BCPF Member & Community Event Listings

Do you want members of the BCPF Advocacy Committee or Youth Leadership Committee to present to your school or work group about self-advocacy or human rights? Please get in touch with us to book a private presentation for your organization or to get more details.

October 20, 2021 | The Power of Language: Respect, Dignity, and Inclusion for All (Presentation & Panel)

3 words written out in black text on light wooden blocks, saying: Words Have Power. The blocks of words are stacked on top of each other.

Do you want to learn from people with experience fighting for their rights in an ableist society? Do you want to learn about the power of language and ways you can respect people labeled with an intellectual disability? Join our panel of experienced self-advocates for stories, advice, and a live Q&A about the challenges and solutions people have found!
Wednesday, October 20, 2021 | 10:30am-11:30am (PST)

Register for the event, click HERE

Please register by Monday, October 18th. We will send an email reminder through your Eventbrite registration with the Zoom login information to all registered attendees on October 19th, 1 day before the event. (Check your promotions/junk folder if you don't find it in your inbox this day - You can also check the Eventbrite online event page to get the Zoom login link 1 day before the event or email us anytime). We hope you can make it!

This event includes a presentation and a panel. Panel members will share stories and lessons from their lives about the power of language, experiences with the R-word, and much more. There will be time for questions from the audience at the end.

Meet the Presentation & Panel Speakers:

Jo-Anne Gauthier, BCPF President & Self-Advocate Mentor
Manjeet Ghangass, Writer & Self-Advocate
David Johnston, Facilitator & Self-Advocate Mentor
Akshay Sachdeva, Self-Advocate
Dara Watson, Self-Advocate

This presentation is for allies, supporters and caregivers of people with intellectual disabilities, government officials, services providers, other self-advocacy group members, and anyone who wants to learn more about the power of language and human rights.

September 22, 2021 | Presentation Skills for Self-Advocacy Success

A man facing the camera with a smile and both thumbs up and sitting beside a vertical banner that says Advocacy Matters

Join BCPF presenters Michael McLellan and Conrad Tyrkin for public speaking training in plain language. Michael and Conrad are both experienced facilitators and have lots of information and knowledge to share with other self-advocates and people who want to learn more about public speaking and presentation skills for self-advocacy success.

Wednesday, September 22, 2021 | 10:30am-11:30am PST

Thanks for registering, we hope you can make it! Please email us at hello@bcpeoplefirst.com if you have any questions or want to register by email. We will send the Zoom login link out to everyone registered for the event on September 20th, two days before the event.

This presentation is for BCPF Members, Self-Advocacy Groups, and anyone who wants to learn more about public speaking skills in plain language.

September 17, 2021 | Bracelet Making Workshop with Dara - BCPF Members Event

close up of a pair of hands making a bracelet with large colourfully painted beads and red and blue thread

BCPF Member Dara is hosting this online Zoom workshop for BCPF Members

Friday, September 17th at 3pm (PST)

If you are a BCPF Member and would like to join us for bracelet making together on Zoom please email us by August 15th to register for the event. Please email us to let us know that you would like to attend and can for sure make it to this Zoom event on September 17th at 3pm.

Each person attending will get a bracelet-making kit in the mail to use during the Zoom workshop. This event is for BCPF Members only. Please register by August 10th - to be sure you get your bracelet kit in the mail in time for the event. We are making bracelets with beads.

Any Member who would like to make a bracelet or learn how Dara makes bracelets is welcome to attend this workshop. Thanks for joining us!

September 13, 2021 | Elections Workshop: Know Your Rights & Vote

A brick wall with a vote sign in the centre including a left direction arrow. in the centre of the vote sign.

A federal election has been called for Monday, September 20, 2021. BC People First wants to help you feel ready to vote and know your voting rights! Join Presenters and BCPF Members Jo-Anne Gauthier and David Sherritt on Zoom to learn all about our right to vote and how to do it.

Monday, September 13th from 1:00pm-2:15pm PST

Thanks for registering by September 10th, we hope you can make it! Please email us at hello@bcpeoplefirst.com if you have any questions. We will send the Zoom login link out to everyone registered for the event on September 12th, one day before the event. If you miss the event reminder email or login link email from Eventbrite please check your junkmail folder or email us anytime with questions.

People will have the chance to learn about:

- The accessibility of elections

- What you need to vote

- How you can be supported when voting

- How to get ready to vote

You can expect to see a presentation and an example of how to vote. Plus ask questions and learn more about People First.

