Whitewater Bromley Community Health Centre
Advisory Board of Directors
Box 509, Cobden, ON, K0J 1K0
Whitewater Bromley CHC Director’s Meeting
Tuesday, February 10, 2009, Cobden Site
Present: Pat Krose, Earl Bennett, Izett McBride, Brian Yuke, Lynne Dunn, Ron Jaremkow, Randi Keith(late), Rob McKenzie, Diane Coulas
Regrets:, Bev Buchanan, Jack McLaren
1. Welcome & Opening Comments – Pat
A meal of chili and salad was served at 6:30, the meeting was called to order at 7:07PM
After welcoming Diane to the meeting, Pat spoke of the very successful fundraiser held Feb7 and noted that the generosity and support of the community was very impressive.
Pat thanked Lynne Dunn and board members who organized the event. She had received many positive comments about the event.
2. Program Director –
Report not available. Some discussion was held regarding the frequency of PD reports.
3. Minutes of the January 13 meeting – Pat
No errors or omissions.
Moved by Earl to accept the minutes as recorded, seconded by Ron, carried.
4. Business Arising from Minutes
Gail Richardson will conduct the second board training and Strategic Planning session on February 14, 2009. 9AM in the Cobden Civitan Hall, Randi to confirm hall.
Future meeting schedule:
March 10, Beachburg
April 14, Cobden
May 12, Beachburg
June 9, Cobden
July 14, Beachburg
August 11, Cobden
September 8, Beachburg
October 13, Cobden
November 10, Beachburg
December 8, Cobden
Annual Meeting – Tuesday, May 19/09, as set at the last AGM
It was generally thought that a board re-training involving WBCHC, RBV and Lanark Boards would be a good function to hold after the AGM.
A rubber stamp would be of use to the Treasurer to help fill in the tax receipts issued for donations. Randi should look into purchasing an appropriate ink stamp.
It was brought up that grants are now available for summer students. Pat would bring this up with the acting PD in the event that the Leading Edge wishes to hire summer students this year.
5. Correspondence
-none
6. Treasurer’s Report – prepared by Randi, read by Ron
Moved by Rob, seconded by Izett to accept the report as presented, carried.
Izett was to look into establishing a Building Fund Account to create a distinction between Building and Operating monies.
7. Committee Reports
Property – Earl
The property committee is pleased to report the following activities that have taken place since our last board meeting:
Maintenance –
1. The sewer line servicing both washrooms was blocked. Williams Plumbing and Heating from Renfrew were called in on Jan. 28th to clear the line. Williams Plumbing feels that there is some restriction in the sewer line leading to the town sewer and recommend that a specialized camera be used to determine the reason for the restriction. Jack advised that he was aware that the line is not 100% when renovations were first completed. Given that we got 5 years with no difficulty, it is recommended that we leave things as they are for now. We can address the issue if we are able to proceed with an expansion of the site.
2. Brenda Ross-Powers received permission to have the fridge at the Cobden site replaced. Apparently the Bonnechere Manor program had funds left over that needed to be used and wanted to replace the fridge with a new larger unit. The request was granted on the basis that if the program leaves our facility, the fridge will remain with our facility.
3. Ron Jaremkow received a call on February 2nd from the Co-operators office advising that they had water entering their unit from the rear apartment. Ron attended the site and found a broken water line that he fixed.
4. There is some minor damage to the exterior siding at 70 Main Street. The siding is pulling away from the wall. It is difficult to determine the cause of the damage but it appears to me that it is caused from one of the recent windstorms we have experienced. Steve Woods has been asked to look into the repair.
Respectfully submitted, Earl Bennett & Jack McLaren
Fundraising – Lynne
Fundraising Report, February 10, 2009
A successful event was held on Feb 7, 2009 with about $4700.00 being raised for a new building.
Thank you to all those who helped in any way. Many local people and businesses were very generous with donations of auction items, door prizes and cash. A thank you will be in the local paper this week.
I think it would be helpful if there was a press release to Cobden Sun, Eganville Leader, Renfrew Mercury, the Killaloe paper, if one, and Pembroke Observer relating the why and wherefore of the event and about the future of the WBCHC. Although the Sun is the local news, it covers a small portion of the Whitewater- Bromley catchment area.
Another event like this will not be successful in the short term. A possible fundraising activity would be to purchase a large item [e.g. large tv, with home theatre] and sell tickets.
As I was collecting donations etc. I became aware of some attitudes that are in the area regarding the WBCHC.
It is quite evident that residents do not understand how the centre operates. Is urgent care open to all residents of the catchment area? Is a new building really needed? If Taxes are paid for the centre, why can’t all taxpayers access the centre? In one instance, a person donated to the cause, but wanted me to know she was very ‘hurt’ when a director of the board when asked if it was a staff person or director she indicated director] signed a petition against her business moving to the area. On the other hand, I heard several good things. One family has given up a long time family doctor to use the facility. Several older people are very grateful they do not have to travel for medical care and how well they are treated at the Centre.
Another great concern is the ‘divide’ between the two sites and communities. Separation is more than geographical. Until there is a feeling in the Region that an improvement in one area is good for the entire Region, fundraising will be very difficult.
In my view, an extensive public relations exercise needs to be carried out. Sooner is better. Now that the public imagination is caught it is important to keep them informed about all happenings at the Board, Renfrew County, and Champlain level.
A free public information night is good P.R. I know this has been done before, but not for a few years. Since the CHC started, there have been several changes. If we want the residents to give generously, they must know where and why their money is being used.
Lynne Dunn
Lynne was thanked for an excellent report that has much food for thought in it.
Ron pointed out that Press Releases are sent to the Cobden Sun, Eganville Leader, Renfrew Mercury, Pembroke Observer as well as radio stations MyFM and Heritage Radio but it is up to the individual news media if they use it or not. At the time of the meeting, Heritage Radio and the Cobden Sun had picked up the fundraiser story. The press releases are also posted on our web site.
Policy & Board Affairs – Brian
No report
Membership – Rob
The plaques promoting membership purchases are being produced.
Political Liaison – Izett
Eganville and Golden Lake will be forming an FHT which will be a collaborative member of the “Renfrew County Health Network” in conjunction with a new standalone CHC encompassing the WBCHC and RBV areas.
LHIN has laid out an application procedure for WBCHC and RBV to become a standalone service provider that Izett feels we should pursue.
Moved by Izett, seconded by Rob that: We agree in principle to establish a small working committee with representation from WBCHC,(Cobden and Beachburg), Rainbow Valley and Lanark as we work towards becoming a Health Service Provider recognized by LHIN. The motion was carried.
Moved by Earl, seconded by Brian: The existing Satellite Committee will sit on the said committee. The motion was carried.
Publicity / Web site – Ron
The web site is up to date. Press releases have been sent out to the media concerning our donation to the Cobden food bank and our fundraiser.
8. Other Business
Pat will provide pertinent information from PPSAC and Lanark board meetings to the WBCHC board of directors.
Pat extended a welcome to any directors who wished to attend a Lanark board meeting with her.
It was suggested that Bonnie Johnson, who is on a leave of absence, be presented with flowers and a gift certificate to Safron Bistro in appreciation of the work she has done for the CHC. Lynne and Rob would look into this.
10. Next meeting – Tuesday, March 10, 7PM, Beachburg site.
11. Adjournment - Meeting Adjourned at 9:33PM.