social Well Being Section 4.1 to their membership and email groups prior to the Feb 28 meeting and copies were also provided at the table.
Some discussions and comments included:
This is a more comprehensive OCP than most - it includes very detailed social, environmental, and food security sections. Overview provided by City Staff included the following points:
One objective is to make the downtown the heart of the city. Create a more vibrant downtown that does not “get deserted” at 5 pm and on the weekends. Mixing residential with commercial can help encourage this.
Creating a greater sense of neighbourhood communities, and using the land for residential commercial and industrial in a coexisting but non intrusive way.
Creating more housing alternatives and residential areas that include more options than just the stereotypical “four bedroom home with a garage”.
Increasing accessibility including transportation, wheelchair access and parking.
Broadening the scope of Williams Lake as a central hub for nearby rural communities and even those further away such as Anahim Lake. Williams Lake serves the needs of over 15K residents including the outlying areas.
Develop land use around the airport and promoting Williams Lake being a world class recreation destination.
Before the document is finalized, complete a survey today - visit the CRD or City Website to let your voice be heard.
Discussions which followed:
Under Coordinated Planning – should include encouraging the participation of younger citizens to ensure keeping capacity within current organizations as the population continues to grow and older generations are starting to retire.
Within the City’s children and youth population there is still an enormous amount of racism prevalent. We need to start encouraging diversity from a very young age.
Poverty and access to employment – can this section be linked to the economic sections of the OCP?
Can the Literacy section be moved to coordinated planning?
Many people would like to see more development of parklands.
Action: The SPC Board meet to discuss the sections further and make recommendations.
4. Updates on CTC (see below), FPC, the Living Wage Project, BC Rural Network Conference and the presentation to City Council on Feb 22/11.
a) Communites that Care Program: see update provided below
January/February 2011
Williams Lake
January 24-26: Reclaiming Youth Conference. Courses included Deep Brain Learning: Pathways to potential with challenging youth and Response Ability Pathways: Restoring bonds of respect
Ordered Positive Action materials for the Resource Library at the Women’s Contact Society
Ongoing meetings with the Youth Engagement team re: Art mural project at the Friendship Centre. Tasks have included:
Renaming the group: SWOT – Strong Women of Tomorrow
Designing the mural for the front entrance of the Friendship Centre. The design will be a large tree with dream catchers listing all the Friendship Centre programs, and a logo for the name Strong Women of Tomorrow
Purchasing painting supplies
Creating a face book page for ongoing communication and progress with the project
Painting began the week of February 7th
February 7 – Evaluation survey was emailed to Board Members in WL and Anahim Lake. The deadline was extended till February 25th. The results will be discussed at the next CTC Board meeting on March 7th, 2011
February 8 – Telephone conference call with provincial CTC groups: Williams Lake, Anahim Lake, Prince George, Quesnel, Kelowna, Victoria and Squamish
Event planning for the Dr. Gabor Mate evening event on March 1st at TRU
Set up a shelving unit for the Positive Action Resource Library, transferred each kit into individual totes and created an inventory for the library
February 14 – Meeting with MCFD to discuss upcoming CTC contract
February 15 – Oversight working group meeting
February 16 – First Nations Education Council presentation
February 21 – CTC Board meeting. Welcomed new members and had a discussion on three questions:
What do you see as the benefits of working together for our community?
What are your ideas for assisting CTC in expanding the dialogue and the circle?
What do you need to feel welcomed and valued to join in while working together?