We want to support people who are not familiar with the voting experience or want to review before voting.

We have the right to vote - let's use it!

This presentation is for BCPF Members, other Self-Advocacy group members, new voters, and anyone who wants to learn more about voting in plain language.

July 19, 2021 | Housing Panel with BCPF Members & Community Leaders

Do you want to learn from people with experience fighting for their rights in an ableist society? Do you want to find out more about self-advocacy skills and overcoming obstacles when it comes to housing rights for people with disabilities in British Columbia? Join our panel of experienced self-advocates for stories, advice, and a live Q&A about the challenges and solutions people have found!

Monday, July 19, 2021 | 3pm-4pm

Please register by Friday, July 16th. We will send an email reminder through your Eventbrite registration with the Zoom login information to all registered attendees on July 17th, 2 days before the event. (Check your promotions/junk folder if you don't find it in your inbox this day - You can also check the Eventbrite online event page to get the Zoom login link). We hope you can make it!

Panel members will share stories from their lives about housing experiences to highlight why self-advocacy and community living are essential. There will be time for questions from the audience at the end - panel members will answer questions about their presentations and share advice with people who want to learn more about standing up for their housing rights.

Meet the Panel:

Jo-Anne Gauthier, BCPF President & Self-Advocate Mentor
Lorie Sherritt, Self-Advocate & Self-Advocate Consultant
Margaux Wosk, Self-Advocate & Artist
Gerry Juzenas, Self-Advocate & Public Speaker

July 12, 2021 | Learn About Sheltered Workshops

event date and description with a faded background of two hands sorting screws This presentation is for anyone who wants to learn more about human rights from People First members in BC. It is about one of the societal barriers to inclusion and equality for many people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Canada - Sheltered Workshops.

Monday, July 12th, 3pm-4pm online on Zoom.

Learning Outcomes:

Learn about Sheltered Workshops in Canada and how they affect people with intellectual or developmental disabilities.
Learn how to support real work for real pay.
Learn different things to do that can help change the situation and ways to take action.

Please register by Friday, July 9th. We will send an email reminder through your Eventbrite registration with the Zoom login information to all registered attendees on July 10th, 2 days before the event. (Check your promotions folder if you don't find it in your inbox this day - You can also check the Eventbrite online event page to get the login link). We hope you can make it!

The goal of this presentation is to bring attention to the problem of Sheltered Work and Workshops in Canada. Not enough people know about this issue. It’s happening across our country and it’s been going on for a long time - too long. Another goal is to give people in the community a way to help People First by taking action. We are sharing different things that can be done to help change the situation for people who are hurt by Sheltered Workshops.

Employment is one of our priorities for People First members. People First has been talking about Sheltered Workshops for a long time. Members have done surveys and focus groups to help understand this issue. People First of Canada (PFC) also hired a research company to help find out more about this issue. They surveyed agencies in different provinces and territories to get more information. All of this work helped us put together this presentation that is being given by members of our BC People First Presentation Team: Lorie Sherritt, Manjeet Ghangass, and David Johnston. Thank you for joining us!

July 9, 2021 | Let's Do It Together: Survey Support for BCPF Members

a magnifying glass enlarging and highlighting words that say "frequently asked questions".

BCPF Members are invited to join us on Zoom for plain language support while we each separately complete the Government of Canada's survey to have an important role in shaping the Disability Inclusion Action Plan.

We will be offering plain language support to BCPF Members - to answer questions people have about this survey - while we each finish the survey on our own.

Friday, July 9th 11AM - 12PM PST

It will help so many people in our communities if we all fill out this survey. If you might need support to understand the wording and language of this survey so you can complete it, join us on July 9th at 11:00am.

We know it can sometimes be hard to do online surveys or questionnaires because not all the questions make sense. If this has ever happened to you, BCPF is here to help! We will help answer questions about the wording or the topics in the survey. We're not doing the survey for people and no one has to share their answers with anyone else. We are only helping to answer questions people have about the survey itself.

To participate in this meeting and get help with the survey you will need to join us by video on Zoom - and also use your computer or smartphone at the same time if you want to complete the questionnaire. (It's good to use two screens, one for Zoom and one for the survey internet page - or you can switch between Zoom and the survey page on one screen, this is easier on a computer than a smartphone).

