london & middlesex local immigration...

London & Middlesex Local Immigration Partnership

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Agenda

LMLIP Education Sub-council Location: LMLIP Office, 141 Dundas St.

Date: January 18, 2017 Time: 4:00-6:00pm

Item Description

1. Chair’s Opening Remarks – Welcome & Introductions

2. Additions to Agenda

3. Adoption of November 16, 2016 Minutes

4. Central Council Update (November 28, 2016): Phillipa Myers

5. Welcoming Communities Work Group – Update – Huda Hussein

6. Education Sub-council Work Plan 2016-2017 Implementation.

a. Welcoming All Voices: Discussion on next steps

b. Work groups meet

7. I am London update: Maria D’Souza

8. Information Sharing

9. Chairperson’s Closing Summary and Review of Action Items

10. Adjourn

Next Meeting: March 22, 4:00-6:00 pm, 141 Dundas St.

Upcoming meetings 2017: April 19, June 21, September 20, November 15 2018: January 17, March

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Minutes

LMLIP Education Sub-council Date and Time: January 18, 2017 4:00 – 6:00 pm

Meeting Location: LMLIP Office, 141 Dundas St.

Present: Phillipa Myers, Gerardo Castro, Gabrielle Laurin, Kathy Milczarek, Karen Macari, Hanein Madlol, Carlos Saakan, Joe Winser, Kate Kennedy, Svetlana Galynskaya, Huda Hussein, Maria D’Souza

Regrets: Sheila Carson, Nazia Bano, Mayssa El Sayegh, Lisette Ochoa, Xiaoxiao Du, Janet Pinder, Denise Taylor Edwards, Ana Enriquez-Johnson, Rita Giroux-Patience

Absent: Mahin Ghasemiyani

Guest: Didier Marrotte, Executive Director, Place Concorde

Item Description

Information, Update, Action, Lead and Due Date

1. Chair’s Opening Remarks

Phillipa Myers greeted the group and welcomed new member Svetlana Galynskaya. Roundtable introductions were made. Members were informed that Helen Patterson has resigned from the Sub-council as she has retired.


Phillipa proposed the addition of the Community Diversity Inclusion Strategy and her PhD project to the agenda.

3. Adoption of November 16, 2016 Minutes

Motion to accept the minutes was moved Karen Macari, seconded by Gabrielle Laurin and approved.

4. Central Council Update: Phillipa Myers

The last Central Council meeting was held on November 28.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) approved funding the LMLIP until 2020.

The Diversity Inclusion Anti-Oppression Advisory Committee (DIAAC) met with the LMLIP and will explore LMLIP representation on the committee. Dev Sainani has agreed to represent the LMLIP. LMLIP will present to DIAAC on December 15, 2016

Settlement Workers in Schools (SWIS) made a presentation to explain their role and duties in supporting newcomer students and families. The presentation also touched on common misconceptions about SWIS workers.

A poster presentation on the Health & Well-Being Sub-council position paper

Kathy will share link to SWIS video


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"Speaking Freely: A Case for Professional Health Interpretation in London, Ontario," was well received at the Pathways to Prosperity (P2P) annual conference in Ottawa. Huda Hussein was also a panelist at a workshop titled, "How Local Immigration Partnership - Municipal Relationships are Easing the Immigrant Integration and Settlement Process."

The fourth annual Journeys of Migration event held on November 24, 2016 highlighted two powerful stories. The first centred on a Syrian mother who came to Canada with her six children. The second speaker was Alfredo Cajax, Sunfest Artistic & Executive Director, who has been here for 31 years.

The Governance Work Group's recommendation to invite Middlesex County to join the Central Council was unanimously accepted by Council members.

LMLIP and the London Cross Cultural Learner Centre (CCLC) hosted an information session for private sponsors on November 22, 2016. Ninety individuals including some Syrian newcomers attended the event, which was held at the BMO Centre London. In addition to presentations, a panel of private sponsors and an IRCC representative spoke about the process and answered questions. A total of 31 attendees responded to the evaluation survey and overall feedback was positive.

