Ontario Northeast Region – 22February 2016 Minutes

Members Present:Kathryn Howe, Catherine Tyndall, Nicolas El-Kada, Sylvia Poetschke, Fritz Clarke, James Hoffman, Linda Miller, Bryan Bouchard, Ann MacDonald, Vivian Stang, Gillian McLean, Doug Collins

Regrets:Jessie Stephenson

Absent: Ana Vincent, Ken Gloade

  1. Welcome and call to orderDoug Collins

Began at 1200.

  1. ReflectionAnn MacDonald

Bold and Gentle Healer, a poem based on Psalm 77

  1. Adoption of the Agenda

Discussion / Action
Approved with two additions: Correspondence from CASC National Secretary and Report from Doug on the meeting between the chairs of the three Ontario Regions (ONE, ONTSW, and ONT Central) / Motion by Catherine Tyndall to adopt agenda with alterations;
Seconded by Nicholas El-Kada.
General Consensus.
  1. Approval of the minutes for meeting of 18January 2016.

Discussion / Action
No Discussion / Motion by Ann MacDonald to approve minutes;
Seconded by Fritz Clarke.
General Consensus.

5.Treasurers Report James Hoffman

Discussion / Action
James Hoffman reported that Momentum Conferencing (the company handling our teleconferencing needs) will now be sending the bills electronically.
$1,000 check sent to CASC BC to sponsor a lunch during the National conference in April, 2016. Two checks for $1,000 each were disbursed as CPE bursaries. Our current bank balances are: GIC= $10,460.69
Checking = $8,142.99 / Motion by James Hoffman to have report accepted,
Seconded by Catherine Tyndall.
General Consensus.

6. Old Business

  • Ethical Investing Update Doug Collins

Discussion / Action
Doug Presented Report. See Appendix A
  • Letter to the Shepherds of Good HopeUpdateDoug Collins

Discussion / Action
Doug reported that a final draft is in process. There was a discussion about the purpose of this letter. It was initiated two years ago as a response to the Shepherds of Good Hope cutting a spiritual care position. The focus of the letter has necessarily shifted.
Issues discussed: Should we attach the new CASC Scope of Practice document with the letter? Should we actively advocate on behalf of all cuts that happen in ONE region in a timely manner? Should we disburse the CASC Scope of Practice- through our members - to all employers of spiritual care providers? / Motion: 1) Promotion, Marketing and Advertising (PMA) Officer will write a template for a letter, which includes key phrases from the CASC scope of practice, to be sent to our members, along with the CASC Scope of Practice attachment. Members would be asked to forward this to their employers. 2) PMA Officer will to write a template letter that can be quickly modified as needed and sent to institutions after spiritual care job cuts.
Moved by Linda Miller. Seconded by Nicolas El-Kada Approved
  • Recognition of Liaison Officers and EldersKen Gloade and Vivian Stang

Discussion / Action
Report deferred to next month
  1. New Business
  • Correspondence from CASC National Secretary, Rebekah Hackbusch Linda Miller

Discussion / Action
Rebekah reported that she is seeking representatives from each region to be part of a National working group on transparency. Doug will forward the letter to Past Chair Linda Miller. It is the responsibility of the past chair to fill vacant seats on committees.
  • Nomination for Next Term. Linda Miller

Discussion / Action
Linda Miller reported that 4 people on the coordinating committee will be coming to the end of their term of office with the AGM in November, 2016. Ethics Chair Fritz Clark has agreed to stay on for a second term. Education and Research Chair Catherine Tyndall is reflecting on whether to remain for a second term. Canadian Foundation for Spiritual Care Representative Kathryn Howe will finish her second term in April and is not eligible for an additional term. Past Chair Linda Miller will finish her term this year. Efforts are being made to locate someone from outside of Ottawa to replace Linda. This position (vice chair/ chair/past chair) has consistently been filled by someone from Ottawa for several decades / Motion by Linda Miller to approve Ana Vincent as third ONE representative on Ontario Council.
Seconded by Nicholas El-Kada.
General Consensus
  • Ontario Three Regional Chairs Meeting Doug Collins

