BCFFPA Annual General Meeting
Executive Airport Hotel and Conference Centre
May 26, 2007
Meeting called to Order at 9:04 am
1.
Welcoming Remarks - Melanie welcomed those in attendance, and introduced the
Board of Directors. Willy Neal then recognized the Life and Honorary members,
Melanie and Paul Filiatrault, Sheila and Phil Durnford and Betty Davis, invited
guests, Marilyn Hedlund ADM, Provincial Director of Child Welfare, Teresa
Lum, External Communications FBCYICN. Jocelyn Helland ED-FBCYICN, and
Annette Harding, MCFD/BCFFPA Liaison. Staff members, Ellaine Ashby ED,
Jayne Cotter, Administrative Coordinator, and Alysha Stoddard, Office Assistant
were also recognized. Representatives from the Foster Parent Support Agencies,
Delegated Aboriginal Agencies and Federation of Aboriginal Foster Parents,
Gaye Smith and Gary Mavis and the Parliamentarian John Noonan were also
introduced to the assembly.
2.
Marilyn Hedlund ADM – made a short address stating that she is new to the
province of BC having taken on her current role in January 2007. She is aware of
the challenges within the foster care support system, and thanked the membership
for allowing her to attend.
3.
Housekeeping - Melanie requested that the meeting be turned over to
Parliamentarian John Noonan. John dealt with the housekeeping issues.
a.
Quorum Met – 35 voting members in attendance
b.
Agenda was approved – Moved by H. Bayes-carried
c.
Conference Standing Rules - Moved by H. Bayes – carried
d.
Jack Legebokow and Brian Tipper will scrutineer the election process
4.
Presidents Message
a.
Melanie Filiatrault conveyed the President’s message and directed those
present to her report contained in the annual report. There were no
questions.
b.
Melanie thanked Jim Randall for development of a power point
presentation outlining the intent of the executive members who will be
traveling to the Interior Region on an ideas tour. This tour will also
include information pertaining to the BCFFPA Insurance Rider, contract
clarification, and services offered by the Federation of Aboriginal Foster
Parents, the BCFFPA, the Provincial Foster Parent Support line and the
PGT.
c.
Melanie then presented the power point presentation to the assembly
5.
Treasurer’s Report – Tom Leboe presented the Treasurer’s Report with the
assembly giving its adoption. He then turned over the presentation to Brian
Tipper-Auditor who presented his report.
a.
S. Beech had a question regarding the interest earned for the Natural Child
Bursary. It was clarified that only the interest is awarded and the principal
is left intact.
i.
Kate Lehmann moved to accept the auditor’s report. The motion
was carried
ii.
Tom Leboe moved to appoint Brian Tipper as Auditor for the
2007/08 fiscal year, and that the Board of Directors be appointed to
fix the remuneration. The motion was carried.
6.
Introduction of Nominees –
a.
Fred Chiasson moved to suspend the Rules of Order in order to proceed
with the election process. The motion was carried.
b.
John Noonan clarified the voting process for the Special Resolution. This
will amend the by-laws to allow for Association Memberships that will
enable other groups who support the causes of the BCFFPA to become
members. This will help the BCFFPA gain autonomy from government.
c.
Jan Chapman – Nominated for Treasurer, was unable to attend due to a
death in her family. Her speech was read to the assembly.
d.
Sheila Davis – Nominated for Secretary, gave a short speech outlining her
past experience.
e.
Holly Golanowski – Nominated for Secretary, had withdrawn due to the
uncertainty of her future plans. She shared this information with the
assembly.
f.
John Noonan explained the voting process.
g.
No questions came forward and the assembly broke for coffee and voting
at 10:00 am
7.
New Business
a.
Motions from the floor
01/AGM/2007: MSC: (Jill Beech) Move that the Annual Report contain all the data
related to:
1.
Number of memberships for the Province by region
2.
Telephone calls related to the toll free line
3.
Calls received and referred to the regions
She clarified that this used to be part of the report and she would like to see it reinstated.
02/AGM/2007:MSC: (Sheila Davis) We resolve to ask the BCFFPA to look into
variances in contract rates throughout the province.
This came forward as a result of regions providing variances in funding for contracts with
overages.
03/AGM/2007:MSD: (Kula Zervos) Move that there be additional reps for large
regions (i.e. Fraser Valley)
Some regions feel they do not get enough information, however many others felt that the
setting up of a Macro Region, as has been done in the Interior Region. This board has
representation from each of the local areas within the region and the BCFFPA Delegate
also holds a seat on the board. The flow of communication has improved since this was
put in place. There is however a recognized need for further improvements to the
communication flow. This is why the BCFFPA is going out to the regions, as it will help
strengthen the regions and locals. J. Beech voiced her opinion that there are agencies in
all the regions and that those agencies should be representing foster parents, It was
clarified that the support agencies support foster parents and that the agencies are the
support to the BCFFPA.
