PDD NORTHEAST COMMUNITY BOARD MEETING
Saturday, June
26, 2004 8:40 am – 4:00 pm
7th
Floor Conference Room, Nomad Inn
Fort McMurray, Alberta
APPROVED MINUTES
Present:
Donna Desjardins, Acting Chair, Ralph Gorrie, Glenn Hennig, Colleen Marks,
Caren Mueller, Floyd Thompson
Administration: Dr. Alex Hillyard, CEO; Lucille Froese, Recording Secretary
Absent:
Don Schultz, Carmela Levesque, and Dr. Doug Fleming, were absent for personal reasons.
Guests:
Geoff Wright, Chair, Fort McMurray Community Council, Lori Cooper, CEO, Child and Family Services Authority, Region 9, Iris Pasareno, Program Director, Fort McMurray Salvation Army START Program, Tracey Condon, Fort McMurray Salvation Army, Preeti Naida, Fort McMurray Salvation Army, Dorothy Anstey, Fort McMurray Salvation Army, Lorraine Fitzgerald, Salvation Army START Program, Christina McCarthy, Fort McMurray Association for Community Living, Sonya King, Joan King, Nicki Lou Mackin, Philip Mackin, Nicole Geisler, Shaun Murphy, Shaun Elms, Sherry Grund, WJS Alberta, Anne Marie Smith, WJS Alberta, Gladys Bingham, Julie Cole, Dominique Looy, Linda Rix, Service Coordinator, PDD, Darren Jackniski, Blue Fish Studios.
A.
Donna Desjardins,
Acting Chair, called the meeting to order at 8:40 am,
June 26, 2004.
Additions to the Agenda:
J. Personnel Matter Motion
J. Board members doing community presentations.
J. Policy Development
#04-06-780 MOTION: Colleen
Marks moved the Board approve the agenda as
amended. Carried unanimously.
C. Approval of Minutes
#04-06-781 MOTION: Glenn
Hennig moved the Board approve the minutes
as presented. Carried unanimously.
·
Westlock Golf
Tournament
·
This event
occurred on June 5, 2004. The Westlock Rotary Club organized it and the
proceeds went to Special Olympics. Since I don’t know how to golf, I
volunteered to work at hole #6 for their pitching contest. It was a lot of fun
and it raised over $400.00, just at that hole. My daughter, Jolene also
volunteered, as well as an athlete from Special Olympics, Jason. We also
attended the supper at the Westlock Inn.
·
This was held
on June 19, 2004. I volunteered at Hole #5, which was the beverage hole. I also
attended the dinner afterwards. My daughter, Jolene also helped.
·
I attended this
supper meeting on June 17, 2004 at the Barrhead Neighborhood Inn. I met a lot
of people and observed and took notes when everyone broke into groups. I sat
with each of the 4 groups and listened to their comments and concerns.
·
Some of the
comments that I heard were:
School: There is a need for more post-secondary education. There are some
concerns regarding bullying.
Libraries: Some individuals wanted more privacy when at the library while
using a Computer.
Plain Language: This issue was brought up several times, as not all the
individuals understood the strategies and goals.
Staff Recognition: Some individuals wanted to see staff rewarded for
their hard work and dedication. They wanted to do this rather than having the
board or management do this.
Promotion: They wanted businesses promoted that were hiring people with
disabilities.
Advocacy: More is needed if improvements are to be made. People need to unite and work as a team.
Celebrate Success!
·
Meeting on June
3, 2004
·
The attendance
was low. Perhaps the hockey game had something to do with this?
·
Mary Jo
indicated that PDD was hiring a new community coordinator to assist Barb
Chaffee.
·
Housing – Elva
from Exit Realty may be putting on a workshop for interested individuals in
regards to their housing issues.
·
The
Self-Advocacy Summit was discussed:
·
Who would
attend? Several interested individuals put their names forward and they were
required to compose a one-page essay as to why they wanted to attend and their
expected outcomes from this conference. They emphasized that the chosen person
would be expected to speak up at the conference and also report back to
community council.
·
A slogan is
needed for the summit and a flyer was passed out with examples. People were
asked to submit their ideas.
·
Federal
Election: Mary Jo explained some aspects of the upcoming federal election and
queried those in attendance regarding their knowledge about voting and the
political parties.
·
AISH – a
handout “Changes to AISH: Disability Action Hall” was distributed and
discussed.
·
I passed out my
PDD Business cards to all those in attendance.
·
It is expected
that several individuals will be attending the Joint Community Council meeting
in Barrhead on June 17, 2004
· VTSS
· Some 85 vouchers have been provided to seniors and individuals with disabilities in the Town of Vegreville.
