1. Opening Prayer: Norm
Murray led us in A Prayer for Refugees.
2. Agenda: The agenda was
accepted as presented.
3. Introductions: Norm
introduced Nayer Agaiby who is fluent in Arabic.
Present: Norm & Nerina
Murray, Liz & Maury Whyte, Charmaine Aubut, Sharon & Sid Cebrowski,
Karen Dysart, Brian Thornton, Theresa O'Connor, Georgina Bourke, Helen Danko,
Julia Hillock and Nayer Agaiby
Regrets: Bill Doyle and Fr.
Anderson
Those present introduced
themselves with a brief biography and connection to the committee.
4. Approval of Minutes: A
motion was made by Nerina, seconded by Liz to approve the
minutes of January 19, 2016 with
the addition of Julia Hillock under Regrets.
Motion carried.
5.Change on the Committee
Genevieve Poirier-Murphy has
stepped down for personal reasons but will assist at a sub-committee level when
possible.
6.
St. Dominic Refugee Committee Settlement Plan:
Norm distributed hard copies of the Plan dated January 31, 2016 and it was
reviewed at the meeting. Changes were
noted. {Norm sent an electronic copy of
the revised Plan on February 5.}
7. Parish Financial Council Motion:
Norm read the following motion approved by the Parish Finance Council-The Parish
Finance Council approves the outreach programme by which the parish plans to
raise funds to sponsor a Syrian refugee family to come to Canada, in
co-operation with the Diocese of Hamilton and the Government of Canada. Specifically the Parish Council recognizes
that the programme is a suitable expression of the parish's charitable
objective of providing pastoral care for those in need.
8. Draft Budget for Refugee
Family Settlement Plan: Karen and Brian presented a draft of the budget needed
for the Settlement Plan. According to
the budget we would need $33,389. to implement the plan. This did not take into account that some
items would be donated. It was stated
that the biggest expenditure would be the cost of rent in Oakville.
The Refugee Sponsorship Fund is $36,250.40
to date.
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.
Norm hopes to have
our application ready for the Diocese by mid February.
10.Presentation by Halton
Multicultural Council: Norm introduced Babar Mobarak, Settlement Program
Manager, who informed us of services available.
He also answered questions asked by the committee on specific
topics. HMC folders were distributed
with information on Translation & Interpretation Services, Settlement
Services for Newcomers and Community Services.
Charmaine thanked him for his information and he volunteered to be available
for further information on an individual basis.
11.Other Business Discussed:
Georgina will update our bulletin
announcement with an emphasis on affordable accommodation.
12. Next Meeting: TBA
