Text Box: D.A.R.E. Works Foothills Society info@darefoothills.ca ● 403-601-3406 PO Box 1296, Okotoks, AB  T1S 1B3

 

 

Text Box: D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) Works Foothills Society Information for Prospective Board Members and Volunteers   Background:  The D.A.R.E. Works Society was established in 1998 as a branch society of the De Winton Rural Crime Watch Association then, in the spring of 2004, the Society established itself as a registered society and registered charity in its own right under the name D.A.R.E. Works Foothills Society. Since inception, the Society has worked in partnership with the RCMP detachments in Okotoks, High River and Turner Valley.  The Society’s original goal was to ensure the D.A.R.E. Program would be delivered in every grade six classroom in the MD of Foothills.  The Society struck an agreement the RCMP to designate a full-time police officer to coordinate and deliver the program in exchange for funding of the position by the Society and eight stakeholders (Foothills School Division, the MD of Foothills, the municipalities of High River, Okotoks, Black Diamond, Turner Valley, Longview and the Strathcona Tweedsmuir School). The separate school division in the MD of Foothills chose not to participate in the program at that time.    In subsequent years, the Society expanded the D.A.R.E. program to include delivery of a follow-up and reinforcement program to grade eight students. The expansion entailed hiring and training a D.A.R.E. Officer to deliver the program part-time.  Recently the Society further expanded its program to include a Parent Program, offering parents information on drug-related issues, as well as guidance on topics such as bullying and safe internet use. The Parent Program is currently run in two evening sessions at various times throughout the school year in High River, Okotoks and Turner Valley.  The Society’s next goal is to research, plan and find the resources for expanding the program into the high schools.   Responsibilities and Accountability:  The Society is accountable to stakeholders and other funders.  The Board of Directors ensures the delivery of the grade six, grade eight and DARE Parent programs in the MD of Foothills including ¨ establishing agreement with the RCMP regarding the role and duties of the DARE Coordinator position; ¨ maintaining agreements with stakeholders for funding of  the DARE Coordinator position and reporting to stakeholders regarding the operations of Society and the results of program; ¨ establishing agreement with the Town of Okotoks regarding the DARE Instructor position (Municipal Enforcement Officer); ¨ ensuring the DARE Coordinator and the DARE Instructor receive appropriate training and upgrading as required; ¨ overseeing the work of the DARE Coordinator, DARE Instructor and Executive Director via reporting at monthly Board meetings; ¨ overseeing Society finances and raising the funds necessary to ensure delivery of the DARE program; ¨ promoting DARE and the Society by speaking at graduation ceremonies, attending booths at trade fairs, etc.   Members of the Board of Directors Expectations / Time Commitment: Board members are asked to: ¨ commit to attend bi-monthly meetings.  The purpose of meetings is to approve financial statements and staff reports and to plan fundraising functions and public presentations.  Meetings are held August through November and January through June 7:00 – 9:00 pm in Okotoks on the 2nd Tuesday of the month. ¨ maintain confidentiality with respect to any matters discussed at the Board level considered to be private and not for public consumption. ¨ volunteer to attend a grade six graduation ceremony from time to time; represent the Society by addressing the grads and parents (13 grad ceremonies to choose from each year usually in November/December and April/May – each ceremony is about 1.5 hours) ¨ assist  with the annual Okotoks/High River RCMP golf tournament and DARE auction (solicit donations, register golfers, monitor hole-in-one holes / putting contest, set up prize table, etc.) ¨ volunteer to work a shift or two at the biannual casino and / or volunteer to contact and organize other casino volunteers ¨ consider running for a position on the Executive (all positions for a 1 year term November through October)   Members of the Executive Expectations (note – Members of the Executive may delegate some tasks to the Executive Director): President:  -  represent the Board to the stakeholders, make annual 15 – 30 minute presentation to stakeholders (councils) -  act as a spokesperson for the Society (public and media) and write a year-end report to be included in the Society’s annual report -  prepare agendas and chair Board meetings Vice President: -  supervise contract staff -  take over duties of the President in the President’s absence (i.e., chair meetings; make presentations to stakeholders; attend grad ceremonies) Treasurer: -  oversee all financial matters -  submit financial statements for approval at regular Board meetings Secretary: -  take notes and compose minutes of meetings -  distribute minutes to Board members for approval     Text Box:  Download and complete the D.A.R.E. VOLUNTEER SIGN-UP FORM / MAILING LIST INFORMATION FORM.  Email it to info@darefoothills.ca or mail it to D.A.R.E. Works Foothills Society, P.O. Box 1296, Okotoks, AB, T1S 1B3.

 

 

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