All BCPF Members will be emailed the Zoom login link for this event 2 days before the event. If you are a BC People First Member and don't get the login information try checking your email junkmail folder or you can email us at bcpfcoordinator@gmail.com to ask for it.

BCPF Membership is free and open to anyone in British Columbia who identifies as having a disability. Find more information here, click link:

bcpeoplefirst.com/membership

The Disability Inclusion Action Plan has five objectives:

1.Reduce poverty among Canadians with disabilities.
2.Get more persons with disabilities into good quality jobs.
3.Help meet the Accessible Canada Act goal of a barrier-free Canada by 2040.
4.Make it easier for persons with disabilities to access federal programs and services.
5. Foster a culture of inclusion.

In the spirit of "Nothing without us", they invite us all to share our thoughts with this survey. Your opinions will help the government as they think about designing and delivering the measures of the Disability Inclusion Action Plan.

The survey deadline is August 31st, find the survey HERE, click link.

June 18, 2021 | BCPF Members Connect - Meet Nadia on Zoom

A group of people with their hands inwards while standing in a circle, expressing teamwork. BCPF Members are welcome to join us Friday, June 18th at 2:30pm on Zoom to meet Nadia, our new BCPF Self-Advocate & Member Liaison. This meeting is being hosted by Jo-Anne Gauthier, BCPF President, inviting Members to video or phone into the meeting for a Members Connect!

Some Members want to talk to someone about the issues they care about. And about the issues they want BC People First to care about. That's why Nadia will be calling Members on behalf of BC People First throughout the next year. If you want to meet Nadia before she starts calling Members you are welcome to join us on the 18th.

Nadia will be calling BCPF Members as our BCPF Self-Advocate & Member Liaison. We want to connect with our Members and find out the things you want and need to make your life better. Information you share with us is used to inform our advocacy work, but as always, we keep your personal details confidential.

As a BCPF Member, sharing your opinions and support needs is important. Your thoughts and feelings matter and we want to make sure we are advocating for the rights, needs, and wants of all BCPF Members. There is power in membership - because we are stronger together in the fight for respect, dignity, and inclusion in our society.

We hope you can make it to our Zoom meeting on Friday afternoon to meet Nadia.

All BCPF Members will be emailed the Zoom login link for this event. If you are a BC People First Member and didn't get the login information you can email us at bcpfcoordinator@gmail.com to ask for it.

Find BCPF Membership information here:

bcpeoplefirst.com/membership

May 13, 2021 | Unlearn Ableism with BC People First

Unlearn ableism! To find out why, join our panel of experienced self-advocates for a lesson on what ableism is and how to stop it, stories of ableism based on lived experiences, and a live Q&A! This event is being hosted by the BCPF Youth Leadership Committee.

*ASL interpretation will be offered at this event*

Thursday, May 13, 2021 | 6:30pm-7:45pm PST

Please register by Monday, May 10th. We will email the Zoom login information to all registered attendees with an event reminder on May 11th, 2 days before the event. We hope you can make it! Register to attend here (click link):

https://www.eventbrite.com/.../unlearn-ableism-with-bc...

Ableism is discrimination and social prejudice against people with disabilities. Ableism is deeply embedded in our society because throughout history we were taught that people with disabilities are inferior to the non-disabled. But this is just not true! Every person deserves equal access to society, their community, and human rights. Unlearning ableism is an important step in creating a more just and equal society.

Do you want to learn from people with experience fighting for their rights in an ableist society? Do you want to find out more about why it is important to unlearn ableism?

Keynote speaker Sherwin Strong will be teaching us about what ableism is and what causes it, his experience with ableism, and how to stop being ableist. Panel members will then share stories from their lives about ableism and why it is so important for others to unlearn ableism. There will be time for questions from the audience at the end.

Meet The Speaker Panel:

Sherwin Strong, Self-Advocate Liaison & Inspirational Speaker and Trainer
Elisa Paczos, BCPF Youth Leadership Committee Member
Michael McLellan, SALN Co-Founder & Self-Advocacy Mentor
Margaux Wosk, Human Rights Advocate & Artist See less
Jeevan Basra, Workshop Facilitator & Chef

May 10, 2021 | Let's Do It Together: Questionnaire Support for BCPF Members

BCPF Members are invited to join us on Zoom for plain language support while we each separately complete our 2021 Census Questionnaire.

We will be offering plain language support to BCPF Members - to answer questions people have about the Census - while we each finish the questionnaire on our own.