Discussion / Action
Doug reported that the chairs of the three regions in Ontario met by teleconference on February 5. ONE hosted this time. They discussed the challenges faced by the Educational Standards Commission to boost participation in review committees. They discussed what each are is doing to support and educate its members in terms of Physician Assisted Death legislation. Three will meet again in May.
  1. Committee Reports
  • Regional Education and Research Chair Catherine Tyndall

Discussion / Action
Catherine Tyndall reported that the next ONE AGM will on November 4 and 5 at Saint Paul University in Ottawa. She requested ideas for possible speakers for the educational component of the week end. Physician Assisted Death was mentioned. Possible speakers to address this were named. Catherine will pursue this and report back next month. / Motion by Catherine to have report accepted; Seconded by Linda Miller.
General Consensus
  • National Foundation Regional ReportKathryn Howe

Discussion / Action
Kathryn Howe reported that the Foundation Walk, Run and Roll is scheduled for April 16 at the CASC National Conference in Vancouver. A breakfast is included. Registration is $20. Those who will not be going to Vancouver are encouraged to organize walks in their local area to coincide with the walk in Vancouver and/or to pledge monetary support to colleagues who will be there.
Kathryn also reported that Herald King and his wife donated $50,000 to the Canadian Foundation for Spiritual Care. / Motion by Kathryn Howe to have report accepted;
Seconded by Bryan Bouchard.
General Consensus
  • Promotion, Marketing & Advocacy Bryan Bouchard

Discussion / Action
Bryan had no report
  • Regional Admitting Chair Nicholas El-Kada

Discussion / Action
Nicolas El-Kada reported that the Educational Standards Commission is drafting national guideines for distance SPE. The guidelines will be based on Neil Elford’s supervising experience with input from CPE supervisor Peter Barnes. The draft of the guidelines will be discussed in April at the National meetings.
There is no congregational CPE unit running at this time.
There will be summer intensive units in both Kingston and Ottawa. / Motion by Nicholas El-Kada to have report accepted;
Seconded by Catherine Tyndall.
General Consensus
  • Regional Professional Practice ChairVivian Stang

Discussion / Action
The National Professional Practice Chair met on January 22. Winners were chosen for the Excellence in Education and the Excellence in Professional Practice Awards. The winners will be announced at the National Conference in Vancouver. The Scope of Practice document is in a final draft format and will be presented in Vancouver for feedback. / Motion by Vivian Stang that report be received,
Seconded by Nicholas El-Kada.
General Consensus
  • CASC Ontario Council Representatives Sylvia Poetschke

Discussion / Action
Sylvia Poetschke had no report this month.
  • Ethics Chair Fritz Clarke

Discussion / Action
Fritz had no report.
  1. Regional UpdatesKen Gloade, Ann Macdonald, Gillian MacLean

Discussion / Action
Kingston: Gillian McLean reported that Nancy MacMillan and her colleagues at Kingston General Hospital are actively working to have chaplains involved in the PAD process at that facility. Janeta Kobes is organizing a conference on June 16 and 17 with Stephen Jenkinson presenting on his book “Die Wise”. Kingston General Hospital is moving toward recognizing membership with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario as a requirement of staff chaplains.
At Providence Care, there is currently an extended CPE unit with 4 advanced students. In Spring 2016, Providence Care will be opening its new hospital, providing combined Mental Health Services, and Rehabilitation and Continuing Complex Care.
Ottawa: Ann MacDonald reported that Jacinthe McPartland and Linda Miller have started the Spiritual Care Mutual Support Group in Ottawa. Local healthcare chaplains meet on the third Wednesday of each month at St. Elizabeth’s Church.
The Shelter Chaplains Network gathers at various locations with a different chaplain hosting each month. The next meeting will take place at a local mosque. Attendees provide their own lunch and share ideas, resources and concerns about their ministries in Ottawa shelters.
On March 3rd, the Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre will sponsor a conference on Mental Health Alternative Level of Care services. It is free to all through OTN.
  1. Adjournment – 1328

