We’re excited about a potential new partnership with the folks at Enterprising Non-Profits. Chad Clippindale and I went to a one day workshop, came up with a proposal, got letters of support (thanks Linda and Jule!), buy-in from our board (thank Sam!), a copy of our financial statements (thanks Ivy!) and a bunch of necessary numbers (thanks Ernie!) and our application is now in the mail… keep your fingers crossed! Our first project is to work with a couple of experts on a business and branding plan for a publishing company that will provide books, manuals, media (DVDs etc) and texts written by and about self-advocates concerned with self-determination and inclusion. Folks with disabilities will be hired to take orders and ship them out…
October 31, 2009
Welcome to the November Spectrum Newsletter!
Posted by Aaron under Disability, Great Place to Work, Innovative Practices, Personal Supports, community, creativity, families, leadership, strategic planning, trainingLeave a Comment
We have a few articles of interest this month: we had a great AGM, BCACL is hosting a forum on poverty and disability, Ernie talks about wellness (and meets Prime Minister Harper), we’re preparing for a strategic planning cycle , there’s training news, news about our Personal Support Networks project and Tyze, and some of the folks we care about have things they’d like to share…
You can subscribe to the newsletter on our website www.spectrumsociety.org or see it as a blog at http://sscl.wordpress.com/ Click on any heading to read the full article. Feel free to forward this to those you think might be interested. Our other e-publication is also a monthly newsletter that documents our work with Personal Support Networks around the province. You can access this at http://101friends.wordpress.com and you can find out more about our project at our site www.101friends.ca You can also subscribe to our 101friends newsletter from this site.
Spectrum was given an “exemplary” commendation for our use of technology and data collection by our CARF accredition team during our last review, but we’ve upped our involvement in social networking over the last couple of months. We’re now hosting a Tyze micro-site, on twitter, Facebook and Flickr. Our Facebook fan site has been a lot of fun – in just a matter of weeks we gathered more than a 100 “fans”! Check it out here.
October 31, 2009
strategic planning and spectrum
Posted by Aaron under Disability, Great Place to Work, Innovative Practices, Stories, community, creativity, families, history, leadership, self-determination, social enterprise, strategic planning, teambuilding, trainingLeave a Comment
"how do we tell our stories?" the "message in a bottle" represents Spectum's culture and values
Just as we plan for the folks we support, we need to plan for the future of our agency. It’s important to focus (as with our folks) on what we’re good at, and set reasonable goals that we can accomplish, and also some brave goals that might lead us into a bright future full of things yet unknown…. Our previous five year strategic plan can be found in our last annual report, under publications on our website. Although some of those goals seems daunting when we set them, we’ve accomplished them all, and more. These days, with things moving as quickly as they do, best practice suggests that a strategic plan be for a couple or a few years and, in this iteration of our strategic planning process, we’re interested in mapping out things in more detail.
We will be meeting with various groups of stakeholders to get feedback on what they’re liking about our agency, what their dreams are, and what they see in our future together. Already, we’ve met with our day services team and included CLBC leaders in hopes of getting a bigger picture of how we can work better together.
One of the things that has long been a strength for Spectrum is our interest and passion for creativity. Early on, two decades ago, some of our staff were artists, musicians and theatre folks. Glen Hollingshead, one of our most important early team members, came to us from a group called The Northern Pikes. Now, in pretty much any team meeting, you’ll find DJs and bloggers and writers and actors and directors and musicians… we keep thinking we should collect everyone’s websites and put them in one place! A start on that goal can be found here, on our new Facebook fan site.
These folks have been great contributors, able to think outside the box and knowing how to aspire and imagine something we can’t yet see, for the people that we support. In one of our initial processes we got together with the day services leaders to follow a graphic process called “the river of life” – which looks at where you’ve come from, where you are and where you hope to go – all using metaphors that have to do with rivers. It was a great metaphor for our planning day and one of the important parts, for me, was the recognition of creativity – symbolised in our “river” as mermaids – they kept popping up everywhere!
At the Annual General Meeting on October 20th, Ernie had a short powerpoint presentation for members that provided an overview of a strategic planning process.
