President’s Report October 2018
I wish to recognise and acknowledge the Songhees and Esquimalt Nations on whose traditional territories we live, we learn and we do our work. I would also like to acknowledge and extend my appreciation to the South Vancouver Island School Based Youth and Family Counsellor’s Association executive: Past President: Sue MacTavish; Vice President: Mark Sheremeta; Treasurer: Deanna Skinner; Secretary: Barb Acheson; District Liaison: Lisa Roy; as well as the Members at Large: Anne Field, Al Reid, Emily Stark, Leila Durzi, Shawna Breitreutz, and Ingrid Bach for their involvement during this past year.

This is my fourth year as President of the SVIYFCA.

On July 17, 1991, the SVIYFCA was registered as a society. This is our 27th year of the SVIYFCA. The constitution signed that year states that the purpose of our society is as follows:
1) To provide a professional Association for school-based Youth & Family Counsellors.
2) To ensure ongoing professional development.
3) To provide professional support to members.
4) To maintain a uniform and professional service.
5) To lobby on behalf of the membership for improved benefits and working conditions.

As an Association we continue to meet these objectives in the following ways:
• SVIYFCA held one AGM & two regular meetings for members this year.
• SVIYFCA held a winter celebration in December and a year-end celebration in June.
• SVIYFCA has an Executive Team, Members at large and regular members. Last year SVIYFCA had 32 members during October 2017 – October 2018.
• SVIYFCA maintains a website to provide information to the public about our Association.
• SVIYFCA provides its members with the use of our professional forms, tools and resources.
• SVIYFCA uses a Peer Support Model.
• SVIYFCA members provide good representation in attending professional workshops/events. Providing our members with current information, practices and trends that members bring back to the membership.
• SVIYFCA is a recognised professional entity in the community and often receives requests from community members/agencies to speak at our meetings with our members.
• SVIYFCA has a professional development committee that provides its members with opportunity for additional learning, growth and discussion. SVIYFCA brought in Cheryl Bell-Gadsby to present to our Association (members & non-members) on the topic of Trauma Informed Practice. This was a well-received presentation. We are hoping to collaborate with the District Counsellor to provide another session on Trauma Informed Practice part 2 this school year.
Any opportunity to meet, whether it is at an Association meeting, Pro-d day event or during an informal celebration this provides our members with an opportunity to connect, converse, share resources, collaborate, raise concerns, advocate for change, participate in activism, provide and receive support from fellow members in this field.

We have a team of incredible, diverse, experienced and knowledgeable professionals doing their best to provide what is best practice in our field. I value and appreciate our members involved in shaping this field and practice. In moving forward as an Association, we will continue to have a strong voice for our profession, and for the children, youth & families we serve in our community.

With encouragement, I (we) continue to ask our members to become a part of the SVIYFCA Executive, participate in committees, commit to attending meetings and attend Pro D events. This Association will continue to be as strong as its members. Please get involved. We also welcome and extend an invitation to school based YFC’s in other districts/programs to join the Association providing our group with a broader perspective/representation for this professional community. We invite new ideas, energy, involvement, change and continued professional development.

Our Association will continue to advocate for increases in wage and benefits that reflect the value of our work, our collective education, experience and wages that are comparable to similar professions in BC.

Respectfully submitted,
Tammy Reid
President, SVIYFCA

“One person can make a difference, and everyone should try”.
John Fitzgerald Kennedy

Traditional Acknowledgement Stated: The SVIYFCA wishes to recognize and acknowledge the Songhees and Esquimalt Nations on whose traditional territories we live, we learn and where we do our work.
In attendance: Tammy Reid, Sue MacTavish, Shauna Breitkieutz, Leila Durzi, Debra Porter, Barb Acheson, Ingrid Bach, Al Reid, Deanna Skinner and Mark Sharameta was late.
1. Membership was confirmed at 20 awaiting payments from other members.
2. A motion to approve the agenda was moved and accepted.
3. Financial Report: Deanna shared information on our income; expenses and current assets were reviewed and accepted. Current bank account balance is $513.
4. President’s report was read and accepted. (Please see attached).
5. Current executive membership was shared and accepted all members are standing.
President: Tammy Reid
Vice-president: Mark Sherameta
Past president: Sue Mcavish
Treasurer: Deanna Skinner
Secretary: Barb Acheson
District Liaison: Lisa Roy
6. Committees: The committees have not been very active recently and a discussion about new committees and reviving old ones ensued and was tabled.
7. Special Acknowledgements sent to two members on behalf of the Association.
9. Peer Support: Lead people volunteered to be contacts for peer support; Leila for elementary, Shawna for middle and Tammy for high school.
9. New business: Next year is the third and final year of this contract. RFP’s should go out in January. Wage increase is expected. Winter celebration in early December. Next SVIYFCA meeting in February 2019.

