NORTHEAST ALBERTA COMMUNITY BOARD

PERSONS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES

PUBLIC MEETING

Saturday, January 15th, 2005   8:30 am to 4:10 pm

Conference Room, Athabasca Friendship Centre

 Athabasca, Alberta

 

APPROVED MINUTES

 

Present:

Donna Desjardins, Acting Chair, Ralph Gorrie, Glenn Hennig, Colleen Marks,

Caren Mueller, Dr. Doug Fleming

Administration:  Dr. Alex Hillyard, CEO; Lucille Froese, Recording Secretary

 

Absent:

Don Schultz, Carmela Levesque and Floyd Thompson were absent for personal reasons.

 

Guests: 

Jim Menzies, Provincial PDD Board; Arno Birkigt, CEO, Blue Heron Vocational Training Centre; Doug Kariel, Co-Chair, Athabasca Community Council; Steve Hrachy, Co-Chair, Athabasca Community Council; Wendy McDonald, AACL; Norm McLeod, AACL

 

A.     Donna Desjardins, Acting Chair, called the meeting to order at 8:30 am, January 15, 2005.

 

B.     Approval of Agenda

 

#05-01-863      MOTION:      Ralph Gorrie moved the Board approve the agenda.

Carried unanimously.

 

C.     Approval of Minutes

 

#05-01-864      MOTION:      Colleen Marks moved the Board approve the

                                                minutes as presented. Carried unanimously.

 

D.  Board Regional Feedback and Future Direction

 

E. Delegations/Presentations

 

Presentation by Steve Hrachy and Doug Kariel, Co-Chairs, Athabasca Community Council

·        The Community Council meets monthly, with education sessions at each meeting.

·        Some recent topics

·        Appropriate insurance that individuals should make sure they have;

·        A presentation by an RCMP Constable on personal safety;

·        Family Voices gave a presentation to the council;

·        The Council is developing partnerships and receives regular reports from WJS and Blue Heron.

·        Meetings are held in the local high school.

·        Mr. Kariel and Mr. Hrachy asked that information on upcoming events (e.g. the AACL Family Conference) be distributed as early as possible for planning purposes.

 

F.      Reports

 

1.      Board Communications & Operations

 

1.1    Northeast Board Regional Business Planning Session

Westlock, January 8, 2005

Recommendation:      That the Board receive this report for information

Purpose of Report:    Information and discussion

 

On Saturday, January 8th, 2005 the Board held a regional business planning session in Westlock. Over thirty people participated with representation from individuals receiving service, service provider Boards and administration, Community Councils, Mayors and Reeves, provincial associations (AARC, AACL), along with Northeast Board members and staff.

 

Participants were asked to review gifts and initiatives for building community capacity and give advice on how those could be incorporated in the community and what the Board’s role should be in making these happen.

 

Participants were also asked to review the strategies and activities in the current business plan, and identify new strategies and activities to be included and second, to prioritize the top three activities for each goal.

 

The Board discussed the process of the Planning Session, their participation, and some of the results identified. In the area of building community capacity, participants gave feedback that the Board has a leadership role to play in the areas of funding, facilitation, community development, facilitation and assurance.

 

The results of this session will be summarized and copies will be given to all participants.

 

#05-01-865      MOTION:      Glenn Hennig moved the Board accept the report for

information. Carried unanimously.

 

 

1.2    Board Development Session on Risk Management: Debrief and Follow-up

(Item 1.5 continued from December 11, 2004 Board Meeting)

                 Recommendation:      That the Board receive this report for information.

                 Purpose of Report:    Information and discussion.

 

The Board had a general discussion on Risk Management at their December meeting following a Risk Management workshop in Westlock, and expressed interest in doing their own risk assessment as a Board.

 

After discussion on next steps and the need to raise the level of awareness around risk, the Board directed the administration to create a plan for a risk assessment workshop for the Board and bring it back to the next meeting.

 

#05-01-866      MOTION:      Doug Fleming moved the Board direct the administration to

come back to the next Board with a plan to create a risk assessment workshop and a plan on how it will be done by the next Board meeting. Carried unanimously.

 

#05-01-867      MOTION:      Doug Fleming moved the Board accept the report for

information. Carried unanimously.

