In Attendance
May 4.96 -2030 hrs
Introductions
May 5.96 - 0900 hrs
Agenda and History
Committee Reports
Goal Setting
Nuts and Bolts
May 6.96 0900 hrs
National Conference
Committees
General Discussion
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In Attendance:
Alberta:
Paula Drouin,
Cheryl Newton, Francine Wilson
British Columbia:
Rod Paynter , Colleen Zeller
Ontario:
Paul Bagordo, Heather MacDonald, Jay Moore, Rosemary Murray, Colleen Nadjiwan-Johnson, Sally Palmateer, Ron Sluser
Saskatchewan:
Doris Britski, Judith Grant-Hortman, Jack
Mitchell
Quebec:
Elena Morgan, Robert Ballantyne, Janice Newton, Colleen Hillock, Bill Nunnelley
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May 4.96 -2030 hrs - Introductions were made. Welcome to all by the Quebec Association
members.
Expectations were defined and included:
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May 5.96 - 0900 hrs - Agenda presented and reviewed.
THE HISTORY OF CALSCA by Paul Bagordo -Ontario:
Paul reported that although we have been in existence for nearly four years, we haven’t been together spirit to
spirit, face to face for very long. In June of 1992, Life Skills Coaches from other provinces elected to attend
the provincial conference in Ontario. Informal discussion began. Who’s doing what? The provinces indicated that
they were interested in the accreditation process that Ontario had established. The Ontario council of mentors
were at that time in discussion about copyright procedures, marketing strategies, giving their efforts away etc.
Jay reported that while they attempted to resolve problems within their organization the philosophy they had adopted
around ‘inclusion’ solved some. Paul stated that they spent many hours in debate around the issue of Inclusion
vs Exclusion.
A delegation from the Ontario association journeyed to the Alberta conference in the fall of 1992 and had discussion about accreditation and other similar concerns. In June of 1993, 17 representatives from 8 provinces met at Geneva Park in Ontario and had the first formal meeting of a proposed National Association for Life Skills Coaches. The discussion sounded like this: Who are we? What are we doing? What do we need? Whatever we are going to do it will be Canadian. This is big. If we are going to do this we need to do it carefully and thoughtfully and in the spirit it is intended. At this meeting we made a follow-up plan to meet in Saskatoon in May of 1994. It was encouraging that we could get together and develop our mission statement which read as follows:
THE CANADIAN ALLIANCE OF LIFE SKILLS COACHES AND ASSOCIATIONS [CALSCA] IS COMMITTED TO THE BELIEF THAT ALL INDIVIDUALS ARE ENTITLED TO LEARN THE LIFE SKILLS NECESSARY FOR PERSONAL AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT. WE SUPPORT AND PROMOTE PROFESSIONAL EXCELLENCE IN LIFE SKILLS COACHING - PERSONALLY, REGIONALLY AND NATIONALLY.
(Signed May 8, 1994 by Anne Caroll, Don Wrenshall, Beverly Walters, Rod Paynter, Dori Britski, Colleen Zeller, Paul Bagordo, Shirley Saint Denis, Sue Geddis, John duChalard, Debbie Kivimaa and Kathie Bird.)
At this meeting tasks were assigned and a plan was made to meet in Winnipeg one year from then, with the hope that our gathering would assist in the development of an association in that province.
In May of 1995, the meeting did occur and many committees were developed and goals set for the following year. These committees include the Communications/Network; Liaison; Ethics and Conference all whose objectives were to set goals and become operational prior to the 1996 meeting. At that meeting plans were made for this follow-up meeting.
As far as history, Rod reported that originally Alberta’s concern was standardization around training. We needed to get to a place where some of our questions were answered. After the 1992 Alberta meeting our standards were the goal. Even looking back to 1989, we had round table kinds of discussions happening and those participants still represent themselves here.
Judy then voiced her concern about the fact that she doesn’t understand what CALSCA provides. What do you do? Who are you? Lively discussion centered around these questions and what it meant going from provincial to a united national association.
