Thursday 28 January 2016

St Dominic Refugee Committee Meeting Minutes, Jan. 19, 2016


St. Dominic Refugee Care Committee Meeting Minutes

Tuesday, January 19, 2016

 

1. Opening Prayer: Norm Murray led us in a prayer supplied by Genevieve “Pope Francis's
Prayer for the Holy Year of Mercy”.
Norm welcomed first time attendees Sid Cebrowski and Theresa O'Connor.
Present: Norm & Nerina Murray, Liz & Maury Whyte, Charmaine Aubut, Genevieve Poirier-
Murphy, Sharon & Sid Cebrowski, Karen Dysart, Bill Doyle, Brian Thornton, Fr. Anderson,
Theresa O'Connor and Georgina Bourke
Regrets: Helen Danko, Jill Hillock

2. Agenda: The agenda was accepted as revised.

3. Approval of Minutes: A motion was made by Charmaine, seconded by Karen to approve the minutes of January 12, 2016 as distributed.                                                Motion carried.

 

4. Approve Changes to the Committee Charter dated January 16, 2016
Norm distributed hard copies of the revised Charter.
Karen suggested an amendment that would make provisions for a decision to be made in the
event that a full committee public meeting could not be held. The amendment was accepted.
The section reads as follows: page 3-Decision Making- paragraph 2 -last sentence The other
Committee Members, unable to attend will be asked to submit their comments by email. The decision will be made by majority vote of the members attending the meeting with due regard of the email comments received.
A motion was made by Genevieve, seconded by Maury to approve the amended Charter.
                                                                                                                    Motion carried. 

5. Diocesan and Revised HMC Settlement Plans: Norm distributed hard copies of these Plans
and is combining the 2 plans into one working model that should be less confusing. He has
transferred the Diocesan Settlement Check-List into Excel and suggested that we use this
program for our working documents.
A few changes were made to the Diocesan Settlement Check-List as follows: (pages were hand numbered by each committee member present to allow for easier discussion)
page 4-Newcomer Arrival Binder: remove Sharon insert Genevieve
page 5-Education (if applicable): add Genevieve and Sid to investigate Primary and
Secondary schools in the area of possible accommodation location
-Culture and Trauma: remove Sharon insert Bill Doyle (Crisis, Trauma, Emergencies)
-Newcomer Serving Organizations: remove Sharon
ARRIVAL DAY: task 3 and 4: remove Sharon
page 7-Health Care: add Julia Hillcock
-Education for Children: remove Liz insert Genevieve and Sid
Norm asked that we review the document and email or come to the next meeting where their
name would be added or deleted.

Additions to subcommittee chairs: G. Education-Primary>Genevieve Secondary>Sid
                                                         I. Health-Julia Hillcock Crisis, Trauma, Emergencies>Bill

Each committee chair is to form their own subcommittee who will meet as necessary. These
meetings are to be shared in writing with the whole committee at the next Refugee Care
Committee Meeting.
Fr. Anderson advised Norm that he will give him the name of a volunteer who can help with
interpretation and language translation. 

6. HMC Budget Pricing Spreadsheets: Norm distributed copies of the spreadsheets. After
discussion, it was felt that many of the items would be obtained by nearly new donations.
7. Diocesan BVOR Budget Template and Ontario Works (Social Assistance) Rates: Norm
provided copies of these to everyone. He reminded us that our Budget Plan has to be in line
with the Social Assistance Rates outlined in Ontario Works because the family must live within these guidelines after Sponsorship ends.
Karen and Brian will work on a BVOR Budget Plan for the next meeting.
Brian said the fundraising account is $36,135.00 to date. 

8. Clarification from Erin Pease, Hamilton Diocese on the Screening Process: All committee
members and those sub committee members who will come in direct contact with the
newcomers must have a Vulnerable Persons Police Record Check that has been issued within
the last 6 months. 

9 Progress of Police Checks and Parish Screening: Most had received the police check
and submitted it to the parish office with their Volunteer Screening Form. Norm urged
those who had not received their police check to submit the Volunteer Screening Form to the parish and bring in the police check when it arrives.
Fr. Anderson will be doing the Parish Volunteer Screening himself.

 
10. Housing: Helen Danko contacted Nerina regarding a 2 bedroom apartment near Hixon on
Nelson Street. The cost would be $1,100. Nerina, Genevieve and Georgina will look at it.
Georgina asked if it would be possible to take the apartment if it seemed a suitable option.
Father did not agree with taking the place ahead of time as the funds raised belonged to the
family being sponsored not to the committee. He reminded us that we have to trust in the Lord, He will provide.

11.Other Business Discussed:
            Norm asked “How many have seen the blog{stdomrefcmte.blogspot.ca or
http://stdomrefcmte.blogspot.ca}?  Some replied that they had difficulty accessing it.
Father Anderson stated that it could be linked to the parish website and mentioned that a closed Facebook and Twitter accounts could be added.
            Norm asked when to have meetings: evenings, weekends ...No consensus reached
            Father Anderson closed the meeting with The Hail Mary, an invocation to St.
Dominic and his blessing. 

12. Next Meeting: Wednesday, February 3, 7:00 pm. Parish Centre-Room 2

 

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