February 25 – Positive Action Open House at the Women’s Contact Society. 19 people attended including the newspaper media
Anahim Lake
Parenting Wisely is now being implemented as an outreach program, in connection with the Head Start program
Roots of Empathy is having a strong impact in both the AL and Nagwuntl’oo schools
Girl Power group on Monday nights and the afterschool programs on Tuesday and Thursday evenings are going very well, with meals provided by the Ulkatcho Band
Positive Action program is going strong. Christian Academy had some staff turnover and new teachers were trained
A funding application was written for the RBC Grant in partnership with the AL school
February 16 – Community Board meeting. The evaluation was discussed along with an update on next year’s contract
February 17th – Youth Basketball tournament as part of the afterschool program
February 18th – Roots of Empathy training in Williams Lake
Administration Update: The CTC program is going to RFP and the SPC will continue to administer the CTC program until the end of June.
b) Food Policy Council Update: see update provided below
UPDATE FROM WILLIAMS LAKE FOOD POLICY COUNCIL
For Social Planning Council Meeting
February 28, 2011
TERMS OF REFERENCE
A Terms of Reference has been tentatively approved by the Food Policy Council, pending additions by Tatjana re: role of Interior Health (to be completed by March FPC meeting)
Our approved Mission Statement is:
To develop food security policies and a strategic action plan that will move Williams Lake towards a place where all community members obtain a safe, culturally acceptable and nutritionally adequate diet through a sustainable food system that maximizes self-reliance and social justice.
COMMUNITY GARDENS
Contracted Chris Robinson, owner and farmer, Road’s End Vegetable Company, as a Consultant to design and help build the Carson Community Farm/Garden
Draft proposal and budget for Carson Community Farm/Garden has been submitted for review to FPC on Wednesday, Feb. 23.
Currently seeking out an interested agency to eventually run the garden (long-term planning for turnover from FPC)
BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB PARTNERSHIP
Michelle mentors 3 youth 4 days per week. We are working on local farms, in Cariboo Growers, the Food Bank and Drop-In Centre and the SPCA
This program goes until end of May 20, 2011
SEEDY SATURDAY
Confirmed date, Saturday April 16, 2011
To be held in the Cariboo Growers Parking Lot, in conjunction with 1 year anniversary party of Cariboo Growers
COMMUNITY ROOT CELLAR
A working group has been set up to discuss the feasibility of creating a Community Root Cellar in WL
For more information on the Williams Lake Food Policy Council, or any of our projects, please contact Michelle Daymond, Food Action Coordinator
250-267-2085 candoitconsulting150@gmail.com
or Tatjana Bates, Community Developer
250-302-5010 tatjana.bates@interiorhealth.ca
c) Living Wage: see provided report below
What is a Living Wage?
Living wage refers to the hourly wage that is deemed necessary for a household to achieve a basic standard of living, once government transfers have been added to the family’s income (such as the Universal Child Care Benefit) and deductions have been subtracted (such as income tax and Employment Insurance Premiums). The Living Wage is calculated so as to ensure that the family has the income to:
Feed, clothe and provide shelter for their family;
Promote healthy child development;
Participate in activities that are an ordinary element of life in a community; and
Avoid the chronic stress of living in poverty.
A living wage differs from a minimum wage, which is the legal minimum employers must pay, in that a living wage accounts for expected expenses and their actual costs in a community relative to an individual’s family situation. Hence, a living wage will vary from location to location, and within a community, from person to person.
The “living wage” is based on a mathematical formula that calculates expected expenses and their actual costs in a community. The formula used for the purpose of this study was one used by Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives and other groups.
The goal of the project is to provide information to assist our city to measure the ability of working persons to meet the needs of their families. Meeting our living wage standard will help to promote Williams Lake as a great place to choose to live.
Why is a Living Wage Important?
The concept of the living wage dates back to Pope Leo XIII, who published a public letter in 1891, in which he insisted on a living wage as a protection against poverty. The living wage is based on the notion that those who work full time should not have to live in poverty and that by paying a living wage workers need not rely on the government for basic services. The purpose of the living wage is to reduce the number of working poor and reward hard work with sufficient pay.