· The County has provided $5,000 funding for rural assistance following a similar plan as we have for the Town except that the support has to be greater for rural mileage.
· June 13 Rick Hanson’s “Wheels in Motion” was administered. Some 60 individuals of the community (including 16 people with developmental disabilities), through pledges, raised $5200 of which 50% is retained by VTSS. This will go into a fund for a handicapped van project.
· Community Council
· Attendance was rather good and active with about 20 in attendance. Our two co-
chairs handled the meeting with poise.
· A master letter regarding AISH was reviewed as the last draft to be sent to government. As well I emphasized the need to have individual letters from the recipients of AISH describing their plight to make ends meet. The meeting was definitely in agreement as members were accepting the challenge to write letters. This was actually the beginning of self-advocacy in Vegreville.
· Due to the Provincial Policy Committee meeting in Edmonton on the same day of the Regional Community Council in St. Paul I was unable to attend relative to time scheduling.
· AGM VALID
· Dr. Susan Moisey, Guest Speaker, gave an excellent presentation.
· Provincial Board Policy Development Committee
· Attended meeting of June 23 at the PDD offices
· Project is slowly getting direction from the group
· We need to hear from our Community Board and report back as to what the Community Board understands or better yet what should be the role and responsibility of the Provincial Board.
·
No report at
this time.
Caren Mueller
· Athabasca Community Council did not have a meeting this month. They will be having a wiener roast in July.
· May not be able to attend the Athabasca Blue Heron AGM. If not, Glenn Hennig will attend instead.
· Was pleased to bring greetings on behalf of the Board.
· Looked like it was going to be a great conference, once again
· Both Don and I attended the AARC Annual meeting in Leduc, Alberta. I was attending on behalf of the Provincial Board.
· Excellent evening. Reports were presented on Second Century, Standards and Accreditation, Workforce Strategy, Leading Excellence Together and Community Rehabilitation Career Paths. It is very exciting to see the Service Providers truly leading the way.
· CEO and I attended the AGM in Edmonton
· Always a very special event. It was Father Bill Irwin’s 50th Anniversary since his ordination, so the event was even that more special.
· Reported previously in agenda
· Bruce Uditsky, Alex Hillyard, Lori Skinner took families through an exercise of outcomes for the Accountability Framework
· Great evening. Had a chance to meet both of the new Family Voices co-ordinators for our region - Sandra Hardy from Fox Creek and Don Pottie from Onoway.
· Eight members from the Society went to the Leadership Today AGM in Edmonton on June 19, 2004.
· Hector Jean and Daniel Desjardins were nominated for 2 board positions that were available.
· Unfortunately, they were not successful, but it certainly is not dampening the society’s enthusiasm for ongoing support and learning from Leadership Today, and for what they are doing as a group.
· The St. Paul Interagency/SPAFWAC merger project continues.
· A vision and a mission has been developed. The vision is “St. Paul County is a safe and caring community where all can achieve and thrive.” PDD’s input into this new community direction and the co-operation of all government levels is exciting.
· June 22, 2004. We wanted the Board to have the opportunity to meet Floyd.
· We were received royally. It is exciting to see the direction and the enthusiasm that the Board has. They are having a 25th anniversary on August 12, 2004. Also, they are hoping to offer the Front Line Staff Conference on October 5 & 6, 2004.
· The St. Paul Library is enthusiastically supporting the inclusive library initiative. A partnership has been formed in between NEPDD, Athabasca University and the St. Paul Municipal Library.
· E-mail Tuesdays are going to be held July 5-Aug 31, 2004 from 2:00pm – 7:00pm A computer coach will be available to assist individuals to learn e-mail. Individuals with disabilities are specifically invited. It is also my understanding that the library will be making a special invitation to seniors to participate as well.
· Approximately 75 people from Lac La Biche, Cold Lake, Bonnyville, Vegreville and St. Paul attended a joint meeting to help the Board hear what their concerns were and the things that they feel have the greatest priority in the business planning process. This information, along with the information from the meeting with the Fort McMurray Community Council and the joint meeting held in Barrhead on June 17, 2004 will be brought forward in the Provincial Business Planning meeting on August 12, 2004, as well as consideration by our board in our own plans.
Presentation by Geoff Wright, Chair, Fort McMurray Community Council
·
Reminded the
Board of the unique economic situation in Fort McMurray. There has been
tremendous growth over the last seven years, with a huge impact on everyone.
·
New projects
are starting – the groundwork is being done – will take Fort McMurray to a new
level of growth over the next 10 or 15 years.
·
The cost of
living is high and the residential infrastructure is struggling to keep up.
·
Difficult to
attract people to work in Fort McMurray due to high cost of living and housing
situation. This has a huge impact on persons with developmental disabilities.