5. Welcoming Communities Work Group Update: Huda Hussein

Going forward, the Welcoming Communities Work Group update will be a standing item on all Sub-council agendas because it is an overarching theme that runs through all Sub-councils.

The Work Group is a part of Central Council and has representation from various Sub-councils. Chaired by Valy Marochko, it addresses one of the overarching themes, creating a more welcoming community in London.

The group is organizing an event on March 1, 2017 from 1-4 pm focused on the theme of building a welcoming community for immigrants to London & Middlesex. LMLIP members, faith and ethno-cultural groups will be invited to the event that aims to inform, engage and provide networking opportunities to attendees. London Free Press journalist, Jennifer O'Brien, will be the keynote speaker.

Huda was asked if interpretation would be provided at the March 1 event. She noted that interpretation in French may be available if requested but is not sure about other languages. She will forward the question to the work group

Anti-racism and myth busting sessions will be amongst other initiatives undertaken by the group.

6. I am London Update: Maria D’Souza

The launch of the campaign, originally scheduled for the end of January, has been delayed. All members will be informed once a date is finalized.

Around 14 nominations have been received so far and next steps will be decided after the work group meets next week.

7. Education Sub-council Work Plan 2016-2017 Implementation

a) Welcoming All Voices (WAV) discussion on next steps: Phillipa Myers

At the last Central Council meeting in November, members were asked for ways to increase the use of the resource. Suggestions:

- Contact Directors of Education at the school boards to request them to include a WAV presentation at the monthly meeting of school principals. Wilma de Rond has offered to contact the London District Catholic School Board (LDCSB), while a


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community member is connecting with the Thames Valley District School Board (TVDSB). - Reconnect with schools again. Other events such as the influx of Syrian newcomers over the last year may have taken precedence over introducing WAV.

Other suggestions:

- Sub-council member Mayssa El Sayegh, who was part of the WAV work group in the past, has joined a parent council. The group could request her help in checking if the resource is being used at the school. - An event for all schools originally planned for January 19 and now rescheduled to an unspecified date, could be used to reach new community members and potential school council members.

Phillipa requested the work group to discuss all suggestions and provide feedback.

b) Work groups meet

All the work groups met to discuss updates and decide on next steps after which they shared their plans with members:

Welcoming All Voices

Connections could be made with neighbourhood family centres to reintroduce the resource through them.

Schools principals can be contacted through their monthly meeting. The meeting can be used as a stepping stone to connect with a smaller, interested group of schools. Reintroducing the resource to a smaller group of schools would be a more effective approach.

SWIS can be approached for assistance in promoting WAV after an action plan is formulated by the work group. The list of schools that the resource was delivered to, will be provided to the work group to allow them to connect with SWIS workers in those schools to check if the resource is being used.

There was some discussion about whether schools with large numbers of Syrian newcomers should be approached as Syrian parents may not be ready to engage with schools as yet. It was pointed out that WAV is targeted at the host community and that the resource contains recommendations that would help schools make immigrant parents feel welcomed.

Presentations work group update

A presentation will be made in March on diversity and intercultural communication to case workers at one of Ontario Works sites. Hanein, Gerardo and Carlos will make the presentations and adapt it to suit Ontario Works. It was suggested that the work group include a member who has made the same presentation previously as they can help with planning the timing and delivery.

The work group is looking at possibly developing a ‘human library’ type of school project, similar to the one conducted by Emily Carr Public School. The human library project features people who narrate their own life stories and answer audience questions. Didier expressed an interest in possibly replicating the project in Windsor. It was also noted that Emily Carr will be holding the event again this March and is seeking volunteers from diverse ethnic backgrounds to speak about and represent their culture.