What is the Living Wage for Williams Lake
The results of the analysis indicate that a living wage in Williams Lake is as follows:
For a single person: $13.45/hour
For a single parent with one child: $14.06
For a two parent, two children, two income household: $15.77/hour
The hourly wage is based on a 35 hour work week. In total, 234 employers representing the full scope of employers within Williams Lake were surveyed through participation in a direct survey, or by collecting data from collective agreements. Overall, the participation rate was 51%. We are pleased with the rate of participation, and feel the scope is such that we have a representative sample of the businesses. Contrary to media reports, specific information on participant wages/benefits will not be published. Businesses were assured of anonymity.
Next Steps for the Study
The study will also incorporate employee benefits when the final report is concluded (release expected at the end of February). Based on data collection, 43% of local employers provide a certain degree of employment benefits.
A summary of what other communities are doing with their living wage information will also be presented (ie, implementation of living wage policies etc.).
Recommendations on how our community might consider using the living wage information (ie; not-for-profits, who generally receive funding from governments, could use the information as leveraging to increase their funding, thereby ensuring that they can offer a living wage to their employees, which increases their service capacity, increases staff retention turnover, and helps with recruitment).
Study Funded by CBAC, with Support from the Communities that Care Program and the City of Williams Lake.
d) BC Rural Network Conference
Being held over two days at TRU on May 23 & 24th, this event’s focus is Rural Community Economic and Environmental Development. Both the SPC and TRU are being represented at this event and at the end of the conference the SPC and South Cariboo Social Planning Commitee are holding a joint meeting together. There will be a formal presentation on food security and open ended discussion as well as a presentation on the Living Wage inititatives.
e) Presentation to City Council
The presentation to City Council on Feb 22, 2011 provided a current update from the SPC and will be continued on a quarterly basis.
5. What do you want to see? Conversation about what type of information members want made available on the web. How can we best utilize the site to serve all the needs of our membership?
Topic tabled to next month’s meeting agenda.
6. Round table updates and networking between table members and organizations.
Jay: TRU is in the process of revitalizing their academic plan. It includes attracting local students to study in Williams Lake as well as recruiting students from outside our region. Creating an innovative niche program exclusive the Williams Lake TRU campus is one initiative being pursued as well as developing the BA program. There is also a lack of non-profit management training within the province which is a future area TRU should consider.
Annie – the active Junior Council program is successfully moving forward. On May 28 there is the Childrens Bike Rodeo in joint partnership with the Success by Six program and the City of Williams Lake. More information will be available soon.
Jan – There is an upcoming Pro-D day on Mar 4 with Tom Swanke presenting on the Chilcotin Wars 9 am at WLSS. On Mar 15 there is a Teaching and Community Presentation – Jan to send out a sign-up form and poster with more details.
Cindy – There is a free family concert at the TRU Gym from 5 – 7 pm April 2, 2011. There is also the annual Children’s Festival upcoming on May 29th at Boitanio Park. It will be a fun family event to attend and if you want to partake in the festivities please contact Cindy at the Women’s Contact Society. On February 25 there was a Positive Action Open House at the Women’s Contact Society with more than twenty people in attendance. There are CTC Kits now available at the Library.
Bruce - Partners for Literacy used survey results from families with children aged 3 – 5 to create travel kits with literacy activities. A lack in literacy skills is linked to the activities of children outside of school. One example is while travelling – this travel kit initiative provides a valuable alternative activity for parents to offer which encourages and promotes continued learning and reading outside the classroom.
Kimberly – the Volunteer database is up at running at Williams Lake Employment Services. Volunteer request forms are available to any organization looking for volunteers. People wanting to volunteer do not need to be unemployed (as many programs often require). For more information or to request forms please contact Kimberly (or the SPC).
(City of Williams Lake 11:30 am - lunch provided)
Attendance (from sign-in sheet): Kimberly McLennan, Michelle Daymond, Ryan Desjardins, Jan Fichtner, Jay Goddard, Cindy Davis, Annie McKitrick, Deb Radolla, Bruce Mack, Jocelyn Wood, Dave Dickson, and Jessica Knodel.
