PDD NORTHEAST COMMUNITY BOARD MEETING
Saturday,
August 17, 2002 9:00 am –2:00 pm
Conference
Room, Ernie O’s Restaurant, Whitecourt, Alberta
APPROVED
Present:
Don Schultz, Chair; Donna Desjardins, Vice-Chair; Ralph Gorrie; Johanne Hassey; Christine Botsford, Carmela Levesque, Laurel Morris-Duncan, Dr. Doug Fleming,
Administration: Dr. Alex Hillyard, CEO; Lucille Froese, Recording Secretary.
Guests:
Anna Bubel, AREA, Jim Rennie, Councilor, Woodlands County, Pam Benko, WJS Alberta, Ilie Droze, WJS Alberta, Colin Mills, Board Chair, ECHOS, Elaine Ricks, ECHOS
A.
Don Schultz, Chair,
called the meeting to order at 9:00 am, August 17h, 2002.
#02-08-514 MOTION: Johanne
Hassey moved the Board approve the
agenda.
Carried unanimously.
C. Approval of Minutes
#02-08-515 MOTION: Donna
Desjardins moved the Board approve the
minutes. Carried unanimously.
D. Board Regional Feedback and Future
Direction
Doug Fleming,
Westlock
·
Athabasca
Community Council has not had a meeting for a couple of months – they are
looking for a new Chairperson.
·
Westlock has a
very dynamic community council, with 30-35 people attending meetings. There is
lots of discussion and lots of excitement at meetings.
Carmela Levesque,
Bonnyville
·
There was no
Community Council meeting in July.
·
The first Cold
Lake Community Council meeting will be held on September 16, 2002. Bonnyville
and Cold Lake will each have their own Community Council.
·
I will be
sending letters to the Bonnyville and Cold Lake Town Councils to request time
on their agendas for a presentation about PDD.
Laurel Morris-Duncan
·
There have been
no Community Council meetings since June.
·
There was a
community blitz to raise funds and awareness for the new wheelchair accessible
home.
·
The Salvation
Army START Program had a camp for individuals with developmental disabilities.
This was the 3rd year for the camp and it was very well received.
·
There have been
some reviews happening with the new Service Coordinator.
Ralph Gorrie, Vegreville
· June 17, 2002 – Attended VALID Annual Meeting. Activities included presentation of the Audited Statement, Chairman, Alan Dubyk’s report of the year’s activities, presentation of several staff awards, and the message from the Chair of the NEPDD Board by Vice Chair, Donna Desjardins. The new VALID Board for the ensuing year was presented. Alan Dubyk has served his term in his office and has been replaced by Donna Kotelko. The meeting was reasonably well attended and appeared to have been conducted without any dissention at all. Our CEO, Alex Hillyard was also present.
· June 18, 2002 – Attended the community council’s effort to bring our Northeast Community online to our people. Heather introduced the concept to the group of about 12 interested people including our two local presses. When the opportunity to become directly involved at the Veg-Min site we learned that a lightning strike last evening provided a dead server. We then went to VALID to complete the program. Several of our people registered on the one computer available. I became involved to assist and the Board received some publicity in the local papers along with pictures. Thus the two purposes were achieved.
· June 25, 2002 – Met with Cathy Beer and Helen Litwin along with the assistance of our CEO to refine our research project regarding the Effectiveness of Community Councils. Alex was a great help in structuring the plan of attack.
· July 15, 2002 – Met with Cathy Beer and Helen to develop a strategy for advertising for a coordinator for the Research Project.
· July 19, 2002 – Met with Helen Litwin to further develop the advertisement strategy. Unfortunately our efforts for finding a Project Coordinator have not been successful to date. I have not contacted Cathy as she is busy now that she has assumed a position with St. Michael’s Extended care in Vegreville, but will be following this matter up.
· VTTS has held no meetings during the summer. However, this active group will be meeting on September 11.
Johanne Hassey, Vilna
· There have been no Lac La Biche community council meetings since June.
· The next Lac La Biche Community Council meeting is scheduled for September 17, 2002.
· Attended the joint community council meeting in Westlock on June 17, 2002.
Christine Botsford, Fort McMurray
· Met with the new Service Coordinator, Linda Rix.
· Tried to contact local community groups regarding an opportunity to give a presentation but unable to do so yet.
Donna Desjardins, St. Paul
· There was no St. Paul Community Council meeting in July.
· Attended the Dove Centre Annual General Meeting and the VALID Annual General Meeting on June 17, 2002.