Communications Work Group

Gabrielle Laurin, who has joined the Central Council’s Marketing &

Phillipa will contact Wilma to connect with LDCSB

Project staff will provide work group with school distribution list

Kate will contact Mayssa

Kathy will request a meeting of SWIS managers in April to discuss WAV

Project staff will forward information on Emily Carr Human Library project when received


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Communications Work Group, will be attending its first meeting on January 30. The meeting will discuss holding training sessions on social media for LMLIP members. Ensuring how to retain a social media presence will also be covered at the training sessions.

8. Agenda additions: Phillipa Myers

Community Diversity Inclusion Strategy: The City of London is working to develop a diversity and inclusion strategy for London. The first open session was held on January 14. A vision statement that incorporates suggestions from all attendees will be formulated and sent back to all participants for feedback from them and their networks.

Phillipa, who is a Ph.D candidate, mentioned that purpose of her study is aimed at understanding the Canadian education experiences of female, Latin American students. She is looking to interview the daughters of Latin American immigrants who have had at least four years of Canadian education and are currently in the post secondary system or have recently finished. She requested Sub-council members to refer potential interviewees to her.


Upcoming meeting dates were provided - 2017: March 22, April 19, June 21, September 20, November 15 2018: January 17, March 21


Phillipa thanked the group for attending the meeting.

11. Adjourn

Meeting was adjourned at 5:55 pm.

Next meeting: March 22, 2017, 4:00-6:00 pm, 141 Dundas St.

Phillipa to send copy of vision statement, when received, to members for feedback

Joe will check if City space is available for upcoming meetings


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Agenda

LMLIP Education Sub-council Location: Social Services, 785 Wonderland Road South.

Date: March 22, 2017 Time: 4:00-6:00pm

Item Description



3. Adoption of January 18, 2017 Minutes

4. Central Council January 30 and February 27, 2017 Updates: Phillipa Myers

5. Emily Carr Human Library: Huda Hussein

6. Welcoming Communities – report on LMLIP Day of Learning: Huda Hussein

7. Huron University student presentation: “Establishing institutional supports for newcomer

students transitioning to University”

8. Education Sub-council Work Plan 2016-2017 Implementation.

a. Welcoming All Voices: Discussion on next steps

b. Work groups meet



11. Adjourn

Next Meeting: April 19, 4:00-6:00 pm, 785 Wonderland Rd South

Upcoming meetings 2017: June 21, September 20, November 15 2018: January 17, March 21


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Minutes

LMLIP Education Sub-council Date and Time: March 22, 2017 4:00 – 6:00 pm

Meeting Location: Social Services, 785 Wonderland Road South

Present: Jean-Pierre Cantin, Gerardo Castro, Svetlana Galynskaya, Kate Kennedy, Gabrielle Laurin, Karen Macari, Hanein Madlol, Kathy Milczarek, Phillipa Myers, Rita Giroux-Patience, Janet Pinder Carlos Saakan, Joe Winser, Huda Hussein, Maria D’Souza

Regrets: Sheila Carson, Nazia Bano, Xiaoxiao Du, Mahin Ghasemiyani, Mayssa El Sayegh, Lisette Ochoa, Denise Taylor Edwards, Ana Enriquez-Johnson,

Guests: Didier Marrotte, Executive Director, Place Concorde, Gabriel Ndayishimiye, Sabeel Khan, Jennifer Chung

Item Description


1. Chair’s Opening Remarks

Phillipa Myers greeted the group and welcomed returning member and first chair of the Education Sub-council, Jean-Pierre Cantin. Guests, Didier Marrotte, Gabriel Ndayishimiye, Sabeel Khan and Jennifer Chung were also welcomed.


None.

3. Adoption of January 18, 2017 Minutes

Motion to accept the minutes was moved Gabrielle Laurin, seconded by Hanein Madlol and approved.

4. Central Council January 30 and February 27, 2017 Updates: Phillipa Myers

Muriel Abbot, past chair of the Education Sub-Council, was recognized for her commitment to the LMLIP. She contributed almost 700 hours in a variety of roles.