The Census information is used by communities, businesses, and governments to plan services and make informed decisions about employment, education, health care, and more. It helps our communities if we all fill out the Census! If you might need support to understand the wording and language of the 2021 Census so you can complete it, join us on Monday, May 10th at 3:30pm. (The Census Questionnaire deadline is May 11th).

We know it can sometimes be hard to do online surveys or questionnaires because not all the questions make sense. If this has ever happened to you, BCPF is here to help! Join us while we complete the 2021 Census together. We will help answer questions about the wording or the topics in the questionnaire. We're not doing the questionnaire for people and no one has to share their answers with anyone else. We are only helping to answer questions people have about the questionnaire itself.

To participate in this meeting and get help with the survey you will need to join us by video on Zoom - and also use your computer or smartphone at the same time if you want to complete the questionnaire. (It's good to use two screens, one for Zoom and one for the Census internet page, or you can switch between Zoom and the Census page on one screen)

To complete your 2021 Census Questionnaire you have to have your SECURE ACCESS CODE that came in the mail - and need to go to this website:

https://census.gc.ca/index-eng.htm.

By law, every household must complete a 2021 Census of Population questionnaire. You can also request alternate ways of doing the Census from them at their website.

On May 10th from 3:30pm-4:30pm, BCPF First is hosting plain language support for our Members who want help to understand the Census while completing it.

BCPF Membership is free and open to anyone in British Columbia who identifies as having a disability. Find more information HERE.

April 7, 2021 | Annual General Meeting

All BCPF Members are invited to join us at our Annual General Meeting!

Wednesday, April 7th, 2021 | 5:30pm - 6:15pm PST

If you are a Member and want to attend, please register by April 1st to let us know you can make it. Just email us at bcpfcoordinator@gmail.com or hello@bcpeoplefirst.com. This is a virtual conference call meeting held by phone.

Call For Board Nominations

Our BC People First AGM is coming up on April 7th, 2021 at 5:30pm PST. There are a few Board of Directors terms coming to an end and all BCPF Members in good standing are invited to attend the AGM or apply to join the team as a Board Member.

To be a Member in good standing means that your BCPF Membership is up-to-date at least 30 days before the AGM. Please make sure your membership is active and up-to-date by March 8th to keep your voting rights with the BCPF Society and to be eligible for a Board position if you're interested.

To apply for a Board Member position please email us to express interest up to 3 weeks before the AGM - you must nominate yourself for a Board of Directors position by March 18th. Just email us to let us know you are a Member, what position you want to run for at the AGM election, and why you want to be a Board Member.

Being a member of the Board of Directors of BC People First is a very important role and a rewarding opportunity. As a Board member, you will work to promote the inclusion and full citizenship for people who feel labelled by disability and unheard in our province. You get to help decide on what the Society will focus on, what advocacy projects we work on, you get to participate in special training, learn new skills and make wonderful new friends. Our Board is operated by Self-Advocates and people with disabilities who are dedicated to the People First movement - we are an independent grassroots society run by volunteers.

2021 Positions Up For Election:

Director, Vancouver Island/Sunshine Coast Region – located in this region, for example: Nanaimo, Victoria, Powell River, Sechelt, etc. – 3 year term
Director, Lower Mainland East Region – located in this region, for example: Surrey, Langley, Coquitlam, Maple Ridge, etc. – 3 year term
Director, The North Region – located in this region, for example: Prince George, Prince Rupert, Smithers, Dawson Creek, Fort St John, etc. – 3 year term
Director At Large – located anywhere in British Columbia – 3 year term
Director At Large – located anywhere in British Columbia – 2 year term

Volunteer Position Time Commitment:

Attend one Board meeting via conference call per month (these are currently on the 2nd Wednesday of each month). Joining projects, events and committees may require attending other meetings.
Volunteer an average of 4-8 hours per month working on BCPF projects, committees, events, presentations, attending meetings, etc.
Leading in-person social/educational events for Members in your area as needed and when opportunities come up.
Most of our work is done virtually by phone, email, and Zoom. But the Board also meets as a group in-person once per year for the AGM or BC People First Conference. Your expenses for travel to these amazing events are provided by BCPF but travel costs are subject to our funding and grant allowances. (Due to the pandemic we are not currently doing any of our usual large in-person events).