Lunch & watch the short video everyone is talking about - Changing Education Paradigms with speaker Ken Robinson
As part of our transition back to being less program based, we are having short presentations at the start of each meeting. This month we showed the video entitled “Changing Education Paradigms” with speaker Ken Robinson.
This film is both engaging and entertaining and provides a good encapsulation of 21st learning. It provides a different perspective about how we can support moving towards new learning structures within our education system.
Some discussions that followed included:
Within post secondary institutions there is too much emphasis on judging students based on marks alone.
The school system is only one institution among many that need to promote new ways of learning. Shifts in schools need to be accompanied by shifts everywhere else. Parents, employers, coaches, mentors, counsellors all need to work together.
For those of you who missed watching the video we featured at this meeting please see the link below:
http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/ken_robinson_changing_education_paradigms.html
Review and acceptance of the Jan 24/11 meeting minutes and Feb 28/11 agenda
Review and discuss the City's draft Social Well Being Sections (4.11 - 4.16) with Annie McKitrick, Acting Manager of Social Development for the City of Williams Lake.
In April Council is scheduled to adopt the OCP which will be used to assist in decision making. The City of Williams Lake used an innovative way to create their OCP that included gathering input from groups and individuals directly which resulted in ten priority areas including Social Well Being. Final drafting of the City’s OCP is almost completed and the City has asked for continued feedback during these final stages.
The Social Planning Council distributed copies of the Social Well Being Section 4.1 to their membership and email groups prior to the Feb 28 meeting and copies were also provided at the table.
Some discussions and comments included:
This is a more comprehensive OCP than most - it includes very detailed social, environmental, and food security sections. Overview provided by City Staff included the following points:
One objective is to make the downtown the heart of the city. Create a more vibrant downtown that does not “get deserted” at 5 pm and on the weekends. Mixing residential with commercial can help encourage this.
Creating a greater sense of neighbourhood communities, and using the land for residential commercial and industrial in a coexisting but non intrusive way.
Creating more housing alternatives and residential areas that include more options than just the stereotypical “four bedroom home with a garage”.
Increasing accessibility including transportation, wheelchair access and parking.
Broadening the scope of Williams Lake as a central hub for nearby rural communities and even those further away such as Anahim Lake. Williams Lake serves the needs of over 15K residents including the outlying areas.
Develop land use around the airport and promoting Williams Lake being a world class recreation destination.
Before the document is finalized, complete a survey today - visit the CRD or City Website to let your voice be heard.
Discussions which followed:
Under Coordinated Planning – should include encouraging the participation of younger citizens to ensure keeping capacity within current organizations as the population continues to grow and older generations are starting to retire.
Within the City’s children and youth population there is still an enormous amount of racism prevalent. We need to start encouraging diversity from a very young age.
Poverty and access to employment – can this section be linked to the economic sections of the OCP?
Can the Literacy section be moved to coordinated planning?
Many people would like to see more development of parklands.
Action: The SPC Board meet to discuss the sections further and make recommendations.
4. Updates on CTC (see below), FPC, the Living Wage Project, BC Rural Network Conference and the presentation to City Council on Feb 22/11.
a) Communites that Care Program: see update provided below
January/February 2011
Williams Lake
January 24-26: Reclaiming Youth Conference. Courses included Deep Brain Learning: Pathways to potential with challenging youth and Response Ability Pathways: Restoring bonds of respect
Ordered Positive Action materials for the Resource Library at the Women’s Contact Society
Ongoing meetings with the Youth Engagement team re: Art mural project at the Friendship Centre. Tasks have included:
Renaming the group: SWOT – Strong Women of Tomorrow
Designing the mural for the front entrance of the Friendship Centre. The design will be a large tree with dream catchers listing all the Friendship Centre programs, and a logo for the name Strong Women of Tomorrow
Purchasing painting supplies
Creating a face book page for ongoing communication and progress with the project
Painting began the week of February 7th
February 7 – Evaluation survey was emailed to Board Members in WL and Anahim Lake. The deadline was extended till February 25th. The results will be discussed at the next CTC Board meeting on March 7th, 2011
February 8 – Telephone conference call with provincial CTC groups: Williams Lake, Anahim Lake, Prince George, Quesnel, Kelowna, Victoria and Squamish
Event planning for the Dr. Gabor Mate evening event on March 1st at TRU
Set up a shelving unit for the Positive Action Resource Library, transferred each kit into individual totes and created an inventory for the library
February 14 – Meeting with MCFD to discuss upcoming CTC contract
February 15 – Oversight working group meeting
February 16 – First Nations Education Council presentation
February 21 – CTC Board meeting. Welcomed new members and had a discussion on three questions:
What do you see as the benefits of working together for our community?
