By Jenn Watt

Published June 13 2017

Point in Time Centre for Children Youth and Parents used its annual general meetings as a platform to celebrate staff and community achievements.

There was the message from the board president and executive director and the speech from the auditor as one would expect but there was also food laughter and a lengthy recognition ceremony.

This is a typical AGM for the organization that served more than 900 children and youth in Haliburton County over the last year.

Point in Time provides resources for young people and families including counselling art therapy youth justice respite day camp and family supports among others.

For employees reaching milestones from five to 15 years of service plaques were given out as executive director Marg Cox told the membership about the crucial importance each team member played.

It’s been a challenge at times she said noting the organization went through the time-consuming accreditation process over the last year and has also played a key role managing a community crisis in the last month.

“With the tragedy of losing a member of the student body at Hal High we provided counselling and supports to students at Hal High and feeder schools” Cox told the Echo in an interview.

During the last year the organization also underwent a detailed accreditation process which involved meticulous work from staff. The outcome however is worth it Cox said.

“It’s great our community knows our organization provides that quality of service to the community. It’s a real achievement” she said during the AGM.

Accreditation means that the organization has undergone a thorough third-party review of its management practices to ensure it is meeting the accepted standards in the industry at all levels including programming services management and governance.

The organization also received praise from its auditor BDO Canada LLP.

“I’m happy to report that we found the financial affairs of Point in Time to be in good order” reported Jason Becker at the meeting.

“I think it is fair to say Point in Time is financially healthy well positioned to continue providing much needed support services to children youth and families in the area.”

Cox and board president Sandy Adams thanked outgoing board members Marie Gage and Pete Sanderson for their time and dedication to the organization and welcomed two new members: Peter Smith and Colby Marcellus.

Adams also presented a motion to change the bylaws allowing board members to serve three consecutive three-year terms. Previously the rules only allowed two consecutive three-year terms.

Adams explained this change came from board member feedback. Members said they felt the amount of experience they gained in their first two terms could be well used in a final three-year term as it takes years to get up to speed on all of the nuances of the role.

The motion was accepted by the membership.

Besides staff members who were recognized for their years at Point in Time three community members were given special certificates. Terriann Hurd was thanked for gathering donations for families served by Point in Time (even though she lives in Durham Region); high school teacher Martin Gage was recognized for his work on Mindfulness Martial Arts which was implemented at the school; and high school vice-principal David Waito was given a certificate for his commitment to improving mental health with the students at HHSS.

217 – number of clients served by the early intervention team

247 – number of clients who received counselling and play therapy

14 – number of children sponsored to attend camp programs

81 – number of children who attended after school recreation in April 2016

49 – number of children receiving support from the Family Support Team

50 – number of youth receiving support from Differential Response Attendance Centre and Youth Justice

149 – number of children at the adventure day camp

35 – number of children receiving respite services

– Point in Time 2016-2017 Annual Report