BCFFPA BOARD OF DIRECTORS

MEETING SUMMARY

MAY 26, 2005 – AGM

 

 

 

Meeting Called to Order at 3:00 PM

 

 

1.      Introductions

 

The President informed Mike and Marion Balla of the change to by-laws allowing some members to sit on the board and have full voting privilege when they are not fostering.

 

Mike Balla is the former Director of Foster Parent Development in Ottawa.  He indicated surprise at the persistence of some themes, such as Partnership, Teamwork, and Professionalism etc as when the rhetoric is put aside this is not reflected.  He recognizes the importance of working with jurisdictions to reconcile what is said with what is really going on.

 

Marion Balla provides direct training services through her group, the Adlerian Society.  She will be facilitating two workshops at the conference.

 

Mike, formerly with the Child Welfare League of Canada, is working currently with the Canadian Foster Families Association.  It is a significant organization as it represents a growth of strategies in how provinces view foster families.  There is a recognized need to develop a strong national voice. The CFFA would like to become the national clearinghouse for foster parent information.  Currently all jurisdictions are operating in isolation, and need to work together with other like organization to build capacity in order to influence local governments.  The CFFA budget is $8,000.  Funders want to know who supports the CFFA.  Mike asks how we can develop the capacity to build a national organization in order to stimulate funders to react.  Foster parents are an undervalued group and this is true throughout the country.  Mike reiterated the strength of the BCFFPA.  The long tenure speaks well of the organization.

 

2.      Minutes of March 9, 2005 and May 11, 2005

 

01/05/AGMBD: MSC: (D. Drewitz) Move to accept March 9, 2005 minutes unanimous

02/05/AGMBD:MSC: (D. Drewitz) Move to accept May 11, 2005 minutes unanimous

 

3.      Treasurer’s Report

 

Acting on the Treasure’s behalf the Operation Manager delivered the audit.  The Federation is in excellent financial condition.

 

4.      President’s Report

a.      Contract – to date there has been no response to the letter regarding contracts.  MCFD assumed someone had responded and has apologized for the oversight.  This has been an issue for the past year, and she hopes there will be a letter forthcoming in the near future.  The President is prepared to answer member’s questions in relation to this issue.  There may or may be a moratorium on the use of the modification agreements.

b.      Foster Parents in Victoria called regarding a meeting being held on Monday with SIFPA and FPSSS.  The board asked the President to attend.  Some regions are developing their own policies, which they cannot legally do, as policy is legislated.

c.      AGM update – The President reviewed the series of events for the boards information

 

5.      New Business

a.      Kids up front was discussed and the board will be e-mailed further information.  They are doing a fundraising event on June 16, 2005. 

b.      AGM 2007 – As this is the BCFFPA’s 40^th year, MCFD has suggested that we host the CFFA that year.  The President will check to ensure that year is not already taken.  MCFD will receive a proposal from the Federation.

 

6.      Ongoing business

a.      Newsletter advertising

 

03/05/AGMBC: (Debbie Drewitz) Move to allow Sunrise Adoption Services to advertise with a $10.00 donation for the June Issue

 

b.      54.1 – The Public Trustee is not giving consent to this at this time unless there is a compelling argument to do so.  Foster Parents are advised to seek legal council prior to doing this.

 

7.      Ministry Liaison

a.      Contract Issue - MCFD Division is looking at all contracts that were changed or amended in the past year.  There will be a report coming from systems by the end of next week.  There is no moratorium on the modification agreements just information regarding the fact that there is a review of the process due to concerns being raised regarding adequate notice.

 

Once the information has been received from systems, the ADM would like to arrange a meeting with representatives from the Federation in Vancouver within the next couple of weeks.

 

This information is needed for inclusion in the Standards document, as it will be clarified in there.  MCFD is aiming for the end of June for a final draft, which will be sent to the Federation.

 

8.      In-Camera