Requirements:

Be a member of BCPF in good standing. Membership is FREE.
Have a passion for our values and mission
Attend all board meetings, cannot miss more than 3 meetings per year. (There is no Board meeting in August or December).
Agree to adhere to the BCPF Code of Conduct, representing yourself and the Society in a positive way.
If needed, have a person that you trust to advise/help/support you in the role if needed. (This person will give their contact info to BCPF).

Skills that help Board Members do their work:

Attends meetings regularly
Is willing to serve on committees
Speaks up during the meeting, not after the decision
Keeps comments relevant
Asks for the opinion of others
Understands how to compromise
Gives praise to others when due
Accepts the majority vote in motions
Reads background material and minutes
Organizes thoughts before presenting
Listens when others speak
Keeps confidentiality of discussions
Receives and gives constructive criticism
Keeps their community and peers informed of BCPF events
Speaks as one voice outside the “boardroom”

To Nominate:

Email us your name, the position you are nominating for, and a short biography about you and why you want to be a Director of BCPF. Email us at hello@bcpeoplefirst.com or bcpfcoordinator@gmail.com.
Nominations are due March 8th, 2021. There will NOT be nominations during the AGM event. This is because we need to send out the nomination candidate information to all BCPF Members for review 2 weeks before the AGM.

March 1 - 15, 2021 | Greeting Card Design Contest for BCPF Members

Help us design a BCPF "thinking of you" greeting card!

If you are a BCPF Member you can submit a design for our new greeting card. Submit your design by March 15th to be considered as a finalist for the contest. After the decision process from the BCPF Board of Directors, the winning card design will be chosen by April and announced at our AGM on April 7th, 2021.

The BCPF Member who designs the winning card design will win a $100 cash prize (the winner will receive a cheque) and have their art credited to them on the back of the card as well.

We're excited to checkout all your ideas and designs!

You can draw, colour, paint, or use graphic design software to make your card design
Anything you think would be a good design for the front of a "thinking of you" greeting card
It must be an original design made by the person submitting it, not copied from anywhere else. You are the designer or creator of the art.
Cards will be about 4" x 6" in size and designs can be vertical or horizontal, it's up to you

To submit your design just email a copy of it to us at BCPF by March 15th and let us know it is your original art design. Email us at bcpfcoordinator@gmail.com or hello@bcpeoplefirst.com. If you have any questions please let us know.

This contest is only open to BCPF Members in good standing. If you need to update your Membership, want to become a Member, or know someone that would like to join BCPF, please go here to our website:

https://bcpeopelfirst.com/membership

February 25 & 26, 2021 | BCPF Conference 2021: Rights & Wellness

Click to add an engaging title. High quality images go a long way in looking professional online.

A person sitting in a chair beside a BCPF marketing banner - they are smiling and giving a thumbs up with both hands Join us February 25th and 26th, 2021 for a series of online Zoom workshops BY self-advocates FOR self-advocates in British Columbia.

Register just once to get access to all the workshops and presentations. You can attend one, a few, or all of the presentations - it's your choice. Tickets are free for all self-advocates and people with disabilities in British Columbia.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/bcpf-conference-2021-rights-wellness-free-to-be-me-tickets-135599462643

Our rights and wellness are connected! At BCPF, we get lots of questions about the rights people have, how to use technology, how to run a self-advocate group, advocacy help, plus more. We want to answer people's questions and help people learn as much as we can. All the presentations at our conference are taught by self-advocates with expert experience and amazing skills to share. Thanks for joining us!

Thursday, February 25th, 2021:

11:00AM - 12:00PM | Keynote Speaker & Self-Advocacy Panel on the Power of Positivity. Keynote Speaker & Self-Advocacy Panel on the Power of Positivity with Karen Lai, Barb Goode, Charlene Barney, and Jo-Anne Gauthier. Hear from our panel of self-advocacy experts on how to stay positive when things are tough.
1:00 PM - 2:00PM | Free To Be Me. Presented by Jo-Anne Gauthier, Manjeet Ghangass, and Michaela Robinson. Learn about self-confidence and body image and how to stay strong when surrounded by media images that tell us to look and be a certain way.
3:00 PM - 4:00PM | CRPD Information & Training. Presented by Michael McLellan & Lorie Sherritt. Learn about our rights and the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilties and how we use the CRPD to stand up for our rights.

