Whitewater Bromley Community Health Centre
Advisory Board of Directors
Advisory Board of Directors
Box 509, Cobden, ON, K0J 1K0
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Whitewater Bromley CHC
Annual General Meeting
May 19, 2009
Foresters Falls Orange Hall
Board Members Present: Pat Krose (chair), Bev Buchanan, Ron Jaremkow, Jack McLaren, Randi Keith, Izett McBride, Rob McKenzie, Linda Simpson, and Dianne Coulas
Regrets: Lynne Dunn, Earl Bennett, Brian Yuke
1. Welcome - Chair - Pat Krose
Pat opened the meeting at 7:00 & welcomed board members & guests.
2. Executive Director’s Report - John Jordan, Lanark Health & Community Services
Attached at end of report
John passed along congratulations on the plans for possible integration of the new Board of Rainbow Valley & Whitewater Bromley.
He congratulated the WBCHC Board on our 2009 AGM.
3. Health Services Coordinator’s Report - Susan Allen NP, WBCHC
Attached
Organizational Report
The Whitewater Bromley Community Health Centre Satellite Staff, continue to provide excellent primary health care, health promotion programming, as well as continuing to build capacity within the local community. We remain in the midst of a very busy period at the health centre, with every staff, from the medical secretaries to the health promoter working towards providing quality health care to the community. In March we established our first 3 site meeting which provided an opportunity for Killaloe, Cobden and Beachburg staff to meet and work together towards addressing the most prevalent health issues in the community. The WBCHC satellite staff are looking forward to establishing improved communication with the Satellite Committee, and are hoping for opportunities to provide greater explanations of programming and community activities.
Programming Updates
1.Written Health Materials
Health Happenings: January and October
Newspaper articles: Monthly articles in local papers (Barry’s Bay, Eganville, and Cobden Sun).
2.Physical Activity
Nordic Walking: Lara is offering a minimum of 2 drop in sessions on October 21st and November 4th (Tuesday evenings) and will do additional drop-ins if requests warrant them.
Fit, Fun, and Fully Alive: Fitness programs run from September to June, in 11sites using volunteers from the local community.
3.Child/Adolescent Health
Child Car Seat Safety: The nurse running this program has left her FT position, we are hopeful that the new nurse hired into this position will be willing to complete the training.
Toy Bus: Pauline (Cobden Nurse) continues to provide well baby care and parental support for families attending Toy Bus, in Cobden. 10-15 families up to 33 children.
Opeongo High School Clinic: Tuesday am clinic, 8-12 visits by adolescents at Opeongo high school each week.
4. CDPM(chronic disease prevention and management
Diabetes Clinics: PRH continues to provide Diabetes Education and Dietition Outreach Services to the Cobden and Beachburg Sites every 2months. Diabetes Cooking Class: In April 2009 they also held a cooking class for people with a diagnosis of diabetes and cholesterol problems. Well attended and enjoyed.
Foot Care Clinics: Shirley Hill continues to provide foot care services to WB clients one morning per week. Care For started providing foot care services for the community who are not our primary care clients in Feb 2009.
CDPM Nurse: Shirley Hill provides coordination across the two sites enhancing primary care and working towards creating greater health promotion activities in our Chronic Health Condition Program
Chronic Disease Self Management: Shirley Hill is a master trainer in the ‘living a healthy life with chronic conditions’, Susan Allen is a trainer. Together we plan to run two programs this year May 20th (Cobden), Fall 2009 (Killaloe)
5.Mental Health
Change Your Mind: Midway through the spring program. Planning for another group to start in the fall.
Peaceful Mind: Drop in Beachburg site with other community partner sites in Renfrew and Pembroke, 3-4 client visits.
6.Older Adult
Good Neighbours: This group has resumed at both sites alternating weeks Cobden/Beachburg, but will take a break for the summer.
CCAC: A case manager from CCAC works out of each site, a half day each week, consulting with the clinical staff.
7. Community Development
Renfrew County Food for Learning Partnership: Lara in partnership with RCPH, have been developing the nutrition program across Renfrew County. Recently they have hired two new positions to provide coordination, establish direction and standards for the program
Staffing
1.Continue to be in the process of hiring a Nurse for the Beachburg Site. Interviews will be set for the end of the month.
2.Summer student interviews will also be occurring at the end of the month to hire a coordinator for the ‘Leading Edge Program’
3.Dr. Anne Martin will be starting her .2FTE position with the Cobden Site on March 20th.