The City of London held a community consultation regarding London becoming a sanctuary city. A report is being prepared on the topic.

The I am London campaign, which has 15 nominees, will be launched in May.

The Measuring Outcomes work group is developing an evaluation template.

The Conference Board of Canada has shared an infographic that explains why immigration is vital for Canada: http://www.conferenceboard.ca/infographics/import-immigration.aspx

5. Emily Carr Human Library: Huda Hussein

Emily Carr Public School requested volunteers from LMLIP for their Human Library

Evaluation template will be emailed to members


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project. The project involves different people representing their countries of origin and speaking to the students about them. Students had a passport stamped for every person/country they spoke to.

Huda noted that the students from Grade 2-5 were interested and engaged, making it a good forum to introduce children to various nationalities and cultures.

6. Welcoming Communities – report on LMLIP Day of Learning: Huda Hussein

Huda thanked those who had attended the March 1 LMLIP Day of Learning and requested them for their feedback, which was noted:

The group discussion was very interesting with many viewpoints represented.

More time should have been allotted for the group discussion and dot-mocracy. It would be better if the event was held over a full day.

The keynote speech was too long. More stories could have been covered if they were brief. The keynote speaker had a good message and would have been stronger if the delivery was different.

It would have been more impactful to have immigrants tell their own stories.

The meeting needed more participation from frontline workers.

The overall consensus was that it was a good meeting. Huda informed the group that the information and suggestions obtained at the meeting had been collated into a report under various themes. The report has been sent to attendees and they have been requested to provide feedback by March 24, 2017. The Welcoming Communities Work Group will meet on March 27, 2017 to discuss the implementation of the ideas.

7. Huron University student presentation: "Establishing institutional supports for newcomer students transitioning to University"

Gabriel Ndayishimiye, Sabeel Khan and Jennifer Chung are students in Huron University’s “Think Global Act Local” course that encourages students to work with local communities.

The group has created a collaborative program between Huron/Western and South London Neighbourhood Resource Centre (SLNRC) that aims to show high school or mature students the basics of university life.

The group aims to assign mentors to students considering higher secondary education to help increase their confidence and reduce anxiety.

The ultimate aim is to institutionalize the program to allow it to carry on in future.

Two sessions will be held this year at SLNRC and Western. More sessions will be held next year.

Sub-council members suggested the following to further the reach of the program:

Contact the Boys and Girls Club to see if students there would be interested.

Connect with Settlement Workers in Schools (SWIS) to reach students through them.

Devise French presentations for French school boards.

Contact the YMCA Y Map program. Phillipa noted that has already contacted them.

Coordinate with Fanshawe to allow mentees to tour the campus. The presentation is attached.

8. Education Sub-council Work Plan 2016-2017 Implementation

c) Welcoming All Voices (WAV) discussion on next steps: Kate Kennedy

Following Central Council’s suggestion that the WAV work group connect with principals, the group has been discussing a plan of action. They want to ensure a

Janet will contact Fanshawe


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targeted approach that will ensure they reach parents through principals.

Kate and Janet will connect with Community Connectors at Family Centres to introduce them to the resource.

Mayssa has attended meetings at Knollwood Park and Louis Arbour to discuss WAV.

Denise introduced staff at the Thames Valley District School Board (TVDSB) Carousel Learning Day to the resource.

Kathy will be meeting with SWIS managers in April to discuss how they can publicize WAV in their schools.

Presentations work group update: Phillipa Myers

The Boys and Girls Club has requested a presentation on diversity and intercultural communication. Phillipa is coordinating to set a date.

Communications Work Group: Gabrielle Laurin

The Central Council’s Marketing & Communications Work Group met on March 22, 2017.

A draft communications plan was discussed.

Design concepts for the I am London logo and posters were discussed.

The format and content of the social media training session for LMLIP members in late April/early May was discussed.