Friday, February 26th, 2021:

11:00AM - 12:00PM | Entrepreneurship & Self-Advocacy Panel: Starting Your Own Business with panel members Margaux Wosk, Krystian Shaw, and Andrew Bingham. Plus, find out some information about supports available through WorkBC assistive technology services.
1:00PM - 2:00PM | Deinstitutionalization & Community Housing. Presented by David Sherritt, David Johnston, and Jo-Anne Gauthier. Learn about the history of institutionalization and what we can do to stop it.
3:00PM - 4:00PM | Digital Literacy & Computer Tips. Presented by Conrad Tyrkin and Kelly Reaburn. Find out about computer and internet safety and computer tips based on BCPF Member questions and concerns.

**Times listed are Pacific Standard Time (PST).

**All presentations will be 45 mins-1 hour long

**ASL interpreter services will be used for all the presentations and panel events at 11AM, 1PM, and 3PM on February 25th/26th

Friday, February 26th, 2021

7:00PM - BCPF Members & Friends Zoom Social Happy Hour & 2021 Award Ceremony. Performer Digger Dan will be playing for us and we will be announcing our Self-Advocate Leadership of the Year Award winners and having lots of fun! Please make sure your BCPF Membership is up-to-date to get the Happy Hour login link.

There will be a virtual "door prize" draw for all attendees of the event. To be entered in the door prize you must register for the event. The 1st prize is a black hoodie sweatshirt that says "Nothing About Us Without Us" on the back. The 2nd prize is a BCPF t-shirt that says "Never Give Up" in bold letters - plus a $10 Save On Foods gift card. Winners will be announced at the Friday night social event and must have attended at least one of the conference presentations on February 25th/26th.

This conference is for BCPF Members, friends, and supporters; people with intellectual disabilities in British Columbia; people who identify as self-advocates; and people who love learning.

You don't have to be a member of BC People First but we welcome you to join.

HERE or renew your membership, it's free.

February 4, 2021 | Confidence with Public Speaking

Thursday, February 4th 7:00pm-8:00pm PST. This event is an online Zoom event. We will send the Zoom login link out to everyone registered for the event on February 3rd, the day before the event. Thanks for registering! Please email us at hello@bcpeoplefirst.com if you have any questions.

This presentation is for BCPF Members, other Self-Advocacy Groups, and people who want to learn more about public speaking skills in plain language.

Want to learn more about public speaking for self-advocacy success? Please join us!

January 20, 2021 | CRPD Information & Training

Person standing beside a marketing banner - they are facing away from the camera and pointing to the back of their shirt that says "nothing about us without us"

Join BC People First as we host a CRPD information and training session on Zoom with SALN - the Self Advocate Leadership Network of BC.

Wednesday, January 20th, 2021

10:00AM - 11:30AM PST

Presenters: Michael McLellan & Lorie Sherritt

Canada ratified the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. This means we agreed to follow the standards set. The convention is a detailed list and explanation of all our human rights. We are teaching some information to others about the CRPD and our rights.

Please register by January 18th. We will send the Zoom login link to everyone registered for the event on January 19th. We hope you'll join us!

Email BC People First at bcpfcoordinator@gmail.com to get the Zoom login link OR register for the event at this website:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/crpd-information-training-for-self-advocates-in-bc-tickets-135905345547

December 2, 2020 | Conversations with BC People First (Covid-19 Discussion Forum)

coloured pencil crayon sin a row with a red one writing the saying "your opinion matters"

For the past eight months, people with intellectual and developmental disabilities have faced unique challenges due to COVID-19.

Now, it’s time to share your own experiences. Your voice is so important. Please join us for an online feedback session on Zoom!

Thursday, December 2nd, 2020

7:00PM - 8:00PM PST

Hosted by BCPF President, Jo-Anne Gauthier & Youth Ambassador, Conrad Tyrkin. We're talking about lessons learned from the pandemic. It helps so much to have your opinions and we have a few questions for self-advocates and people with disabilities in British Columbia. We hope you can make it.

The Zoom login link for this event will be emailed out to all BCPF Members. If you're not a BCPF Member but still want to attend, please email us at bcpfcoordinator@gmail.com to sign up and take part in this discussion. If you know anyone who might want to attend please share this information with them.

Not sure if your BC People First Membership is up to date?

October 15, 2020 | Why Self-Advocacy?

A woman standing at a podium in front of a presentation screen - she is smiling

Why Self-Advocacy? To find out why, join our panel of experienced self-advocates for stories and a live Q&A!

