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​News & Upcoming events

CHAIR REPORT – MIECS AGM 2022
It has been a pleasure to serve another term as chair of the society in the year 2021-2022. We are so proud of the work that has been done since the last AGM to secure a more sustainable sense of family life here on Mayne Island. We seem to have moved through some intense global uncertainty, and lots of domestic isolation, into a reality where renewal, togetherness and stability feel more possible.
So much care and creativity has gone into operating the daycare out of the Fernhill house, at the same time as the community (and the children) have watched the Family Place grow from a little seed, to a fully fledged and autonomous facility for community connection and even more growth. Our members hosted a family picnic in the summer; we splashed in the ocean together during water safety swim lessons; and, we welcomed new families into the fold as the population of the island continues to swell with new working-aged families.
In August the board engaged Shauna Klein in a planning workshop that resulted in some new resolve for our board of directors. The intentions we set at that workshop were to:
  1. Continue to strengthen our staffing and human resources capacities
  2. Develop organizational infrastructure (eg. policies, procedures, etc.)
  3. Investigate funding streams that can support and expand our current operations, and
  4. Plan for a smooth transition into the Family Place.
As a result of these intentions, the board was able to retain Amy Kamarainen, our former board secretary, to effectively second into an interim role as Executive Director. Amy has provided so much value during a time of very tricky changes in the organization, and since her contract is expiring, we are happy to welcome her back into a volunteer board role.
We welcomed a second Early Childhood Educator, Laura Markle, to our licensed daycare in order to revitalize our toddler program and add new energy and loveliness to the team. Serendipitously, Laura has just enough time to learn the ropes of our operation and welcome a few new children into the fold before going off on maternity leave this month. Laura’s arrival as well as Bene and Bridget’s ongoing commitment have contributed to a sense of strength and promise for our staff team moving forward.
We have navigated the fiscal and administrative challenges related to the governments mammoth investments in childcare through several new and enhanced programs. After experiencing significant cost overruns in our capital project due to shortages of everything, the province came through with sufficient stop-gap funding to get through the build. We have felt very supported by all levels of government in building our childcare system here on Mayne.
Of course none of this would be possible without volunteers. MIECS formally possesses several committees including programs; finance; childcare; building; as well as an HR liaison role. In reality, these committess have become informal networks of relationships and support. From conservancy to library, community centre to choo choo volunteers, our organization has benefited incredibly from all of your contributions.
Moving forward in the next year, there is so much opportunity to further our mandate [read constitution] and I look forward to what the year has in store.

Submitted sincerely by Meaghan Feduck




Mayne Island Early Childhood society

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