Francine states she is feeling that this discussion is a repeat from the discussion in Winnipeg last year.
Cheryl summarizes at this point and states "CALSCA is who we were, who we are and who we plan to be!" We are people and we are struggling to become an identity.
Paul interjects at this point stating that we have felt hopeful after our previous talks and that we continue to grow and be focused on our concerns and issues. He wonders how many people are out there in Canada who would benefit from this format of meeting. Discussion continued around our history.
After a short coffee break Sally volunteers to facilitate for the rest of the morning as we move into the business end of our meeting. The minutes of the last meeting were read by Paula where 20 people attended and 5 provinces were represented. Questions and answers center around the minutes.
Jan comments that it is amazing how much has been accomplished given the distances and relatively short period of time. The agenda is then redesigned and formatted to deal with business task items.
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Membership: Heather and Sally did co-treasurer work for the past year. In 1995 there were 10 individual paid memberships and 1 association. In 1996 so far there are 26 paid memberships and 2 associations. The financial report was reviewed.
Outreach & Communications: There were no members present but the purpose/objectives were read out by Paula. There was some discussion about methods in regards to this committee.
Networking: The task was to handle internal workings, finances, memberships, home page, etc. Rod reported that he issued 4 newsletters and created a home page. Colleen N.J. commented how much she enjoyed the communication.
Ethics: Francine reported that this committee collected all the newest drafts from Ontario, Maritimes, Saskatchewan and Alberta. These documents will be found on the Internet in our home page. 2 are already on line. There is no working document around ethics at a National level and questions raised include: What are the ethical issues at a National level? What about ethics are unique at a national level? Define ethics for our national association? Paul stated that this committee gathered information but an ethics model for CALSCA is very incomplete. Discussion centered around ethics, practical and obligations - what can we live with? How does it fit?
Conference Committee: Decision had been made to host a first ever National Conference in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan in 1997. This history includes the concept of a 30 year reunion and homecoming.
Liaison: This committee represents CALSCA nationally and perhaps could be part of a National Coordinating Team.
1215 hrs: Prioritize the agenda included scheduling time off for lunch and perhaps a commitment to work into the
evening as we have much to accomplish.
Yes.
1430 hrs: Colleen H. presented housekeeping items. Yoga is on for 1515 hrs. Tips for waitresses etc. is included
in our conference package price. The media will be here at 1500 hrs to do interview on our meetings.
Colleen N.J. reads “Less Is More” from the Tao of Recovery - A Quiet Path to Wholeness, by Jim McGregor.
Robert presents “What the trainer really means” from Training Magazine April 95 issue.
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CALSCA GOAL SETTING: Robert begins with "WHY?" He hands out cue cards and asks that individually we reflect on and respond to:
After completing individually we gathered into small groups of four and reviewed the collective responses. Robert uses “business strategy” in a kinder gentler approach. We then gather in the larger group.
Jack asks a focus question. Are we giving us what we need?
Review and discussion Re: Our Product -
Discussion centered around what we are marketing etc. and our current state in relation to our desired state as an organization.
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Website
Rod stated that he has designed a CALSCA Website. It is currently being piggy-backed on someone else’s page. The
membership decided that our Website will be purchased and developed at a cost of $200.00. Rod will set this up
and will put the newsletter on the Internet.
NEWSLETTER
Do we need a newsletter? Won’t the Website do what the newsletter will? What about membership? Do we need a newsletter
to attract members? Discussion centers around E-mail, Website, Newsletter: advantages and disadvantages. We will
not proceed with a newsletter at this time.
EXPENSE REIMBURSEMENT
Rod submitted bills for phone calls, $93.59, and $51.50 for the last newsletter. These expenses were paid along
with $200.00 for Website setup. Discussion continued to be finance related; membership fees, fundraising etc. are
discussed.
