BCFFPA Board of Directors
Meeting Summary
July 21, 2006
1.
Minutes of June 19, 2006 accepted as written
2.
In-Camera Outcomes
a.
Follow procedures in place to claim expenses – receipts must be attached
to claim
b.
Purchase orders to be used for specific large items
c.
Improve checks and balances and greater clarity for all of us
3.
Personnel
a.
All those present were introduced to Helen McLelland the new Office
Assistant. Jayne Cotter-Kathwaroon has also been hired as a research and
communications assistant.
b.
P & P. The Secretary will start working on the rewording
c.
Willy continues to work on changes to the Staff policy manual
4.
Treasurer’s Report
a.
May financials were received, and forwarded to the Board.
b.
The Auditor is working on better ways to track GST. Board members
using hotels were asked to ensure that their folio’s are submitted so that
GST can be accounted for.
c.
Investment in GIC is being looked in to. The Treasurer will talk to
various investment groups
d.
Bursaries are finished with the following recommendations The office will
send out the award letters. There were only about 10 applications this
year.
e.
The Treasurer attended a workshop on Parliamentary Procedures. Info will
be sent to the audit
f.
Audit – discussed in Camera
5.
President’s Report
a.
Foster Parent Liability clarification was received via letter from Mark
Sieben and was included in the latest newsletter.
b.
The contract team from MCFD would like to add something regarding
smoking in foster homes.
c.
Canada AM – The President was interviewed with regard to the Sidney
home. Ministry is happy to work with the Federation regarding media
coverage.
d.
The President has developed a press release thanking foster parents. It
will be sent out to daily and weekly papers on the 25th.
e.
The President Vice President and Operations Manager met with Min
Hagen and shared the press release with him. They requested that it be
used as a recruitment tool, but Melanie declined for this time. The
Minister has reiterated his commitment to work with the Federation
around the following
i.
Public Relations
ii.
Discussed
1.
Health of Caregivers – He will look at assisting foster
parents for free passes to recreational facilities, he is also
working on passes to Science World and BC Lions Games
and is looking at assisting Foster Families to attend Lions
games. He is also working on assisting foster children to
be involve in the Duke of Edinburgh awards – he is finding
ways to help off set this cost as well.
2.
Foster Care Maintenance Rates – informed him that we are
working on justification for and increase
3.
Rights of Foster Parents – he requested and was sent the
first draft
4.
A letter to graduating youth in care from the minister was
suggested.
Claude Cuff brought up the issue of clarification regarding staff time sheets.
Bursary Committee
– was dealt with previously
A motion was made and passed that the Board meet face to face quarterly subject to
financial considerations.
The next face to face is scheduled for November 23 afternoon and 24th morning with a
financial workshop in the morning of the 24th
Conflict of interest was discussed.
P & P Section 6 was clarified so that all understand that official business does no include
interregional issues, but only business that is of an official nature.
Duties of the Board of Directors need to be clarified as well.
It was moved and passed that a working budget of $500 per month be allocated to the
discretion of the Operation Manager. Higher purchases are to be approved by the
Executive.
It was moved and passed that the Federation maintain a record by receipt of all items
donated by the Federation
P/C issue was tabled to the August 14th Meeting for a decision
A request came forward from the Burnaby New West Local to set up a meeting with
CLBC to obtain clarification on what is available to caregivers. The board agrees that the
office can be used for this meeting. The office will coordinate.
The Federation may want to look at approaching CLBC to obtain funding for protocol
support for their foster parents.
It was moved and carried that the Federation donate $500 o.t.o. to the Federation of
Aboriginal Foster Parents to assist in offsetting the costs of the Aboriginal Cultural Camp
Technical & Vocational Bursary allocation will be discussed at the Aug 14th meeting
The Secretary brought up the idea of a book of discounts for sale which have the
Federation name on them. The Federation receives $1 from each sale and does no work.
This will be looked into
Sheila brought up the event planning proposal for CFFA BCFFPA AGM 2007
It was moved and carried that Gracious Host Events be hired to coordinate the AGM
2007
Regions
Vancouver Coastal – a local picnic is planned for the Sunshine Coast. The local is
fundraising to help offset the costs of running the local. A fundraising request form will
be sent to the local. There has not been very much contact from up the coast, although
Claude has been in conversation with Bella Bella
Fraser – no report
Interior – It is the Summer Hiatus – Salmon Arm is working with MCFD to develop a
community response for youth in trouble as they do not get services easily when they
really need them. A first meeting has been held. A list of new foster parents will be sent
to the region.
North – There seems to be some desperation in recruiting homes in the North. A home
was recently approved within 24 hours the situation is so desperate. The Board felt that
this was happening too fast. The Vice President has been asked by MCFD North to fly to
Tatla Landing with a group of children who will be visiting the reserve there. Round
table are now happening in the North with each community listening to foster parent
issues
Vancouver Island – No Report
Next meeting August 14th from 7-9 pm