Education Sub-council member, Ana Enriquez, has applied to join the Thames Valley Parent Involvement Committee (TVPIC) to represent the Sub-council, if accepted.

Investing in Children has developed literacy kits for newcomer Syrian families with young children. The kits encourage parent-child interaction and include two books, magnetic letters, etc. A demonstration was held to show the parents and children how the kits could be used. The TVDSB ESL program has allocated funds to distribute 100 kits. Other groups who are interested in purchasing the kits are requested to contact Janet.

The downtown location of the City of London’s Social Services is moving to Citiplaza and will begin operations there on March 27, 2017.


Phillipa thanked the group for attending the meeting

11. Adjourn


Next meeting: April 19, 2017, 4:00-6:00 pm, Social Services, 785 Wonderland Rd South


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Agenda

LMLIP Education Sub-council Location: Social Services, 785 Wonderland Road South.

Date: June 21, 2017 Time: 4:00-6:00pm

Item Description

1. LMLIP Activity Evaluation Template: Corinne Walsh, LMLIP Measuring Outcomes Work Group



4. Adoption of March 22, 2017 Minutes

5. Declaration of Conflict of Interest

6. Member engagement and commitment: Phillipa Myers

7. Updated LMLIP Terms of Reference (Information): Huda Hussein

8. Central Council May 31, 2017 Update: Phillipa Myers

9. Education Sub-council Strategic Plan 2017-2018 implementation: Prioritization

10. Work Group updates:

a. Welcoming All Voices

b. Presentations Work Group



13. Adjourn

Next Meeting: September 20, 4:00-6:00 pm, 785 Wonderland Rd South

Upcoming meetings 2017: November 15 2018: January 17, March 21


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Minutes

LMLIP Education Sub-council Date and Time: June 21, 2017 4:00 – 6:00 pm


Present: Nazia Bano, Jean-Pierre Cantin, Xiaoxiao Du, Denise Taylor Edwards, Svetlana Galynskaya, Kate Kennedy, Gabrielle Laurin, Karen Macari, Kathy Milczarek, Phillipa Myers, Joe Winser, Huda Hussein, Maria D’Souza

Regrets: Sheila Carson, Gerardo Castro, Mahin Ghasemiyani, Mayssa El Sayegh, Lisette Ochoa, Rita Giroux-Patience, Janet Pinder, Ana Enriquez-Johnson, Hanein Madlol, Carlos Saakan

Guest: Corinne Walsh, LMLIP Measuring Outcomes Work Group

Item Description


1. LMLIP Activity Evaluation Template: Corinne Walsh, LMLIP Measuring Outcomes Work Group

The activity evaluation template was developed by the Measuring Outcomes Work Group in preparation for the overall impact evaluation of the LMLIP planned in a few years. The tool has been designed to help in planning, capturing data and results and to serve as an institutional record.

Its use was piloted by the Health & Well Being Sub-council’s Opening Doors workshop who noted that it could take up to an hour to fill out the form. Overall, though, it is anticipated that using the tool at the start of the process, will help save time later. Sub-council suggestions:

- Add a column “Please list source of funds” that would allow multiple funders to be listed if applicable.

- Add: “Is Francophone support required?” This will remind the work group to include Francophone and plan for translations if necessary.

- If the impact is to be evaluated, then another template would have to be developed for process evaluation. Corinne noted that the activity evaluation template was a part of that process.

- For communications, each stage would have to be listed: pre, during and post event/campaign. Corinne mentioned that a suggestion had been made to devise a separate checklist and the communications will be considered for inclusion on the checklist.

- Formatting in certain sections.


Phillipa Myers greeted the group and congratulated Jean-Pierre Cantin on his appointment as Vice Chair of the Education Sub-council. Roundtable introductions were


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made.


Denise Taylor-Edwards request to share information on a Thames Valley District School Board (TVDSB) course was added under information sharing.

4. Adoption of March 22, 2017 Minutes

Motion to accept the minutes was moved Kate Kennedy, seconded by Gabrielle Laurin and approved.