Thursday, October 15th, 2020

6:30PM - 7:30PM PST

Do you want to learn from people with experience fighting for their rights in an ableist society? Do you want to find out more about self-advocacy skills and overcoming obstacles? October is Community Inclusion Month and there is no better time to get involved in the conversation about self-advocacy and how powerful it can be. We've invited a panel of speakers who have helped shape our province for the better, thanks to advocating for their own rights and the rights of others.

Panel members will share stories from their lives about self-advocacy to highlight why it is so important and to help others learn more. There will be time for questions from the audience - panel members will answer questions and share advice with people who want to learn more about self-advocacy and the

#InclusionRevolution movement in BC for people who identify as having a disability.

Meet The Panel:

Sherwin Strong, Self-Advocate Liaison
Alexander Magnussen, CBI Employment Specialist
Jo-Anne Gauthier, BCPF President & Self-Advocate Mentor
Charlene Barney, Office Assistant & Self-Advocate Mentor
Krystian Shaw, Reporter & Publisher at The Kamloops Self Advocate
Conrad Tyrkin, BCPF Secretary & Youth Ambassador

We hope you'll join us!

This presentation is for people in British Columbia who want to respectfully learn online on Zoom about self-advocacy from people on this panel of speakers.

https://zoom.us/.../tJcufu6trjIjGdJwOxrm-aRUXVgp_QTkrXPT

(Or you can email us at bcpfcoordinator@gmail.com to get the Zoom login link for this presentation)

July 29, 2020 | Let's Do It Together: Survey Support for BCPF Members

A magnifying glass over top of words that say "frequently asked questions"

BCPF Members are invited to join us on Zoom while we each separately complete the Canadian Human Rights Commission's survey about monitoring the CRPD.

Wednesday, July 29th, 2020

7:30PM - 8:30PM PST

We will be offering plain language support - to answer questions people have about the survey - while we each finish the survey on our own. Filling out this survey means your voice will be heard. We hope everyone can fill out this survey - and if you need support, join us!

We know it can sometimes be hard to do online surveys because not all the questions make sense. If this has ever happened to you, BCPF is here to help! Join us while we complete the Human Rights Commission's new survey together while we're apart. We will help answer questions about the wording or the topics in the survey. We're not doing the survey for people and no one has to share their answers to the survey. We are only helping to answer questions people have about the survey itself.

To participate in this meeting and get help with the survey you will need to join us by video on Zoom (and use your computer or smartphone at the same time if you want to complete the survey during the meeting).

The Human Rights Commission was recently given a new responsibility to monitor how the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) is followed in Canada. They have put out a survey to help them get answers about CRPD in Canada. It takes about 30 minutes to finish the survey. The Commission wants to hear from people with disabilities. The Commission wants our opinions and wants to hear about people's lived experiences. The survey closes on July 31st. Find the survey here:

https://surveys.chrc2020-ccdp2020.ca/s3/-EN-FR

On July 29th from 7:30pm to 8:30pm PST , BCPF First is hosting plain language support for our Members who want support doing this survey. If you are a BC People First Member and want to join us please register by July 28th. We will send the login link out on July 28th to all BCPF Members who register. Email us at bcpfcoordinator@gmail.com to let us know you want to attend.

If you are not a BCPF Member yet and want to sign up, you can find information and the membership form on our website HERE.

May 12 - December 15, 2020 | We're In This Together Tuesdays

3 people huddled together facing the camera and smiling

Join us for virtual video meetings on Tuesday nights until December 15th, 2020

7:00PM - 8:00PM PST

These meetings are a place for BCPF Members, supporters, friends, and self-advocates from across BC to connect, share stories, and discuss issues that matter to us.

Please register to attend these events here:

https://zoom.us/.../tJYlcuiprTwiE9LOztU047LFM-dMhNMnJytt

Or you can email us at bcpfcoordinator@gmail.com to get the Zoom login link.

You can attend just one meeting, a few, or attend every week. Be sure you download the Zoom app on your computer or smartphone. Each Tuesday will bring new discussion topics and good conversation with friends. We are here for you! This is a safe space where we can talk about what is affecting us right now, good and bad. We want to hear what you’re feeling about the coronavirus pandemic but also anything else you want us to share. What matters to you right now? What do you want BCPF to advocate for in our province? Do you have any good things to share with others? Do you have any questions or concerns you want us to pass on for you to CLBC or the government? Overall, we want to connect with our BCPF Members and friends during these times of social distancing while we can’t plan our usual social events and educational activities in towns across BC.

Thanks for joining us!