PEI Food Security Network
Meeting, May 13, 2008
Report
Participants: Melodie Bowes; Marie Burge; Charmaine Campbell; Leo Cheverie; Michelle Harris Genge; Gary Gaudet; Kelsey Kennedy; Roberta Larsen; Jane Ledwell; Delores LeVangie; Michelle MacCallum; Jane McNeil; Becky MacPhee; Melanie Melanson; Marilyn Norton; Irene Novaczek; Margaret Prouse; Jackie Vloet-Koughan; Ann Wheatley.
Animators: Ann Wheatley, Marie Burge, Cooper Institute
Objectives for the meeting
- to develop agreement about PEI FSN structure
- to have initial gathering of the working groups
- to decide on the formation of a co-ordinating committee
- to plan next steps
1.0 PEI Food Security Network Structure
The meeting reviewed the notes on proposed structure from the April 29 Founding meeting. The general outline for structure was approved as follows: that the FSN would be constituted as a network of memberships mainly of organizations, including also committed individuals; that one member group act as host organization; ; that the FSN be directed by a representative Coordinating committee; and that action-oriented working groups be formed around the objectives developed in the Founding meeting
1.1 The Membership will include (but not be limited to):
- front-line service providers
- dietitians/health professionals
- home economists
- primary producers
- environmentalists
- people working in government
- individuals affected by food insecurity
- livable income advocates
- academics
- people involved in processing and marketing and distribution of food
Efforts will be made to include in the network people of diverse cultures; Aboriginal people; women; people of all ages, all income levels, sexual orientations and abilities, language and health status. Members are expected to adhere to PEI FSN principles/mission/objectives and to agree not to speak or act publicly in opposition to these. Members make a commitment to participate actively. Persons representing a member organization will agree to seek the participation and commitment of their organization.
1.2 The Host Organization will act as chair of the coordinating committee for a year-long term (terms may be repeated) and as such will schedule and draw up agendas for the meetings. The Host organization will: “house” the PEI FSN documents (all interventions, minutes, research papers, reports, etc.); provide and/or facilitate secretarial functions; facilitate access to funding for hosting tasks; provide office space for a volunteer and/or a researcher.
1.3 A Coordinating Committee of between 8 and 10 members will include the chairs of the working groups and representatives of (at minimum):
- front-line service providers (e.g. dietitians)
- primary producers
- environmentalists
- livable income advocates
- self-advocates
Roles of the Coordinating Committee
- meet regularly (e.g every 4-6 weeks, September to June) ensure the network is inclusive (of all interests or sectors relevant to the PEI-FSN understanding of food security)
- develop or refine criteria for membership
- carry on a permanent member recruitment function
- monitor the membership make-up to ensure inclusion and healthy balance between group- and individual- membership
- facilitate communication among members (e-mail)
- organize at least three general meetings of membership (avoiding primary producer seasons Mid April to mid-November)
- ensure that working groups are established to address objectives
- maintain communication among the working groups
- establish an evaluation procedure from day one: monitor the effectiveness of the structure; track progress on objectives
- work with media
- find funding and oversee finances
- communicate with government
- act as a link between PEI and Food Secure Canada and other provincial/territorial food security networks
1.4 Working Groups will be formed to address each of the objectives that the Network designates as a priority. At least one member of each working group will also be on the Coordinating Committee.
Role of the Working Group:
- design and implement actions to address objectives
- obtain necessary community support;
- communicate progress on objectives to the Coordinating Committee.
2.0 Formation of the Coordinating Committee of the PEI FSN
The following were approved as members of the PEI Food Security Network Coordinating Committee (the first five are chairs/co-chairs of the three working groups; the individuals/organizations in italics were suggested. They will be contacted and invited by the person listed)
- Marilyn Norton (CHANCES)
- Margaret Prouse (Home Economics Association)
- Leo Cheverie (CUPE)
- Gary Gaudet (Canadian Cancer Society)
- Marie Burge (Cooper Institute)
- Michelle MacCallum (Women’s Network of PEI)
- Raymond Loo (Organic Farmer) – Margaret Prouse
- Council of the Disabled – Ann Wheatley
- Marie Hendricken (NFU) – Leo Cheverie
- Maria Martens (Farmer) – Jane McNeil
- Shannon Dixon Pollard (NAPO) – Michelle MacCallum
- Sara Roach Lewis (Fisher) – Michelle MacCallum
- Aboriginal People – Delores LeVangie
- PEI Association for Newcomers to Canada – Leo Cheverie
3.0 First Meeting of the Working Groups
The three working groups met around the themes identified as objectives in the Founding meeting (all of which involve: research; education; and influencing community attitudes and public policy). The themes are:
- access to healthy, culturally appropriate food (including complete labelling
- food costing and development of more advanced food skills
- guaranteed livable income for producers and ecologically responsible production and distribution
The specific tasks of the working groups at this meeting were; choosing a chair; refining the composition of the group (identifying who is in the group and who else needs to be there); deciding on record keeping and communication and who will do this; clarifying the mandate of the working group; and deciding on preliminary steps in an action plans.
The understanding was that the recorder in each working group would write a report and send it to the Coordinating Committee.
4.0 Next Steps
- to send out the report of this meeting to the participants and to those who were at the Founding meeting, but absent from this one (Ann Wheatley & Marie Burge)
- to develop a web presence (Jane Ledwell & Michelle MacCallum)
- to advise Food Secure Canada of the formation of the PEI Food Security Network (Michelle MacCallum)
- to issue a news release about the Founding (Coordinating Committee)
- to develop a flyer for distribution (Coordinating Committee)
- to develop a schedule of meetings for the coordinating committee and the general membership (Coordinating Committee)