What are your ideas for assisting CTC in expanding the dialogue and the circle?
What do you need to feel welcomed and valued to join in while working together?
February 25 – Positive Action Open House at the Women’s Contact Society. 19 people attended including the newspaper media
Anahim Lake
Parenting Wisely is now being implemented as an outreach program, in connection with the Head Start program
Roots of Empathy is having a strong impact in both the AL and Nagwuntl’oo schools
Girl Power group on Monday nights and the afterschool programs on Tuesday and Thursday evenings are going very well, with meals provided by the Ulkatcho Band
Positive Action program is going strong. Christian Academy had some staff turnover and new teachers were trained
A funding application was written for the RBC Grant in partnership with the AL school
February 16 – Community Board meeting. The evaluation was discussed along with an update on next year’s contract
February 17th – Youth Basketball tournament as part of the afterschool program
February 18th – Roots of Empathy training in Williams Lake
Administration Update: The CTC program is going to RFP and the SPC will continue to administer the CTC program until the end of June.
b) Food Policy Council Update: see update provided below
UPDATE FROM WILLIAMS LAKE FOOD POLICY COUNCIL
For Social Planning Council Meeting
February 28, 2011
TERMS OF REFERENCE
A Terms of Reference has been tentatively approved by the Food Policy Council, pending additions by Tatjana re: role of Interior Health (to be completed by March FPC meeting)
Our approved Mission Statement is:
To develop food security policies and a strategic action plan that will move Williams Lake towards a place where all community members obtain a safe, culturally acceptable and nutritionally adequate diet through a sustainable food system that maximizes self-reliance and social justice.
COMMUNITY GARDENS
Contracted Chris Robinson, owner and farmer, Road’s End Vegetable Company, as a Consultant to design and help build the Carson Community Farm/Garden
Draft proposal and budget for Carson Community Farm/Garden has been submitted for review to FPC on Wednesday, Feb. 23.
Currently seeking out an interested agency to eventually run the garden (long-term planning for turnover from FPC)
BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB PARTNERSHIP
Michelle mentors 3 youth 4 days per week. We are working on local farms, in Cariboo Growers, the Food Bank and Drop-In Centre and the SPCA
This program goes until end of May 20, 2011
SEEDY SATURDAY
Confirmed date, Saturday April 16, 2011
To be held in the Cariboo Growers Parking Lot, in conjunction with 1 year anniversary party of Cariboo Growers
COMMUNITY ROOT CELLAR
A working group has been set up to discuss the feasibility of creating a Community Root Cellar in WL
For more information on the Williams Lake Food Policy Council, or any of our projects, please contact Michelle Daymond, Food Action Coordinator
250-267-2085 candoitconsulting150@gmail.com
or Tatjana Bates, Community Developer
250-302-5010 tatjana.bates@interiorhealth.ca
c) Living Wage: see provided report below
What is a Living Wage?
Living wage refers to the hourly wage that is deemed necessary for a household to achieve a basic standard of living, once government transfers have been added to the family’s income (such as the Universal Child Care Benefit) and deductions have been subtracted (such as income tax and Employment Insurance Premiums). The Living Wage is calculated so as to ensure that the family has the income to:
Feed, clothe and provide shelter for their family;
Promote healthy child development;
Participate in activities that are an ordinary element of life in a community; and
Avoid the chronic stress of living in poverty.
