[Bcma-l] Summer Student funding confirmation delay
bcma-l@museumsassn.bc.ca
bcma-l@museumsassn.bc.ca
Tue, 13 May 2008 14:01:51 -0700
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May 13, 2008=20
=20
Re: Issues with funding.
=20
I cannot agree more with what Rosaleen Ward put forward with regard to
funding. I would suggest a series of changes with regard to grant
funding for the museum/library fields that depend on summer grant
programs to operate. It has been increasingly difficult to staff
positions in the north. The Businesses at Barkerville have been feeling
the crunch as well, as students and young people find positions that are
more financially rewarding prior to the disbursement of grants. This
has been going on in the business world for a little longer, but is
similar to the issues we in the museum community have been feeling for
several years - outside of the normal issue of having funding
distributed at the wrong time of the year and inconsistently - there are
not sufficient young people to operate effectively and the wages are not
sufficient to attract young people from other more lucrative
opportunities.
=20
Governments operate on a yearly budget - voted on usually at the
beginning of April or thereabouts. Any delays in distribution of voted
funds are reflected in late adjudication of any grants. This is a huge
problem for recruitment purposes and for being able to sustain a normal
planning phase for the work flow. If grants were voted on for
distribution prior to April 1st - say by the end of December, then we
would be able to recruit with confidence that we can actually hire
someone to carry out a plan. As it is, we scramble each year when the
funds come down for both students and getting our programs in place.
Last year was a nightmare. This year, notifications were actually
faster for Young Canada Works, but a little on the slow side for Canada
Summer Jobs. The design of these grants is not for the consumer, but
for the voter. The amounts actually distributed are relatively small
compared with most other Government expenditures, especially in light of
the fact that cultural institutions add tremendously to the economy in
relationship to real costs - especially in non-suburban areas where they
help circulate money in regions where boom and bust is a fact of life,
but also the back bone of the general Canadian economy. Grants could be
simplified by establishing a body that the funds could be transferred to
in the year prior to the actual expenditures. It is not like we would
be distributing huge sums of money or setting up a body that does not
already exist if it was say the BCMA or the CMA. =20
=20
Another issue that I have with the granting system is the age limits. I
have been told by workers in the agencies that this would never change.
Not only are age limits discriminatory for older students/people, it
limits our ability to fill positions in an economy where young people
are no longer the group that should be targeted.
=20
Another issue that is part of the problem is that Governments also fear
having employees and try to guard against this by not entering
situations where they are obliged to support an institution. There is
the fear of having to have large payouts for laying off people; fear of
coherent collective actions that might be a cost burden to the tax
payer; fear of having a capital/operational cost and a potential threat
to their mandate and a fear that anything that does not have an
immediately visible return (i.e. I will sell you this bag of chips for
$1 and I get $0.30 cents for doing so). Analysis of cultural value in
real dollars has demonstrated time and time again, that having a well
functioning cultural institution that works with other elements of our
society provides not only the ephemeral emotional aspects of respect for
history/ideas/ideals/creativity, etc. but pays off in cash. I am still
trying to figure out why Scotland with not much more population and a
lot less land mass (than B.C.) can put in five times as much money into
heritage - remember this is Scotland, the land with the reputation for
having people who are quite prudent in their expenditures. As a tax
payer, I can see the obligation point. But, I can also understand
economics that point to a better method of dealing with the Cultural
situation. In the past I have suggested that a Foundation be
established for this purpose into which Governments might place
endowments with the aim towards stability in the Cultural sector. But,
this was not commented on, except for one person who indicated that they
did not want to have another foundation. But, I have not heard any
other suggestions to effect change. Is the status quo suitable then?
Is this what people in the Cultural sector want - late grants and no
employees? Or, are these concerns only for people like Rosaleen and
myself - in the frozen north? =20
W. (Bill) G. Quackenbush, Curator=20
Barkerville Historic Town,=20
Box 19, Barkerville, B.C. V0K 1B0=20
Telephone: 1-888-994-3332; ex. 25=20
Fax: 1-250-994-3435=20
bill.quackenbush@barkerville.ca=20
visit - www.barkerville.ca for general information=20
________________________________
From: bcma-l-admin@museumsassn.bc.ca
[mailto:bcma-l-admin@museumsassn.bc.ca]=20
Sent: May 9, 2008 2:31 PM
To: bcma-l@museumsassn.bc.ca
Subject: [Bcma-l] Summer Student funding confirmation delay
=20
For some organizations the confirmation of funding has come too late -
many of the students here in the northern communities have already found
positions. Museums and libraries received calls saying that they would
probably receive funding but the confirmation did not come through for
another 3 - 4 weeks. I have heard this is because the government was
slow in releasing confirmation of funding to Service Canada.
=20
Maybe the government should be made aware of the consequences of these
delays. Unfortunately, it is Service Canada's beleaguered front line
staff who often have to bear the brunt of people's frustrations.
