Do you wonder how we keep up-to-date with all our membership information? Well, we just got ourselves a new database (YAY!) and we need some help getting it up to date with all our membership information and helping us get ready to start using it.  This is a great way to get familiar with using a database (important for anyone interested in working as an administrative coordinator or office clerk)!

Key Responsibilities:

• Entering information in our database (database entries)
• Looking for duplicate entries
• Keeping confidentiality (not sharing or discussing any information) since you’re working with personal information

Skills/Knowledge we’re looking for:

• Accountable
• Organizing and doing repetitive tasks
• Database entry
• Computer and / or technology

Training provided and required:

• Training and orientation on Maximizer database on Friday, June 15th, 2012 from 2-4pm

What you’ll get:

• Time counted toward an honorarium
• Invitation to future Volunteer Appreciation Events
• Provincial recognition in our Power Pages magazine
• Letter of reference if requested

We at the Network are doing some exciting things to celebrate! [For info about what MCFD is doing to celebrate around the province, see below.]

How you can celebrate with FBCYICN:

• Join the “I Stand With Youth In Care” campaign, launching just in time for BC Child and Youth in Care Week, by liking the page [https://www.facebook.com/NoticeListenRespect], where you can order sweet campaign kits with buttons and posters for your community
• Attend the May 15^th Proclamation Reading in Victoria with FBCYICN—we will pay for any travel and meal arrangements needed to get you there! See how here!
• Attend MCFD’s fancy-pants provincial celebration in Vancouver on Wednesday, May 23rd! If you are a youth in or from care in BC involved in the Fed, you are invited to attend the provincial event with fellow youth, staff and board as a Fed representative and an important guest. If you’re not able to get to Vancouver yourself, we can support you to find resources to get here!
• Volunteer to co-MC the provincial event or to be a campaign-kit distribution assistant! For more info, see the MC posting here, and contact Jessica Chu to do the distribution assistant: youthparticipation@fbcyicn.ca

How you can celebrate with MCFD:

 MCFD’s going to be hosting many fun celebrations around the province. We’ll keep you posted on these here and in upcoming e-newsletters when we learn of them.

Here’s the scoop so far:

• Provincial celebration held in Vancouver on Wednesday, May 23^rd …details to come. If you would like help getting here, we can help find resources in your region to get you here! E-mail us at powerpages@fbcyicn.ca
• Art Contest! MCFD is hosting an art contest again this year, with awesome prizes. Deadline is fast approaching: Monday, April 30^th! Visit here for more details: http://fbcyicn.ca/?s=art+contest
• Fun, youth-oriented celebrations in each region; the first on our radar is:
  • Coast Fraser
    •  Flash Mob Tuesday, May 22^nd @4pm: “Join us in DANCING with children and youth in care! Step by step practice video below (without music) for the Flash Mob we are planning to kick off BC Child & Youth in Care week. Locations will be released closer to, but the date to save is May 22nd @ 4PM. Hope u will all come dance with us!! The song that we will be using is One Tribe by the Black Eyed Peas: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q6ESTUCdwrM”
    • A big Coast Fraser regional event is set to take place on May 24^th, followed by a Child & Youth Awards presentation. Nominations for the Awards are open until May 4^th! Contact Dawn Johnson for more details: Dawn.Johnson@gov.bc.c
• More details to come about what’s happening in YOUR region!

• What’s a proclamation reading? It’s when one government person reads to the rest of the government and media peeps an official document declaring something—in this case, declaring May 21-17^th the second annual BC Child and Youth in Care Week. Here’s the official proclamation from last year: http://www.mcf.gov.bc.ca/foster/pdf/incare_week_proclamation.pdf
• What will the day look like? You will plan with FBCYICN your travel arrangements for the day to Victoria and back (no overnight stay); you will meet with a small group of FBCYICN representatives (youth and staff) and join Minister Mary McNeil as her guests of honour for lunch; we will go into the gallery to listen to the reading of the proclamation in the legislature; then we will gather as our small group again, debrief with a treat, and then head home.
• When is this happening? Tuesday, May 15th
• How do I apply? It’s simple! Just send Lisa Mickleborough, FBCYICN staff member, an e-mail explaining who you are, how old you are, where you live, contact info for you and your guardian (if under 19) and why you want to go. She will be in touch to follow up and let you know if you’ve been selected. Her e-mail: powerpages@fbcyicn.ca
• When is the deadline to apply? Monday, May 7^th @4:30

**NOTE: You must be allowed to travel by yourself to Victoria OR meet us at our office the morning of May 15th in New Westminster. You must also be available from early morning (depending on where you live) until late in the evening on the 15^th to allow for travel. If you are under 19 and/or in high school, make sure you get permission as we will be confirming this with your guardian before you are accepted!

As of 2011, the BC Government has declared the 4th week in May as Canada’s first-ever Child and Youth in Care Week. Asked for by Federation of BC Youth in Care Networks youth, the week is an opportunity to celebrate the diversity, accomplishments and resilience of youth in and from care.