YFC Association (SVIYFCA) Meeting, January 25, 2017
SJ Willis Education Centre 3:00 pm
Present: Tara Nargang, Jen Aston, Shauna Breitkreutz, Tammy Reid, Al Reid, Ingrid Bach, Leila Durzi
Regrets: Anne Field, Mark Sheremeta, Emily Stark, Sue MacTavish, Kim Rowe, Amber Allan, Susannah McKee
Staff updates -Check in:
Al Reid informed the group during our check in that there will be no Community Link funding for Oakland’s Elementary next year. Support and suggestions offered.
This brought up the question of seniority and our policy or lack thereof, on seniority. There was a reference to a discussion on this topic 4 years ago. Action Item: Tammy will dig up the minutes to look at and speak about at a future meeting.
Does this conversation lead back to union question? Lots of starting points, not enough time to have it on the agenda this time. Action Item: further discussion with members
Wage Increase Advocacy
District may be open to having further conversations.
When we know what the process is, the Association will talk further. Will Executive join talks? Opportunity to speak with our individual agencies? What’s are game plan?
(Future) Professional Development Day opportunity
What fall training are members interested in? Trauma-informed practice/care was brought up and all members attending voted yes.
Stats Tool
Our Middle/High School stat tool was updated in November 2015. As we continue to use this tool and want to make new tweaks please email Tammy. Jen Aston identified a few tweaks needed and will e-mail those to Tammy. There is ongoing discussion about this tool being available to active members and the implications this might have re: reporting. The discussion is between agencies and possibly the district? More to come.

Feedback
Discussion: is it worth it to create an anonymous tool to receive feedback on SVIYFCA re: what is working and what is not. Why aren’t some people joining? What are we doing well that we can build on? Please send ideas to Tammy. Shawna may have volunteered to work on this.
Community Resources: Shared info about Nature’s Way Counselling; Dave Prette: Youth & Family Counselling; The Children of the Streets Society; District Anxiety Group for High School students
Peer Support
Idea: Informal meetings with age specific groups to discuss themes, strategies, vent, share, etc. Shawna from Lansdowne will organize a Middle School gathering, Tara from SJ Willis will rally high school YFCS and a keen elementary YFC will soon invite the elementary YFCs. (hint hint)
No new Business. Meeting Adjourned at 4:10 pm
Meeting minutes taken by Tara Nargang
Next SVIYFC meeting April 5, 2017

SVI YFC Association Annual Report
Financial Statement
September 5, 2015 – September 2, 2016

Income:
Balance Forward 1141.68
Association Fees Collected 660.00
Anxiety workshop fees 600.00
Total Income 2401.68

Expenses:
AGM food 17.78
Website Admin/Domain Registration 300.00
Stats form fix (Keith Moen) 122.50
Acknowledgment gift for Joan Kotarski 100.00
Society Registration Fee 25.00
Anti-anxiety speaker deposit (K. Buhr) 500.00
Christmas Social 121.96
Year End Social 94.91
Membership gifts (Carol & Shantelle) 50.00
Bank Maintenance fees (12x$2.50) 30.00
YFC meeting food and treats 18.12
Total Expenses 1380.27

Total Assets as of September 2, 2016 1021.41

Prepared by Kathie Cross, Treasurer

Tammy Reid, President

Lisa Roy, District Liaison

President’s Report October 2016
President’s Report October 2015 – October 2016
I wish to recognise and acknowledge the Songhees and Esquimalt Nations on whose traditional territories we live, we learn and we do our work. I would also like to acknowledge and extend my appreciation to the South Vancouver Island School Based Youth and Family Counsellor’s Association executive: Past President, Sue MacTavish; Vice President: Mark Sheremeta; Treasurer: Kathie Cross; Secretary: Leila Durzi; District Liaison: Lisa Roy; as well as the Members at Large: Anne Field, Al Reid, Emily Stark, Barb Acheson and Kim Rowe for their involvement during this past year.

