BCFFPA BOARD OF DIRECTORS

TELECONFERENCE SUMMARY

AUGUST 31, 2005

1. June 15th, 2005, and July 18^th, 2005 minutes accepted as written

2. Treasurer’s Report

   1. New Bookkeeper – Notice has been given to the current bookkeeping service, with a new contracted bookkeeper starting in September. It is expected that over the long run this will save funds. Cost is $20.00 per hour.

   2. New Web Redesign – Three quotes have been obtained with a decision on the awarding of the contract pending

   3. Bingo Slot – The Federation is looking at obtaining a bingo slot with the proceeds to go to special services to families. The discussion is ongoing

01/08/05: MSC: (Lyn York) Move to purchase a new printer for the office. Maximum cost to be $1,200.00. Carried

3. President

   1. Meetings Attended

      1. Victoria – Met with Minister Hagen, Annette Harding and Mark Sieben, and with the FPSSS. Minutes of these meetings were given to the board

      2. Agency Agreements

         1. Resource Database – under development with the next meeting to work on this agreement scheduled for September 14^th. Bring forward for September call.

         2. Library – a joint ownership agreement has been developed between the BCFFPA and AFABC.

02/08/05: MSC: (Lyn York) Move to approve the Library Agency Agreement as written. Carried

2. Upcoming Meetings

   1. Federation of Child and Family Services September 21^st in Burnaby. The President will attend

   2. Youth Transition Conferencing Committee – this is a project that is currently under way in the Fraser region. The key stakeholders are MCFD, Youth in Care, BCFFPA, and AFABC. There is a Steering committee and a working committee. The President sits on the Steering Committee The committee is trying to set up a forum and has asked for some funds to assist in accomplishing this.

A concern was raised that the ministry may be off loading costs by requesting that organizations assist in funding this initiative. It was clarified that MCFD is covering some costs, however it is not a ministry initiative, but an initiative undertaken by an individual social worker.

03/08/05: MSC: (Lyn York) Move to donate $500 as a one-time-only donation to the Youth Transition Conferencing forum. Carried

4. Old Business

   1. AGM 2006 – To be held at the Sandman Hotel, Kelowna

   2. Ad Astra – the Board has decided not to move forward with this change to the extended health plan at this time.

   3. Youth Addiction Service – This came as a motion from the AGM floor. Information around available services is being compiled. B/F in September

   4. Membership Drive – information and applications are being mailed next week along with the survey, and Vancouver Island Delegate request for interest.

   5. FAS Support Network – It appears that MCFD has reversed its decision regarding withdrawal of funding. They have offered funding, but were offering so little that the FASSN declined. They will continue to operate using their own funds raised through different initiatives.

5. New Business

   1. Policy and Procedures

04/08/05: MSC (Sheila Davis) Move to amend policy and procedures 6 (a) and replace with:

1. All official decisions are made by the Board or its Executive Members. The Provincial Federation office is supervised by the Operations Manager.

2. All official Federation business is to be conducted through the Provincial Federation office. Whereas all official correspondence of the BCFFPA must be on BCFFPA letterhead, all return correspondence should be directed to that address. Carried

2. Mohawk/Husky – There is a rewards program that will garner funding for the Federation. Foster Parent members will be asked to participate and will be provided cards which they will show when they fill up or purchase anything at these stores. There is the potential to raise funds, some of which will be assist the regions. This information came through ATS Marketing our current fundraiser.

05/08/05:MSC: (Sheila Davis) Move to register for the Husky/Mohawk community rebate program. Carried.

3. Social Work Magazine Article – an article on fostering will be part of the October issue of this magazine recognizing Foster Family Month. The President and another foster parent were interviewed.

4. Macro Report – A request came forward for ongoing funding to the Interior Macro Region. This is being worked on. The Macro board was requested to provide a yearly report prior to further funding being allocated.

5. Financial Assistance to Regions

   1. A request came forward on the last call to provide some funding to the regions for assistance in mail outs and communications.

06/08/05: MSC: (Lyn York) Move to provide up to $600 per year in financial assistance to each macro region to aid in networking and communication. To be provided on a case-by-case basis by written request and at the discretion of the Executive Committee.

It was discussed and clarified that this motion has nothing to do with the request for ongoing funding for the Macro Regional Council currently in place, but is in response to a request for assistance in communications. The motion was carried.

6. Grief and Loss Training – The Federation is looking at developing foster parent training regarding the issue. The training would be similar to that offered at the AGM. This issue is being looked into.

7. Foster Family Month – The BCFFPA and MCFD Division have expressed to the Minister the importance of attending some Foster Family functions during the month of October. The Sunshine Coast FPA has sent a joint letter including MCFD and BCFFPA to the Minster inviting him to attend their function. The mayors from both Sechelt and Gibsons will also attend, as will the BCFFPA President. Delegates from other areas are urged to invite the Minister to their functions as well. It is felt to have a tremendous positive impact on the foster parents when their hard work is recognized.

8. Cost of Living Tracking Tool – this came out of a meeting with MCFD in Victoria. The tool has been developed. Reps were asked to find two foster families in their region; one fostering under 11 and the other fostering over 11. The names and information regarding the families to be forwarded to the provincial office by September 15^th.

6. Ministry Liaison

   1. Recruitment Brochures and Collaboration and Advocating brochures are ready for distribution. Copies will be sent to the provincial office

   2. Headquarters is working with their counterparts in regions around greater awareness of fostering and a push to recruit. There needs to be a full strategy and a 2-4 year plan around recruitment and retention of foster homes. Needs to look at some of the more meaningful ways MCFD and Fed can support foster parents and get the message out to the communities.

   3. Mileage and Cost of Living – MCFD recognizes a need to look at these issues and will be developing an ongoing strategy for future needs with foster parent input.

   4. Provincial Table – MCFD Division is still carrying on with the notion, however there is still no funding allocated. They are proposing a two-day face-to-face meeting with key partners. Terms of reference will be developed. This needs to have a hard start. Recruitment is a huge issue, with welfare rates playing a role in the numbers of kids coming into care. Some factors are housing and lack of available money for families.

   5. Foster Parent Service Pins – this will be put back in place this year. “Fostering the Future” 5, 10, & 15 year pins. A note has gone to the local offices asking how may pins they require.

   6. Legislature – Sitting beginning September 12^th

Next meeting September 19^th, 2005 9:30 am – 11:30 am