·
It is difficult
to hire and retain good staff, salaries for support staff are not keeping up.
·
Programs for
persons with developmental disabilities depend on good staff to organize and
run them. They will be in jeopardy.
·
In the fall the
Fort McMurray Community Council is taking on a project to find out what kind of
accommodation models exist in other parts of the country and come up with some
recommendations of what would make sense here and in other parts of the region.
Mr. Wright also gave an excellent presentation in support of the
Community Council’s proposal for the 2005 Northeast Regional Conference to be
held in Fort McMurray.
Iris Pasareno, Fort McMurray Salvation Army Start Program, introduced
Sherry Grund of WJS Alberta. Iris also gave Board members copies of brochures
showing the services, goals and Mission Statement for the Fort McMurray
Salvation Army START Program.
Sherry Grund, WJS Alberta, gave a short overview of the history of WJS
Alberta and brochures showing an overview of services provided by WJS Alberta,
their Mission and Aspirations.
1.
Board Communications & Operations
1.1 Provincial
PDD Board Business Planning 2005-2008
Recommendation: That the Board receive this report for information.
Purpose of Report: Information and discussion on participants.
The Provincial PDD Board has scheduled a business planning session for August 12, 2004 in Edmonton. The Provincial Board has agreed to expand the participant group for the session to include three additional representatives from each Community Board.
The Board approved a self-advocate, a member of the Northeast Consortium of Service Providers, and a family member to be invited to attend from the Northeast Region. Family Voices will be asked to assist with the selection of a family member and a self-advocate.
#04-06-782 MOTION: Caren Mueller moved the Board accept the report for
information. Carried unanimously.
1.2 Northeast
Alberta Community Board Audit Committee
Recommendation: That the Board approved terms of reference for the Audit
Committee.
Purpose of Report: Discussion and approval of the term of reference for the
Audit Committee.
At the May Board meeting, proposed terms of reference for a Northeast Alberta Community Board Audit Committee were reviewed by the Board.
After review and discussion, the Board approved the proposed terms of reference with the amendment to strike the reference to the Executive Committee.
In keeping with the Terms of reference, the Board will appoint members to the Audit Committee, which will develop its own operating procedures for approval at a later Board meeting.
#04-06-783 MOTION: Ralph Gorrie moved the Board approve the
report for
information.
Carried unanimously.
#04-06-784 MOTION: Floyd Thompson moved the Board approve the
Terms of
Reference for the Northeast
Alberta Community Board Audit Committee as amended. Carried unanimously.
1.3 Northeast
Alberta Community Board: Exit Interview With the Auditor General
Recommendation: That the Board approve the financial statements for the
year ended March 31, 2004 (Appendix II).
Purpose of Report: Information on the findings of the audit for
the year
ended March 31, 2004 and approval of the
financial
statements for the same period.
The Auditor General has completed the review of the financial statements
for the year ending March 31, 2004 in relation to the audit plan that was
presented on February 11, 2004. The Northeast Board Audit Committee met with
staff from the Office of the Auditor General on June 15, 2004 to discuss their
findings.
There were no unadjusted audit differences and no adjustments were
required as a result of the audit work.
The Board reviewed and discussed a copy of the Report from the Auditor General as well as a copy of the financial statements.
MOTION: Ralph Gorrie moved the Board approve the
financial statements for the year
ended March 31, 2004. Carried unanimously.
1.4 Northeast
Alberta Community Board Annual Report 2003-04
Recommendation: That the Board receive this report for information.
Purpose of Report: Input and discussion.
Each year the Provincial Board prepares an annual report, which contains two major sections. The first is a summary of the results achieved by the Provincial and Community Boards under each of the Provincial Goals. The second section contains individual reports from each of the Community Boards.
The Board reviewed the Northeast Alberta Community Board Annual Report from last year and reviewed and discussed a preliminary draft of the 2003-04 report for the areas: People Served, Highlights 2003-2004, and Future Opportunities and Challenges.
Board members will send additional suggestions for this report to administration by
June 30.
#04-06-785 MOTION: Glenn Hennig moved the Board accept the
report for
information.
Carried unanimously.
2. Administration
2.1 NorthEast Community Online Initiative: Updates
Recommendation: NorthEast Community Online and Inclusive Libraries
Initiative: Project Updates.
Purpose of Report: For information.
#04-06-786 MOTION: Caren Mueller
moved the Board table this report until the
August
meeting. Carried unanimously.
2.2 Northeast Regional Conference 2004: Update
Recommendation: That the Board receive this report for information.
Purpose of Report: Information and update regarding conference planning
activities.