=20
Rosaleen Ward
Museum Coordinator
Hudson's Hope Museum
9510 Beattie Drive
Box 98
Hudson's Hope
BC V0C 1V0
Phone (250) 783 5735
Fax (250) 783 5770
e mail hhmuseum@pris.ca
=20
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<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 color=3Dblue face=3D"Times New =
Roman"><span
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman";color:blue'>May =
13, 2008 <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 color=3Dblue face=3D"Times New =
Roman"><span
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New =
Roman";color:blue'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 color=3Dblue face=3D"Times New =
Roman"><span
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New =
Roman";color:blue'>Re:
Issues with funding.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 color=3Dblue face=3D"Times New =
Roman"><span
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New =
Roman";color:blue'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 color=3Dblue face=3D"Times New =
Roman"><span
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman";color:blue'>I =
cannot
agree more with what Rosaleen Ward put forward with regard to =
funding. I
would suggest a series of changes with regard to grant funding for the
museum/library fields that depend on summer grant programs to =
operate. It
has been increasingly difficult to staff positions in the north. =
The
Businesses at Barkerville have been feeling the crunch as well, as =
students and
young people find positions that are more financially rewarding prior to =
the
disbursement of grants. This has been going on in the business =
world for
a little longer, but is similar to the issues we in the museum community =
have
been feeling for several years – outside of the normal issue of =
having
funding distributed at the wrong time of the year and inconsistently =
– there
are not sufficient young people to operate effectively and the wages are =
not
sufficient to attract young people from other more lucrative =
opportunities.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 color=3Dblue face=3D"Times New =
Roman"><span
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New =
Roman";color:blue'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 color=3Dblue face=3D"Times New =
Roman"><span
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New =
Roman";color:blue'>Governments
operate on a yearly budget – voted on usually at the beginning of =
April
or thereabouts. Any delays in distribution of voted funds are =
reflected
in late adjudication of any grants. This is a huge problem for
recruitment purposes and for being able to sustain a normal planning =
phase for
the work flow. If grants were voted on for distribution prior to =
April 1<sup>st</sup>
– say by the end of December, then we would be able to recruit =
with
confidence that we can actually hire someone to carry out a plan. =
As it
is, we scramble each year when the funds come down for both students and
getting our programs in place. Last year was a nightmare. =
This
year, notifications were actually faster for Young Canada Works, but a =
little
on the slow side for Canada Summer Jobs. The design of these =
grants is
not for the consumer, but for the voter. The amounts actually =
distributed
are relatively small compared with most other Government expenditures,
especially in light of the fact that cultural institutions add =
tremendously to
the economy in relationship to real costs – especially in =
non-suburban
areas where they help circulate money in regions where boom and bust is =
a fact
of life, but also the back bone of the general Canadian economy. =
Grants
could be simplified by establishing a body that the funds could be =
transferred
to in the year prior to the actual expenditures. It is not like we =
would
be distributing huge sums of money or setting up a body that does not =
already
exist if it was say the BCMA or the CMA. =
<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 color=3Dblue face=3D"Times New =
Roman"><span
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New =
Roman";color:blue'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 color=3Dblue face=3D"Times New =
Roman"><span
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New =
Roman";color:blue'>Another issue
that I have with the granting system is the age limits. I have =
been told
by workers in the agencies that this would never change. Not only =
are age
limits discriminatory for older students/people, it limits our ability =
to fill
positions in an economy where young people are no longer the group that =
should
be targeted.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 color=3Dblue face=3D"Times New =
Roman"><span
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New =
Roman";color:blue'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 color=3Dblue face=3D"Times New =
Roman"><span
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New =
Roman";color:blue'>Another issue
that is part of the problem is that Governments also fear having =
employees and
try to guard against this by not entering situations where they are =
obliged to
support an institution. There is the fear of having to have large =
payouts
for laying off people; fear of coherent collective actions that might be =
a cost
burden to the tax payer; fear of having a capital/operational cost and a
potential threat to their mandate and a fear that anything that does not =
have
an immediately visible return (i.e. I will sell you this bag of chips =
for $1
and I get $0.30 cents for doing so). Analysis of cultural value in =
real
dollars has demonstrated time and time again, that having a well =
functioning
cultural institution that works with other elements of our society =
provides not
only the ephemeral emotional aspects of respect for =
history/ideas/ideals/creativity,
etc. but pays off in cash. I am still trying to figure out why =
Scotland
with not much more population and a lot less land mass (than B.C.) can =
put in
five times as much money into heritage – remember this is =
Scotland, the
land with the reputation for having people who are quite prudent in =
their
expenditures. As a tax payer, I can see the obligation =
point. But,
I can also understand economics that point to a better method of dealing =
with
the Cultural situation. In the past I have suggested that a =
Foundation be
established for this purpose into which Governments might place =
endowments with
the aim towards stability in the Cultural sector. But, this was =
not