This is the second of my two year term as President of the SVIYFCA.

On July 17, 1991, the SVIYFCA was registered as a society. This is our 25th year of the SVIYFCA. The constitution signed that year states that the purpose of our society is as follows:
1) To provide a professional Association for school-based Youth & Family Counsellors.
2) To ensure ongoing professional development.
3) To provide professional support to members.
4) To maintain a uniform and professional service.
5) To lobby on behalf of the membership for improved benefits and working conditions.

As an Association we continue to meet these objectives in the following ways:
• SVIYFCA held one AGM & two regular meetings for members this year.
• SVIYFCA held one Executive meeting + three meetings during the ‘Request for Proposals’ process involving some of our Executive members. These in addition to the ongoing phone calls, emails and in person discussions.
• SVIYFCA held a winter celebration in December and a year-end celebration in June.
• SVIYFCA maintains a website to provide information to the public about our Association.
• SVIYFCA provides its members with the use of our professional forms, tools and resources.
• SVIYFCA uses a Peer Support Model.
• SVIYFCA has a Crisis Response Team.
• SVIYFCA members provide good representation in attending professional workshops/events. Providing our members with current information, practices and trends that members bring back to the membership.
• SVIYFCA is a recognised professional entity in the community and often receives requests from community members/agencies to speak at our meetings with our members.
• SVIYFCA has a professional development committee that provides its members with opportunity for additional learning, growth and discussion.

Any opportunity to meet, whether it is at an Association meeting or during an informal celebration this provides our members with an opportunity to connect, converse, share resources, collaborate, raise concerns, advocate for change, participate in activism, provide and receive support from fellow members in this field.

This was my second year as President of the SVIYFCA. I value and appreciate the amazing people involved in shaping this field and practice. We have an incredible, diverse, experienced and knowledgeable team of people doing their best to provide what is best practice in our field. This Association believes in acknowledging the dedication, professionalism and excellence of its members.

With encouragement and enthusiasm I (we) ask that our members consider becoming a part of the SVIYFCA Executive, participate in committees, commit to attending meetings and attend Pro D events. We invite new ideas, energy, involvement, change and continued professional development. We also welcome and extend an invitation to school based YFC’s in other districts/programs to join the Association providing our group with a broader perspective/representation for this professional community. This Association will continue to be as strong as its members. Please get involved. Last year, SVIYFCA had 26 members.

In January 2016, members of the Executive assisted our employers with the negotiation (RFP) process of renewing the YFC contract with SD #61. Our Association provided a letter of support and endorsement to those agencies whose members were represented in the SVIYFC Association. Although these efforts were met with resistance and the outcome maintained the status quo, we will continue to advocate for increases in wage and benefits that reflect the value of our work, our collective education, experience and wages that are comparable to similar professions in BC.

In moving forward as an Association, we will continue to have a strong voice for our profession, and for the children, youth & families we serve in our community.

Respectfully submitted,
Tammy Reid
President, SVIYFCA

“Coming together is a beginning; keeping together is progress; working together is success”.
Henry Ford

October 28, 2016

Traditional Acknowledgement: The SVIYFCA wishes to recognize and acknowledge the Songhees and Esquimalt Nations on whose traditional territories we live, we learn and where we do our work.

In attendance: Kathie Cross- Central Middle School, Tammy Reid-Mt Douglas Secondary. Mark Shermeta-Vic High, Sue MacTavish-George Jay Elememtary, Sheryl Aberdeen-Central Middle School, Emily Stark-Vic West Elementary, Barb Acheson-Lambrick Park, Al Reid-Cloverdale/Oaklands Elementary, Deanna Skinner-Esquimalt High, Leila Durzi-George Jay Elementary, Kim Rowe Oak Bay High, Ingrid Bach-SJ Willis, Shawna Breitkreutz-Lansdowne Middle School, Carol Porteous-Reynolds, Jen Aston District YFC, Tara Nargang SJ Willis/The LINK

Regrets: Lisa Roy, Miranda Mundle,

1. Welcome and Introductions

2. Confirm membership: Kathie, Treasurer- confirms that all members in attendance are in good standing with one member paying her membership as the meeting began.

