The Attachment Network
Committee Reports
Chair Report
Joanne reviewed the last year activities. The Network hosted 3 presentations and co-sponsored a very intensive training project. The presentations continue to inform our community about attachment, build capacity, strengthen the response and skills of clinical workers as well as generating revenue for our ongoing work. Having this revenue has given some self-sufficiency to our Network.
Although the Network is able to support a number of initiatives, others require additional financial support. Winnipeg Foundation has supported two projects: the Circle of Security training with a $15,000.00 grant and the Tuning in to Your Toddler DVD project with a $20,000 grant. The Children's Hospital Foundation has added an additional $39,500 grant, which, with the $5,000.00 contributed by the Attachment Network Board completed the funding necessary to complete this project. The $5,000.00 from the Network was generated by the WRHA/Attachment Network conference (Attachment and Maternal Depression, 2006). We truly appreciate the generosity of our funders.
This past year, the Board stepped back from the pace set in previous years and took some time to get some feed-back from our Network members. As noted in our Annual Report, Kristin Hreno conducted survey on behalf of the Network and we held a Brown Bag Lunch in November. We wanted to learn how people are putting attachment knowledge into practice or if not, what would be more helpful. In addition, some Board members met with Dr. Gabor Mate in March to ask his advice about how best to assist our community clinicians to integrate the learning about attachment. The interview is recorded in the Newsletter.
As a result of our enquiries, the Board intends to offer "Booster Sessions" by way of on-going Brown Bag lunches that focus on specific topics. These continuing education sessions will be facilitated by our own "made-in-Manitoba" therapists.
This year we must say good-bye to Yvette Savard Preston who has played such an integral part in creating and developing our Network. We paid tribute to Yvette last year but as of this year, she is no longer a part of the Board as past Chair. Irmie Nickel, who has also served on the Board for several years, has resigned. Her experience and managerial wisdom will be missed. Patti Sutherland is on a much-anticipated maternity leave and Shawna Matthes is about to begin her maternity leave. We wish them both a wonderful year with their babies.
We have six potential new members who have offered to join the Board. We are thrilled to have their new ideas and fresh energy.
Thank you to the Board for all they have done this year. Remaining on the Board are: Dave Berry, Gerry Brown, Marge Chomoway, Julia Wellwood, Karen Johnston, Laurie Marcella, Leslie Johnston and me. This is a very active Board who continue to promote attachment information.
In our Newsletter, Mary Warmbrod was given special mention for her continuous support of the Network. I would also like to acknowledge the support from Gail Wylie (Healthy Start for Mom and Me), Holly Puckall (Family Centre of Winnipeg), Guy Dugas (our webmaster, newsletter producer etc.), Michelle Trudeau (book keeper) for their continued support and creativity. We are saddened by the loss of Anne Barr, who passed away last summer.
Finally, I am thrilled to be remaining on the board but also to hand over the Chairperson duties to Leslie Johnston. Leslie is a Foster Care Worker with Winnipeg CFS. She has a lot of experience with Board work and will provide strong leadership.
Financial Report
Shawna Matthes reviewed the financial statement as noted in the Annual Report. The motion to accept this financial report was proposed by Jean McKinnon and seconded by Tracy Noga and supported unanimously by vote.
Newsletter/ Website Report
Julia Wellwood noted that she would be paying attention to provide a slightly different look for the newsletter and annual report as she felt they looked too similar to each other. She thanked those Board members who helped in the editing process and those who submitted their contributions to the making the Newsletter so comprehensive.
COS Training Report
Those who participated in this training were very happy with it. There are seven who are now reliable coders in the assessments of attachment patterns, with more to come. Six people are currently working towards their certification in the intervention. COS has developed a parent education model of programming that is less therapeutic and more informational. Additional 3-day training could be completed by those who participated in the COS training. They are looking into this.
Toddler DVD Committee
Laurie Marcella reported, as noted in the Annual Report that this committee is now very actively recruiting families and preparing to film, after finances were secured. Noelle Campbell, Laurie McPherson, Cathy Seitz, Pat Kelly, Susan Collison, Sue Morison, Shawna Matthes and Gail Wylie are part of this committee and have been a wonderful committee to work with.
Strategic Planning/Network Survey
Karen Johnston reported on Kristen Hreno's behalf (please see the Annual Report for details of the survey) that the survey has provided excellent information for the Board's strategic planning day. Consequently, the Board has decided to provide the Brown Bag Lunch mini-workshops to address some of the barriers to integrating the attachment information.
Voting in Returning and New Members
Nominating motions for returning Board members:
- Marge Chomway was nominated by Leslie Johnston, seconded by Mary Warmbrod,
- Julia Wellwood was nominated by Mary Warmbrod, seconded by Shawna Matthes.
- Karen Johnston was nominated by Irmie Nickel, seconded by Jean MacKinnon.
New Members:
- Tracy Noga was nominated by Laurie Marcella, seconded by Leslie Johnston.
- Sharon Welty was nominated by Noelle Campbell, seconded by Leslie Johnston.
- Monique Gougeon was nominated by Tracy Miller, seconded by Karen Johnston.
- Marla Fellner was nominated by Julia Wellwood, seconded by Patti Sutherland.
- Pat Kelly was nominated by Joanne Broughton, seconded by Julia Wellwood.
All were voted in unanimously.
Future Proposals and Ideas
- To develop a Discussion Board and/or a Webinar and make either or both available on the website. The advantage of these is that there is a filtering process while offering members the opportunity to discuss their issues. Sharon Welty will look into these ideas and report back to the Board.
- Bring Dr. Bruce Perry to Winnipeg to do a 2-day presentation. The first day would be open to any participants, the second to provide a deeper learning about his model, after which, weekly tutorials would be available through the Child Trauma Academy and its fellows.
- Strike a new sub-committee to develop presentations for judges and lawyers. The judges meet once a month for a lunch meeting with speakers and we could get onto their list. The Family Conciliation and Mediation Manitoba lawyers do not know a lot about attachment issues and there is a definite need to also present information to them. The sub-committee members are: Monique Gougeon, Tracy Noga, Sandra Alwis, Dave Berry, Noelle Campbell.
- Develop a presentation to present at the Manitoba Day Care spring, winder or fall conference. Another possibility is to present to individual day cares where there is an expectation of staff education. Noelle Cambell and Shannon Leslie.
New Business
Honouraria
Tracy Miller inquired whether or not the Board members should receive an honourarium for all the work they do. Marge reflected the views of the other Board members by saying that we feel amply rewarded by being able to attend the conferences without cost.
Program
Tracy Miller presented Circle of Security basics.
Andrew Bird presented the Neah Kee Papa groups for men through MMF.
Adjournment
Meeting was adjourned.
Next Meeting
1:30 pm on September 30, 2010 at 222 Provencher.