“It is not so very important for a person to learn facts. … The value of an eduation in a liberal arts college is not learning of many facts but the training of the mind to think of something that cannot be learned from textbooks.” Albert Einstein
October 31, 2009
Hasko, from Roman Ristorante, one of our Collingwood Neighbours, visiting with Susan Stanfield, Director, during our AGM and Open House 2009
We had such a great time at our AGM and Open House this year, with more than 120 visitors over the course of the afternoon). Dallas did a great job of greeting each and every one of them; our office team did a wonderful job of pulling things together and all the Coordinators and their pods were involved in setting up displays and talking to our visitors about various aspects of our work. Special thanks to Anne Marie and her pod of managers for organizing the overall event and, as always, to the members of our Board of Directors who show up year after year as volunteers to support us. To see some great photos, many by Cheryl, our own Spectrum photographer, check out this Facebook album (you don’t need to be a member).
October 31, 2009
Spectrum’s Person of the Month: Donna Chen
Posted by duchess1 under Disability, Great Place to Work, Personal Supports, Stories, community, creativity, self-determination, teambuildingLeave a Comment
Donna works very hard in her role of Bookkeeper for Spectrum Society. I feel very fortunate that she was able to free up a few moments and sit with me to answer a few questions.
Who do you work with?
As Spectrum’s bookkeeper I connect with the Executive team, Coordinators, Program Manager’s, staff and the folks we support who from time to time venture into the office. The volunteer work with Spectrum has shown me how dedicated and hard working our staff is. I made it a priority of mine to do everything in my power to make sure they are properly paid.
What is your favorite thing about your job?
While this may sound strange, I enjoy receiving money and love depositing it into the bank. I see the many important ways that the money we receive supports our folks. I want them to have the best possible life. During the tough economic times we face it is so very important that each penny is carefully accounted for and available to meet the needs of the special folks we support.
What’s your favorite thing about Spectrum?
I enjoy the working environment and I enjoy working with the staff. Every morning when I get up I look forward to coming to work. Everyone is so nice, helpful and patient.
Tell us a bit about your life and what other kinds of jobs you have had before?
I am happily married to Li and we have a son named Tian. When we arrived in Canada, eight years ago, from North of China we landed in Vancouver. I found it really difficult to find a job here in Vancouver. Our family moved to Windsor, Ontario where my husband completed his second Masters degree in Environmental Engineering. We then moved to Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. I began studying Water Resource Technology (Environmental Protection Technology). We packed up again and moved to Winnipeg, Manitoba. After graduation from my studies in accounting I worked for a GM car dealer in their Accounting Department. Two years later our family settled in Vancouver and on May 6 I joined the Spectrum team in accounting.
What are your goals?
Shortly after joining Spectrum as their bookkeeper I decided that I would really like to volunteer to work with the folks we support. I want to get to know each of the folks we support and their staff. I have had the opportunity to work with a couple of awesome ladies who live near Vancouver General Hospital. I am looking forward to other opportunities to be involved with other programs in the near future.
If I could change one thing……
I want to improve my English skills so that I can speak English fluently. I have appreciated how our staff speaks slowly and clearly to me as this allows me to understand the words and their meanings. Everyone here is so nice!!!
October 31, 2009
Barb and Veronika have had a busy few months. They spent the end of the summer having their home renovated and are thrilled with the new walls and New Floors!! Just in time to host their 10th Annual “Freedom Party”!!
Barb and Veronika met at Pearson over 20 years ago. They shared a room there and became fast friends, like Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. Barb was and continues to be a member of Carma, an organization that supports folks to transition out of Pearson and learn how to live in the community independently. Barb and Veronika got to talking and they decided that they would like to live independently and share a home with each other. They got in contact with Spectrum Society, and from there they moved into their current apartment at 2938 Laurel St. Well there was a lot of hard work involved, yet all they remember is how great it felt to move into their very first apartment!
Both ladies love the independence of living in an apartment together. They are very involved in hiring and training their new staff, and love having so many choices. Some of the activities they enjoy are going to movies, shopping and dinner, and of course going out for a cup of coffee. Both ladies love music and go to concerts fairly frequently. They also love having a roommate they can talk to. Veronika loves that she can do art when ever she wants; it’s one of her favorite past times. Barb has had 3 cats since moving into their apartment. The third cat is still with them and his name is Johnny and boy is he a character, he runs the house.
They decided that for this years Anniversary Party , especially because of it’s momentous number, they could mark the special day with an “ Elvis themed” party which was tons of fun. There was great music, food, friends and family There was even a surprise “visit” from an Elvis impersonator. Although Elvis didn’t sing, their friend Ellie serenaded Elvis with a Karaoke version of “Love me Tender”… They can’t wait to see what the next 11 years will bring!