04/AGM/2007:MSC: (Wendy Sutherland) The BCFFPA continue to actively develop
an information form for foster parents to give feedback to the child’s social worker
on the quality of service received as per motion #13 from the 2006 BCFFPA AGM.
This issue will continue to be worked on.
05/AGM/2007:MSC: (Heather Bayes) Move that the BCFFPA develop a joint training
module with MCFD on triangulation and the impact on the fostering of the youth in
care.
It was felt that both foster parents and social workers would benefit from this training, as
without realizing it, some social workers cause triangulation to take place.
06/AGM/2007: MSC: ( Lila Lachmuth) Move that the BCFFPA do some type of
clarification with lending agencies regarding foster income. This is because many
foster parents have difficulty securing mortgages etc. because lending agencies,
banks etc. are confused about our method of income.
Some foster parent contracts are being written for three months, so banks are reluctant to
finance without security.
BCFFPA office is able and willing to write letters informing lending agencies about rates,
although it is ultimately the role of the FP resource worker to do it.
07/AGM/2007: MSC: (Wendy Sutherland) BCFFPA actively pursue discussion with
MCFD with respect to increasing the length of our contracts
Motion amended to read “extend the term of the contract” Amendment carried
08/AGM/2007:MSC: (Holly Golanowski) Since the increase in the maintenance, gas
has increased again and will continue to increase. Therefore we are requesting an
immediate increase in the maintenance to allow for the increase in the cost for gas.
The wording in the original motion was struck and replaced with “increase in the km
rate and a decrease in the minimum km allotted” – carried
09/AGM/2007: MSC: (Helen Hofer) The BCFFPA ask the ministry to immediately
notify foster parents who have been accused of an allegation what the allegation is
about.
Foster Parents are often blindsided when it comes to allegations, and are given no prior
notice or even told what the allegation is about until a face to face meeting can be called.
There needs to be an immediate meeting called so foster parents can be informed as soon
as possible not several weeks later.
It was felt by some that the Protocols need to remain Provincial and that BCFFPA needs
to go to MCFD immediately to dialogue with regard to taking back the advocacy piece as
foster parents continue to be pulled into Protocols with no support.
The wording of the motion was amended from “immediately” to “within 24 hours and
within normal business hours and to be confirmed in writing and delivered by hand
or registered mail.”
It was again amended to “within 3 business days – to be confirmed in writing and
delivery by hand or registered mail.” Carried with amendments
10/AGM/2007:MSC: (Stan Beech) The BCFFPA ask the MCFD for an automatic cost
of living increase annually and provide us with a report at the next AGM.
It was pointed out that the perception is high level homes are the least valued in the
province, as proven by the small % increase in the service payment.
11/AGM/2007: MSC: (Jill Beech) Move that wheras the BCFFPA is the recognized
voice for all foster parents, I move that a member of each contracted agency be a
participant in the BCFFPA teleconferences after the business is concluded
Melanie Filiatrault spoke in favour of the motion. The motion was carried and will be
discussed by the BCFFPA Board of Directors
12/AGM/2007: MCS: (Heather Bayes) The BCFFPA explore with the legal system of
BC the reasons for the extended timelines for adoption and to investigate methods to
speed up the process
13/AGM/2007:MSC: (Esther Swanson) The BCFFPA look into developing a province
wide summer camp program for BC Children in Care.
14/AGM/2007:MSC (Lila Lachmuth) The BCFFPA develop some formalized type of
urgent response system to assist foster parents (families) during tragedy
15/AGM/2007: MSC (Holly Golanowski) BCFFPA negotiate with MCFD to set up
paid positions for a communication/Advocate worker
These positions would be direct service and support to foster parents that will result in the
retention of fostering our children and youth. These positions would be supported by the
BCFFPA.
The board will look at this motion
8.
Closing
a.
Questions
1.
C Roy wanted to know where the money is coming from for the trip to
the interior. It was explained that $47,025 has been allocated from this
years budget to cover costs. In addition, in the past three years
$20,000 per year has been allocated for this, but has not been used.
2.
The agency membership fee will be set by the board
3.
One member wanted to move the AGM to a more convenient time of
year. This will come forward as a special resolution at the 2008 AGM.
b.
Announcements
i.
Banquet begins at 6:30 PM
c.
Election Results
i.
Sheila Davis
59/101
ii.
Jan Chapman 101/105
iii. Special Resolution 92/97 yes - The Special Resolution passed