4.Dr. Kristian Davis has agreed to work both of his days at the Beachburg site to increase the physician coverage in Beachburg
5Heather Robertson will continue being the main NP at the Beachburg site, while Susan Allen will mainly be working in the Cobden site. Tricia MacKay is continuing to provide .3FTE to the Cobden site.
6.Ray Parchelo will be reducing his hours for the summer months (7-10 hours per week).
4. Guest Speaker - Dr. Jane Fulton, “How do we know the best things in life are free?”
Lyn Langton introduced Dr. Jane Fulton as the guest speaker for the evening. Jane is a retired university professor and director of a Health Care Clinic in Cleveland and who lives on the Zion Line in Whitewater Region. Through the years she has authored a number of books on Healthcare and Practices. In her spare time she is a gardener, bee keeper & works part-time at Opeongo High School. “Rabbits in Charge” is her latest published book.
Dr. Fulton spoke on the need for each of us to take charge of our own health. She left us with thought provoking ideas on being responsible for our well being & that “the best things in life are free!”
Bev Buchanan presented her with a bouquet of flowers & thanked her for her inspirational speech.
5. WBCHC Business Meeting
Minutes of AGM 2008 - May 21, 2008
No errors or omissions.
Moved by Randi to accept the minutes as recorded, seconded by Ron, carried.
Financial Report - Randi Keith
As attached
WHITEWATER BROMLEY COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTRE
TREASURER’S REPORT
REPORTING ON THE FISCAL YEAR
APRIL 1, 2008 TO MARCH 31, 2009
SUBMITTED: MAY 19, 2009
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
FORESTERS FALL’S ORANGE HALL
The Accounting Firm of MacKillican & Associates has returned the Financial Statements for the year ending March 31, 2009.
The Treasurer’s Report provided this evening is an accurate statement of our financial status for the year ending March 31, 2009.
Based on the financial reports, the total income received during the 2008/09 fiscal year is $63,426. We received $31,429 in rent, $24,000 was generated from 70 Main Street and $7,429 from 68 Main Street. $6,000 was received in Municipal Grants, $6,402 in donations from service clubs and individuals. $ 8,498 was raised from a very successful fundraiser and also includes some other income.
The mortgage on 68 Main Street was paid off.
The total expenses for the fiscal year 2008/09 were $35,537. Utilities for both sites were $6,510. Repairs and maintenance were $7,180, insurance amounted to $4,177 and municipal taxes was $2,532.
The Net Revenue for the year 2008/09 was $27,889 for the Whitewater/Bromley Community Health Centre.
On the Balance Sheet as at March 31, 2009, total assets amount to $168,560 of which $28,957 represents cash in bank including GIC’s and $137,867 represents land, buildings, parking lot, leasehold improvements and equipment net of amortization. Liabilities are reported at $30,693 while contributed and operating surplus total $137,867.
Anyone wishing a copy of the financial statements may obtain one from the Treasurer tonight after the meeting.
Property Report - Earl Bennett
Attached
Property Committee Report - AGM May 19, 2009
Additional site upgrades were undertaken this past year to improve site drainage and expand the parking area. Special thanks are extended to the following companies who assisted in keeping the expense of this project to a minimum: Crawl Construction, McLaren Systems Garfat Tree Removal and the Whitewater Region.
A decision has been made at our May Board meeting to have the building at 68 Main Street removed and landscaped to provide additional parking. We hope that this project could be completed by September 2009 or sooner.
Respectfully submitted by Earl Bennett & Jack McLaren
Fund Raising - Lynne Dunn
Fundraising Report, 2009
Annual General Meeting
Whitewater-Bromley Community Health Centre Satellite
The major fundraising event was held in February, 2009. It was a dance with a retro band providing the music. Also, there was a silent auction of generously donated items. This event raised approximately $4800.00. Some donations came in over the year and some memberships were sold. A separate bank account was set up to accommodate the funds raised for future projects.
Many thanks to Board members for their help in fundraising activities.
Fundraising activities raise the profile of the organization providing the events. It is incumbent on all those in the organization, Board and staff members, to continually provide the public of what is going on in the organization and the community.
My best wishes to the WBCHC as the organization moves to stand alone status.
Lynne Dunn
Fundraising chair
WBCHC, 2009
Membership - Rob McKenzie
As attached
Membership report:
In the fall of 2008 a mail campaign was used to boost membership and to raise awareness of the goals and objectives of the WBCHC.Thanks to Lynn for doing this.Continuing on the theme of building membership to strengthen our community health centre plaques were made by Fred Glover and hung in the 2 centres. The plaques hopefully will make the patrons aware that they can contirbute to making the centre better at serving the community and in doing so making our community better.
