Minutes of Meeting of March 15, 2006

Kate Peters provided a very informative presentation.  Process: receive call from police services, team leader is contacted and the team leader contacts the various volunteers.  Volunteers are provided with information regarding what can be expected at the scene.  Volunteers always meet and drive to the scene together.  The police officer introduces the volunteers to the victim, spend the necessary time with them and then, if necessary, do follow up.  Volunteers debrief with their volunteer partner after the incident.  Any victim of crime or any circumstance can call for the service at any time that allows for people, who might not be ready to talk, to call at a later time.  Important for people in community to be linked to trauma support services.  Average calls are approximately 1-2 hours.  Team leaders always check on an hourly basis to ensure that the volunteer on duty is okay.  In most instances people just want to talk and volunteers offer to listen.  Volunteers do not offer advice. Provide referral support - crisis lines, funeral planning, emergency housing etc.  Types of calls: 1 - sudden death, 2 - domestic violence, 3 - suicide.  Have attended fire calls, home invasion, stalking calls, missing persons, transportation crisis, personal and medical crisis, addiction calls.  Volunteer requirements: caring, understanding, non judgemental, reside in Oxford, 1 years of age.  Police check, interview, 40 hours of training, on call for 24 hours per month, one year commitment, use of vehicle and $1 million liability insurance on their vehicle.  Currently have 58 volunteers. Sworn to oath of secrecy.  Right now 60% female, 40% men.  Funding through Victim Justice Fund, program receives annual grant.  Annual submission of program request and audited financial reports are required.  Program gets frees space from Oxford Community Police Services.

Meeting adjourned at 8:15 pm.
Minute recorder:  Coral Sheehan