STEERING COMMITTEE MEETING:
DATE: Monday July 27th
TIME: 6:30 pm (EST)
AGENDA:
Christine:
Busy week – thank you everyone for all your work.
Chris has stepped down as our rep for the African program – we need a new rep (Ghana? Since that program is in dire need).
Introduce our regional reps – Mike from BC and Ruth from Manitoba and Tammy from Alberta
Government Liaison Committee:
1. Update
Ellen:
Sent out invitation to all chairs and co-chairs. 2 spokespeople from the Gov. Liason Committee to present our agenda.
Minister Matthews will start the meeting with a statement and then we can present our agenda.
We shouldn’t be expecting any specific information on the future of IA at this time – but rather an opportunity to reiterate our questions directly to the minister.
Christine will start the meeting off, then Ellen will present our questions to the minister. There will be time at the end of the meeting (OPEN) for everyone else to ask questions.
REMINDER: This relationship is critical. Try to keep our emotions in check.
Ruth:
Supports what we are aiming to do/presenting.
Mike:
Concerned about what is being presented in the media.
2. Set objectives for meeting with Minister Deb Matthews on Tuesday
Ellen:
Specific follow up questions to Friday’s meeting:
Interprovincial phone call – How did it go and what was resolved?
What is happening on a Federal Level – other than Visas? Foreign Affairs/International Trade?
Recognizing the ministry can’t make concrete commitments until BDO presents its plan – what are the options being considered?
All families be able to complete their adoptions – Can the ministry expedite a licence and/or act as a director for the interim until IA is restructured?
Ecuador – Has the ministry made any contact with Dr.Pe_________?
Aasif:
Do we have answers to the St.Ann’s issue? NO
Did they commit on when they would provide answers to the questions we left behind? NO CONCRETE TIMELINE
Can you update us on the meeting on Friday?
Ellen:
The meeting went as we expected – political with no real concrete answers.
Basically, we put our concerns forward.
Hopefully the minister will provide us with some additional information but don’t expect too much.
Lianne:
We need to make up for the misstep in the media with remarks to Minister Matthews.
Ellen:
That has been dealt with and reinforces the importance of our relationship with the ministry.
3. Identify Participants
All chairs and co-chairs? Kevin – NO
Meet at the 900 Bay street at 4pm to do interviews before we go into the meeting at 5pm.
4. Strategy re: Federal Government
5. Questions:
Tammy:
What questions should we be asking our provincial governments?
Ellen:
Push from an accountability aspect. Inter-jurisdictional confusion.
David:
Spoke to Paris today. Felt she presented a “veiled threat”. They are unhappy with our media scrum following the meeting on Friday.
Ellen:
Again, the relationship with the ministry is vital – must be cautious about the language we are using when talking to the media.
Christine:
Having said that, the Globe’s article had Minister Matthews trying to claim recognition for things the Federal government has done on our behalf.
David:
If they gave us something concrete from tomorrow’s meeting then we could present that to the media.
Rob:
Spoke with Deb Matthews today – the heat is on. She is feeling pressure from all sides. Perhaps we should present a statement to the media that has been given to the ministry in advance.
Ellen:
Maybe two statements ready to chose between depending on how the meeting goes. Beyond that, anyone else who speaks to the press needs to be guarded with regards to our impressions of the meeting.
David:
Keeping it personal to our story is the best way to deflect difficult questions. 5pm meeting time is intentional to try to keep media away. Allowing media to do interviews going into the meeting is going to be the answer to this problem.
Angelina Jolie’s manager just called him – asking what she can do to help. This is something we need to discuss.
Trustee Liaison Committee:
1. Update
Lianne:
Sent out a statement asking all families to submit a proof of claim – on time and accurately.
Next statement being sent out will suggest that families vote “no” to media presence in the meeting on Thursday. Media coverage outside the meeting is welcomed but since the meeting itself is going to reveal a lot of the scandal – we think it is in our best interest to keep the media out for this part.
We want all families to feel free to present any questions they have at this meeting.
A statement will be sent out on Wednesday with any FIA suggestions to voting and our recommendations for inspectors – they will also bring copies for those from out of province who won’t have access to email on Wednesday.