Publicity/Website - Ron Jaremkow
As attached
Publicity and Web Site Report - 2009 AGM
A number of press releases were sent to local news media over the past year. These releases were generally accepted and published by the media.
Thanks to the Cobden Sun, Renfrew Mercury, Pembroke Observer and Valley Heritage Radio, especially Dia Bassett for publicizing our releases.
The website was updated as required, at least once per month for the approved minutes. The website has received in excess of 7530 hits which I think is commendable for a small Advisory Board of Directors website. Many of the visitors are not local but from areas such as Toronto, Ottawa and many other parts of North America.
Publicity and Web Chair ....... Ron Jaremkow
Political Liaison - Izett McBride
As attached
History of Whitewater Bromley CHC
Report to WBCHC AGM from Political Liaison Chair
This report includes a chronological review of the history and brings it up to our present endeavors.
It all started with a community group of interested people coming together as a committee in the mid 90’s to work towards establishing a Community health Center.
The new ad hoc committee put together a very successful Health Fair in Cobden that was a public “coming out” in 2000.
Around this time a Nurse Practitioner Program officially started at Beachburg Medical Centre as a program sponsored by the North Lanark Community Health Centre.
A board of directors was elected for the newly formed Whitewater Bromley Community Health Centre and was incorporated as such in 2002.
The Nurse Practitioner program was extended to include a second person in rented space at 70 Main Street, Cobden.
Meanwhile, applications and lobbying were ongoing to the Ministry of Health for full CHC designation and funding.
The board purchased 70 Main in 2003 and subsequently had it paid off through Lanark’s budget for Nurse Practitioner Program.
A huge step was when The Ministry of Health announced funding in late 2004 for full time Satellites at three sites operating under Lanark Health and Community Services. These included Beachburg and Cobden, the Whitewater Bromley CHC area and a .6 “Point of Access” office in Killaloe, the Rainbow Valley CHC area. This gave us some 21 positions including a Program Director as our local manager who answered directly to Lanark’s Executive Director John Jordan.
Current operation was and still is, that funding and therefore responsibility and control flows through Lanark to the satellites, under the supervision of the Program Director.
Our board and Rainbow Valley’s board serve in an advisory role to Lanark. A newly formed satellite committee became the connection. This satellite committee is made up of our chair and 2 other members from WBCHC, 2 members from Rainbow Valley and the Program Director of these satellites. Lanark’s ED John Jordan is a frequent attendee and contributor. This committee currently meets every second month. The chair of our board (currently Pat Krose) chairs that committee as well and sits on Lanark’s board with full voting rights, so she is our legal link.
WBCHC has an important function as Landlord with ownership of the Cobden site. This is under a formal lease agreement with Lanark Health and Community Services as does the Beachburg site which is owned by the Township of Whitewater Region and leased to Lanark as well.
With the rapid growth in both site’s workload it quickly became apparent that the building at the Cobden site is inadequate so WBCHC undertook a functional plan study the winter of 06/07 and now have a full ‘new build’ background study and plan ready to roll. This is a required step in obtaining government funding for capital purposes. This board is currently perusing approval and funding for this project. WBCHC also purchased 68 Main Street to enlarge and square up the lot for the future construction.
Since the satellite arrangement was understood by all to be a stepping stone to independence, we have not stopped lobbying for independent status. We recognize that this satellite funding has been a tremendous benefit to our areas. Lanark has been a terrific group to be affiliated with and they’ve been behind us all the way as we work towards autonomy.
In April, 2008 this board became part of a steering committee with reps from this board -WBCHC-, Rainbow Valley in Killaloe, Pikwakanagan Family Health Team at Golden Lake, Bonnechere Health group from Eganville as well as Lanark Health and Community Services. This committee was to pursue a new formation tentatively called the Renfrew County Health Network which would start with 5 centres run as one independent organization
As the summer progressed and through input from LHIN the structure of not one, but of two organizations came through as something that would be approved by the Ministry. One took the form of the Algonquin Pikwakanagan Family Health Team at Golden Lake taking on a Satellite to serve Eganville with funds flowing directly from the Ministry. This will continue as a Family Health Team. We understand this structure is well on its way.
The existing Satellites in Beachburg and Cobden and Point of Access in Killaloe, which are known as Whitewater Bromley CHC and Rainbow Valley CHC, will discontinue being a satellite of Lanark Health and Community Services. Instead they will come together as a single organization recognized and funded by LHIN (Champlain Local Health Initiatives Network) as a Health Service Provider. This second provider with be in the form of a Community Health Center as we have been up to now. A tentative name for this new group is Astrolabe Community Health Center.