5. Declaration of conflict of interest

Members were asked if anyone had interests that conflict with the LMLIP’s Terms of Reference. There were none.

6. Member engagement and commitment: Phillipa Myers

The April Education Sub-council meeting had to be cancelled due to a lack of quorum, causing inconvenience to the scheduled speaker and members. Barring unforeseen circumstances, since meeting dates are scheduled a year in advance and there are only six meetings a year, members should be able to attend. Those who are unable to attend, should convey their regrets to project staff 24 hours in advance.

It was noted that if members’ workplaces do not allow them to take the time to attend Sub-council meetings, members could produce the Letter of Commitment that they have signed. Alternatively, those who cannot attend regular Sub-council meetings could be included in work groups that have a definite start and end date.

Members pointed out that those who cannot attend, should step back because it is not fair to claim membership of the LMLIP when they are not involved.

Huda noted that members are committed to contributing four hours a month which could include attendance in work groups, answering emails etc.

In response to a suggestion to decrease the number of hours expected from members, Huda noted that the work of the Sub-councils had to progress and without commitment that would not be possible. She also reminded members that work group meetings could be via phone or email.

Members requested clear communication on work groups, which would include identifying what the projects are and who is in the groups.

Over the summer, Phillipa will review information in the Strategic Plan and Terms of Reference in order to develop a clear path going forward, so that at the September meeting, Sub-council members will be able to establish workgroups with clear understanding of the time/work commitment required to remain as active members.

7. Updated LMLIP Terms of Reference (information): Huda Hussein

Due to time constraints, the Terms of Reference that have been revised by the Governance Work Group, could not be reviewed in detail. Members were encouraged to review the document that had been emailed to them prior to the meeting.

8. Central Council May 31, 2017 Updates: Phillipa Myers

The City of London’s Immigration Strategy Steering Committee has been considering strategic priorities and hopes to include the LMLIP in the consultation process.

I am London 150 has planned a celebration on October 12, 2017 at Innovation Works.


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The Francophone Local Immigration Committee (FLIC) will be meeting in June to finalize its annual plan

National Francophone Immigration Week will be held from October 29- November 4, 2017.

9. Education Sub-council Strategic Plan 2017-2018 implementation: Prioritization

Tabled to next meeting due to time constraints.

10. Work Group Updates:

d) Welcoming All Voices (WAV): Kate Kennedy

Presentations on the WAV resource were made at three family centres: White Oaks, Westmount and Carling. The presentations were tailored to tie in with the mission, vision and mandate of each family centre. Experiential sampling of the resource was also included to help convey the message. About 25 participants attended each presentation.

Jean-Pierre noted that there are plans to build a Francophone family centre. The City also plans to have ambulatory services at all family centres.

Denise mentioned that parent groups are not as strong and active as was thought initially, so a different direction is required. She also noted that more immigrant targeted programming is being held in schools and that could possibly be a result of WAV. Groups can also be informed that community organizations obtain more funding than PTAs do for parent engagement activities.

Kathy noted that Settlement Workers in Schools (SWIS) would like to focus on the concepts rather than binders. It would be preferable to share the electronic version of WAV with SWIS and train them in its use.

Nazia suggested promoting WAV to the “Morning Moms” group at Westminster Secondary School. WAV could also be promoted to similar parent groups at other schools.

e) Presentations work group update: Phillipa Myers

Huda and Phillipa met with the Boys and Girls Club who have expressed interest in a presentation on diversity and intercultural communication, possibly in August.


Denise: TVDSB is offering an international certificate program in its “Get Global” course at five schools in London. Thirty-seven students graduated in the course this year, which aims to create global citizens. Kathy suggested coordinating with Western University students who may be interested in working with high school students on some of the course components.


