BCFFPA BOARD OF DIRECTORS
TELECONFERENCE SUMMARY
JANUARY 12, 2009
7:00-9:00 PM
1.
Acceptance of Minutes November 18, 2008 – accepted as written
2.
President’s Report
a.
Upcoming meeting
i.
January 25, 2009 – Practice Framework – L. du Toit Victoria. Melanie to
attend
3.
Treasurer’s Report
i.
Finances are heading in the right direction
ii.
Financials for December will be sent to the board next week
iii.
Write a letter to Salmon Arm and Kelowna treasurers extending the date
for the books to be returned. EA
iv.
Write a letter to RBC regarding closing of Region K account – EA
4.
Regional Delegates
a.
Vancouver Coastal – Peter Dueck – no concerns
b.
Fraser – Debbie Drewitz – no concerns
c.
Interior - Cheryl MacLeod
i.
Issue of MCFD Kelowna paying level 11 for first in a group of siblings
and regular for the others has gone to Nancy McComb.
ii.
Issue of Social Worker taking notes during a discussion with a foster
parent and passing that information on to the birth family will be taken
forward. Confidentiality issue will be addressed at the local level, and at
the Provincial Retention committee.
iii.
There continues to be overages in homes with little to no support
available
iv.
At a Partnership meeting in the Interior the issue of using homes
regionally rather than locally was brought up by the BCFFPA Macro
Board. It was taken under advisement by MCFD. The issue is that
some homes are sitting empty while others are overfull in areas right
beside each other.
v.
H. Bayes won a $100 prize draw from the Okanagan Foster Parent
Associations upon the completion of the 53 hour training.
d.
North
i.
Level 2 and 3 beds are closing without reason in this area, as the
ministry seems to want to have only regular homes caring for children.
ii.
Quality of Care Protocols are being brought back in the North. This
issue is being addressed by the working group, who has been made
aware that this was a potential decision of MCFD North. This will be
taken up with Minister Christensen in February’s meeting.
iii.
A foster parent long time member has been injured. The office will send
a card.
iv.
Kith and Kin agreements – little financial or other support available to
Kith and Kin or others caring for relatives. This is being discussed at the
Provincial Retention Committee.
5.
Old Business
a.
Executive Job Descriptions – SD is working on. Tabled until February.
b.
AGM Motions – now posted on the web site
c.
February Newsletter – deadline is February 15. Reports should be 700 words or
less.
01/01/2009: MST: (H. Bayes) I motion that policy 10 D be changed to read: A member in any
class of membership may be expelled for breech of By-law, Policy or Code of Ethics,
Violation of Oath of Confidentiality or Breech of Harassment Policy towards any staff or
fellow member. for a specific period of time, upon a 2/3- majority vote of the Directors.
(See By-laws Article II Membership Ceases.)
i) A letter of reminder of policy etc for the first time
ii) Second breech a letter stating the member is at risk of expulsion
iii) Third time the member shall be expelled
By-Law
Section 6. Membership Ceases
a)
Membership shall cease 30 days after non-payment of the annual fee.
b)
A Member in any class of membership, as defined in Section 1 and 2, may be expelled
with cause upon a 2/3 vote of the Board of Directors.
c)
The Member has the right to attend a meeting in which the decision for expulsion shall be
made
d)
The Member has the right to appeal any expulsion decision made by the Board of
Directors.
e)
The Member appealing the expulsion decision has to abide by the decision of the
membership present at the Annual General Meeting.
f)
Membership automatically changes to Associate Member status upon the formal closure
of a foster home by the Ministry of Children and Family Development or its designate,
after all processes of appeal have been exhausted and the decision to close the home
has been upheld.
g)
A member may resign by submitting a written notice to the Federation Office.
P&P
Membership section 10 sub section D
D. A member in any class of membership may be expelled with cause, for a specific period of
time, upon a 2/3-majority vote of the Directors. (See By-laws Article II Membership Ceases.)
This motion was put off until February’s meeting in order to allow some reflection and
amendments.
6.
New Business
a.
Letter of Support regarding poverty and living wages from First Call BC – the
board unanimously agreed to add their signature to the letter
b.
Regional Assistance for AGM – on hold. Regions should approach the ministry
as this is an excellent training opportunity for foster parents.
c.
AGM – There is the possibility of a networking group meeting the afternoon of the
22nd of May which will bring in foster parent from throughout the province. Other
workshops include Self Advocacy and Youth and Gangs.
d.
Office move – there is an opportunity to move further out into the Fraser Region.
The board discussed and will vote by e-mail once a couple of questions are
answered.
e.
Nomination Committee – Cheryl MacLeod agreed to chair the nominations
committee for 2009. The regional delegates will make up the committee.
f.
Accreditation – EA will investigate the process for accreditation.
g.
Recruitment – A pilot project regarding Recruitment assistance will be presented.
This is in the very early stages.
Next call is Tuesday, February 24, 2009 from 7:00 – 9:30 pm.