A small steering committee has been meeting to hammer out the details of our merging with Rainbow Valley and preparing the items required to comply with the LHIN requirements to be recognized for funding as a Health Service Provider. We hope to have reports to our respective boards by early summer and have this new independent structure operating as early as late fall 2009, but more likely the funding rollover would be for the start of the next fiscal year, April, 2010.
These two organizations, the expanded Pikwakanagan Family Health Team and our new Astrolabe Community Health Center, can easily maintain a working relationship and share personnel as appropriate in keeping with our original 5 site objectives.
Benefits that are apparent to the LHIN and the Ministry include economy of scale, a better mix of professionals that in some cases could move from site to site and governance that is local. We believe with this critical mass and local self governance, it creates a structure that will be a major player in the provision of quality primary health care across this central section of Renfrew County.
The draft constitution (a revision of WBCHC’s), will need to be accepted at another general meeting of our membership. These revisions would include an expanded service area taking in the Rainbow Valley area and the board would include twelve directors, eight of whom will come from the area served by Whitewater Bromley CHC and the other four from Rainbow Valley CHC.
It will be a new step in joint responsibility and we know we’re ready for it. John Jordan and the board from Lanark have been thorough and patient mentors and we thank them for their ongoing support as we move through this transition.
Presented by Izett McBride Chair Political Liaison committee and Chair of Renfrew County Health Network
Chair Report - Pat Krose
As attached
Whitewater Bromley Community Health Centre
Annual General Meeting 2009-05-16
Report of Board of Directors
It has been a very busy year for the Board of Directors of Whitewater Bromley Community Health Centre and it has been a privilege to be the chair for this dedicated group: certainly it has been a major learning curve for me. In looking over the activities of the board of the past year I discovered an inspiring quote by Dr Martin Luther King. He stated, ‘Almost always, the creative dedicated minority has made the world better.” This is evident as it applies to this board and boards of the past as they give their time and efforts to improving primary health care in this region. When emails arrive from Florida, Mexico, and Europe from board members on holidays or from a field or highway in the area, it is easy to recognize the commitment given by this group. Fortunately most departing members have left their name on the committee or volunteer list to continue on with our goal.
The committee reports have outlined many of the success and future activities of the board. The mortgage is paid off at 68 Main Street in Cobden which allows us now to look to the future for a new building for the cramped quarters of the Cobden site. Presently WBCHC and RV CHC are completing a proposal to become a new joint health care provider for the regions of Whitewater Bromley and the areas being served by the RVCHC.
Often we are asked the rationale for pursing autonomy for WB and RV and often board members ask the same question. The reason is twofold. In 2004 Lanark Health and Community Services stepped to the plate and agreed to be the health care provider for RV and WB to allow government funding to funnel through their CHC operation for two years. The two years has long passed and John Jordan and the Lanark Health and Community Services have been more than generous with their sharing of their time, operational staff and expertise...remember it is an hour and a half driving time between Lanark and Whitewater. Secondly the mandate for Community Health Centres and the Local Health Integration Network is to provide primary health care to meet the needs of local communities so it is important to be the ear for the community and develop programs and make decisions accordingly. This is a major undertaking but with the support of Lanark, the encouragement of LHIN, the commitment of RV and WB Boards we look forward to taking our first independent step. Like a child we step forward with some trepidation!
For this first step we need the continued support of the community and staff of the CHC. Volunteers are always needed for board activities and committees, donations are needed for the building fund or new programmes and equipment to enhance existing programmes at the health centres. Any support or donations of time, monies or encouragement are appreciated to motivate the board to continue their pursuant to improve primary health care in our regions.
I wish to extend a big thank you to the departing members, Jack, Brian, Bev, Earl, Ron and Lynn for their many hours of dedicated service in giving their expertise to the community health centre board. We have had many good moments together. You will be missed!
It has been a pleasure to be part of this WBCHC Board of Directors,
Pat Krose, Chair
Ron moved to accept the reports, seconded by Rob, carried.
Introduction & Election of Officers - Ron Jaremkow
Ron carried out the election of new directors Linda Simpson & Dianne Coulas.
Moved by Bev to accept the election of officers, seconded by Randi, carried.
Date for next AGM - Tuesday, May 18, 2001
Wilmer Mathews gave greetings from the Champlain LHIN.
Rob McKenzie presented a cheque for $500 on behalf of the Cobden Community Players to the WBCHC building fund.
