Picture: 2012 SFSS AGM
Petition for official anti-harassment, internal conflict resolution policy presented
Student Joseph Leivdal presented a 516 signature-strong petition asking for a motion to develop an official anti-harassment and conflict/complaint resolution policy for the SFSS. The motion, crafted by Leivdal, states that the policy would be developed by an “open, democratic committee,” which “must contain a two to one ratio of students, staff or faculty to any elected representatives present.”
Leivdal presented the motion during the discussion period on the passing of the meeting’s agenda. Due to the meeting not reaching quorum, no new motions were allowed to be added to the agenda.
Board members Humza Khan, president, and Chardaye Bueckert, external relations officer, expressed that the SFSS constitution and policy review committee have been working on an anti-harassment policy for several months, and will continue to do so.
“The constitution and policy review committee has been going forward with a policy similar to this; anti-discrimination policy has been being worked on since the summer,” said Bueckert. She went on to say that an anti-harassment policy based on BC WorkSafe guidelines would be discussed by the committee at the meeting on Oct. 25.
Health and Dental Plan Fee Referendum planned for March 2014
A presentation was made about the SFSS Health and Dental Plan, which is managed by Studentcare. It was announced that the society is planning to hold a referendum in March of next year to increase the plan fee “in order to maintain or restore benefits.”
The presentation was made by Kristen Foster, Pacific and Western director of Studentcare. According to Foster, the increase is needed because some benefits of the plan were reduced in 2010 and 2011 due to the current fee ceiling, and further reductions may be required in 2014 if the plan fees aren’t increased.
Foster also presented a new feature of Studentcare, a new mobile healthcare service that allows users to connect with BC doctors via smartphone or computer. The program is called Studencare’s Doctor Network, and has been developed along with Medeo.
The Doctor Network allows students to consult with doctors and other medical professionals from their personal devices, and Foster claimed that the wait times to see medical specialists will be much shorter through the program than in-person consultations.
Society auditor presented financial statements
Gary Wozny, of Tompkins, Wozny, Miller & Co., presented the SFSS’s 2013 financial statements, which the firm found to be in accordance with Canadian accounting standards for not-for-profit organizations.
SFSS 2013 finances by the numbers
Total current assets: $12,348,898
Total current liabilities: $2,256,757
Total fund balances: $12,358,898
Total revenues: $9,007,491
Total expenses: $8,711,601
– office, operating and admin: $614,571
– building maintenance and renovation costs: $111,699
– activity, programs and grants: $5,157,598
End of year fund balances: $10,102,141