 

1.3    Northeast Board Audit Committee: Update

Recommendation:      That the Board receive this report for information.

Purpose of Report:    Information and discussion.

 

The Board reviewed the revised draft Terms of Reference for the Audit Committee and the changes and additions recommended by the Audit Committee from their meeting on January 14, 2005, as well as Audit Committee membership and meeting requirements.

 

The Audit Committee Terms of Reference will be brought back to the February meeting for approval. A draft will also be given to the Provincial Audit Committee for their information.

 

#05-01-868      MOTION:      Caren Mueller moved the Board accept the report for

information. Carried unanimously.

 

1.4    Board Governance/Accountability Framework:

Advisory Committee Update

Recommendation:      That the Board receive this report for information.

Purpose of Report:    Information and discussion.

 

At the December 13, 2003 Board meeting the Northeast Alberta Community Board endorsed the development of a Community Board Governance Review process.

 

Throughout 2004 the Regional Working Committee developed a document entitled: “Board Governance Accountability Framework and Review Process”, to be reviewed by the Regional Advisory Committee.

Glenn Hennig, the Board representative on the Regional Advisory Committee, gave the Board an update on the committee’s activities. The committee went through the domains and began to give input for clarity and process. Administration was asked to make some changes for clarity on a couple of items. The committee will be meeting again on February 8, 2005 and March 9, 2005, following which they will make a recommendation to the Board.

 

#05-01-869      MOTION:      Ralph Gorrie moved the Board accept the report for

information. Carried unanimously.

 

1.5    Persons With Developmental Disabilities Governance/Accountability Framework: Discussion Paper

Recommendation:      That the Board receive this report for information.

Purpose of Report:    Discussion and input to the framework paper.

 

The Provincial Board for Persons with Developmental Disabilities Policy Development Committee has been overseeing the development of the Governance/Accountability Framework.

 

Ralph Gorrie introduced the Discussion Paper and Jim Menzies gave a detailed presentation on the paper. After discussion with Mr. Menzies, the Board made a recommendation for a small change to increase clarity.

 

#05-01-870      MOTION:      Doug Fleming moved the Board accept the report for

information. Carried unanimously.

 

1.6    Board Development Session: Community Inclusion (continuation)

·         Scheduled for 1:00 pm

Recommendation:      That the Board receive this report for information.

Purpose of Report:    Information and discussion.

 

At the December 11, 2004 Board meeting the Board began the second board development session on the topic of community inclusion. The Board completed a portion of the agenda at this meeting and decided to continue at the January 15, 2005 meeting.

 

After reviewing the results of the second session, the Board continued their board development work on Leadership, Assurance and Facilitation, facilitated by Wendy McDonald and Norm McLeod from AACL.

 

 

2.  Administration

 

2.1    Business Planning Framework and Partnerships: Rural Alberta,

Land of Opportunity

                        Recommendation:      That the Board receive this report for information.

                        Purpose of Report:    Information and discussion.

 

 

#05-01-871      MOTION:      Colleen Marks moved the Board accept the report for

information.

 

            Colleen Marks rescinded Motion #05-01-871. Replaced by the following Motion.

 

#05-01-872      MOTION:      Ralph Gorrie moved the Board table this report to the next

Board meeting on February 12, 2005 in Whitecourt. Carried unanimously.

 

2.2    Community Capacity Proposals

Recommendation:      That the Board receive this report for information.

Purpose of Report:    Information.

 

The administration has received three Community Capacity Proposals:

·        Rural Library Initiative

·        Athabasca Community Kitchen

·        Small Sparks (St. Paul)

 

The Board reviewed and discussed the information and background on all three proposals. The Athabasca Community Kitchen proposal has been approved by the administration, and the additional two proposals are being reviewed. In kind support for the Rural Library Initiative will be provided by the libraries and Library Branch.

 

#05-01-873      MOTION:      Colleen Marks moved the Board accept this report for

information. Carried unanimously.

 

2.3    7th Annual Northeast Regional PDD Conference

November 4th, 5th, 6th, 2005

                        Recommendation:      That the Board receive this report for information.

                        Purpose of Report:    Discussion and input.

