1. Opening Prayer: Nerina Murray led us in a prayer from Circle of Prayer by Nanor
Kelenjian, a Lebanese nurse working with refugees.
2. Present: Norm
& Nerina Murray, Liz & Maury
Whyte, Charmaine Aubut, Genevieve
Poirier- Murphy, Bill Doyle and Georgina Bourke
3.
Committee Charter Norm Murray,
Committee Chair reviewed a draft of the committee charter.
It includes
most of the governance document presented by Fr.
Anderson at the December 22 committee
meeting. Additional areas include: Meetings, General Principles of
Collaboration, Decision Making, Organization, Other Committees, Sponsorship
Responsibilities (Pre-Arrival, Arrival Day,
First 2 Weeks, 6 Months Post
Arrival, 12 Months Post Arrival, Other Responsibilities).
The title of
Co-Chair will change to Vice-Chair to
keep the name consistent throughout the document.
4. Fundraising Update: Brian Thornton sent an email that the fund is now $35,780.40. No new initiatives for
fundraising were discussed.
5.Settlement Plan: Norm distributed a draft copy of the Diocese
of Hamilton Office of Refugees
Settlement Plan which seemed a bit complicated.
Charmaine
Aubut presented a copy of the Settlement Plan used by Halton Multicultural Society. She was given this at a meeting
that she attended on Refugee Sponsorship given by the Society. It was decided by the committee that we would use the
Plan from the Diocese for our Sponsorship submission
but we will use the Multicultural Settlement Plan as a working document.
Committees listed include: A) Airport Welcome B) Finding & Scouting
Housing C) Shopping, Services & Transportation D) Finances E)
Interpretation & Cultural Sensitivity F) Settlement & Community Services G)
Language Training, Education & Job Search H) Spirituality, Family Life & Child Care I) Health, Clothing, Recreation & Sports J)
Crisis, Trauma & Emergencies
Each category
would have a person (Committee Member) responsible to oversee a sub committee.
All persons who will work directly with the family must undergo Volunteer Screening and a Police Check.
Someone who has occasional contact must be accompanied by a committee member
when in contact with the family.
6. Other Items Discussed:
•
Interpreters: professionals could cost $75. an hour
•
Storage: for small items, such as bedding, kitchen wear, food, etc.
•
Bill Doyle offered his daughter's assistance because she has
experience with immigrants.
•
Housing: Nerina Murray talked to Halton Housing.
They were most helpful and sent her
several websites to explore and are willing to assist if needed. The probable
cost of renting 2-3 bedroom accommodation would be $1,500.
•
The advisability of liaison with local parishes
to share experiences with the sponsorship of refugees and settlement plans – Norm said he would make
initial contacts.
•
Norm stated that with the funds we have now we could sponsor a family
of 4-6.
7.
Next Meeting: Tuesday, January
12, 7:30 pm. Parish Centre-Room 2
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