Phillipa thanked the group for attending the meeting

13. Adjourn


Next meeting: September 20, 2017, 4:00-6:00 pm, Social Services, 785 Wonderland Rd South

Nazia will check if there are other school groups to promote WAV to


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Agenda

LMLIP Education Sub-council Location: Social Services, 785 Wonderland Road South

Date: September 20, 2017 Time: 4:00-6:00pm

Item Description

1. Inclusion & Civic Engagement Sub-council Leadership & Mentorship Survey Request



4. Adoption of June 21, 2017 Minutes

5. Declaration of Conflict of Interest

6. Central Council June 28, 2017 Update: Phillipa Myers

7. Welcoming Communities Update: Maria D’Souza

8. LMLIP member Letter of Understanding: Huda Hussein

9. Education Sub-council Strategic Plan 2017-2018 implementation:

a. 2017-2018 projects/work groups

b. Sign up for work groups

c. Choose work group leader and next work group meeting time

10. Request from Big Brothers Big Sisters for presentation on October 18 (1-3 pm)



13. Adjourn

Next Meeting: November 15, 4:00-6:00 pm, 785 Wonderland Rd South

Upcoming meetings 2018: January 17, March 21


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Minutes

LMLIP Education Sub-council Date and Time: September 20, 2017 4:00 – 6:00 pm


Present: Jean-Pierre Cantin, Denise Taylor Edwards, Gabrielle Laurin, Karen Macari, Phillipa Myers, Joe Winser, Huda Hussein, Maria D’Souza

Regrets: Sheila Carson, Gerardo Castro, Kate Kennedy, Kathy Milczarek, Lisette Ochoa, Rita Giroux-Patience, Janet Pinder, Carlos Saakan

Guest: Philippe Morin

Item Description



Phillipa Myers greeted the group and informed them that Nazia Bano, Ana Enriquez-Johnson and Xiaoxiao Du were on a leave of absence from the Sub-council while Mahin Ghasemiyani, Hanein Madlol, Mayssa El Sayegh and Svetlana Galynskaya had resigned. She thanked them for their contributions.


None.

3. Adoption of June 21, 2017 Minutes

Motion to accept the minutes was moved Gabrielle Laurin, seconded by Karen Macari and approved.

4. Declaration of conflict of interest

Members were asked if anyone had interests that conflict with the LMLIP’s Terms of Reference. There were none.

5. Central Council June 21, 2017 Updates: Phillipa Myers

The I am London 150 celebration on October 12, 2017 will be held at the Carling Heights Optimist Community Centre. Members are requested to register using the Eventbrite link that was emailed to them.

An information session on running a home based business will be held for immigrant students at Wheable Adult Education Centre in the fall.

A Social Media Training Workshop was hosted by Bell Media on June 27, 2017. LMLIP members who attended received an overview of social media platforms and best practices when using various platforms.

6. Welcoming Communities Update: Maria D'Souza

LMLIP Welcoming Communities and Marketing Work Groups are devising a #AllAreWelcomeHere campaign that aims at addressing discrimination against immigrants, refugees and Muslim women who wear head scarfs.


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The campaign will have two parts: • Lawn/window messages • 1000 Acts of Welcome which will challenge people (including school children and businesses) to engage in welcoming activities and post descriptions of them on the web.

Details of the campaign are being worked out.

7. Inclusion & Civic Engagement Sub-council Leadership & Mentorship Survey Request: Maria D'Souza

The Sub-council has requested all LMLIP members to review an inventory that they have compiled on leadership and mentorship programs in the City and to inform them of any omissions by September 30, 2017.

Members were also requested to ensure they included the key words ‘leadership’ and ‘mentorship’ on their organization’s entry on the Information London website if they offer those programs.

8. LMLIP Member Letter of Understanding: Huda Hussein

Members were reminded of their commitment to the LMLIP and were requested to review, sign and return the letters.