 

At the December 11, 2004 Board meeting the Board identified Glenn Hennig, member from Hilliard, Alberta, to be their representative on the conference planning committee.

 

The Board reviewed and discussed traditional components of the conferences and Board members gave Glenn feedback on things they would like to see at the conference, in preparation for his attendance at the Conference Committee meeting in Fort McMurray on January 19, 2005.

 

#05-01-874      MOTION:      Doug Fleming moved the Board accept the report for

information. Carried unanimously.

 

2.4    Northeast Board Third Quarter Report

Recommendation:      That the Board receive this report for information.

Purpose of Report:    Information and discussion

 

The Northeast Board provides a report to the Provincial Board each quarter, which outlines the activities and events undertaken by the Board and the results achieved in relation to the 2004-2005 business plan.

 

The Board reviewed and discussed a draft of the Northeast Alberta Community Board Third Quarter Report. The final version will be brought to the February Board meeting.

 

#05-01-875      MOTION:      Glenn Hennig moved the Board accept the report for

information. Carried unanimously.

 

2.5    Northeast Board Financial Forecast, March 31st, 2005

Recommendation:      That the Board receive this report for information.

Purpose of Report:    Information.

 

The Board reviewed a copy of the Northeast Alberta Community Board monthly financial report to December 31, 2004 and discussed forecasted expenditures and the uptake of individuals in the first three quarters. A copy of this report will be forwarded to the Provincial Board.

 

#05-01-876      MOTION:      Caren Mueller moved the Board accept the report for

information. Carried unanimously.

 

F.      Communications from Board Chair

in Edmonton at the Fantasyland Hotel

·        Pamphlets will be given out to Community Council members.

·        Don Schultz, Board Chair, will attend along with Caren Mueller, who will represent the Evergreen Catholic Separate Regional Division No. 2

·        Catalyst Newsletter – printed an interview with the Northeast Board CEO and several employers from the Northeast region. A copy will be sent electronically to all Board members.

·        Letters were received from Premier Ralph Klein and the Honourable Guy Boutilier, acknowledging the invitation sent to them for the 7th Annual Northeast Regional Conference in Fort McMurray in November.

·        Letter from Cynthia Dickins, President, Autism Society of Edmonton Area regarding potential regulations concerning PDD eligibility Criteria

·        Administration will prepare a response for signature by the Board Chair.

 

#05-01-877      MOTION:      Ralph Gorrie moved that Board sponsor two registrations to

attend the AACL Family Conference in March 2005, along with transportation, accommodation and meals if required, from each Community Council in the Northeast Region. Each Community Council can choose two individuals or two families (if the family can share one room) to attend this conference. Carried unanimously.

 

G.    Communications from CEO

 

H.    In-Camera Session (Review organizational issues)

 

#05-01-878      MOTION:      Doug Fleming moved to go In-Camera at 8:35 am to discuss

organizational issues. Carried unanimously.

 

#05-01-879      MOTION:      Ralph Gorrie moved the Board come out of Camera

                                                at 9:30 am. Carried unanimously.

 

#05-01-880      MOTION:      Glenn Hennig moved the Board go In Camera at 3:50 pm to

discuss organizational issues. Carried unanimously.

 

#05-01-881      MOTION:      Glenn Hennig moved the Board come out of Camera at

4:10 pm. Carried unanimously.

 

I.       Notice of Motion/Request for Information

 

J.      Proposed Meeting Dates

·        February 12, 2005        Whitecourt

·        March 20, 2005            Edmonton

·        April 16, 2005               St. Paul

·        May 28, 2005               Bonnyville

·        June 18, 2005               Fort McMurray

·        July 16, 2005                At the call of the Chair

·        August 20, 2005           Vegreville

·        September 17, 2005     Barrhead

·        October 15, 2005         Westlock

·        November 6, 2005       Fort McMurray

·        December 17, 2005      Lac La Biche

 

Adjournment

 

#05-01-882      MOTION:      Colleen Marks moved the Board adjourn at 4:10 pm.

Carried unanimously.

 

 

______________________________                        ______________________________

Don Schultz, Chair                                                        Dr. Alex Hillyard, CEO