Advisory Councils

ELDERS ADVISORY COUNCIL

Background:  Since its earliest beginnings in the Pre-planning Phase Surrounded by Cedar Child and Family Services has attempted to provide a forum for Elders to discuss the development and activities of the Agency.  Additionally, Elders are needed to provide direction and support to Agency staff to ensure that the traditions and culture of the communities are respected and considered in planning for the care of community children.  Elders are the link to the past and assist the Agency in ensuring that the future of children includes background into cultural knowledge, teachings, and traditions that will ground them in their identity as Aboriginal peoples.

Membership:  The Elders Council is made up of representative Elders appointed on recommendation from their urban Aboriginal community, through nomination from community organizations or individuals or through voluntary membership.

There is no specific term of appointment and membership is based on Elder availability.  Elders are not employees of the Agency, however, policies in place regarding ethics, confidentiality, and good standing will apply to their participation in meetings, conferences and training sessions.

Expectations:  After the Elders Council is fully appointed a strategic planning session will be set so that they may become familiar with the policies and operations of the Agency.  Additionally, Elders will play a key role in guiding the training, education, and orientation of the staff of the Agency.

It is expected that members of the Elders council will be available for a minimum of four meetings a year.  Although the Elders Council is a vital aspect of the Agency it will not be necessary for Elders to attend routine Council meetings.

Compensation for expenses incurred according to Agency policy will be considered and Elders may receive honoraria for duly convened meetings of the Council.

The Elders Council will also serve as key advisory to the Chief Executive Officer and may be consulted on matters of conflict where resolution, reconciliation, or problem-solving needs to occur.

FAMILY ADVISORY COUNCIL

Background: Since its earliest beginnings in the Pre-planning Phase Surrounded by Cedar Child and Family Services has attempted to provide a forum for family members to discuss the development programs and services to support the needs of families in the communities.  Family members are needed to provide consultative advice based on their experiences with family, education, employment, and life in general.  The Family Advisory Council is the link with the future of urban Aboriginal and First Nations communities and it is hoped that this Council will work with the Agency, Elders and Youth Councils to bridge the generations.

Membership:  The Family Council is made up of representatives on recommendation from their urban Aboriginal community through nomination from community organizations or individuals.

There is no specific term of appointment and membership is based on availability.  Generally, the designation of “family ” for purposes of membership on the Family Council refers to nuclear and extended family members, foster or adoptive family members.  Family representatives are not employees of the Agency, however, policies in place regarding ethics, confidentiality, and good standing will apply to their participation in meetings, conferences and training sessions.

Expectations:  After the Family Council is fully appointed a strategic planning session will be set so that they may become familiar with the policies and operations of the Agency.  Additionally, Family delegates will play a key role in guiding the training, education, and orientation of the staff of the Agency regarding family needs.

It is expected that members of the Family council will be available for a minimum of four meetings a year.  Although the Family Council is a vital aspect of the Agency it will not be necessary for Family delegates to attend routine Council meetings.

Compensation for expenses incurred will be compensated in accordance with policy and delegates may receive reimbursement of reasonable expenses to attend duly convened meetings of the Council.

The Family Council will also serve as key advisory to the Chief Executive Officer and may be consulted on matters of conflict where resolution, reconciliation, or problem-solving on family matters needs to occur.

YOUTH ADVISORY COUNCIL

Background: Since its earliest beginnings in the Pre-planning Phase Surrounded by Cedar Child and Family Services has attempted to provide a forum for youth to discuss the development programs and services to support the needs of youth in the communities.  Youth are needed to provide consultative advice based on their experiences with family, education, employment, and life in general.  The Youth council is the link with the future of urban Aboriginal and First Nations communities and it is hoped that this Council will work with the Agency, Family and Elder’s Councils to bridge the generations.

Membership:  The Youth Council is made up of Aboriginal youth representatives who share a passion and acknowledgement for Youth In Care and are willing to contribute to the support and assistance of Youth In Care. 

There is no specific term of appointment and membership is based on availability.  Generally, the designation of “youth” for purposes of membership on the Youth Council refers to persons 24 years of age and under.  Youth representatives are not employees of the Agency, however, policies in place regarding ethics, confidentiality, and good standing will apply to their participation in meetings, conferences and training sessions.