It is also an opportunity to highlight their unique needs, issues and ideas, and encourage our communities to notice, listen to and respect them.

This year, the week will take place May 20-26th. Show your support for the movement and stay up to date on MCFD celebrations happening around the province by liking this FB page: https://www.facebook.com/NoticeListenRespect  or checking back here on fbcyicn.ca.

We’re looking for two confident, experienced, passionate public speakers to represent the Network at MCFD’s BC Child and Youth in Care Week provincial event in Vancouver—either one youth (14-24) and one alumni (25+), or two youth to MC the event!!!  Do you have some public speaking experience?  Would you like an opportunity to further develop these skills with a FBCYICN staff?  Would you like an opportunity to network and speak in front of a room full of people (like the Minister, the Representative for Children and Youth, as well as adult and youth leaders in the child and youth sector) about what the week and the youth in/from care movement means to you? Would you like 5-7 hours counted toward a cash honorarium?  If this sounds like you, great!! You don’t need tons of experience, just confidence speaking in front of a group, availability to meet beforehand and attend the whole event, and passion for the youth in/from care movement.

Start Date:  Friday, May 18th, 2012, from 3-5pm

End Date: Wednesday May 23, afternoon-early evening

Time Commitment: 5-7 hours

Key Responsibilities:

• Create a script with supervisor and co-MC during an in-person, 2 hour meeting on Friday, May 18th from 3-5pm (if the time does not work, we are flexible to arrange an alternative meeting time and date, so please still apply!)
• Show up early and co-MC the provincial BC Child and Youth in Care Week celebration, hosted by MCFD, for the full 2-4 hours
• Introduce speakers, speak to the meaning of the week to yourself (“What it means to you?”)

Skills/Knowledge we’re looking for:

• Public speaking experience
• Confident and energetic in front of a diverse crowd of adults and youth
• Punctuality and reliability

Training provided and required:

• One 2 hour meeting with supervisor to plan and practice the script and your introductions

What you’ll get:

• Time counted toward an honorarium
• Experience MC-ing an official MCFD event and celebration
• Networking opportunities with the minister, other government/sector representatives and youth
• An opportunity to represent the FBCYICN in a super important way!
• An opportunity to speak to the reason youth in care week, and the youth in/from care movement, is so important in front of decision makers and other youth

*You must be registered and approved to attend the upcoming SCM (June 1st-3rd 2012) to volunteer except for the SCM Office Assistant role*

So you’re thinking ’bout coming to the SCM. Or better yet, you’ve already registered to come. And you REALLY can’t wait for the weekend to hang out with your friends, make funky crafts at night, and participate in cool workshops. But this time, you want to take on a more active role at the SCM–maybe lead an icebreaker or make a new participant feel more welcomed. Why don’t you volunteer at the SCM?

Here are all the different ways you get involved

(click on each role for more info):

SCM Office Assistant

Steering Committee Meetings (SCMS) are weekend gatherings held three times a year for youth in and from care between the ages of 14 and 24 from all across B.C.  It gets really busy at the office before an SCM and we could really use some extra hands to get everything ready for the weekend.   This is an opportunity for 2-3 volunteers to gain some insight on the prep work that happens before a SCM and help out with all the extra work that needs to be done.

SCM Office Greeter

We are looking for 2 friendly and energetic members to greet SCM participants as they arrive at the office on Friday and help us get organized and ready!  As an SCM Office Greeter, you are the lead in making sure new participants feel comfortable and welcomed at the start of their SCM experience!  Other responsibilities include organizing SCM supplies and doing a role call of the participants on both the Friday and Sunday of the SCM.

SCM Youth Facilitator/MC

Looking for 4 facilitators to MC a portion of the agenda for the SCM weekend.  Other duties include remaining neutral in discussions (not taking sides), helping everyone understand the common purpose and goals of coming together, keeping on track, providing opportunities for people to share knowledge and experience, and creating a space for everyone to be heard and included.

SCM Power Pages Photographer

We are looking for 2 friendly members who love to take photos and are attending the SCM to take photos for Power Pages.  As an official Power Pages photographer, you’ll be doing the important job of documenting the great things we do at the Fed and Fed-related events. You will be a representative of the Network and wear a badge that shows everyone you’re our photographer. You don’t have to have any skills related to photography, but if you do, that’s a great!

SCM Buddy

Do you remember your first SCM and how it can feel a little bit intimidating because there is a lot to absorb and a lot of new people to meet?  Do you want to help welcome new participants at the SCM?  If that sounds like you, be a part of the Buddy C.R.E.W. –a team of young people who engage new members at SCMs and welcome them to the Network.

Deadline: Monday, May 7th at 4:30pm

Interested? Contact:

Who: Jessica Chu, Youth Participation Coordinator

E-mail: youthparticipation@fbcyicn.ca

Phone: 604-527-7762 (ext 104) or Toll-Free: 1-800-565-8055 (ext. 104)

Message me on Facebook: Find me as “Jessica at Fbcyicn”

The FBCYICN would like to invite you to a Town Hall meeting to hear your input about what to look for in our permanent Executive Director.