Adjournment followed by refreshments
Izett moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:07. Thank you to Sharon Jaremkow for providing the cookies & Jack Bell for the coffee & tea.
Annual General Meeting
May 19, 2009
Foresters Falls Orange Hall
Board Members Present: Pat Krose (chair), Bev Buchanan, Ron Jaremkow, Jack McLaren, Randi Keith, Izett McBride, Rob McKenzie, Linda Simpson, and Dianne Coulas
Regrets: Lynne Dunn, Earl Bennett, Brian Yuke
1. Welcome - Chair - Pat Krose
Pat opened the meeting at 7:00 & welcomed board members & guests.
2. Executive Director’s Report - John Jordan, Lanark Health & Community Services
Attached at end of report
John passed along congratulations on the plans for possible integration of the new Board of Rainbow Valley & Whitewater Bromley.
He congratulated the WBCHC Board on our 2009 AGM.
3. Health Services Coordinator’s Report - Susan Allen NP, WBCHC
Attached
Organizational Report
The Whitewater Bromley Community Health Centre Satellite Staff, continue to provide excellent primary health care, health promotion programming, as well as continuing to build capacity within the local community. We remain in the midst of a very busy period at the health centre, with every staff, from the medical secretaries to the health promoter working towards providing quality health care to the community. In March we established our first 3 site meeting which provided an opportunity for Killaloe, Cobden and Beachburg staff to meet and work together towards addressing the most prevalent health issues in the community. The WBCHC satellite staff are looking forward to establishing improved communication with the Satellite Committee, and are hoping for opportunities to provide greater explanations of programming and community activities.
Programming Updates
1.Written Health Materials
Health Happenings: January and October
Newspaper articles: Monthly articles in local papers (Barry’s Bay, Eganville, and Cobden Sun).
2.Physical Activity
Nordic Walking: Lara is offering a minimum of 2 drop in sessions on October 21st and November 4th (Tuesday evenings) and will do additional drop-ins if requests warrant them.
Fit, Fun, and Fully Alive: Fitness programs run from September to June, in 11sites using volunteers from the local community.
3.Child/Adolescent Health
Child Car Seat Safety: The nurse running this program has left her FT position, we are hopeful that the new nurse hired into this position will be willing to complete the training.
Toy Bus: Pauline (Cobden Nurse) continues to provide well baby care and parental support for families attending Toy Bus, in Cobden. 10-15 families up to 33 children.
Opeongo High School Clinic: Tuesday am clinic, 8-12 visits by adolescents at Opeongo high school each week.
4. CDPM(chronic disease prevention and management
Diabetes Clinics: PRH continues to provide Diabetes Education and Dietition Outreach Services to the Cobden and Beachburg Sites every 2months. Diabetes Cooking Class: In April 2009 they also held a cooking class for people with a diagnosis of diabetes and cholesterol problems. Well attended and enjoyed.
Foot Care Clinics: Shirley Hill continues to provide foot care services to WB clients one morning per week. Care For started providing foot care services for the community who are not our primary care clients in Feb 2009.
CDPM Nurse: Shirley Hill provides coordination across the two sites enhancing primary care and working towards creating greater health promotion activities in our Chronic Health Condition Program
Chronic Disease Self Management: Shirley Hill is a master trainer in the ‘living a healthy life with chronic conditions’, Susan Allen is a trainer. Together we plan to run two programs this year May 20th (Cobden), Fall 2009 (Killaloe)
5.Mental Health
Change Your Mind: Midway through the spring program. Planning for another group to start in the fall.
Peaceful Mind: Drop in Beachburg site with other community partner sites in Renfrew and Pembroke, 3-4 client visits.
6.Older Adult
Good Neighbours: This group has resumed at both sites alternating weeks Cobden/Beachburg, but will take a break for the summer.
CCAC: A case manager from CCAC works out of each site, a half day each week, consulting with the clinical staff.
7. Community Development
Renfrew County Food for Learning Partnership: Lara in partnership with RCPH, have been developing the nutrition program across Renfrew County. Recently they have hired two new positions to provide coordination, establish direction and standards for the program
Staffing
1.Continue to be in the process of hiring a Nurse for the Beachburg Site. Interviews will be set for the end of the month.
2.Summer student interviews will also be occurring at the end of the month to hire a coordinator for the ‘Leading Edge Program’
3.Dr. Anne Martin will be starting her .2FTE position with the Cobden Site on March 20th.
4.Dr. Kristian Davis has agreed to work both of his days at the Beachburg site to increase the physician coverage in Beachburg
5Heather Robertson will continue being the main NP at the Beachburg site, while Susan Allen will mainly be working in the Cobden site. Tricia MacKay is continuing to provide .3FTE to the Cobden site.