3. Financial Report: Kathie Cross (see attachment)
Motion to accept 2016 Financial Report:Tammy Reid
2nd- Sheryl Aberdeen
Carried

4. President’s Report: Tammy Reid (see attachment)
Motion to accept 2016 Presidents Report- Sue MacTavish
2nd- Emily Stark
Carried

5. Current Executive Members/Nominations
President: Tammy Reid
Vice President: Mark Shermeta
Past President: Sue MacTavish
Treasurer: Kathie Cross
District Liaison: Lisa Roy
All are standing in their positions.

Nomination for the position of Secretary: Barb Acheson
Motion- Deb Porter
2nd- Leila Durzi
Motion accepted

Members-At-Large:
Standing Members: Anne Field, Al Reid, Kim Rowe, Emily Stark
New members at large: Leila Durzi, Shawna Breitkreutz, Ingrid Bach,
Deanna Skinner.

5. Membership Meetings: 3-4 meetings per year at 3pm, 3rd or 4th Wednesday of the month. We will be sending out a survey for member feedback on meeting days and time.

6. Peer Support: Reminder that in the Fairfield Gonzales/Quadra contract people are obligated to have peer support twice a year as these two agencies operate on a peer supervision model. We can have team meetings at schools where there is more than one YFC. Some of us work in isolation at our schools, so it is important for us to connect.

7. Conversation with School Trustee Rob Paynter: Kathie Cross
-Discussions regarding compensation, inequity, and benefits
-No cost of living increase
-History of asking for increases, without results
-Possible Amendment to RFP next year
-Possible meeting with Rob and Superintendent, Piet Langstraat in the New
Year.
-Conditions/reality of the job
-Harold Caldwell, being new to the position, didn’t have the background
Information.
-Timing was off when we approached the district for a wage increase or a
reduction in FTE as the RFP was already in place.

8. Sexualized Violence in High Schools: Kim Rowe -Discussion regarding concerns over adolescent drinking and behavior outside of school hours. This issue has been raised by YFC and it is being talked about at Principal
Meetings. An email update went out to all high school YFC’s regarding this very concerning issue.
Some available resources:
-Uvic- Government Legislation around sexualized violence.
-Project Respect
-BC Curriculum- Components of Sex Education
-Girls/Boys Groups- Healthy Relationships

9. Coats for Kids Campaign: Sue MacTavish
Event planned at Hillside Mall on Nov.12th “Coats on the Bus” If you have kids that need coats please fill out the form and return by October 28, 2016 to Sue MacTavish (sent out in a previous email)

10. New Business: Professional Counselors Insurance: Kim Rowe ($200)

Find the application at this link:
http://solutions.aon.ca/ccli/index.aspx

For more information:
http://solutions.aon.ca/ccli/attachments/CdnCounsellors_Insurance_Application_RN-EN.pdf

South Vancouver Island Youth and Family Counsellors’ Association (SVIYFCA)
Meeting Minutes- January 27, 2016

Traditional Acknowledgement: The SVIYFCA wishes to recognize and acknowledge the Songhees and Esquimalt Nations on whose traditional territories we live and do our work.

Present: Al Reid, Deanna Skinner, Kim Rowe, Tammy Reid, Anna Schellenberg (YFC Practicum Student Oak Bay High), Deirdre Ryan-Morissette (covering for Quadra YFC), Sue MacTavish

Regrets: Kathie Cross, Mark Sheremeta, Leila Durzi, Anne Field, Emily Stark

1. School updates.

2. RFP process conversation – Tammy Reid and Sue MacTavish attended the RFP mtg. at the board office. Only the current contract holders are bidding on the contracts. The contract comes with a $500 lift per FTE and no wage increase. Harold Caldwell said that they would look at a wage increase after the end of the contract (3 yrs.) Joan Kotarski (FGCA) has proposed a decrease in the FTE of 3 hrs. this includes the sub contract to QVCC. Harold questioned if YFC’c would utilize this. It was highlighted by Sue to the RFP committee that YFC’s have only had an .84 per hr. wage increase in the last 10 years. A decrease in the FTE would give some compensation if a wage increase is not being considered at this time. Part time YFC’s will be considered as well.
The membership was polled to determine whether or not we would support a decrease in FTE and the proposal by FGCA was endorsed by the SVIYFCA.