What’s a Town Hall meeting? Well it’s a place where a group of people who have similar interests (usually a community ) can get together and share their opinions.

Who’s invited? We are going to have 2 separate meetings: 1 for youth 14-24 in/from government care in BC and 1 for Alumni of the organization.

What time are the meetings? If you are between 14-24 years old and in/from goverment care in BC join us either in person (500-625 Agnes street, New Westminster) or by telephone on our toll free conference call number (call or email Sam for the number – see her contact info below) on Wednesday April 25 from 5:30-6:30pm

If you’re an Alumnus of the FBCYICN please join us in person or by telephone on Wednesday April 25 from 7-8pm

There will be light snacks, refreshments, bus tickets and childcare provided. Please RSVP to this event.

For more information contact Sam Pothier at either (604) 527-7762 or toll free at 1 (800) 565 8055 or at sam_pothier@fbcyicn.ca

Did you know that BC Child and Youth in Care Week is coming up again at the end of next month?

Well, it is…and like last year, MCFD is hosting an art contest with awesome prizes!

Deadline to send in your artwork is Monday, April 30th!

Check out the following poster for more details (and you can print it out to fill in the application portion to submit your artwork!):

We are looking for 2 youth members OR 1 youth member and 1 alumni in addition to 1 board member to sit on the 2012 Local Development A-Team Selection Committee.

The Selection Committee is responsible for choosing The A-Team (a leadership team made up of young people in and from care and adult allies) who will be supporting the work of the Local Development Program; encouraging youth in and from care to connect in their local communities, raise their voices, and take action on issues impacting their lives!

Key Responsibilities:

• Read and review up to 20 applications
• Evaluate applications based on a set criteria
• Working with other Committee members to select fairly and without bias the young people, alumni, and adult allies best suited for the criteria
• Attend the following meetings:
• A mandatory orientation meeting on Tuesday April 24th from 5:30pm – 7:00pm
• A mandatory selection meeting on Thursday April 26th from 5:30pm – 7:30pm
• A mandatory selection meeting on Tuesday May 1st from 5:30pm – 7:30pm
• A mandatory selection meeting on Tuesday May 8th from 5:30pm – 7:30pm

NOTE: If you are really interested and unable to be at the office by 5:30 on these dates please still apply and let us know what your availability looks like

•  Be able to work through differences in opinion with others
• To participate in all of the meetings in regards to this process
• Keep strict confidentiality during and after process

Skills/Knowledge we’re looking for:

• Reading and Comprehension
• Evaluate fairly and without bias
• Ability to deal with different opinions and conflict
• Ability to keep STRICT confidentiality
• Familiarity with Local Development and/or the Action Team

Training provided and required:

• FBCYICN Orientation
• Application criteria

What you’ll get:

• Volunteer hours counted towards honorarium (if you are a youth; 14-24 years old)
• Invitation to Volunteer Appreciation Events
• Letter of reference if requested
• Recognition in our Power Pages magazine

Start Date: Thursday April 19th 2012                                            End Date: Thursday, May 10th 2012 Time

Commitment: 8 hours

Supervising Staff: mia amir, Local Development Coordinator

Interested? Contact:

Who: Jessica Chu, Youth Participation Coordinator

E-mail: youthparticipation@fbcyicn.ca

Phone: 604-353-3495 or Toll-Free: 1-800-565-8055 (ext. 104)

Deadline: Tuesday April 17th at 4:30pm

(To get caught up on the ED search, see posts 1 and 2)

Dear Members:

I’m happy to report that at our second meeting on March 14, your Executive Director Hiring Committee selected a search firm to recommend to the board. After carefully reviewing the proposals sent by several consultants, we chose Odgers Berndston to help us find a new ED.

We were really impressed by the firm’s experience, their capacity to find good candidates, and their work with non-profit organizations in general – and child, youth and family services in particular. [Just to remind everyone: in non-profit organizations, committees carry out their work and then make recommendations to their board on big things like hiring a search firm or an ED. The board is legally responsible for making the final decision, based on input from the committee.] 

The ED Hiring Committee presented Odgers Berndston to the board and they were pleased to accept the committee’s recommendation; now we move to phase 2 and start working with Odgers Berndston to find a new ED!

I’d like to thank the hiring committee members – Eddy, Jessy, Lily, Sarah, Amanda, Jessica B, Sam and Sandy – for their hard work on Phase 1. While we’re sorry that Jessica B’s work schedule doesn’t allow her to continue in this volunteer role, the good news is that  everyone else will be able to carry on to Phase 2.

We have our first meeting with Odgers Berndston on April 17. Stay tuned for our next update, which will include information about a town hall meeting that you can attend – in person or on the phone – to share your thoughts about what you would like to see in a new ED.

Thanks,

Lynell Anderson, Chairperson

Board and Executive Director Hiring Committee