6.Ray Parchelo will be reducing his hours for the summer months (7-10 hours per week).
4. Guest Speaker - Dr. Jane Fulton, “How do we know the best things in life are free?”
Lyn Langton introduced Dr. Jane Fulton as the guest speaker for the evening. Jane is a retired university professor and director of a Health Care Clinic in Cleveland and who lives on the Zion Line in Whitewater Region. Through the years she has authored a number of books on Healthcare and Practices. In her spare time she is a gardener, bee keeper & works part-time at Opeongo High School. “Rabbits in Charge” is her latest published book.
Dr. Fulton spoke on the need for each of us to take charge of our own health. She left us with thought provoking ideas on being responsible for our well being & that “the best things in life are free!”
Bev Buchanan presented her with a bouquet of flowers & thanked her for her inspirational speech.
5. WBCHC Business Meeting
Minutes of AGM 2008 - May 21, 2008
No errors or omissions.
Moved by Randi to accept the minutes as recorded, seconded by Ron, carried.
Financial Report - Randi Keith
As attached
WHITEWATER BROMLEY COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTRE
TREASURER’S REPORT
REPORTING ON THE FISCAL YEAR
APRIL 1, 2008 TO MARCH 31, 2009
SUBMITTED: MAY 19, 2009
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
FORESTERS FALL’S ORANGE HALL
The Accounting Firm of MacKillican & Associates has returned the Financial Statements for the year ending March 31, 2009.
The Treasurer’s Report provided this evening is an accurate statement of our financial status for the year ending March 31, 2009.
Based on the financial reports, the total income received during the 2008/09 fiscal year is $63,426. We received $31,429 in rent, $24,000 was generated from 70 Main Street and $7,429 from 68 Main Street. $6,000 was received in Municipal Grants, $6,402 in donations from service clubs and individuals. $ 8,498 was raised from a very successful fundraiser and also includes some other income.
The mortgage on 68 Main Street was paid off.
The total expenses for the fiscal year 2008/09 were $35,537. Utilities for both sites were $6,510. Repairs and maintenance were $7,180, insurance amounted to $4,177 and municipal taxes was $2,532.
The Net Revenue for the year 2008/09 was $27,889 for the Whitewater/Bromley Community Health Centre.
On the Balance Sheet as at March 31, 2009, total assets amount to $168,560 of which $28,957 represents cash in bank including GIC’s and $137,867 represents land, buildings, parking lot, leasehold improvements and equipment net of amortization. Liabilities are reported at $30,693 while contributed and operating surplus total $137,867.
Anyone wishing a copy of the financial statements may obtain one from the Treasurer tonight after the meeting.
Property Report - Earl Bennett
Attached
Property Committee Report - AGM May 19, 2009
Additional site upgrades were undertaken this past year to improve site drainage and expand the parking area. Special thanks are extended to the following companies who assisted in keeping the expense of this project to a minimum: Crawl Construction, McLaren Systems Garfat Tree Removal and the Whitewater Region.
A decision has been made at our May Board meeting to have the building at 68 Main Street removed and landscaped to provide additional parking. We hope that this project could be completed by September 2009 or sooner.
Respectfully submitted by Earl Bennett & Jack McLaren
Fund Raising - Lynne Dunn
Fundraising Report, 2009
Annual General Meeting
Whitewater-Bromley Community Health Centre Satellite
The major fundraising event was held in February, 2009. It was a dance with a retro band providing the music. Also, there was a silent auction of generously donated items. This event raised approximately $4800.00. Some donations came in over the year and some memberships were sold. A separate bank account was set up to accommodate the funds raised for future projects.
Many thanks to Board members for their help in fundraising activities.
Fundraising activities raise the profile of the organization providing the events. It is incumbent on all those in the organization, Board and staff members, to continually provide the public of what is going on in the organization and the community.
My best wishes to the WBCHC as the organization moves to stand alone status.
Lynne Dunn
Fundraising chair
WBCHC, 2009
Membership - Rob McKenzie
As attached
Membership report:
In the fall of 2008 a mail campaign was used to boost membership and to raise awareness of the goals and objectives of the WBCHC.Thanks to Lynn for doing this.Continuing on the theme of building membership to strengthen our community health centre plaques were made by Fred Glover and hung in the 2 centres. The plaques hopefully will make the patrons aware that they can contirbute to making the centre better at serving the community and in doing so making our community better.
