A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT
Heather Bayes
July 2010
The first thing I want to do is to thank all of our members in participating in the AGM, either by
attending in Kelowna or sending in their mail in ballots. We have over 1000 members in the
BCFFPA with many other foster parents we support regardless of membership.
This year was again a success. Our workshops were well attended and the topics current and
interesting. I would like to take this time to thank our presenters Diane Sowden of Children of the
Street Society, It can Happen to Anyone. Alison Dennis, Understanding the culture of poverty. Linda
Austin, Whose got the power?
The afternoon session with the Residential Redesign was a great opportunity to let our voices be
heard.
Still on the topic of the AGM I would like to say how much I appreciated the in put of our members.
It was made clear that there are some issues that need addressing and that have become a priority for
myself and the Board. To this end we have developed 2 committees, the first is Policy and
Procedure, and they will be addressing the updating and clarification of this document to make it
easier for our members to work with it. The 2nd is the Fundraising committee and they are to do
exactly what the name implies to help find the funding to continue the programs we have and to
develop new ones. Any one wanting to be on either committee please contact the office.
I would like to extend my thanks to Melanie Filiatrault for her years of work for the Foster Parents
and the Association. After having done the job for a month I have become very aware how many
hours that she had to put in for all of us. Do not worry Melanie is still around she will continue to be
our rep to the IFCO (International Foster Carers Organization) conference. This will be in July of
2011, for more information go to the IFCO link on our web site.
I would also like to thank Debbie Derwitz for her work as the Delegate from Fraser Valley. As
some of you know MCFD have reworked the boundaries of Vancouver Coastal and the Fraser
Valley, Debbie is now in the Vancouver Coastal Region. She has promised to stay involved with the
Fundraising Committee.
We are now looking for Delegates for the Fraser Valley and Vancouver Island. Any members in
good standing interested please submit your name to the office. Each region will be able to have a
mail in vote for their Delegate.
I am looking forward to the next years as your President. I feel that this is the time to concentrate on
the supporting of our Foster Parents and strengthening our net work with other community services.
We need to work together to address the issues of the contracts and their proper interpretation,
protocols and their length of time to resolve as well as the accessing services for the children
and youth in our care. Together with one voice we can work miracles.
