NEW DIRECTIONS FOR CHILDREN, YOUTH, ADULTS AND FAMILIES BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING. February 6, 2014

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1 NEW DIRECTIONS FOR CHILDREN, YOUTH, ADULTS AND FAMILIES BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING February 6, 2014 PRESENT: REGRETS: RECORDER: Paul Champagne (chair), Jennifer Frain, David Sitarik, Wanda Deong, David Brand, Maxwell Allen, Ken Webb, Larry Lavallee, Hogan Mullally, Marion Giles, Kaely Zettel, Laura Sokal, Dylan Price, Christine Crowe Beverley Temple, Sandra Franz Barb Greenham PRESENTATION: Matthew Barton, Coordinator II, Planning, Evaluation & Training and Coordinator II for Milestones Program and Kiera Mattson, Coordinator II for the Resource Department and Social and Interactive Development Program (S.A.I.D.) did a powerpoint presentation on Alternative Solutions Program. Following a question and answer period, P. Champagne thanked Matt Barton and Kiera Mattson on behalf of the Board for their presentation and then they were excused. 1. BOARD MINUTES MOTION: Laura Sokal/David Brand THAT the minutes of the December 5, 2013 Board of Directors meeting be approved as presented. Bd. M. #622/02/06 CARRIED 2. BUSINESS ARISING Senior Management Update: J. Frain advised that Darlene Daniels, one of our valued Senior Managers will be on sick leave for approximately a year. During her time away, Jennifer Frain will oversee the TRY and TERF programs and Carolyn Peters, Director of Alternative Solutions, Therapy Services, Agency Training and Evaluation will oversee the Opikihiwawin and RAP programs. Also Pam Gillman is now Acting Coordinator II for both of these programs at 836 Ellice Avenue. 1

2 Donations towards a gift were collected along with a Thinking of You card was distributed for personal signing to be presented to Darlene on behalf of the Board of Directors. Jennifer Frain and Wanda Deong volunteered to purchase perennial bulbs and plant them in Darlene s yard. The reason in purchasing/planting bulbs is that Darlene lives in a neighbourhood where everyone s yards are full of flowers and perennials except for hers. So this should add some cheer! Building: Jennifer Frain announced that New Directions signed a lease for another building 717 Portage Ave. (just west of Maryland) for 15 years. Due to the increase in lease and parking costs, New Directions cannot afford to stay here at 491 Portage Ave plus we are growing out of this location. The 717 Portage Avenue building is sq ft. (5 floors) and we will occupy the entire building. In August 2015 New Directions offices and program space at 491 Portage Avenue, 836 Ellice Avenue, 321 McDermot, and 55 Donald will be moving to 717 Portage Ave. Joining all of these programs will be the Shift Staffed Homes staff currently at 1680 Ellice Avenue. Jennifer Frain explained the many reasons to be happy with this move. it is an Accessible building it is on a main bus route it has enough staff parking and at a lowered monthly amount than downtown parking usually is it has ample street level free parking for 2 hours we will be co-located making it easier for creativity and problem-solving to facilitate the hopes and dreams of our participants (e.g., proximity increases familiarity and creative new solutions to better meet the needs of participants) we can contain costs better (e.g., fewer fax machines, photocopiers, etc.) we can employ more of the participants to help operate the building (e.g., cleaners, security, maintenance) Rob Wray, Leasing and Facilities Manager will be the project lead on this massive undertaking. The new 717 Portage location will come into our possession (as a leased space) in March of At that time it will undergo renovations that will hopefully be all done by August 2015 for the move date (which will likely be staggered in an attempt to keep some semblance of order!). Rob Wray will be invited to some Board meetings to keep the Board of Directors abreast of the renovations to the new building. 2

3 Annual General Meeting (AGM): The title/theme for the agency s Annual Report and AGM is Encouraging Hopes and Dreams which describes how the agency is working on a person centered approach with our participants. The AGM Meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, June 18 th at the Viscount Gort Hotel at noon. Keynote speaker will be Bob Jones, an expert consultant who will speak on person-centred philosophy. 3. CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER S REPORT J. Frain reviewed her report. 4. COMMITTEE REPORTS Executive Also it was noted that the proposed new board member, Carolyn Strutt was voted onto the Board electronically via polling. M. Allen advised that she won t be able to attend a Board meeting for a couple of months due to other commitments. Finances D. Sitarik briefly reviewed the financial statements and added that the agency is in a comfortable surplus position with no cashflow problems. New Directions is still waiting for a response from the Province on the method of payment on the surplus arising out of our Portage la Prairie operations. As reported in the Finance Meeting minutes, all payroll deductions and GST remittance have been paid to the Federal Government. Pension Plan Advisory Respectful Workplace Committee L. Sokal emphasized that there were no concerns raised by any members on the new meeting schedule. All were satisfied and in agreement that it was a good choice on the new process. Nominating: 3

4 By-Laws Planning With regards to the Agency s Strategic Plan Goal #2 the Planning Committee agreed on a Tag Line Message to reflect a more person centred approach and also help staff have a common message when speaking about New Directions. Jennifer Frain presented and asked for board approval on the Agency s Tag Line Message We work with people who face multiple barriers and challenges to achieving their hopes and dreams. An open discussion took place. A recommendation from board member, C. Crowe in amending the Tag Line Message to We work with people to achieve their hopes and dreams who face multiple barriers and challenges. This recommendation will be taken back to the Planning Committee and will be brought back to the Board for approval. Social Action Not active. 5. CORRESPONDENCE P. Champagne advised that he attended 2 meetings with Jennifer Frain and the Minister of Family Services; first part was with the Council of Child Caring Treatment Centres (CCCTC) group; second part CCCTC group were excused and then Senior Managers Alicia Ordóñez and Charmayne Dubé joined the meeting to spend an hour talking with the Minister about New Directions. He expressed how impressed he was with Jennifer, Alicia and Charmayne along with the Minister of Family Services, Honourable Kerri Irvin-Ross who was very approachable. He also read an that was sent to Jennifer Frain after the meeting from the Minister of Family Services expressing how thoroughly impressed she is with New Directions and included her request for a tour of the organization in the coming months. P. Champagne also spoke about his attendance, with fellow Board Member, Hogan Mullally at the Mid-Winter Bar Association Awards luncheon that included the awarding of the 2014 Pro Bono Award to the New Directions team of lawyers from 4

5 Taylor McCaffrey working on the Human Rights and court cases against the RM of Springfield. 6. NEW BUSINESS No new business to report. 7. OTHER BUSINESS A big thank you and a round of applause was given to Jennifer Frain and all those involved in the Springfield Issue for all their work they put into it in the last 3 ½ years. Jennifer Frain also thanked and expressed her appreciation to Hogan Mullally who has been very involved as a Board member in this case. Meeting adjourned 7:00 pm 5