Publicity/Website - Ron Jaremkow
As attached
Publicity and Web Site Report - 2009 AGM
A number of press releases were sent to local news media over the past year. These releases were generally accepted and published by the media.
Thanks to the Cobden Sun, Renfrew Mercury, Pembroke Observer and Valley Heritage Radio, especially Dia Bassett for publicizing our releases.
The website was updated as required, at least once per month for the approved minutes. The website has received in excess of 7530 hits which I think is commendable for a small Advisory Board of Directors website. Many of the visitors are not local but from areas such as Toronto, Ottawa and many other parts of North America.
Publicity and Web Chair ....... Ron Jaremkow
Political Liaison - Izett McBride
As attached
History of Whitewater Bromley CHC
Report to WBCHC AGM from Political Liaison Chair
This report includes a chronological review of the history and brings it up to our present endeavors.
It all started with a community group of interested people coming together as a committee in the mid 90’s to work towards establishing a Community health Center.
The new ad hoc committee put together a very successful Health Fair in Cobden that was a public “coming out” in 2000.
Around this time a Nurse Practitioner Program officially started at Beachburg Medical Centre as a program sponsored by the North Lanark Community Health Centre.
A board of directors was elected for the newly formed Whitewater Bromley Community Health Centre and was incorporated as such in 2002.
The Nurse Practitioner program was extended to include a second person in rented space at 70 Main Street, Cobden.
Meanwhile, applications and lobbying were ongoing to the Ministry of Health for full CHC designation and funding.
The board purchased 70 Main in 2003 and subsequently had it paid off through Lanark’s budget for Nurse Practitioner Program.
A huge step was when The Ministry of Health announced funding in late 2004 for full time Satellites at three sites operating under Lanark Health and Community Services. These included Beachburg and Cobden, the Whitewater Bromley CHC area and a .6 “Point of Access” office in Killaloe, the Rainbow Valley CHC area. This gave us some 21 positions including a Program Director as our local manager who answered directly to Lanark’s Executive Director John Jordan.
Current operation was and still is, that funding and therefore responsibility and control flows through Lanark to the satellites, under the supervision of the Program Director.
Our board and Rainbow Valley’s board serve in an advisory role to Lanark. A newly formed satellite committee became the connection. This satellite committee is made up of our chair and 2 other members from WBCHC, 2 members from Rainbow Valley and the Program Director of these satellites. Lanark’s ED John Jordan is a frequent attendee and contributor. This committee currently meets every second month. The chair of our board (currently Pat Krose) chairs that committee as well and sits on Lanark’s board with full voting rights, so she is our legal link.
WBCHC has an important function as Landlord with ownership of the Cobden site. This is under a formal lease agreement with Lanark Health and Community Services as does the Beachburg site which is owned by the Township of Whitewater Region and leased to Lanark as well.
With the rapid growth in both site’s workload it quickly became apparent that the building at the Cobden site is inadequate so WBCHC undertook a functional plan study the winter of 06/07 and now have a full ‘new build’ background study and plan ready to roll. This is a required step in obtaining government funding for capital purposes. This board is currently perusing approval and funding for this project. WBCHC also purchased 68 Main Street to enlarge and square up the lot for the future construction.
Since the satellite arrangement was understood by all to be a stepping stone to independence, we have not stopped lobbying for independent status. We recognize that this satellite funding has been a tremendous benefit to our areas. Lanark has been a terrific group to be affiliated with and they’ve been behind us all the way as we work towards autonomy.
In April, 2008 this board became part of a steering committee with reps from this board -WBCHC-, Rainbow Valley in Killaloe, Pikwakanagan Family Health Team at Golden Lake, Bonnechere Health group from Eganville as well as Lanark Health and Community Services. This committee was to pursue a new formation tentatively called the Renfrew County Health Network which would start with 5 centres run as one independent organization
As the summer progressed and through input from LHIN the structure of not one, but of two organizations came through as something that would be approved by the Ministry. One took the form of the Algonquin Pikwakanagan Family Health Team at Golden Lake taking on a Satellite to serve Eganville with funds flowing directly from the Ministry. This will continue as a Family Health Team. We understand this structure is well on its way.
The existing Satellites in Beachburg and Cobden and Point of Access in Killaloe, which are known as Whitewater Bromley CHC and Rainbow Valley CHC, will discontinue being a satellite of Lanark Health and Community Services. Instead they will come together as a single organization recognized and funded by LHIN (Champlain Local Health Initiatives Network) as a Health Service Provider. This second provider with be in the form of a Community Health Center as we have been up to now. A tentative name for this new group is Astrolabe Community Health Center.