· July 12, 2002 – SPAN Golf Tournament – The Board sponsored a hole and prizes. No Board members were able to golf so four individuals were sponsored who would not otherwise have the opportunity.
· August 24 and 25, 2002 – the Special Olympics ball tournament will be held in St. Paul. The CEO and Vice Chair will be helping in the concession booth.
· The announcement of the 4th Annual Regional Conference has been made to the Town of St. Paul and the Chamber of Commerce.
Don Schultz
· August 27, 2002 – will attend the Whitecourt Community Council meeting.
· September 10, 2002 – will attend the NorthEast Community Online Open house in Whitecourt.
· Have taken on a number of appeals provincially – one has been arbitrated, one will be in the Northwest region and one in Edmonton shortly.
· Received a letter from Dale Donnelly of Jet Set Automotive who was unable to attend the Board meeting.
· Presentation by Jim Rennie, Councilor, Woodlands County
· Woodlands County has a population of only 3800 people. Extending as far north as Fort Assiniboine, it is small but wealthy because of the oil fields. With a good budget, the county is able to do things that help people to have a better standard of living.
· Some hamlets are shrinking as they do not offer much to young families. A goal of the county is to increase the number of people who live there.
· Another goal is affordable housing initiatives. The county would be interested in ideas for doing something in partnership with the Board.
· Anna Bubel gave a brief background on the Affordable Housing Initiative, which was launched in the fall of 2000.
· The professional association that realtors are members of were concerned about the lack of affordable housing across the province and decided it wanted to make a contribution.
· The Association decided to hire two facilitators to work with communities who want to make more things happen to get affordable housing.
· Consulting is free and real estate services are given at a reduced rate or for free.
· Each project is tailored to what is available locally. There have been many creative ideas, with different examples in each community.
· If a community would like to create an affordable housing initiative, AREA helps them to determine if there is a need, what the opportunities are, and what the local conditions are that would allow them to do something.
· There have been lots of changes in WJS recently. Peter Farnden is now the President and Ann Nicol has taken Peter’s place as Vice President.
· WJS Alberta has residential programs in a number of communities, including Vegreville, Westlock and Fort McMurray as well as Behavior Outreach Services consultants in Fort McMurray, Bonnyville, Barrhead, Westlock and Athabasca.
· WJS Alberta has been doing training in the region on restrictive procedures, and will continue to do so.
· Recruitment and retention of staff is a problem in most areas.
1. Board Communications and
Operations
1.1 Northeast Alberta Community Board Annual Report Submission for
2002-2002
Recommendation: That the Board receive this report for information.
Purpose of Report: Information and discussion.
The Board reviewed their Annual Report Submission, which is included in the Provincial Board’s Consolidated Annual Report for 2001-2002. The Board’s submission was reviewed by the audit committee (Chair and Vice Chair) and approved by the Chair on behalf of the Board.
The Annual Report will be put on the Northeast Board Website and the Board will share copies of this report with MLAs, Chairs of Service Provider Boards and Community Councils, local municipalities, and other community partners.
#02-08-516 MOTION: Laurel Morris-Duncan moved the Board accept the
report for information. Carried unanimously.
1.2
Northeast Alberta Community Board First Quarterly
Report
(April 1-June 30, 2002)
Recommendation: That the Board receive this report for information.
Purpose of Report: Information and discussion.
The Board discussed their first quarter report for the year 2002-2003. This report was approved by the Chairman on behalf of the Board and was presented to the Provincial Board at their public meeting of August 8th, 2002.
The quarterly report identifies the results, activities and events completed by the Board, administration, and community partners in support of the five Provincial Board goals.
The Board members will share copies of the First Quarter Report with members of the community councils in their areas.
#02-08-517 MOTION: Donna Desjardins moved the Board accept the report
for information. Carried unanimously.
1.3
Northeast Alberta Community Board Communication
Framework
2002-2005
Recommendation: That the Board receive this report for information.
Purpose of Report: Provide reaction to the administration on the Power
Point presentation and accompanying speaking
notes.
As part of its ongoing commitment to communications and in particular raising awareness of the Board’s activities in each of its communities, board members will be making presentations to local community groups.
The Board reviewed a Power Point Presentation and speaking notes, which Board members will use when making presentations.
#02-08-518 MOTION: Christine Botsford moved the Board accept
the report
for
information. Carried unanimously.
1.4
Community Involvement Sessions: 2002-2005 Regional
Business Plan
Recommendation: That the Board receive this report for information.
Purpose of Report: Information.