Expectations:  After the Youth Council is fully appointed a strategic planning session will be set so that they may become familiar with the policies and operations of the Agency.  Additionally, Youth delegates will play a key role in guiding the training, education, and orientation of the staff of the Agency regarding youth needs.

It is expected that members of the Youth council will be available for a minimum of four meetings a year.  Although the Youth Council is a vital aspect of the Agency it will not be necessary for Youth delegates to attend routine Council meetings.

Compensation for expenses incurred will be compensated in accordance with policy and delegates may receive honoraria for duly convened meetings of the Council.

The Youth Council will also serve as key advisory to the Chief Executive Officer and may be consulted on matters of conflict where resolution, reconciliation, or problem-solving on youth matters needs to occur.

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES ADVISORY COUNCIL

Background: Since its earliest beginnings in the Pre-planning Phase Surrounded by Cedar Child and Family Services has attempted to provide a forum for professional community members (teachers, college and university instructors, social workers, youth workers, lawyers etc) to discuss the development programs and services to support the needs of families in our community.  Professional services community members are needed to provide consultative advice based on their professional experiences with family, education, employment, and life in general.  The Professional Services Advisory Council is the link with the future of urban Aboriginal and First Nations communities and it is hoped that members of the Professional Services Council will work with the Agency, Elders and Youth Councils to bridge the generations.

Membership:  The Professional Services Council is made up of representatives on recommendation from their urban Aboriginal community through nomination from community organizations or individuals.

There is no specific term of appointment and membership is based on availability.  Generally, the designation of “professional” for purposes of membership on the Professional Services Council refers to Indigenous peoples that are working or have professional / personal experience working with children and youth involved in the child welfare system.  Professional Services  representatives are not employees of the Agency, however, policies in place regarding ethics, confidentiality, and good standing will apply to their participation in meetings, conferences and training sessions.

Expectations:  After the Professional Services Council is fully appointed a strategic planning session will be set so that they may become familiar with the policies and operations of the Agency.  Additionally, Professional Services delegates will play a key role in guiding the training, education, and orientation of the staff of the Agency regarding family needs.

It is expected that members of the Professional Services council will be available for a minimum of four meetings a year.  Although the Professional Services Council is a vital aspect of the Agency it will not be necessary for Professional Services delegates to attend routine Council meetings.

Compensation for expenses incurred will be compensated in accordance with policy and delegates may receive reimbursement of reasonable expenses to attend duly convened meetings of the Council.

The Professional Services Council will also serve as key advisory to the Chief Executive Officer and may be consulted on matters of conflict where resolution, reconciliation, or problem-solving on family matters needs to occur.

NONG SILA ADVISORY COUNCIL

Background: Surrounded By Cedar Child and Family Services and the University of Victoria, School of Child and Youth Care came together with community based members to form an urban Aboriginal research team.  The purpose was to come together to discuss key findings from a participatory community-based research study, which drew on Non Sila Advisory Council members and community consultations to identify practice, systemic, structural and policy gaps, with the goal of building culturally-appropriate capacity for supporting urban Aboriginal children and caregivers.  Although off-reserve urban Aboriginal children are drastically over-represented in the foster care and adoption system, there is a dearth of research addressing their specific needs and experiences with off-reserve urban social services.  In phase one of the project, we developed an emerging model for understanding the ethical complexity of service provision in urban contexts, where delegated agencies must work within and across multiple and sometimes competing policy and institutional mandates; cultural traditions related to caregiving, fostering and adoptions; as well as Aboriginal territories and jurisdictions. 

Membership:  The Nong Sila Advisory Council is made up of representatives from our urban Aboriginal community that have personal, family and cultural involvement with adoption.

There is no specific term of appointment for phase two (to begin in January 2008) and membership is based on personal suitability and availability. 

Compensation for expenses incurred will be compensated in accordance with policy and delegates may receive reimbursement of reasonable expenses to attend duly convened meetings of the Council.

The Nong Sila Advisory Council will also serve as key advisory to the Chief Executive Officer and may be consulted on matters where urban Aboriginal adoption matters needs to occur.

 
For all Councils

From time to time, the Councils may be asked to meet as a group of Councils for discussion and consultation.  This will happen at the discretion of the CEO and staff on a case by case basis.