October 31, 2009
Tyze update
Posted by Aaron under Disability, Great Place to Work, Innovative Practices, Personal Supports, Siblings, Stories, community, creativity, families, fundraising, history, leadership, self-advocacy, self-determination, strategic planning, teambuilding, trainingLeave a Comment
We’re really excited out our new Tyze/Spectrum micro-site. Over the next two years we hope to create sites for about 20 Spectrum folks that will make communication easier for their own networks of support. PLAN has long been a world leader in the creation and support of natural and facilitated networks of support for folks with disabilities, as well as other areas of advocacy, and we’re thrilled to be working with them on this, their latest project. Timothy Ames has led two excellent training workshops for prospective participants and we’ve all played in the “sandbox” – the place to experiment with different functions. Tim’s been really great at including folks with all kinds of communication in these trainings, and came in a third time to help out with an individual site. Two networks are up and running and plans for another two or three networks to be set up and functioning over the next month are in the works.
With a tyze network, people can communicate and build the story of the person they care about, communicate needs quickly to a group in an urgent situation, organize a picnic, inform their friends and family members about things they’re engaged in. Network sites are completely private and function as as augmentation to the person’s support network.
If you’re interesting in a Tyze network for the person you care about, contact Aaron aaron@spectrumsociety.org or Jules Andre-Brown julesandrebrown@gmail.com. All you need are very basic computer literacy skills (it’s incredibly easy), some friends and/or family members and usually a designated staff person.
Spectrum Society for Community Living is grateful for the financial assistance of the Province of British Columbia through Direct Access Grants.
To have a good friend is one of the highest delights of life; to be a good friend is one of the noblest and most difficult undertakings. Anonymous
October 31, 2009
Training in November
Posted by Aaron under Books, Disability, Great Place to Work, Innovative Practices, Personal Supports, Stories, autism, community, creativity, families, self-advocacy, self-determination, strategic planning, teambuilding, training[2] Comments
"Aim 4 the Stars" was a group of Spectrum team members facilitated by a Coach and Aaron Johannes, Director, Research, Training and Development, to look at how the goals of folks we support, our own personal or professional goals and the strategic goals of the agency and those of our funders, can all work together in synchronicity: we can all get what we want and need!
We are proud that approximately 1.5% of our staffing budget is used for training, some of which we need to have to fulfill our contracts, and other training initiatives which we believe strengthen our team members, the folks we support and our agency.
upcoming training events:
Autism 101 is in the process of being rescheduled.
“Person Centred Planning 101 – an introduction to concepts” is Nov 12th.
Mandt Training (non violent crisis intervention focused on communication and context) is scheduled for 2 days this month.
Ray and Chad have embarked on a program of studies around person centered planning and support strategies with Michael Kendrick, in Vernon. The course is one week this month and next, and focuses on creating plans and strategies for real individuals. Ask them how it went!
Naomi has been to some training on Sharevision at a deeper level – she’d love to tell you about it.
David Pitonyak has been confirmed for a week next October. As well as being part of our community living month event, he’ll be conducting workshops on Post-Traumatic Stress Sydrome and Challenging Behaviours in Vancouver.
If you are interested in training, talk to your Manager or the Coordinator of your program. We are always excited to hear your requests and can organize in-house sessions or, if necessary, bring in outside experts.
October 31, 2009
from relief measures to reduction strategies: poverty and people with disabilities
Posted by Aaron under Disability, Innovative Practices, Stories, community, leadership, social enterpriseLeave a Comment
BCACL has organized, “From Relief Measures to Reduction Strategies: poverty and people with disabilities.” 2 days of collaborative exploration to address profound poverty faced by people with intellectual disabilities. november 16 – 17, 8:30 – 5 p.m., Vancouver Public Library, Alice MacKay room, 350 West Georgia, Vancouver. to register: http://www.bcacl.org/documents/Events/2009/Poverty_Forum_Flyer_RegForm.pdf
contact Cindy Chapman for more information cchapman@bcacl.org
October 31, 2009
NurtureShock, by Po Bronson and Ashley Merryman
Posted by Aaron under Books, Disability, families, self-advocacy, self-determination, training1 Comment
I’m very excited about this new book about parenting and support strategies, which looks at issues of praise and performance, as well as grounding factors such as getting enough sleep and watching t.v. in relation to more active pursuits. Bronson and Merryman have looked at overwhelming research and meta-studies around contemporary parenting and teaching (based on ideas around self-esteem which came out of research in the 80’s) and want us to revisit what we think we know about how to support those we care about. We are not born knowing how to parent, suppor and teach (“nurture shock” is a term used to describe parents who find, after the birth of a child, that a whole array of skills have not instinctively dropped into their brains). Media reports are simplifying their ideas, unfortunately, as being just about over-praising children but that’s only one part of a whole other holistic picture about better ways to provide specific praise and constructive feedback, and how to re-think teaching strategies. A short video is found here, but it’s really the whole book that’s important. Bronson talks very honestly about a parent’s role as a “praise-junkie” and how difficult it’s been for him to change his ways, and how many of us are invested in attributing “good performance” to our kids and those we support to address our own self-esteem issues. A fascinating read (or listen, I’ve got it as an audio-book).
