1. 59 people in attendance.

2. Introductions were made.

3. Doug Woollard introduced the compromise service structure for the division of services for Children with Special Needs that is being negotiated with MCFD staff.  These negotiations began after two days of meetings with Ministry and community representatives failed to reach a solution. People discussed issues around the autonomy of the regional Child & Family Development Services (CFDS) bodies, leaving funding for some services in the CFDS governance, advocacy, appeal processes and dispute resolution.

Moved by Doug Woollard, seconded by Cathy Anthony that the Services for Children with Special Needs Governance Structure and Operational Organization Framework be approved with the following issues to be resolved: Special Needs Agreements, Dispute Resolution, a clear definition of Co-Management of Programs and Resources, and the appointment of a Technical advisory committee of staff, with these issues to be addressed in a written protocol.  APPROVED

4. Doug Walls updated the meeting on the negotiations for a Memorandum of Understanding - between the Minister and "some other party" that binds all to a transition process.  The Ministry would like to have an agreement that is signed by all 25 members of the transition team.  The coalition would prefer an agreement between the Minister and the Coalition that provides for 14 members, approves the appointment of 11 additional members at the Minister's discretion and outlines the terms of reference of the Transition Committee.  From this agreement, the Minister could publish the terms of reference as a separate document and have the 11 additional members to commit to the terms of reference, individually.  Jack Styan moved, Cathy Anthony seconded - APPROVED

5. Donations to the Coalition will be accepted by Jack Styan of the Burnaby Association for the Mentally Handicapped to assist the coalition with costs.  Make cheques payable to Burnaby Association for the Mentally Handicapped.

6. News and updates: 

7. Next Steps:

8. 2nd Draft of the Declaration of Ethical Conduct was presented and will be approved at the next meeting.

9. Self-Advocates presented a first draft of an outline of Self-Advocate Participation on the Transition Team; What their job will be, what supports will be required, and what skills and experiences are needed by Self-Advocate Representatives on the Transition Team.  Next steps: A meeting will be held April 2nd at 1pm to 3pm, open to all self-advocates, to review the outline of Self-Advocate Participation and consider a selection process for 2 self-advocate seats from the coalition on the Transition Team.

10. Family members selection process: Nominations Committee proposed as a way to select family members - Families would then vote at the meeting to select the seven members from the nominations.  The nominations committee should address the issue of regional representation (2 at least outside of lower mainland), and representation of families with young children as well as families with adults (2 family members with young children).  Dawn Proudlove, Cathy Anthony and John Kehler will bring back a nomination and selection process to the April 2nd Meeting.

12. The nomination/selection committee will define a process for all stakeholder groups - Ernie Baatz and Patty Van Pelt were added to the Family group to draft an inclusive and consistent nomination and election process.

12. Selection of Transition Team participants: We will have names selected by families, service providers and self-advocates for the meeting on the 10th of April.

13. Meeting adjourned at 1pm - Discussion about extending the meeting times to 4 hour meetings... Next meeting will be April 2nd from 4pm to 8pm.