MEMBERSHIPS
The fee will stay the same for 1996 and we will examine alternate ways to access money.
*Rod mentioned that material to be put on the home page must be provided
on compatible format. Please contact him for details.
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May 6.96 0900 hrs
NATIONAL CONFERENCE - PRINCE ALBERT 1997
There is a sense that by taking on an event such as a national conference some of our purpose and identity questions
will be addressed.
THEME: Celebration - Homecoming - 30 years - Bringing it Home.
When: May long weekend
TASKS: include - Speakers - Funding - Publicity - workshops - accommodations & Travel.
To Do:
Paul commented that we are defining roles and responsibilities. Jack explained his need to get in touch with others and discover training methods and resources. Jay commented that they have tried this in Ontario and it has been frustrating. The consensus was that these concerns are national issues and well may be addressed at that level. Jack will be a contact for getting a trainer net going and Paula commented that the key would be a sharing of common concerns and program curriculum and design.
Jack presented “dis-interest” as a model of not ‘“what’s in this for me?” rather; “what can I contribute?”
Paul stated that it could be valuable to have a central reference group, a trouble shooting group. Its only task to make things happen.
Bill, Jay, Paula, Rod & Jack all volunteered to be on the National Coordinating team. Their task will be to trouble shoot for all other committees. They will be information control and the Internet will be the communication vehicle.
Dori asked what the ideal conference setting would look like to CALSCA. Retreat seemed to be the preference but the recommendation was to look at all options within the Prince Albert area. Discussion around registration entailed and it was decided that this would be best handled by the host province.
COMMITTEES:
FUNDING: Paul, Jack and Sally. Task To explore funding. federal grants etc. To approach provincial associations
re: subsidizing To apply and propose alternate funding sources.
SPEAKERS / WORKSHOPS: Cheryl and Francine. Task: To approach potential keynote speakers. To approach potential
workshop leaders. To co-ordinate schedule. To receive data, bio’s and recommend.
PUBLICITY / PROMOTION: Robert and Bill: Task: To work with funding committee, To explore national affiliates, Press
releases, Home page advertising, Produce brochures ( bilingual), Distribute information / brochures, Explore provincial
associations and piggy-back advertising.
Francine volunteered to contact Manitoba re: having a member sit on the National Coordinating Committee.
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1140 hrs; - GENERAL DISCUSSION
Bill - He is concerned that the Francophone community would view ‘coming home’ as not applying to them as they do not see Saskatchewan as the birthplace of Life Skills. He is worried that we may be closing a door in this instance. The consensus is that we invite the Sherbrooke people and make them part of the process.
Jan - We need to respect the work that other people do and not make an issue out of speculation.
Paula - We also have a responsibility to address the needs and the inclusion of the aboriginal community. Perhaps we could contact Tia and get her involved in the process. Yes.
Judy - wants to make special effort to include First Nations people.
Bill - What about the cost in relationships if this is perceived as a nostalgia trip? No - the theme is roots, discovery, family, a first national conference.
Robert - This will be costly. What are we selling? Do we have enough time to pull this off?
Cheryl - It will be what it is.
Colleen Z - Let’s have a research and information gathering period. Can we pull this off by May?
Judy - We need at this time to set up a treasurer so that the funds contributed etc. can be deposited into a conference account. CALSCA appoints SLSA to set up an account.
Discussion continues around money, logistics, funding, timelines, etc. Perhaps the provincial associations could make a decision not to host their own conferences next year and put their energy and resources into the National conference.
Francine - The strategy of a timeline may be beneficial at this point. More discussion centering around logistics and agreement was reached to gather all relevant information as soon as possible. We will access whatever we can and present it to the National coordinating team by June 1, 1996. At this time we will have obtained sufficient material in order that we may make a more informed decision in terms of the scheduled date of May 1997.
At this time the participants thanked the Quebec team for their hospitality and their efforts on our behalf.
Colleen N.J. facilitated a closure exercise.
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