A living wage differs from a minimum wage, which is the legal minimum employers must pay, in that a living wage accounts for expected expenses and their actual costs in a community relative to an individual’s family situation. Hence, a living wage will vary from location to location, and within a community, from person to person.
The “living wage” is based on a mathematical formula that calculates expected expenses and their actual costs in a community. The formula used for the purpose of this study was one used by Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives and other groups.
The goal of the project is to provide information to assist our city to measure the ability of working persons to meet the needs of their families. Meeting our living wage standard will help to promote Williams Lake as a great place to choose to live.
Why is a Living Wage Important?
The concept of the living wage dates back to Pope Leo XIII, who published a public letter in 1891, in which he insisted on a living wage as a protection against poverty. The living wage is based on the notion that those who work full time should not have to live in poverty and that by paying a living wage workers need not rely on the government for basic services. The purpose of the living wage is to reduce the number of working poor and reward hard work with sufficient pay.
What is the Living Wage for Williams Lake
The results of the analysis indicate that a living wage in Williams Lake is as follows:
For a single person: $13.45/hour
For a single parent with one child: $14.06
For a two parent, two children, two income household: $15.77/hour
The hourly wage is based on a 35 hour work week. In total, 234 employers representing the full scope of employers within Williams Lake were surveyed through participation in a direct survey, or by collecting data from collective agreements. Overall, the participation rate was 51%. We are pleased with the rate of participation, and feel the scope is such that we have a representative sample of the businesses. Contrary to media reports, specific information on participant wages/benefits will not be published. Businesses were assured of anonymity.
Next Steps for the Study
The study will also incorporate employee benefits when the final report is concluded (release expected at the end of February). Based on data collection, 43% of local employers provide a certain degree of employment benefits.
A summary of what other communities are doing with their living wage information will also be presented (ie, implementation of living wage policies etc.).
Recommendations on how our community might consider using the living wage information (ie; not-for-profits, who generally receive funding from governments, could use the information as leveraging to increase their funding, thereby ensuring that they can offer a living wage to their employees, which increases their service capacity, increases staff retention turnover, and helps with recruitment).
Study Funded by CBAC, with Support from the Communities that Care Program and the City of Williams Lake.
d) BC Rural Network Conference
Being held over two days at TRU on May 23 & 24th, this event’s focus is Rural Community Economic and Environmental Development. Both the SPC and TRU are being represented at this event and at the end of the conference the SPC and South Cariboo Social Planning Commitee are holding a joint meeting together. There will be a formal presentation on food security and open ended discussion as well as a presentation on the Living Wage inititatives.
e) Presentation to City Council
The presentation to City Council on Feb 22, 2011 provided a current update from the SPC and will be continued on a quarterly basis.
5. What do you want to see? Conversation about what type of information members want made available on the web. How can we best utilize the site to serve all the needs of our membership?
Topic tabled to next month’s meeting agenda.
6. Round table updates and networking between table members and organizations.
Jay: TRU is in the process of revitalizing their academic plan. It includes attracting local students to study in Williams Lake as well as recruiting students from outside our region. Creating an innovative niche program exclusive the Williams Lake TRU campus is one initiative being pursued as well as developing the BA program. There is also a lack of non-profit management training within the province which is a future area TRU should consider.
Annie – the active Junior Council program is successfully moving forward. On May 28 there is the Childrens Bike Rodeo in joint partnership with the Success by Six program and the City of Williams Lake. More information will be available soon.
Jan – There is an upcoming Pro-D day on Mar 4 with Tom Swanke presenting on the Chilcotin Wars 9 am at WLSS. On Mar 15 there is a Teaching and Community Presentation – Jan to send out a sign-up form and poster with more details.
