At the 2017 Annual General Meeting, held on June 14^th, 2017 the following resolutions were passed by the membership.

Resolution #1

Need for a Saskatchewan Seniors Advocate

Be it resolved that the SCC urge the provincial government to establish an independent Seniors Advocate, similar to the BC Office of the Seniors Advocate, to monitor and analyze seniors’ services and issues, and make recommendations to government and service providers to address both individual and systemic issues.

This resolution was brought to the membership for consideration as the number of Saskatchewan residents 75 years of age or older is expected to surpass 100,000 over the next two decades and that many seniors, especially those in long term care and assisted living, or who must access services provided by government, healthcare providers, and the private sector, are potentially vulnerable to abuse, neglect, or inability to assist themselves.  Other jurisdictions have demonstrated that an independent, proactive advocate is the most effective way to avoid and correct problems encountered by vulnerable people.

Resolution #2

UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada

Be it resolved that CHSA adopt the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples as a reconciliation framework and to apply its principles, norms, and standards to Clinic policy and core operational activities involving Indigenous peoples and their lands and resources. This would include, but not be limited to the following:

1. Commit to fostering and maintaining respectful relations with all Aboriginal peoples and honoring the traditional worldview, knowledge and practices of Indigenous peoples for health and well-being.
2. Ensure that Aboriginal peoples have equitable access to jobs, training and education opportunities and that Aboriginal communities gain long-term sustainable benefits from Clinic public health initiatives.
3. Commit to increasing the cultural competency and cultural safety training opportunities for all Clinic employees.

This resolution speaks to the Call to Action outlined in the June 2015 Truth and Reconciliation Commission report.  Section 92 of the Call to Action calls on corporate Canada to adopt the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and take action to promote education and understanding as well as efforts of reconciliation.

The Board of Directors was pleased to present the 2017 Community Health Services Outstanding Volunteer Contribution award to Lynn Harvey at the Semi-annual Meeting in January.

Lynn has been a volunteer with the CHSA Seniors Advisory Council and the Kohkums Strengthening the Circle Program for many years.  Lynn first joined CHSA as staff in January 1983 and worked in the Counselling Department at both the Downtown and Westside Clinics until her retirement in December 2009.

After retiring from paid employment she continued to give of her time, generously providing hundreds of volunteer hours to Community Clinic activities. She has been active helping with seniors advisory council fundraising events, at Seniors Advisory Council meetings, as well as providing volunteer support to the Aboriginal Grandmothers or Kohkums group.  She was also the volunteer gardener for many years keeping the flower beds at the Downtown Clinic beautiful for all to enjoy.

Not only has she has been generous with her time she is has always been helpful and kind to everyone she has worked with and supported.

Lynn has retired from her volunteer activities with the Seniors Advisory Council and gardening however continues to help out with the Strengthening the Circle program.  We celebrate her many contributions and thank her for her service.

 

For information about our Counselling and Community Services Seniors Programs and Volunteer Opportunities, please contact Laurie Stone, Seniors Volunteer Co-ordinator, at 306 664-4282 or email [email protected]