LAIRD Meeting Minutes– Sept. 2, 2004

Location: CARS Office

Attendance:  Debbie Murray, CARS; Kara Stang, CSS; Bob Doherty, Eagles; Tammy Debryun, COPE; Cheryl Casey,COPE; Joy Hoerle, Michener; Brian Johnson, Micherner, Tim Loew, PDD; Dianna Bennet, CIRS;  Marion Carlson, PDD; Rhonda Brand, Relax Crew;  Jason Kellar, PDD;Laurie Kaban, CSS;Angela Kuffner-Snelling and Doris Chura; Tanja Johnston, Action Group.

1. Welcome and introductions
2. Skip to new business
   1. Dianna Bennet and Marion Carlson are in charge of a new community capacity project working with CARS “Volunteer Skills Training Research Program”
   2. Stakeholders involved:

                                                               i.      Individuals volunteering in the community – Meeting dates Sept. 20 – Oct. 8/04 – groups of 3-4 individuals – guardians and support staff encouraged to attend

                                                             ii.      Support staff – those accompanying individuals

                                                            iii.      Volunteer managers

3. feedback from the three groups will be taken and analyzed
4. training materials will then be produces for all three groups
5. CARS is the initial pilot group
6. Staff development and trainer’s manual will be available
7. For more information contact – Marion Carlson

                                                               i.      marion@my communityinformation.com

                                                             ii.      or at CIRS

3. Review of minutes – approved
4. PDD Update
   1. Jason Keller reported that there are a few name changes at PDD

                                                               i.      Client Services Coordinators will now be called Community Support Coordinators

                                                             ii.      Behavioral Supports are now called – Specialized Resource Team

                                                            iii.      Guides to services that PDD offers can now be found in booklet form

-         A “Funding” guide is in the works

-         “Start here” Guide to the services PDD provides is now available in print and on the web.

-         “Only The Best Will Do”,  for parents and guardians, is now available for parents and guardians.

5. Self Advocate Update
   1. Eagles – going through new board change. 
   2. The crosswalk they were trying to get was finally complete
6. Financial Report
   1. Kara Stang reports that there in $1871.73 in the LAIRD operating account and $4703.00 in the LAIRD Learning Initiatives account
   2. Waiting to hear back from PDD to receive 2004 funding for the operating account.
   3. Tim Lowe will ensure Community Resource Managers will establish written guidelines for the Learning Initiative dollars.

7. New Business
   1. Update contact list
   2. Agenda – Jason Keller will continue to send in agendas and minutes to CIRS

                                                               i.      Please ensure that agenda items are sent to either co-chair 2 weeks in advance of meeting date

3. Doreen Sturla-Scott wishes to facilitate another Dealing With Death and Dying workshop and would like LAIRD support again.

                                                               i.      Jason Keller motions that LAIRD District Council supports Doreen and ensures that advertising is posted at numerous locations and that it is also posted in the PDD newsletter.

                                                             ii.      Kara Stang seconds the motion. 

                                                            iii.      All in favour.

4. Housing

                                                               i.      Affordable and accessible housing is an issue faced in Red Deer by many groups

                                                             ii.      Laurie Kaban believes that the interests of people with disabilities aren’t being addressed enough and would like self-advocates to come up with a list of issues that they face

                                                            iii.      She was also wondering if a group of self advocates would be willing to present these findings at the housing committee meeting.

                                                           iv.      Council decided to table this until the next meeting so advocacy groups could decide how they would like to participate.

5. Request for support for CAAN Fall Leadership Retreat

                                                               i.      Harvie Toews would like some financial support for this years retreat

                                                             ii.      Rhonda Brand makes a motion that LAIRD will subsidize half the registration costs for the CAAN Leadership Retreat for 10 people (these candidates must be individuals who have not previously subsidized by LAIRD).  The selection committee chosen for the Consumer Conference subsidy will decide on the 13^th.  Requests must be made by September 10^th, 2004.

                                                            iii.      Jason Keller seconds. 

                                                           iv.      All in favour.

6. Tammy DeBruyn – PDD Board Intern

                                                               i.      She is representing self-advocates and is very excited about doing a great job,

                                                             ii.      copetd@telus.net or (403) 845-4080

7. Meaningful Day – Betty Wood not available
8. Self Advocacy Summit – Motion for funding by Lynne Gendron for $250.00 for prizes and food from the LAIRD District council. 
9. Joy Hoerle seconds the motions the request for $250.00
10. All are in favour.

8. Information Sharing
   1. Rhonda and Parkland Class – new building delayed hopefully will be able to move in by October.
   2. Community Living Awareness Month – Jason Keller Motions that LAIRD sponsors CLAM and that we set up booths at the mall open to all community groups and that Tanja Johnston will be the contact person.  He also motions that PDD takes a bigger role in promoting CLAM.
   3. PDD looking for successes in community living to be included in the newsletter. Forward this information to Stephen Golub or Jason Keller.
   4. Invitation from CSS in Wetaskiwin to all District Council members to a presentation on Natural Supports.  “Building Connections and Making Friends”  11-3pm in Wetaskiwin
   5. Government of Alberta survery – Plain Language version available through PDD and all encouraged to voice concerns

Next Meeting: October 13, 2004 *** Note date Change*** @ PDD board room, 5010 Building on Gaetz South

November 3, 2004 @ Michener Lg Boardroom North

December 1, 2004 @ CSS