Cindy – There is a free family concert at the TRU Gym from 5 – 7 pm April 2, 2011. There is also the annual Children’s Festival upcoming on May 29th at Boitanio Park. It will be a fun family event to attend and if you want to partake in the festivities please contact Cindy at the Women’s Contact Society. On February 25 there was a Positive Action Open House at the Women’s Contact Society with more than twenty people in attendance. There are CTC Kits now available at the Library.
Bruce - Partners for Literacy used survey results from families with children aged 3 – 5 to create travel kits with literacy activities. A lack in literacy skills is linked to the activities of children outside of school. One example is while travelling – this travel kit initiative provides a valuable alternative activity for parents to offer which encourages and promotes continued learning and reading outside the classroom.
Kimberly – the Volunteer database is up at running at Williams Lake Employment Services. Volunteer request forms are available to any organization looking for volunteers. People wanting to volunteer do not need to be unemployed (as many programs often require). For more information or to request forms please contact Kimberly (or the SPC).
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Next Monthly Meeting
Our next monthly meeting is on February 28, 2011 11:30 am at City Hall (lunch provided). Meeting minutes, agendas and other supportive materials are available by email.
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Salvation Army Williams Lake Food Bank Eligibility Criteria
The 2011 elegibilty criteria for the Salvation Army Williams Lake Food bank, items put into emergency, perishable hamper, as well as a list of extras available to clients is now available. They have made a number of changes to the eligibilty criteria, decreased the size of hampers, increased accessibility for high needs clients, and are providing services on a walk-in basis. With these changes they are attenpting to better serve those with high needs in our community.
For more information please email Claudine Kadonaga at claudine_kadonaga@can.salvationarmy.org
For more information please email Claudine Kadonaga at claudine_kadonaga@can.salvationarmy.org
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Update - Annual General Meeting held Nov 22, 2010
The Social Planning Council’s Annual General Meeting took place on Monday November 22 at City Hall. Our next monthly meeting is at 11:30 am January 24 at City Hall (lunch provided).
Update: Over the past few years, the Social Planning Council has remained a strong network of professionals, organizations and individuals improving the social well being of residents in the Williams Lake area.
Future directions of the SPC include:
-Working with the MCFD to transition the CTC program next spring to another agency to administer.
-The Social Planning Council will return to the “big picture” networking organization and table.
-Regular monthly meetings will remain the 4th Monday of each month with the exception of this month (no meeting in December 2010).
Please email spc-coordinator@xplornet.com or call 250-243-2126 for a 2010 - 2011 membership form.
Update: Over the past few years, the Social Planning Council has remained a strong network of professionals, organizations and individuals improving the social well being of residents in the Williams Lake area.
Future directions of the SPC include:
-Working with the MCFD to transition the CTC program next spring to another agency to administer.
-The Social Planning Council will return to the “big picture” networking organization and table.
-Regular monthly meetings will remain the 4th Monday of each month with the exception of this month (no meeting in December 2010).
Please email spc-coordinator@xplornet.com or call 250-243-2126 for a 2010 - 2011 membership form.
Thursday, October 28, 2010
AGM - Nov 22, 2010
Our AGM is scheduled for November 22, 11:00 am – 2 pm, City Hall.
This is an important meeting for the future direction of the Social Planning Council.
RSVP to spc-coordinator@xplornet.com or (1)-250-243-2126 is appreciated but not required.
This is an important meeting for the future direction of the Social Planning Council.
RSVP to spc-coordinator@xplornet.com or (1)-250-243-2126 is appreciated but not required.
CTC Update - Oct 25, 2010
Communities that Care (CTC) Program Update
Monday October 25, 2010
October 2010
Williams Lake:
1)Telephone conference call with Carol Allred – Founder of Positive Action.
2)Meeting with Jan Fichtner and Jay Goddard to discuss school/partnership involvement and implementation plan for Positive Action.
3)Purchased Positive Action materials for all three schools in Williams Lake.
4)Meeting with Youth Engagement working group. Discussion included: a) Art projects in the community to address the risk factor: Low neighbourhood attachment b) Facebook page to inform community on youth activities and other youth related information and c) Fundraising ideas for the leadership graduating class.