A small steering committee has been meeting to hammer out the details of our merging with Rainbow Valley and preparing the items required to comply with the LHIN requirements to be recognized for funding as a Health Service Provider. We hope to have reports to our respective boards by early summer and have this new independent structure operating as early as late fall 2009, but more likely the funding rollover would be for the start of the next fiscal year, April, 2010.
These two organizations, the expanded Pikwakanagan Family Health Team and our new Astrolabe Community Health Center, can easily maintain a working relationship and share personnel as appropriate in keeping with our original 5 site objectives.
Benefits that are apparent to the LHIN and the Ministry include economy of scale, a better mix of professionals that in some cases could move from site to site and governance that is local. We believe with this critical mass and local self governance, it creates a structure that will be a major player in the provision of quality primary health care across this central section of Renfrew County.
The draft constitution (a revision of WBCHC’s), will need to be accepted at another general meeting of our membership. These revisions would include an expanded service area taking in the Rainbow Valley area and the board would include twelve directors, eight of whom will come from the area served by Whitewater Bromley CHC and the other four from Rainbow Valley CHC.
It will be a new step in joint responsibility and we know we’re ready for it. John Jordan and the board from Lanark have been thorough and patient mentors and we thank them for their ongoing support as we move through this transition.
Presented by Izett McBride Chair Political Liaison committee and Chair of Renfrew County Health Network
Chair Report - Pat Krose
As attached
Whitewater Bromley Community Health Centre
Annual General Meeting 2009-05-16
Report of Board of Directors
It has been a very busy year for the Board of Directors of Whitewater Bromley Community Health Centre and it has been a privilege to be the chair for this dedicated group: certainly it has been a major learning curve for me. In looking over the activities of the board of the past year I discovered an inspiring quote by Dr Martin Luther King. He stated, ‘Almost always, the creative dedicated minority has made the world better.” This is evident as it applies to this board and boards of the past as they give their time and efforts to improving primary health care in this region. When emails arrive from Florida, Mexico, and Europe from board members on holidays or from a field or highway in the area, it is easy to recognize the commitment given by this group. Fortunately most departing members have left their name on the committee or volunteer list to continue on with our goal.
The committee reports have outlined many of the success and future activities of the board. The mortgage is paid off at 68 Main Street in Cobden which allows us now to look to the future for a new building for the cramped quarters of the Cobden site. Presently WBCHC and RV CHC are completing a proposal to become a new joint health care provider for the regions of Whitewater Bromley and the areas being served by the RVCHC.
Often we are asked the rationale for pursing autonomy for WB and RV and often board members ask the same question. The reason is twofold. In 2004 Lanark Health and Community Services stepped to the plate and agreed to be the health care provider for RV and WB to allow government funding to funnel through their CHC operation for two years. The two years has long passed and John Jordan and the Lanark Health and Community Services have been more than generous with their sharing of their time, operational staff and expertise...remember it is an hour and a half driving time between Lanark and Whitewater. Secondly the mandate for Community Health Centres and the Local Health Integration Network is to provide primary health care to meet the needs of local communities so it is important to be the ear for the community and develop programs and make decisions accordingly. This is a major undertaking but with the support of Lanark, the encouragement of LHIN, the commitment of RV and WB Boards we look forward to taking our first independent step. Like a child we step forward with some trepidation!
For this first step we need the continued support of the community and staff of the CHC. Volunteers are always needed for board activities and committees, donations are needed for the building fund or new programmes and equipment to enhance existing programmes at the health centres. Any support or donations of time, monies or encouragement are appreciated to motivate the board to continue their pursuant to improve primary health care in our regions.
I wish to extend a big thank you to the departing members, Jack, Brian, Bev, Earl, Ron and Lynn for their many hours of dedicated service in giving their expertise to the community health centre board. We have had many good moments together. You will be missed!
It has been a pleasure to be part of this WBCHC Board of Directors,
Pat Krose, Chair
Ron moved to accept the reports, seconded by Rob, carried.
Introduction & Election of Officers - Ron Jaremkow
Ron carried out the election of new directors Linda Simpson & Dianne Coulas.
Moved by Bev to accept the election of officers, seconded by Randi, carried.
Date for next AGM - Tuesday, May 18, 2001
Wilmer Mathews gave greetings from the Champlain LHIN.
Rob McKenzie presented a cheque for $500 on behalf of the Cobden Community Players to the WBCHC building fund.
Adjournment followed by refreshments
Izett moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:07. Thank you to Sharon Jaremkow for providing the cookies & Jack Bell for the coffee & tea.