Policy

  1. The Galiano Club is committed to maximizing accessibility, where reasonable, to the programs and services provided to our community.

Definitions

Accessibility is considered from a range of perspectives including:

  • Architecture:
  • Environment
  • Attitudes
  • Finances
  • Employment
  • Communication
  • Technology
  • Transportation
  • Community integration

Procedures

  1. Additional projects may be identified from a variety of sources including user feedback, Board member observation or new regulatory or legislative requirements.
  2. Annually, as part of a review of Galiano Club policies, the Board will consider additional projects to increase accessibility.
  3. Not all suggested projects will be implemented. Considerations may include, but are not limited to, cost, funding availability, feasibility, ongoing maintenance, number of individuals impacted, alternatives and mandatory regulatory and legislative requirements.

Accessibility Addendum

Architecture:

  • The Hall has a wheelchair ramp, wheelchair accessible washrooms, outside lighting and handrails and an Auris loop.
  • The Galiano Club is exploring options to improve the sound quality in the Hall for events and performances.
  • The Food Bank access is at ground level, with doors and aisles wide enough to accommodate mobility aids.
  • The location of the Food Bank is in a well-travelled area and is across the road from the Page Drive Seniors residence.

Environment:

  • The Galiano Club consistently promotes the fact that everyone is welcome at all events. We know this is successful because one of the hallmarks of events is that they often include everyone from babies to octogenarians.  The Executive Director and volunteers spent over a year encouraging an individual with mental health issues to attend Soup and Bread.
  • The Hall is well maintained and provides a welcoming environment.
  • The Food Bank has a pleasant and comfortable waiting area for those waiting to shop, including colouring books for children. There are additional amenities such as a free book exchange and a washroom.  The Food Bank openings for the Page Drive seniors includes, soup, tea and coffee and an opportunity to socialize.
  • The Galiano Club works to ensure the trails in the Lands and Parks are cleared of blowdown. This is two way process as it is usually community members who identify the location of new trail blockages.

Attitudes:

  • The Galiano Club Board reflects the diversity of the community it serves.
  • The Executive Director and volunteers in the Food Program accommodate volunteers with varying degrees of ability in order to support increased individual participation. They also accommodate participants.  For example, they will fetch soup and bread for those, who, for a variety of reasons, cannot tolerate lining up.
  • Volunteers, and to a lesser extent participants, are a key source of ideas for Food Program improvement.
  • The Executive Director has structured the distribution of the Good Food Boxes to help to overcome the stigma some seniors may have about accessing the Food Bank.

Finances:

  • Access is free of charge to all the Lands managed by the Galiano Club.
  • “This One’s on Us” vouchers are available for Soup and Lunches and Games night to ensure that those who cannot make a contribution can participate.
  • Soup lunches are provided free of charge to all the students at the community school on the days Soup and Bread lunches occur.
  • Students access the school garden and the programs/events provided by the Food Program without charge.
  • Gleaning and the Garlic Cooperative provide participants with produce in exchange for a contribution of labour.
  • The Equipment Library is available free of charge to borrow equipment to process food.
  • Frozen soups are donated to the Food Bank.

Employment:

  • There are policies to ensure fair competition and selection of the best qualified candidate and consideration whether the individual is a member of a vulnerable group. The Galiano Club is an equal opportunity employer, adheres to BC Human Rights code and complies with all relevant legislation, and standards.  Employees are considered as part of the process of fostering a culture of inclusion.
  • Soup and Bread is held over the lunch hour so that working individuals can attend.
  • Board meeting times are adjusted to accommodate working Directors.

Communication:

  • The Galiano Club uses a variety of means to communicate their program and volunteer opportunities including print media, email, social media, posters, participation in community events, website information and word of mouth.

 Technology:

  • The Hall has an Auris Loop.
  • The Food Program uses a variety of technology to support meeting and committee participation.

 Transportation:

  • While not an initiative of the Galiano Club, neighbours and friends regularly provide transportation to events for those without transportation.
  • Frozen meals and soups will be delivered upon request.

Community integration:

  • Meeting times are reviewed annually to ensure maximum participation by Board volunteers. In addition, some meetings are scheduled by ZOOM to maximize participation.
  • As noted above, the Executive Director and volunteers actively encourage those with different abilities or barriers to take part as volunteers or participants.
  • Programs are adjusted based on feedback from participants and volunteers. For example, initially Soup and Bread was focused on seniors but seniors made it clear they preferred events involving the whole community.
  • Specialized meals were developed to support individual needs e.g Heart Smart, diabetes.
  • Seniors can order and have frozen meals delivered to their homes.
  • If a Food Bank client cannot come during scheduled open times, alternative arrangements can be made.