Our October Regular Meeting

Port Alberni Community Action Team: Planning for 2025 and Beyond

The Port Alberni Community Action Team (CAT) recently held our regular monthly meeting. It was a productive meeting including a discussion for 2025 and a review of our Terms of Reference. Here are the key highlights from the meeting:

Looking Ahead to 2025

The team engaged in a thoughtful discussion about planning for 2025, with several important points raised:

• Alex suggested evaluating activities against the CAT mandate and Terms of Reference
• There was discussion about identifying gaps in services and exploring new grant opportunities
• A small group (Ron, Alex, Andrew, and Angeline) volunteered to meet separately to further develop plans before the upcoming AGM

Refining the Terms of Reference

Christina Brack led a review of the Terms of Reference, with the following updates proposed:

• Adding contextual language around the 4 Pillars
• Incorporating language about Peers and People With Lived/Living Experience (PWLLE) in section 2.2
• Members were encouraged to email additional comments or edits
• The 2024/2025 Terms of Reference will be ratified at the November AGM

Community Updates

The meeting included a round table where members shared updates from their organizations:

• Alberni Clayoquot Health Network is ratifying planning and continuing poverty reduction work
• Island Health reported naloxone kit supply shortages and recent harm reduction training initiatives
• City of Port Alberni shared that the Continuum of Care will meet in January and the Situation Table now meets weekly
• Citapii Mahtii Housing Society announced upcoming Indigenous affordable housing
• RCMP noted increased service calls and concerns about an increased presence of the Savages Outlaw Club.

Looking Forward

The CAT continues to demonstrate its commitment to addressing community needs around the toxic drug crisis through collaboration and strategic planning. The upcoming AGM will be a pivotal moment as the team ratifies its updated Terms of Reference and elects new leadership.

Members are reminded to submit nominations for new Co-Chair(s) before the November AGM.