Vision, Mission, Values & Terms of Reference
Vision
The Bell Island Health and Wellness Advisory Council in partnership with individuals, the community and the health system work toward achieving optimal health and wellness for all citizens. This can be achieved through having a healthy, faith-filled, caring, inclusive community of people whose improved self-esteem and positive outlook ensures strong, confident, educated, employed, successful, well-rounded citizens who are in charge of their future and who take pride in calling themselves Bell Islanders!

Mission:
To promote optimal health and wellness for all citizens of Bell Islanders through advocacy and use of the 12 Determinants of Health

Value Statements:
The Bell Island Health and Wellness Advisory Council value:

  • Mutual respect among all partners and dignity for all persons
  • That teamwork, partnership and collaboration are essential.
  • Equity among partners and fair distribution of resources
  • Commitment to empathy and caring in our attitudes and actions toward all people
  • Guided practice based on the 12 Determinants of Health
  • The best possible education of our children to ensure 100% graduation which will give them the tools to fulfill themselves as human beings
  • The importance of viable industry which would include tourism and vibrant commerce for our island
  • The need for an upgraded municipal infrastructure, which would include good water, upgraded roads and municipal facilities
  • The need for recreational facilities for children, adolescents, adults, seniors and the disabled
  • The need for our citizens to practice good nutrition and exercise and to become advocates for their own health and well being
  • The need to be inclusive and care for the marginalized members of our community with special needs

Terms of Reference

Chairperson
Pat Craig (currently)

Responsible to
Bell Island Residents

Purpose
Advocacy for the Health and Wellness of Bell Island’s residents

Authority
The Bell Island Health and Wellness Advisory Council has the total authority for any decision making or activity within, on behalf of and by this group.

Composition

Chairperson and Director of Public Relations
Currently Pat Craig

Vice Chairperson and Director of Communications
Currently Teresita McCarthy

Secretary - TBA

Treasurer – Currently Dr. Alexa Laurie

All positions are considered a 3-year term. If for any reason the chairperson steps down as chair during their term; the vice-chair will step-up to the chair for the remainder of the term. This would then leave the vice-chair position vacant, which would then invite a member of the existing board to stand for the position of vice-chair.

Advisory Committee Members should be representatives of selective groups within the community. (As outlined in the Needs Assessment).

Support: People and positions that provide assistance and support to the Bell Island Health and Wellness Advisory Committee include the following:

  • Scientific Director
  • Research Associate
  • Site Manager of the Walter Templeman Health Center
  • Others to be determined

Other resources

  • The Town of Wabana
  • Eastern Health
  • The Dr. Leslie Harris Center
  • Memorial University School of Medicine
  • The Center for Applied Health and Research
  • Community Leaders
  • The Office of Primary Health Care

Timeframes, Reporting and Deadlines

  • Committee meetings will occur monthly except during the months of July and August.
  • Meetings are 1 hour in duration.
  • Minutes will be taken at every meeting, approved at the following meeting, and then posted on the website.

Communication with the Advisory Committee

All communication with the Advisory Council will be through the Chair or Co-Chair.

Areas of Responsibility

  1. Phase 2: Setting the Priorities for Action\
  2. Phase 3: Carrying out the priorities established in Phase 2.
  3. Phase 4: Evaluation of the measures in Phase 3
  4. Continued advocacy to ensure continued health and wellness for Bell Island.

Specific Areas of Responsibility

  1. To form Special Interest Groups
  2. To optimize the membership of the Advisory Council
  3. To advocate for interdepartmental committee which would support health and wellness for residents
  4. To poise Bell Island in the position of becoming a living, learning lab and to facilitate the creation of an interactive template to develop needs assessments for other communities.


Approval/ Review Date: These Terms of Reference to be reviewed at the end of each Phase and/ or as needed. After the implementation of each of the phases a total review of the terms of reference will occur.


Next Steps

  1. To develop committee by-laws.
  2. To develop committee’s Constitution
  3. To make time for the committee to have a social at least once per year to celebrate successes.
  4. To focus on Promotion through focus groups and through contributing to the Community Newsletter describing who is on the Health and Wellness Advisory Committee and describing the purpose and the activities of the committee.
  5. Partnering with community member’s i.e. Brad Lawrence, Neighborhood Action Facilitator. Request help in promotion i.e. approaching corporate sponsors like some of the oil companies, pharmaceutical companies, etc…