The Northeast Board held two community input sessions to review the regional 2002-2005 business plan. Eight communities and community councils were involved over both sessions.
The Board reviewed the results of the input sessions and discussed the key areas identified by the participants. Three of the key areas identified in the sessions were housing, employment and employment transitions.
A copy of the input from both sessions has been sent to participants for their review and information and Board members will bring this to the community councils for discussion. A similar session will be held in Fort McMurray and Cold Lake.
#02-08-519 MOTION: Ralph
Gorrie moved the Board accept the report for
information.
Carried unanimously.
1.5
Northeast Alberta Community Board: Strategic Forum
September 2002
Recommendation: That the Board receive this report for information.
Purpose of Report: Information and direction to the administration.
As part of the annual Business Planning Process, the Northeast Board holds a Strategic Forum with regional and provincial partners. The purpose of the forum is to provide an opportunity for the Board to collaborate with representatives from their Community and Provincial Partners in the development of the 2003-2006 business plan.
This year, the Strategic Planning Forum will be held on Saturday, September 14, 2002 in Westlock.
The Board discussed plans for the Forum and arrangements for a meeting of Community Council representatives, which has been scheduled for the evening of Friday, September 13, 2002, in Westlock, in conjunction with the Strategic Planning Forum.
#02-08-520 MOTION: Donna Desjardins moved the Board accept
the report
for
information. Carried unanimously.
1.6
Northeast Alberta Regional Conference: November 22 and
23, 2002
Recommendation: That the Board receive this report for information.
Purpose of Report: Information and discussion.
The 4th Annual Regional Conference will be held in St. Paul, Alberta, November 22nd and 23rd, 2002. Donna Desjardins, Vice Chair, and Board member from St. Paul has agreed to chair the conference organization committee.
The Board discussed plans for the conference and the format, which will be similar to last year. The theme for this year’s conference will be “Building Community Capacity for Individuals with Developmental Disabilities, Opening Our Hearts, Our Minds, and Our Doors”.
One aspect of the conference will be the introduction of a Dream Capsule, which will be opened on the 10th anniversary of PDD in 2007.
02-08-521 MOTION: Donna
Desjardins moved the Board accept the report
for information. Carried unanimously.
2. Administration
2.1
Alberta Real Estate Association (AREA): Affordable
Housing Initiative
Recommendation: That the Board receive this report for information.
Purpose of Report: Background information for 10:00 am presentation.
Anna Bubel, Northern Alberta Facilitator, for AREA, made a presentation to the Board on the Affordable Housing Initiative, which AREA launched in the fall of 2000.
Two housing facilitators offer support and workshops to help local groups build or renovate affordable units, and to investigate and implement other innovations that enhance housing affordability.
The Board discussed strategies for increasing opportunities for housing for persons with developmental disabilities.
#02-08-522 MOTION: Doug Fleming moved the Board accept the report for
information.
Carried unanimously.
2.2 Community Development Partnership with Alberta Association for Community Living
Recommendation: That the Board receive this report for information.
Purpose of Report: Information and update.
The Community Development Partnership and project with AACL began on July 1, 2002. This project was created in response to the Northeast Regional Community Consultation Process in which families clarified the need for:
· Strengthening family networks and contacts throughout the region.
· Developing resources and opportunities for transition planning for individuals and families.
· Families to be in charge of the planning process for life transitions.
The Board reviewed the details of their Community Development Partnership, the project phases and timelines.
#02-08-523 MOTION: Carmela
Levesque moved the Board accept the report
for
information. Carried unanimously.
July 5, 2002.
#02-08-524 MOTION: Don Schultz moved his verbal report.
Carried unanimously.
· This workshop is held every two years to address all the human resource issues for the Service Providers in the region.
· Representatives from the Board will attend.
· Michael Kendrick’s presentation and video
· Michael Kendrick is a well-known speaker in the area of services to persons with developmental disabilities.
· Copies of his video and his presentation titled “The Challenge of Discerning the Real Foundations Of “Sustainability” were given to Board members.
#02-08-525 MOTION: Doug Fleming moved the Board go In-Camera
at
9:00 am.
Carried unanimously.
#02-08-526 MOTION: Christine Botsford moved the Board come
out of
Camera at 9:30
am. Carried unanimously.
#02-08-527 MOTION: Laurel Morris-Duncan moved the Board
adjourn at
2:00 pm.
Carried unanimously.
________________________________ ________________________________
Don Schultz, Chair Dr. Alex Hillyard, CEO