commented on, except for one person who indicated that they did not want =
to
have another foundation. But, I have not heard any other =
suggestions to
effect change. Is the status quo suitable then? Is this what =
people
in the Cultural sector want – late grants and no employees? =
Or, are
these concerns only for people like Rosaleen and myself – in the =
frozen
north? <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<div>
<p><font size=3D3 color=3Dblue face=3D"Times New Roman"><span =
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;
color:blue'>W. (Bill) G. Quackenbush, Curator <br>
Barkerville Historic Town, <br>
Box 19, Barkerville, B.C. V0K 1B0 <br>
Telephone: 1-888-994-3332; ex. 25 <br>
Fax: 1-250-994-3435 <br>
bill.quackenbush@barkerville.ca <br>
visit - www.barkerville.ca for general information =
</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<div class=3DMsoNormal align=3Dcenter =
style=3D'margin-left:36.0pt;text-align:center'><font
size=3D3 face=3D"Times New Roman"><span =
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman"'>
<hr size=3D2 width=3D"100%" align=3Dcenter tabindex=3D-1>
</span></font></div>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'margin-left:36.0pt'><b><font size=3D2 =
face=3DTahoma><span
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma;font-weight:bold'>From:</spa=
n></font></b><font
size=3D2 face=3DTahoma><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma'>
bcma-l-admin@museumsassn.bc.ca [mailto:bcma-l-admin@museumsassn.bc.ca] =
<br>
<b><span style=3D'font-weight:bold'>Sent:</span></b> May 9, 2008 2:31 =
PM<br>
<b><span style=3D'font-weight:bold'>To:</span></b> <st1:PersonName =
w:st=3D"on">bcma-l@museumsassn.bc.ca</st1:PersonName><br>
<b><span style=3D'font-weight:bold'>Subject:</span></b> [Bcma-l] Summer =
Student
funding confirmation delay</span></font><font size=3D3 face=3D"Times New =
Roman"><span
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New =
Roman"'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'margin-left:36.0pt'><font size=3D2 =
face=3DCalibri><span
style=3D'font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'margin-left:36.0pt'><font size=3D2 =
face=3DCalibri><span
style=3D'font-size:11.0pt'>For some organizations the confirmation of =
funding has
come too late – many of the students here in the northern =
communities
have already found positions. Museums and libraries received calls =
saying
that they would probably receive funding but the confirmation did not =
come
through for another 3 – 4 weeks. I have heard this is =
because the
government was slow in releasing confirmation of funding to Service =
Canada.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'margin-left:36.0pt'><font size=3D2 =
face=3DCalibri><span
style=3D'font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'margin-left:36.0pt'><font size=3D2 =
face=3DCalibri><span
style=3D'font-size:11.0pt'>Maybe the government should be made aware of =
the
consequences of these delays. Unfortunately, it is Service =
Canada’s
beleaguered front line staff who often have to bear the brunt of =
people’s
frustrations.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'margin-left:36.0pt'><font size=3D2 =
face=3DCalibri><span
style=3D'font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'margin-left:36.0pt'><font size=3D3
face=3D"Times New Roman"><span =
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman"'>Rosaleen
Ward<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'margin-left:36.0pt'><font size=3D3
face=3D"Times New Roman"><span =
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman"'>Museum
Coordinator<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'margin-left:36.0pt'><st1:City =
w:st=3D"on"><font size=3D3
face=3D"Times New Roman"><span =
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New =
Roman"'>Hudson</span></font></st1:City><font
size=3D3 face=3D"Times New Roman"><span =
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman"'>'s
<st1:place w:st=3D"on"><st1:PlaceName w:st=3D"on">Hope</st1:PlaceName> =
<st1:PlaceName
=
w:st=3D"on">Museum</st1:PlaceName></st1:place><o:p></o:p></span></font></=
p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'margin-left:36.0pt'><st1:Street =
w:st=3D"on"><st1:address
w:st=3D"on"><font size=3D3 face=3D"Times New Roman"><span =
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman"'>9510 Beattie =
Drive</span></font></st1:address></st1:Street><font
size=3D3 face=3D"Times New Roman"><span =
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New =
Roman"'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'margin-left:36.0pt'><st1:address =
w:st=3D"on"><st1:Street
w:st=3D"on"><font size=3D3 face=3D"Times New Roman"><span =
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman"'>Box</span></font></st1:Street><font =
size=3D3
face=3D"Times New Roman"><span =
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman"'>
98</span></font></st1:address><font size=3D3 face=3D"Times New =
Roman"><span
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New =
Roman"'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'margin-left:36.0pt'><st1:City =
w:st=3D"on"><st1:place
w:st=3D"on"><font size=3D3 face=3D"Times New Roman"><span =
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New =
Roman"'>Hudson</span></font></st1:place></st1:City><font
size=3D3 face=3D"Times New Roman"><span =
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman"'>'s
Hope<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'margin-left:36.0pt'><font size=3D3
face=3D"Times New Roman"><span =
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman"'>BC
V0C 1V0<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'margin-left:36.0pt'><font size=3D3
face=3D"Times New Roman"><span =
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman"'>Phone
(250) 783 5735<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'margin-left:36.0pt'><font size=3D3
face=3D"Times New Roman"><span =
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman"'>Fax
(250) 783 5770<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'margin-left:36.0pt'><font size=3D3
face=3D"Times New Roman"><span =
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman"'>e
mail <st1:PersonName =
w:st=3D"on">hhmuseum@pris.ca</st1:PersonName><o:p></o:p></span></font></p=
>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'margin-left:36.0pt'><font size=3D2 =
face=3DCalibri><span
style=3D'font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
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