Greetings everyone,

In order for a growing organization to remain healthy, there needs to be a balance

between “expansion” and “consolidation.” Expansion, the process of growing
outwards and upwards, can be likened to the growth of branches on a tree.
Consolidation, the process of anchoring and strengthening connections can be
likened to the growth of a tree’s root system. There needs to be a balance between
these two processes. If growth happens to quickly, the system topples. If there is
not enough growth, the system stagnates.
The past few months have seen some solid “consolidation” of our project.
Friendships have been made and strengthened, and bonds of trust and
understanding have been created. Together, we are creating a vision for this
project.
The November 30 Program Review Meeting marked a promising transition from a
“consolidation” phase of growth, to an “expansion” phase of growth. It was very
plain at this meeting that our vision is stronger, and our roots are deeper. It is now
time to reach outwards and upwards!
Welcome
A warm welcome to all those receiving this newsletter for the first time. We look
forward to getting to know you better, and learning about your unique perspectives
on this program.
Report - Program Review Meeting
The November 30 Program Review Meeting went very well. We had some very
productive brainstorming and set some direction for the next session. Minutes of
the meeting are attached to this newsletter. The following “Action Items” are
offered to anyone wanting to take on a larger role in the development of the
Program:
• All Communities please review proposed dates (March 1 – April 26)
and let Dave know what date works best
• Request for Coordinator: Anyone interesting in coordinating a
“World Religion Day” event (January 18, 2009) please let Dave know
• Request for Coordinator: Anyone interested in becoming the
“School Liaison” please let Dave know. The job would involve working with
the School District and other community partners to develop school-aged
programming

Report - Partnership with Surrey Public Library

The partnership with the Surrey Public Library continues to present some wonderful
opportunities for multifaith education in the community. There are a number of
projects “in the works” and some new ones on the way! Many thanks to Rose
Slatinek for stepping forward to be the “Library Liaison.”
Report - Presentation to “Surrey/White Rock Make Children First
Committee”
The December 2 presentation to the Surrey/White Rock Make Children First
Committee (http://officeofearlychildhood.ca/content/view/7/31/ ) was very well
received. Make Children First is a coalition of community leaders in the area of Early
Childhood Development. After the presentation, a number of people offered
suggestions and assistance in publicity, funding and program development. Many
thanks to all the members of the MCF Coalition for your support.
Report - Discussions with Canadian Centre for Diversity
The Canadian Centre for Diversity is a non-profit organization based in Toronto, with
branches in Halifax, Winnipeg and Calgary. They offer a number of diversity related
programs, including a “Discover Diversity Schools Program.” The Centre will soon
be hiring a Vancouver Regional Program Coordinator, and there may be
opportunities in the near future to meet with the new coordinator and discuss how
our two organizations may work together to offer a wider range of programming.
Please take at look at their website, and let me know if you have any ideas
regarding the potential for a partnership here. Their website is at:
http://www.centrefordiversity.ca/ .
Upcoming – Presentation to Surrey School District
The SNFP has been invited to present to the Surrey School District on January 30,
2009. Present will be StrongStart Facilitators, the School Board's Community School
Coordinators and staff from the School Board's Welcome Centre.
(http://www.sd36.bc.ca/general/programs/strongstart.html )This is a wonderful
opportunity to continue building partnerships in the school district. If anyone is
interested in participating in this meeting, please let Dave know.
Upcoming - Presentation to Surrey Multicultural Advisory Committee
The SNFP has been invited back to present on the experience of the SNFP pilot
project to the Surrey Multicultural Advisory Committee on January 20, 2009. Many
thanks to Councillor Mary Martin, Chair of the Multicultural Advisory Committee, for
her ongoing support of this project and others like it in the community.
Upcoming - Workshop at “Children, the Heart of the Matter” Conference
The SNFP has been invited to present a workshop at the “Children, Heart of the
Matter” Conference in Surrey on February 14, 2009. The conference attracts
hundreds of preschool teachers and educators in the field of Early Childhood
Education. It is the largest conference of its kind in the South Fraser region. View
the schedule at:
http://www.childcareoptions.ca/pdfs/Final_brochure_CHOM_2009.pdf .
Many thanks to Jas Cheema, Diversity Manager at Surrey Memorial Hospital, Rev.
Trish Schwartzberg, and the Surrey Public Library for assisting with this workshop.
Please contact Dave if you are interested in participating in this workshop in any
way.
Resources – Children, Happiness and Spirituality
“What makes you happy? Spirituality typically accounts for four or five per cent of
an adult’s happiness, but new research has found a much stronger influence of
spirituality in children.” Read more on this recent research project out of UBC:
http://www.publicaffairs.ubc.ca/ubcreports/2008/08feb07/happykids.html
Resources – www.snfp.ca
The SNFP website continues to develop. The home page now contains a links to
“Feedback” from families and communities. A selection of pictures can be viewed
online at: http://snfp.ca/gallery/program/index.html . Many thanks to Harvey Dalley
(aka: Dad)
As always, I invite your comments and feedback on any aspect of the program as it
comes together. Please let me know if you have any thoughts or concerns regarding
our “branches” and “roots” as well! It is important that our “tree” remains healthy!
In peace,
David Dalley
(604) 502-8661
davidanderin@dalley.ca