PERSONS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES

NORTHWEST ALBERTA COMMUNITY BOARD

APPROVED MINUTES – April 10, 2006

IN ATTENDANCE:  Paul Renfree (Chair), Al Bromling, Sheila Hiron, Kerrie Patrick,  Betty Barton, Trenton Perrott, Ann Martfeld, Judy Tremaine, Susan McKenzie (CEO)

GUESTS:                    Tarah Patterson – Northwest Advocates in Action

                                    Greg Lane – Independent Counselling Enterprises

                                    Monica Rowson

REGRETS:                 Karen Egge

RECORDING

  SECRETARY:         Pam Clifford, Administrative Support

Topic	Discussions/Motion	Action
Call to Order	Paul Renfree called the meeting to order at 1:05 p.m.
Welcome	Paul Renfree welcomed the guests to the meeting and thanked them for attending. A special thank you to Tarah Patterson who represents the Northwest Advocates in Action and is on a three month rotation.
Review and Approval of Agenda	Approval of Agenda by consensus.
Review and Approval of Minutes	MOTION #35-06 - Ann Martfeld moved that the PDD Northwest Alberta Community Board Minutes dated March 30, 2006 be approved.  Seconded by Kerrie Patrick.  CARRIED.
Northwest PDD Board Evaluation	Paul Renfree referred to Item B – NW PDD Board Evaluation.  This year the Board conducted a self-evaluation.  · The information will be sent back to the Board Evaluation Committee to come up with an action plan. Tarah Patterson commented that documents need to be in plain language so everyone can easily understand them. Was the Tool Successful? Self evaluation tends to be narrow or not as critical. The high numbered ratings do not match with the comments given. Comments indicate needed improvement. How do we resolve issues to make everyone comfortable? An action plan now needs to be brought forth. The document and process is good. The results are constructive considering the difficult year that PDD has had. Greg Lane from ICE commented that in comparison to other regions, the NW Board made prompt decisions regarding cuts and were excellent at communicating these decisions to the Service Providers. Paul’s response: · The information will be sent back to the Board Evaluation Committee to come up with strategies on the comments compiled. · We cannot just focus on the numerical rating of the evaluation because the comments suggested areas that need improvement. It will be decided at the June board meeting if the follow up action plan to the Board Evaluation will be discussed at the next board meeting, in the fall or at a Board retreat. Paul thanked everyone for their 100% participation in the Board Evaluation.	Bring forward to the June Board Meeting.
Spring Celebration Update	Susan McKenzie advised that planning for the Spring Celebration is underway and RSVP’s are coming in. There is an issue of availability of hotel rooms. Board members are encouraged to book rooms now.  Service Providers & PDD staff are problem solving around the hotel issue for clients. Susan McKenzie to check into availability of the College residency. Paul mentioned that the deadline for nominations is Wednesday, April 12^th. Nominations are slow in coming in. There are not enough nominations for “Employer of the Year” and “Person of the Year”. Board Members are encouraged to nominate a person or business but cannot nominate service providers. Board Members would like to meet MLA’s, advocates, Mayor, etc.   Susan McKenzie will look into feasibility of setting up “meet and greet” session.	Board Members Susan McKenzie Susan McKenzie
Committee Reports	Audit Committee Al Bromling presented: · The Committee did not meet in March however they did meet this morning (April 10^th) and the report will be at the next board meeting. · It was noted that no surprises are emerging and as predicted, year-end will be within budget. Al Bromling would like to thank Susan McKenzie and PDD staff for a diligent year. Confirmation – the June 12^th Board Meeting is also an exit meeting with the Provincial Audit Team. Communication Committee Trenton Perrott presented: · The Committee did not meet in March however they did meet this morning (April 10^th) and the written report will presented at the next board meeting. Some Topics Discussed · 2006/2007 Business Plan (the process) · reviewed activities & promotions for the coming year ie) Spring Celebration · tender proposals for newsletter · Advocates responsible for the dance portion of the Celebration Night · Community Awareness Month · Community Capacity Projects · Satisfaction Survey results from last year. The next survey will be in the fall. · The committee has to look at the Communication Policy & the exercise. They don’t anticipate much change. · There is still concern over where the public, service providers, clients, etc. are at regarding the changes taking place in PDD.
Provincial Board Report	Paul Renfree reported: Items being worked on: · consistency across the province · who are the Boards most accountable to? Consensus is the individual. The next meeting is Thursday, April 13^th in which the NW PDD Business Plan will be presented and asked for approval. Pending legislative changes may affect the way PDD does business however this will not be addressed until changes are actually made. Comments – The last meeting in which all the regional boards met was a good focused event as compared to others in the past.	Paul Renfree will pass on these comments.
CEO Update	CEO Report: Susan McKenzie referred to Item F.1 in Board Package – CEO Report dated April 10, 2006, detailing: · KPMG Consultant hired by Ministry · Strategic Planning Session with Cdn Mental Health, Mental Health & Peace Country Health. · Rehoboth Accreditation Status · Goodwill Restructuring · Social Environment Module 3A · AACL Family Conference · 3.6% salary increase allocated to service providers and adjustment to PDD funding formula Discussion: · 4.3% budget increase is made up of 3.0% salary increase and 1.3% operation. · a motion to amend the annual budget will happen in May or June · Ann Martfeld wondered what is happening with the client waiting list. Judy Tremaine responded that there are still 28 people on the waiting list. These are people that have made actual inquiries and most will be coming into services after school is out. (June-Oct). Susan McKenzie’s plan for 06/07 – by August all IFA’s will be adjusted and we will know the cost pressures. Other strategies will be put into place if we are not going to balance for this year. Tarah Patterson wondered what self advocates could do to try to receive more dollars. Paul Renfree responded that they can: · contact family voices · contact AACL · take own initiative Item F.2(a) - Appeal Statistics NW Dispute/Appeal Summary · Provincially there is no increase in appeals but other regions are just starting their cuts. · The Northwest makes up 5% of provincial appeals and is responsible for 4% of people receiving supports. · The Provincial Board has 45 days to make a decision on an appeal.
Roundtable	· AARC Conference in Edmonton May 10-12.  Interested Board Members should book themselves. 5 Board Members are planning to attend. · Kerrie Patrick has been appointed as a CFSA Board Member. She is taking Ann Martfeld’s place. · Jeff Strully Workshop (April 10-11) is short participants. The Board will pay expenses if Board Members would like to attend. · Greg Lane announced that ICE has obtained Accreditation status. · Tarah Patterson is nominating her employer for an award at the Spring Celebration. · Monica Rowson thanked Tarah Patterson for questions and input during the meeting.
Adjournment	MOTION #36-06 - Kerrie Patrick moved that the meeting be adjourned.  Seconded by Betty Barton.  CARRIED. Paul Renfree adjourned  meeting at 2:30 pm.

Minutes Approved:_________________________________           Date: _____________

                                    Paul Renfree, Chair

Next Board Meeting – May 8, 2006 – Peace River