The NurtureShock website can be found here.
October 30, 2009
Wellness
Posted by Ernie Baatz under Disability, Great Place to Work, Innovative Practices, Stories, community, creativity, teambuilding1 Comment
Something that people have been talking more about is focusing on healthy living – a balance between work and play – an opportunity to be proactive instead of reactive…
An employee recently asked “Can I get re-imbursed for my Yoga classes that are preventing back injuries instead of getting re-imbursed for physio and massage after my back is injured?”
That makes sense, doesn’t it? Spectrum has supported this proactiveness through our training allowance of $150 per year for employees who have completed their first year of employment. Employees have used their training allowance for yoga, for stress management, for arts courses – with the rationale that the course will enable them to be healthier, mentally and physically, and able to be a better employee.
As well, our benefits provider will re-imburse for physio and massage on a proactive basis - before you experience an injury. You can be reimbursed up to $500 for each practitioner. Review your benefits booklet for more information.
Our Employee Assistance Plan provided by Ceridian provides employees with resources to deal with challenges they face at home and at work.
In 2008, Spectrum switched benefits providers and is now a member of the Community Services Benefits Trust. The key priorities of the trust are to:
- provide access to the broad range of benefits expected by employers and employees at an affordable price.
- provide information on trends and best practices in health benefits provision.
- ensure all benefits are fully insured.
Over the past two years, the CSBT has explored a number of Wellness Programs that go beyond basic health and dental benefits. Programs provide a range of services including health monitoring (providing employees with measure of their current health – weight, blood pressure, cholesterol levels) and incentives to adopt and maintain healthy living practices – walking programs, smoking cessation programs and healthy eating programs are some examples.
In November, Ernie is attending the Canadian Annual Benefits Conference and will get more information on best practices in the area of Wellness programs. Watch for a discussion of this at an upcoming policy and procedures meeting.
September 30, 2009
welcome to the October edition of Spectrum’s newsletter
Posted by Aaron under Disability, Great Place to Work, Innovative Practices, Introductions, Personal Supports, Stories, community, families, teambuilding, trainingLeave a Comment
October is Community Living Month in B.C. - go to www.bcacl.org to check out some of the activities going on all around the province!
In March we began publishing an “e-newsletter” and are now on our seventh issue. You can subscribe to the newsletter on our website www.spectrumsociety.org or see it as a blog at http://sscl.wordpress.com/
Our other e-publication is also a monthly newsletter that documents our work with Personal Support Networks around the province. You can access this at http://101friends.wordpress.com/ and you can find out more about our projectat our site www.101friends.ca You can also subscribe to our 101friends newsletter from this site.
There are some nice things about publishing virtual newsletters—we can involve more people in their production, we can be more responsive and immediate, and our readers—our staff, the folks we support, our families and the professionals we work with—can respond and start a conversation.
Still, we miss our good old paper newsletter which Susan and then Mishel have worked so hard on over the years… so we’re in the process of taking some of the content and producing a print version, regularly. Your feedback on any of our work is always welcome.
The summer has flown by—some new folks have joined our “family” – we’ve gone through another CARF accreditation and been awarded a three year certification, people have gone on holidays, gotten jobs, gotten more involved in their communities… we hosted our first “cost-recovery” set of workshops with David Pitonyak, which was very successful and inspiring for everyone. And we had a great picnic! Read all about it and folks you care about, either by clicking on individual articles in the email, or by going directly to the whole newsletter site.
And have a safe and happy Hallowe’en!