3. Pro D day discussion –Deanna Skinner came forward with a proposal to allow YFC’s to have input into the Suicide and Self-Injury Protocol for SD 61. An email requesting feedback from the membership will follow.
Proposal from Kathie Cross- 90 minute presentation by Yvonne Haist who explained the importance of strong relationships to adults who demonstrate self-regulation specifically about how this helps young brains wire in more healthy ways.
Tammy will check with Pro D members on choosing a date for this Spring.

4. Committee updates:
Stat Committee- Revised Middle/High school stat tool available on our website for use
Transit Advocacy- nothing to report
Executive – has been busy with the RFP process.

5. Community Resources to share: Bi-Polar Babes – Elementary Mental Health Presentations (Sue) Link is now on the website. 45 min. presentation on the Do’s and Don’ts of Mental Health for grade 4/5 classes.

6. Consultation time (Peer Support) – Reminder that we are required by our contract to participate in peer support. Please ensure that you are doing so. Contact Tammy is you need names of other YFC’s who are available to connect.

7. New Business-none brought forward

Next SVIYFC meeting Wednesday April 6th (due to Spring Break)

“The privilege of a lifetime is being who you are“
Joseph Campbell

S.V.I School Based Youth & Family Counselors Association
AGM Minutes
October 28, 2015

Traditional Acknowledgement: The SVIYFCA wishes to recognize and acknowledge the Songhees and Esquimalt Nations on whose traditional territories we live, we learn and do our work.
Welcome and Introductions

Members Present: Tammy Reid, Kim Rowe, Ingrid Bach, Al Reid, Emily Stark, Mark Sheremeta, Debra Porter, Barb Acheson, Sue MacTavish, Kathie Cross, Leila Durzi

Regrets: Susannah McKee, Anne Field

1. Confirm membership: Kathie Cross, Treasurer, confirmed that all present are members in good standing.

2. Financial Report: Kathie Cross, Treasurer (see attached)
Motion to accept 2015 Financial Report-Tammy Reid
Seconded-Barb Acheson
All in favour

3. President’s Report: Tammy Reid, President (see attached)
Motion: to accept 2015 Presidents Report-Kim Rowe
Seconded- Barb Acheson
All in favour

4. Current Executive Members
President: Tammy Reid (standing)
Vice President: Mark Sheremeta (standing)
Past President: Sue MacTavish (standing)
Treasurer: Kathie Cross (standing)
Secretary: Leila Durzi (standing)
District Liaison: Lisa Roy (standing)
Members-At-Large: Al Reid, Anne Field, Emily Stark, Barb Acheson (standing)
5. Nominations for the Executive positions: Debra Porter

Kim Rowe nominated for Member at Large by Tammy Reid
Seconded-Sue MacTavish
All in favour

6. Committees Available:
Pro D-Emily Stark will be accepting ideas for Pro D workshops please forward them to her at estark@sd61.bc.ca

High School Stats Committee- Mark Sheremeta

Transit-there does not appear to be a standing committee. Discussion regarding accessing transit tickets; currently Quadra Village Community Centre has an agreement with community council to purchase tickets two for one.

Additional discussion: Keith Moen is currently our web master. Sue MacTavish, Assoc. website manager, will be in touch with him to see if he wishes to continue.
Motion: To offer Keith Moen $300 to maintain the website with additional fees for work being done over and above- Kathie Cross
Seconded Tammy Reid
All in favour

7. Peer Support: Reminder that in our contract we are obligated to have peer support twice a year. There is a list of members who will make themselves available to provide peer support. Please contact Tammy Reid.

8. New business: Coats for Kids Campaign will begin November 2nd. Event planned at Hillside Mall on Nov. 14th “Coats on the Bus”. If you have kids that need coats please fill out the form and return by October 30, 2015 to Sue MacTavish (sent out in previous email).
Winter Celebration December 2015 TBA
Next SVIYFCA Meeting January 27, 2016 at Oak Bay High School