Ruth:
Can out of province families be inspectors?
Lianne:
Yes, only risk having to be there in person if all inspectors don’t agree to tele-conference.
People with financial backgrounds would be ideal for the role of inspectors (crunching numbers, business plan backgrounds, reviewing plans) and will be voted on at the meeting on Thursday. We need the best candidates to step forward.
Inspectors will be nominated at the meeting.
How long will the meeting be? All day probably.
How long does the inspector role last for? Perhaps a year or more. Creditors meetings, directing the trustee, overseeing the trustee, etc.
Ruth:
Can we put a call out on Yahoo with a list of qualifications of an inspector and ask possible candidates to come forward.
Lianne:
Sure – we’ll send it to Priscilla and she can get it out tonight or tomorrow morning.
Christine:
Can you put out a statement letting everyone know that Thursday is their opportunity to ask all their questions!
Lianne:
Sure – she’ll check with BDO to make sure this is how their agenda is going to be laid out and then post this information.
Ellen:
Yahoo site information was unclear with regards to the BDO claim form – is amount A and B different?
Lianne:
No, the same.
David:
It seems as though the “trust” fund was never set up at all.
Ellen:
After speaking to a board of director member today – it would seem as though the trust fund money was being used for operational expenses – that’s why they claimed bankruptcy to freeze those monies so no more were used for operating expenses/
2. Action Plan
Christine:
Calgary press got hold of the initial copy of the action plan – we are tabling that proposal as not everyone has had a chance to vote on it.
External Communications:
Up1. Update
David:
Feels we are running out of media interest after this week of meetings.
Don’t want to fabricate interest as it can be “campy”
Want to redirect the media as their natural path will be to the scandal part of the story – criminal and fraud charges.
Rob:
We can’t comment on the criminal/fraud part of the story – need to use those opportunities to talk about our stories.
Christine:
Keep this problem in our minds and we’ll revisit it next week.
2. Key Message re: Fraud Allegations and Possible Charges
Internal Communications:
1. Update (Website, Newsletter, Committee Members)
Priscilla:
Feels some of the panic is subsiding on the Yahoo and Facebook groups.
Appreciates the assistance in answering some of the questions on those groups.
Trying to divide up some of the work between more people as Kevin and she are bearing the brunt of the load.
Will send out the minutes from Friday’s meeting tomorrow morning – sorry she forgot to today.
Kevin:
Still working with Extreme Media for our website – getting the website changes and updates integrated.
Also – a link to Tammy’s blog.
Tammy:
The blog could be a tool for more media coverage – personal stories.
Priscilla:
Each media tool will carry a different stream of information: Blog=personal stories, Website=information, etc.
Ruth:
Families coming home with their children will be great for media interest.
2. Regional Communications
Tammy:
Action Plan? With regards to the “war chest” comment in media…
Priscilla/Christine:
Action plan is off the table at this time because of that.
Tammy:
Need to let families know what the FIA objective is as we are acting as their voice and they don’t know what we’re saying.
Lianne:
Agrees.
Rob:
That will be done immediately.
Lianne:
We can’t make decisions with regards to the bankruptcy – these decisions will all be put to votes.
Christine:
We’ll include this information as well.
Other:
1: re: Board of Directors contacting families:
Tammy:
Spoke to Allan Brown (IA board of directors) today – very willing to help us out and wanting to do whatever he can to assist.
Rob:
Cautioning us with regards to communication with Board Members as they will most likely be held accountable for this situation and we want to distance ourselves from all that mess. Director Liability Act
David:
Especially since Sue is saying the board was responsible for the mishandling of the money.
Aasif:
Do we need to caution all families on this issue?
Christine:
Feels like we need to think about this more before making a decision.
Lianne:
Do we know what Allan Brown’s connection to IA was before he became a board member?
Tammy:
Rick asked him to sit on the board
Rob:
He doesn’t doubt this man’s integrity – but feels like we need to be cautious as there are liability issues.
RESOLUTION: We’ll do damage control if this becomes an issue.
Lianne:
Socialize after the BDO meeting on Thursday?
Definitely – Del Dante’s
CONCLUSION:
Christine:
When should we meet again?
Tuesday August 5th – 630pm Conference Call
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