On September 24, 2002 a presentation was made to the Interim CEOs of the new MCFD macro regions by the BCFFPA President, Frank Hetherington, the Vice President, Sheila Durnford and Paul Filiatrault, PowerPoint presenter and long-term foster parent. Their presentation was given due consideration by the CEOs and has been approved. These members deserve our accolades for a job well done.

The outcome of this presentation is that a downsized and restructured Provincial Federation Provincial office will continue to operate for the coming year. It will look quite different than it does currently with a smaller office manned by 1.5 FTE's. The contractual obligations expected by MCFD will be to, administer the foster parent insurance program, Fosterline recruitment and referral, as well as the development of a resource database to assist foster parents in accessing support services within their own macro region. The provincial office will in effect become a central clearinghouse for information and communication pertaining to foster parenting. Although all of the details are still to be worked out, the issue of communication with the fostering community is key.

The provincial board will continue to operate as an advisory board with nine members (4 provincially elected executive, and 5 macro regional delegates). These volunteers will play an important role in the running of the organization. Funding for the board will come from membership fees and fundraised dollars.

A special general meeting has been scheduled for the membership on Saturday, November 23, 2002 at the Executive Airport Plaza and Conference Center, 7311 Westminster Hwy, Richmond BC, from 10 AM to 4 PM. The purpose of this meeting will be to adopt a new set of by-laws, which recognize the changed structure of the BCFFPA.

The BCFFPA will continue to post information on its web site regarding the new role of the Federation as the ministry moves to a regional governance model.