Planning meetings were held on May 13th and June 16th, 2004. The Conference Planning Committee consists of representatives from the City of Cold Lake, Community Councils of Bonnyville and Cold Lake, Portage College, and service provider organizations. We are still looking to include children’s services, a business member from Cold Lake and Bonnyville, and CFB Cold Lake.
· The conference venue will be at the Lakeland Inn in Cold Lake.
· The conference theme will continue to focus on “Building Community Capacity”.
· There will be an Internet Café again this year, as well as a banquet and a dance.
· The Board will identify a Communicator of the Year Recipient(s) and invitations will be sent to Community Councils for nominations for Service and Merit Awards.
#04-06-787 MOTION: Glenn Hennig
moved the Board accept the report for
information. Carried unanimously.
2.3 Joint Community Council Meeting: Business Plan Input
Recommendation: Joint Community Council Meetings: Business Plan Input.
Purpose of Report: Information.
The Board held two joint community meetings to begin the 2005-2008 Provincial and Regional Board business planning session. The first meeting on June 17th included representatives from the community councils of Barrhead, Westlock, Athabasca, and Whitecourt. The second joint meeting held on June 23rd in St. Paul, included representatives from the community councils of St. Paul, Vegreville, Bonnyville, Cold Lake, and Lac La Biche.
Northeast Alberta Community Board members attended each of the meetings.
There was a good atmosphere and excellent participation at both meetings and concerns expressed were common to both groups. Plain language and bullying were two of the issues mentioned.
#04-06-788 MOTION: Ralph Gorrie
moved the Board accept the report for
information. Carried unanimously.
2.4 Fort McMurray Input Opportunities
Recommendation: That
the Board receive this report for information.
Purpose of Report: Discussion
and community input.
At the May 5th Fort McMurray Community Council meeting the administration and council discussed the potential options for ongoing input to the Board, as there is no representative from Fort McMurray on the Northeast Board.
The Board discussed a number of options for ensuring that the current level of communication and opportunities for representation with the Board are maintained or enhanced.
The Board met in Fort McMurray this month and members of the Community Council were in attendance. The Board members and Fort McMurray Community Council members participated in a business planning session to give the Council members an opportunity to provide input to the 2005-08 Business Planning Process.
C.
Communications from Board Chair
· Provincial level – The Provincial Board has indicated that non-provincial board members will not be paid for committee work at the Provincial level. It is expected that the regional Boards will support their members.
· The 2004-2005 provincial budget has now been allocated and the amount approved for our region is 22,956.
· Michener Centre – the Provincial Board will be having a special meeting on August 18, 2004 on the Moving Ahead project.
· Received correspondence from Albert Cloutier. A response will be sent to Albert on behalf of the Board.
H. Communications
from CEO
· June 7th, 2004 gave a Governance Agreement presentation to Northeast Children’s Authority, Region 9 in Fort McMurray.
·
Regional
Photo Shoot Schedule – Darren of Blue Fish Studios was here today to take photos.
These photos will be used to refresh the Board’s image.
·
There
will be two Risk Management Sessions, November 15 and 16, 2004 – on the 15th
there will be a major session with Board Chairs and CEOs, in Westlock, with a
two-hour presentation on risk management and how Boards need to function and
operate within that.
I. In-Camera Session
(Review organizational issues)
#04-06-789 MOTION: Floyd
Thompson moved the Board go In-Camera at 8:40 am.
Carried unanimously.
#04-06-790 MOTION: Caren
Mueller moved to come out of Camera at 10:15 am.
Carried unanimously.
J. Notice of
Motion/Request for Information
#04-06-791 MOTION: Ralph Gorrie moved the Board approve
Personnel Matter
2004 #1 as presented. Carried unanimously.
For Board members doing community presentations in their communities,
there is a slide presentation available. Administration is also available to
help with presentations.
Board members often give presentations to Rotary Clubs, Chambers of Commerce,
other Boards, etc.
Policy Development Committee
·
The last
meeting was held on June 23, 2004. Looked at our Policy Review from an aspect
that would lead to a 21st Century deal. Also looked at Criteria for
Good Policy. Will revisit this at the next meeting.
·
The Committee
would like to know what is the relationship of the Community Board to the
Provincial Board.
·
From the
Community Board’s perspective, what should be the role of the Community Board.
·
What do you
think is the role of the Provincial Board. What is their role and
responsibility.
·
Board members
to give comments back to Ralph Gorrie before the next Committee meeting on July
28.
K. Proposed Meeting Dates
#04-06-792 MOTION: Ralph Gorrie moved the Board adjourn at 4:00 pm.
Carried
unanimously.
________________________________ ________________________________
Don Schultz, Chair Dr.
Alex Hillyard, CEO