GMFRC Annual General Meeting & BBQ
Please join us at our Annual General Meeting followed by a complimentary BBQ. This great family event will take place on Wednesday, May 23rd, 2012 starting at 4:00 pm at the AVM Morfee Centre (School Road, Greenwood). FREE childcare is provided during the brief meeting. Please contact the GMFRC to register your children 3 months to 5 years to ensure adequate childcare is available. If you are interested in the Board of Directors or have any questions please call the Centre at 765-5611.
GMFRC members may propose items for inclusion in the agenda. These items must reach the Board of Directors by Tuesday, May 8, 2012. They can be sent to gmfrcboard@eastlink.ca. Please note there will be bylaw changes and a change in wording of our Memorandum of Association on the agenda.
We look forward to seeing you!
Here are the proposed changes for the GMFRC Bylaws and Memorandum of Association that will have to be approved at the AGM 2012.
GMFRC Bylaws as of AGM May 2011
GMFRC Bylaws proposed changes 2012
Memorandum of Association
Memorandum of Association proposed changes 2012
*******************************
Strengthening Resilience
On February 8th, Bell Media lined up a full day of special programming featuring well-known celebrities and mental health experts speaking candidly and openly about the mental health struggles we all face - all in an attempt to get the conversation started about mental health and to help reduce the stigma often associated with mental health issues.
And quite timely, several GMFRC staff members and I had the opportunity to travel to Ontario the week of February 5th -10th to participate in a DMFS-sponsored training session for mental health providers: Strengthening Resilience.
An increased operational tempo has resulted in increased mental health needs for CF members and their families. MFRCs are one of many resources available to CF families. We believe in the resourcefulness and resilience of CF families. We understand our CF lifestyle brings with it unique challenges. Our programs and services aim to develop the inherent strengths of CF family members, allowing you to be stronger together. We all know a successful deployment or posting depends upon the strength of the family. A strengthened family makes connections in their community, communicates, works on their relationships, and feels prepared to face challenges by reaching out for services, resources, and assistance when they need it.
Our staff received training in many areas including work with children & youth, operational stress injury, the “D word” (deployment), grief and bereavement, among others. We are very excited to bring this information home to share with our 14 Wing families and our Reserve Units.
Please keep your eye open for opportunities for positive growth & strength-building through our many offerings outlined in this newsletter. We are proud to offer a wide variety of activities for families: enroll your child in our Children’s Deployment Support Group to allow them to connect with other children with a deployed parent; enroll yourself in an educational or social offering to meet new friends or just get out of the house; make an appointment with our Employment Counsellor to update your resume and start that job search; attend a special event with your family; take advantage of our Casual Childcare Centre to give yourself a little break and give your child the opportunity to learn and play with peers; register as a volunteer to give yourself the opportunity to get involved in our community; connect with our Second Language Services Associate and enjoy making connections with other francophone families; if you’re newly posted to Greenwood, participate in our Welcome programs to reduce isolation; or check out our prevention and intervention programs offered for the purpose of helping you navigate through our unique CF lifestyle.
We are proud to be “absolutely” people – anything you’re looking for; we want you to have access. We maintain a database of community resources we can share with you, so do not hesitate to get in touch.
Has everyone heard about Integrated Personnel Support Centres (IPSC)? We are fortunate to have a new IPSC satellite office here in Greenwood. These Centres provide one-stop services for ill, injured, or fallen CF personnel and their families, giving you access to standardized, comprehensive care. As a tribute to the commitment of the Canadian Forces to supporting families experiencing illness, injury, or loss, our GMFRC has received funding to staff a Family Liaison Coordinator who will be available within the IPSC to support all family needs. This Coordinator will be the bridge between IPSC and GMFRC as service partners for CF families. The IPSC is a wonderful new partner offering great services for families!
We are all responsible for our own mental wellness and that of our families. Be sure to know what is available to you in your community. Greenwood offers great PSP programs (Community Centre, Health Promotions, fantastic Rec facilities & programs, and so on). We encourage families to be aware of your options and take advantage of all that is offered for you. Allow us to connect you with your community.
Here’s to good Mental Health!
Military Families: Strength Behind the Uniform
Margaret Reid
GMFRC Executive Director
________________________________________________
Please check out these great websites
Road to Mental Readiness (R2MR)
R2MR is a CF website created to provide CF personnel, their families, and service providers with information about the Road to Mental Readiness Deployment Education Training Program.
Family Information Line
When you need information or have questions, bilingual FIL counsellors can provide you with answers and offer confidential, personal, support and referral services to your unique circumstances.
Shoulder to Shoulder
Information, services and support for the loved ones of CF personnel who have died while serving.
Lifestage Care
Through Lifestage Care,™ access an inventory of care providers and resources across Canada, including care for children, teens, seniors and yourself.
The Mind's the Matter
For youth living with someone with an Operational Stress Injury (OSI), this web-based interactive video explores real life scenarios and coping strategies.
CF Appreciation Program
The CF appreciation program will provide the CF community with access to a wide array of international, national and local discounts for goods and services, with emphasis on leisure travel, including individual as well as family holiday packages, and many other goods and services of interest.
_________________________________________________
Military Family Identification Card (MFID)
Who Can Get a Military Family Identification Card (MFID)?
The MFID is available to immediate military family members, including spouses/common-law partners and children aged 13 and over. The MFID is available to families of both Regular and Reserve Force members. To be issued a card, the military member and family member(s) must show photo ID. The military member is required to show their Military ID and provide their service number.
When your loved one deploys, or is away from home on training/TD/IR, family members are still entitled to these opportunities. So before your loved one deploys, we strongly recommend you complete the necessary paperwork to obtain your own Military Family ID card. This card will allow you to continue to benefit from military discounts in your loved one’s absence as well as act as your ID should you have the opportunity to visit your loved one overseas during their HLTA. In the event of an emergency, it is best to be prepared by having an MFID.
Who Can Get a Military Family Identification Card (MFID)?
The MFID is available to immediate military family members, including spouses/common-law partners and children aged 13 and over. The MFID is available to families of both Regular and Reserve Force members. To be issued a card, the military member and family member(s) must show photo ID. The military member is required to show their Military ID and provide their service number.
In Greenwood, MFID cards are issued by Ident. Section. The hours of operation are Monday to Friday - 0800 am to 1130 am.
For more information please contact Sgt Brigitte Martin at local 5336.
Please print the Application Form and bring it with you on your appointment with Identification Section. The form can also be picked up at the GMFRC Reception Desk.