Motion by Kathryn Howe to adjourn

Seconded by James Hoffman

General Consensus

Next meeting will be on 16 May 2016 in the Plunkett Room on the Civic Campus, or

to join by conference call please dial 1-866-512-0904, Participant code 1647594

Appendix A

Ethical Investing Report to ONE Region of CASC

ISSUE:

Ontario Northeast Region – Fall AGM Meeting at Providence Care Spirituality Centre, Kingston, Ontario September 26th, 2015

Discussion:

Sylvia Poetschke asked about whether or not the money CASC ONE currently is ethically invested. Linda Miller confirmed that in prior years attention has not been paid to this particular element of finances. Henry Clarke suggested Cooperative banking as an option for ethical investment opportunities. Sylvia Poetschke offered to bring this subject up again when it is more appropriate to do so, such as during the Budget section, or a future Coordinating Committee Meeting- General Consensus

Ontario Northeast Region Coordinating Committee Meeting – 19 October 2015 Minutes

Discussion:- Issue of Ethical Investments initially raised by Sylvia Poetschke at September AGM, to move towards investment principals that more closely reflect professional values of CASC. Suggestion of Credit Unions, or Banks that offer Ethical Investments.
- Doug Collins suggests offering right of first refusal to present banking institution, if they have no ethical options for investment suggestion to move to another institution - General Consensus

Definition:

Ethical investmentis also known as sustainableinvestmentand socially responsibleinvestment(SRI). The term describes an investmentprocess that incorporates environmental and social factors when selectinginvestments, in addition to the objective of achieving a competitive financial return.

Ethical investing is using one'sethicalprinciples as the main filter for securities selection. Ethical investingdepends on an investor's views; some may choose to eliminate certain industries entirely (such as gambling, alcohol, or firearms) or to over-allocate to industries that meet the individual's ethicalguidelines.

Summary:

The writer spoke with two people regarding Ethical Investing, Jean Page, Wealth Manager, Frontline Credit Unit with an branch at The Ottawa Hospital and Andrew Gray, Banking Advisor, the Royal Bank of Canada, the branch where we have our ONE Region investments.

Both advisors said that our money which is in our active account and our GIC investment are dollars they use locally and they do not invest in long range investment instruments because of the client’s needs to quickly withdrawal this money Ethical investing usually refers to money that is placed with the financial institution for a competitive financial returns.

Both institutions use the short term money for local investing such as for car loans, mortgages and cash flow etc.

Both institutions invest in the Gas and Oil Industry.

The Credit Union specifically said they do not invest in pornography or Tobacco investment but they do invest in the Fossil Fuel sector. However they approach the industry with “say 200 million” and will invest in areas where they do no environmental damage.

RBC in their October 2014 report of Corporate Responsibility Highlight the following:

3% less office paper saving 1400 trees

Reduced greenhouse gasses in their properties by 4% equivalent to taking 1420 cars off the road

100% of ATM are powered with green energy

31% of their global properties are green-certified (size of 31 soccer fields)

They conduct detailed environmental credit risk assessments on transactions worth $7.9 Billion

Our Planet “We’ve set tough targets for reducing our footprint and are committed to managing the environmental impacts of our business activities around the world.”

They donate back into Canada $57.8 and total of $111 in donations and sponsorship in communities around the world. They are in 40 countries in the world with 78,000 employees paying compensation and benefits of $11 billion, $6.8 in goods and services and $3.9 billion in taxes globally from net earnings of $9 Billion.

The recommendation from the advisors is that CASC ONE may want to do a survey of members to understand their ethical investment tolerance. For example, some members may be totally opposed to any fossil fuel development or use. However other may be comfortable with fossil fuels but opposed to the extraction processes in some cases.

My recommendation to the Committee would be that we leave our finances with RBC because of the nature of our accounts.

This report was verbally presented at the Coordinating Committee meeting of February 22, 2016 and will be distributed to the committee members for a decision at our March meeting on our future direction for our financial investments.

Respectfully Submitted

Doug Collins, Chair

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