5)October 13 – 15 Roots of Empathy training: a) Six new instructors were trained for Williams Lake and area. Schools implementing ROE are: Mountview, 150 Mile, Cataline, Skyline, Chilcotin Road, Nesika, Kwaleen, Horsefly, Marie Sharpe and Glendale and b) Instructor for Anahim Lake was trained and will be moving to Williams Lake after receiving a job offer. Rana Grace was able to secure funding for another instructor in AL and she will be trained in Vancouver November 8, 9, 10th.
6)Meeting with Funding working group to discuss CTC budget. Decisions on how to spend the remaining Program Resource funds will be discussed at the CTC Board meeting on October 27th.
7)October 26th – Presentation to City Council updating SPC and CTC progress.
8)October 27th – CTC Board meeting. Agenda items: a) Review and celebrate CTC accomplishments to date, b) Update existing sub-committees and progress of Positive Action, c) Refocus and prioritize tasks related to program implementation, evaluation and sustainability, and d) Delegate priority tasks.
Anahim Lake:
1)Kevin McLennan - Principal of AL School will be doing his research for his Masters in Counselling on Positive Action and assisting the evaluation process.
2)Have received positive feedback and outcomes from Positive Action in all three schools. The K-1 class at Nagwuntl’oo school will be implementing the program at a bronze level due to staff turnover.
3)Positive Action Climate kits were introduced and have been very successful.
4)A youth arts project to paint murals is planned for November, as part of a youth engagement initiative.
5)October 22 – Health and Wellness Fair. Terra will be presenting a slideshow on Community U-Turn and Positive Action.
6)Adopt a youth program will start up this month.
7)October 28th – Community Board meeting.
Monday October 25, 2010
October 2010
Williams Lake:
1)Telephone conference call with Carol Allred – Founder of Positive Action.
2)Meeting with Jan Fichtner and Jay Goddard to discuss school/partnership involvement and implementation plan for Positive Action.
3)Purchased Positive Action materials for all three schools in Williams Lake.
4)Meeting with Youth Engagement working group. Discussion included: a) Art projects in the community to address the risk factor: Low neighbourhood attachment b) Facebook page to inform community on youth activities and other youth related information and c) Fundraising ideas for the leadership graduating class.
5)October 13 – 15 Roots of Empathy training: a) Six new instructors were trained for Williams Lake and area. Schools implementing ROE are: Mountview, 150 Mile, Cataline, Skyline, Chilcotin Road, Nesika, Kwaleen, Horsefly, Marie Sharpe and Glendale and b) Instructor for Anahim Lake was trained and will be moving to Williams Lake after receiving a job offer. Rana Grace was able to secure funding for another instructor in AL and she will be trained in Vancouver November 8, 9, 10th.
6)Meeting with Funding working group to discuss CTC budget. Decisions on how to spend the remaining Program Resource funds will be discussed at the CTC Board meeting on October 27th.
7)October 26th – Presentation to City Council updating SPC and CTC progress.
8)October 27th – CTC Board meeting. Agenda items: a) Review and celebrate CTC accomplishments to date, b) Update existing sub-committees and progress of Positive Action, c) Refocus and prioritize tasks related to program implementation, evaluation and sustainability, and d) Delegate priority tasks.
Anahim Lake:
1)Kevin McLennan - Principal of AL School will be doing his research for his Masters in Counselling on Positive Action and assisting the evaluation process.
2)Have received positive feedback and outcomes from Positive Action in all three schools. The K-1 class at Nagwuntl’oo school will be implementing the program at a bronze level due to staff turnover.
3)Positive Action Climate kits were introduced and have been very successful.
4)A youth arts project to paint murals is planned for November, as part of a youth engagement initiative.
5)October 22 – Health and Wellness Fair. Terra will be presenting a slideshow on Community U-Turn and Positive Action.
6)Adopt a youth program will start up this month.
7)October 28th – Community Board meeting.
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