9. Education Sub-council Strategic Plan 2017-2018 implementation:

a) 2017-2018 projects/work groups

Phillipa reminded the group about the activities listed under the Education Sub-council in the 2017-2018 implementation plan, which are:

Welcoming All Voices

Human Library

Presentations

Following discussions were held regarding the activities:

Human Library

The activity gives children an opportunity to learn about different ethno-cultural groups in London and ask questions. It will initially be launched as a pilot project. Lisette is exploring the possibility with a school.

It was observed that there is an increased interest in these types of programs for teachers at the Thames Valley District School Board (TVDSB). With the growing immigrant population, there is an increased need for teaching educators about diversity and intercultural competency.

Welcoming All Voices (WAV)

There was some discussion about ways of promoting the resource. Gabrielle noted that she had passed the resource on to schools and would like to encourage them to use it. It was suggested that the resource could be highlighted at curriculum day/parents’ night in French schools. There is also a banner that can be used at schools. Jean-Pierre offered to translate and print a French version of the banner if needed.

WAV could be promoted as part of the Welcoming Communities initiative to encourage schools to be more welcoming.

Parents nights could be used to reach out to school councils.

Ana is a member of TVPIC and is hoping to speak about WAV at their annual conference.

Jean-Pierre will send details of CCRL’s mentorship program to Maria

To be discussed at next meeting


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TVDSB is assessing parent engagement in the school board. They plan to reach out to parents in adult education programs and are trying to develop a tool kit. WAV could be promoted as a ready resource that already caters to a part of that need.

Settled immigrant parents can be approached to reach out to new immigrant parents and help them learn about the school system.

The group suggested having parent engagement as an umbrella aim with WAV and the human library falling under it. It will be discussed at the next meeting to obtain consensus.

Presentations

Two requests have been received so for presentations. The first request is from Big Brothers Big Sisters and the second is from the Mutual Aid Parenting Program (MAPP) at family centres from January onwards.

Some members mentioned that they would like to see the intercultural competency and diversity presentation before joining the work group.

Jean-Pierre offered to co-lead the work group and make presentations in French when required.

b) Sign up for work groups

It was decided at the June 2017 meeting that all active members of the Education Sub-council are required to be members of a work group. These are the members who have shown interest in one or more groups:

Human library: Lisette

WAV work group: Kate, Janet and Michelle.

Presentations: Jean-Pierre, Ana, Joe, Karen and Phillippe. Phillipa noted that Lisette would be able to join the group if information on Settlement Workers in Schools (SWIS) is included

c) Choose work group leader and next work group meeting time

Work group leadership will be discussed at the next Sub-council meeting.

10. Request from Big Brothers Big Sisters for presentation on October 18 (1-3 pm)

Philippe, Joe, Karen and Phillipa will meet to discuss the presentation to Big Brothers Big Sisters.


Denise: TVDSB had 240 students join the school since August, many of whom are international students. There has been an increase because mature international students are sometimes accompanied by school-aged children.

- A new ESL pilot program has been started in Sir Frederick Banting School. It will be rolled out to other schools if successful.

Jean Pierre: A celebration is being organized at Thames Park on September 25, 2017 to hoist the Franco Ontarian flag. Students from all Francophone school boards will attend.

- Training will be held in Toronto October 2-3, 2017 for Francophone SWIS workers. - The Francophone Christmas party will be held on December 9, 2017 at the

Doubletree Hilton.


Phillipa thanked the group for attending the meeting and listed the following action items:

Presentation will be shown at November Sub-council meeting and shared with work group by staff. Huda will inform MAPP of presentation date when finalized.

Phil will contact Lisette and inform her that SWIS info will be included in the presentation. Huda will check if Mayssa would like to join the presentations work group

Phil will contact Big Brothers Big Sisters to confirm the presentation


19

The presentation will be reviewed at the next Sub-council meeting to allow members to see what it entails.

Members are requested to commit. A follow-up will be conducted of members who did not inform project staff of their absence to check if they still wish to continue their membership.

13. Adjourn


Next meeting: November 15, 2017, 4:00-6:00 pm, Social Services, 785 Wonderland Rd South

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