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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Lucknow Sentinel, 2014-04-16, Page 7Wednesday, Apri116, 2014 • Lucknow Sentinel 7 First gay -straight alliance form held at Bluewater headquarters About 100 students from Bluewater District School Board showed their commitment to diversity and equity during the first ever Gay Straight Alli- ance Student Forum. Suitably titled "Diverse Voices," the April 11, 2014 event took place at the Bluewater District School Board Edu- cation Centre in Chesley featured an inspiring musical keynote speaker, a series ofworkshops and an interactive theatre presentation. "This forum was another shining example of the culture we are contin- ually fostering at Bluewater where all students and staff feel safe and sup- ported," said Bluewater superintend- ent of education Lori Wilder. "It was also a fantastic opportunity for our young student leaders to come together as a community of social jus- tice advocates and allies by sharing experiences, successes and strategies to create more inclusive and accept- ing schools for all students" Following opening remarks by members of the board's senior admin- istration, Queer -musical -activist -edu- cator from Vancouver, Kate Reid, per- formed several original songs about sexual identity, personal growth and self-discovery as part of her keynote address. This was followed by morning and afternoon workshops that students could select to attend: • "Singing Queer: Using Songs to Empower and Inspire Social Change" with Kate Reid • "Some days are bad; imagine the best" facilitated by theatre director Joan Chandler and singer/songwriter David Sereda of the local group Sheatre. • "Come on Out" with Katie Simp- son leading an interactive conversa- tion about the lives of LGBTQ individ- uals in our community • "Coming Out: A Personal Journey" with Ben Cassidy who specializes in neuroscience and psychology (Mas- ter's and Honours BSc) leading a dis- cussion on how 'coming out' is not a singular event. The day concluded with "Be Our Ally," an interactive theatre presenta- tion by Sheatre which featured youth from Bruce and Grey Counties shar- ing a powerful message about con- fronting stigma and discrimination. "Diverse Voices" was made possible thanks to the financial support of Bluewater's Student Success depart- ment, along with the invaluable assist- ance of Joan Beecroft, Cathy Woodley, students and staff. Bluewater District School Board held its first Gay Straight Alliance Student Forum at the headquarters in Chesley on April 11, 2014. Keynote speaker and Queer -musical -activist -educator Kate Reid performed one of her songs for students. (SUBMITTED) South Bruce Grey Health Centre funding formula change is positive Don Crosby Special to QMI Agency South Bruce Grey Health Centre is predicting a small sur- plus when the fiscal year ends at the end of March. At the same time it's grappling with $1.5 million shortfall for 2014-15 year. CEO and president Paul Rosebush told trustees at the April 3 board meeting that he's predicting a $21,000 surplus as of the end of February and is confident the hospital will remain in the black to the end of the fiscal year. Hospitals across the province are currently in the fourth year of a freeze of their funding. That coupled with inflation- ary impacts on salaries and supplies and operations have resulted in the $1.5 million to the budget without the added funding needed to cover these costs. Rosebush said cost cutting measures will have to be found to make up for the $1.5 million shortfall in next year's budget. Hospitals have to find the necessary savings because provin- cial law requires them to submit a balanced budget. Rosebush had some good news. He received confirmation that ministry of health has approved a change to South Bruce Grey Health Centre's status under the new performance based funding model that will result in increased funding for the hospital. Under the new funding formula introduced a couple of years ago the hospital fell into the category of a community hospital, a single hospital, which resulted in reduced funding due to low patient volumes and fewer activities carried out at the hospital's four sites compared to larger urban hospitals. "Based on volumes we had money taken out of our budget because it's an activity based funding formula. . . we were actually hit by not being a small hospital as well as money being taken out of our budget because of the (low) activity lev- els," Rosebush explained. Small hospitals aren't expected to achieve the same results as community hospitals and are eligible for additional funding. The change SBGDC's status to that of a small hospital will result in a one per cent increase in annual funding which amounts ($300,000) as well as the resto- ration of the $127,000 to the hospital's base budget. "What we have been able to achieve is unprecedented. This really helps us to maintain sustainability of services across our four sites," said Rosebush. The additional funding that accompa- nies the change in status as a small hos- pital will help to reduce the $1.5 million shortfall for next year's budget. "We still have to sharpen our pencils so that we can deliver a balanced budget. We should be able to do that without any programmatic or staffing changes," said Rosebush. He expects the 2014 budget to be completed sometime this summer. The ministry of health has extended the deadline until June 30 but that could be extended even longer. *... Rosebush announced that he will be expanding his advocacy role for rural health care with the appointment to the Ontario Hospital Association (OHA) Small Rural and Northern Hospitals Pro- vincial Leadership Council, a group of health care leaders that provide advice to the Ontario Hospital Association on health care policy issues pertaining to small, rural and northern hospitals. This is his second OHA appointment; in 2013 he joined the OHA Region 5 Leadership Committee to represent the interests of hospitals in the South West region of the province. On a local level Rosebush was named co-chair of the Grey Bruce Integrated Health Coalition, a group of health care organizations, networks and alliances that work together to improve health and community services in Grey Bruce. As well he's been appointed to the South West Local Health Integration Network (LHIN) leadership council which provides regional input on health and community service planning. "Today's health care environment is very challenging, especially for small, rural hospitals," said John Haggarty, SBGHC Board Chair. "We are very pleased that SBGHC will be represent- ing our communities at these tables and bringing the issues that we, and our partner organizations, face to the forefront" Haggarty was recently appointed to the South West LHIN's board to board advisory committee helping to provide a Grey Bruce regional Board voice to the LHIN. $4.(4 ct Nit 16.414.4 Ne4.4.44c: Atex 64. Old Saturcia,9, April 19th, 2014- Lucknow Arena Floor 9 PM- 1 AM MuSicip DJ • Games • Lunch Provided • Age of Majorit9 Tickets: s8 per ticket/2 for $15 or $10 at the door Call 519-4+0-5059 or 519-529-75+7 Bus leaving Port Albert Church at 9:00, stopping at Kingsbridge Church at 9:15 and then to Brian and Helen Van Osch's house. For more information call 519-395-3690"