People on the Move

Welcome to:

Borden MFRC –
Tammy Barclay, Board Chair
Greenwood MFRC –
Annette Davidson, Board Chair
Kim McMahon, Board Vice-Chair
Wendy Lush, Board Treasurer
Cathy Cook, Board Secretary
Margaret Reid, Executive Director
Shannon Doubleday, Prevention, Support & Intervention Coordinator
Paula Davison, Deployment Services Coordinator
Stephanie Townsend, Adult Programs & Employment Services Coordinator
Meaford MFRC –
Jackie Charron, Board Chair
CMFRC Naples –
Beth Fotheringham, Director
MFSP Remote Services –
Katherine Spenser-Ross, Advisory Committee Chair
CMFRC SHAPE –
Cheryl Rocheleau, Director
Helen St. Marie, Advisory Committee Chair
Tri-Community CMFRC Geilenkirchen –
Laurel Boyle, Director

Thank you and Goodbye to:

Borden MFRC –
Julie Verner, Board Chair
Meaford MFRC –
Pat Kennedy, Board Chair
CMFRC Naples –
Maydon Dods-Green, Director
CMFRC SHAPE –
Anna Ballard, Director
Ulla Ruiters, Advisory Committee Chair
Tri-Community CMFRC Geilenkirchen –
Maureen Cheeseman, Director
Melissa Koene, Advisory Committee Co-chair

Families First

Submitted by Gail Thorne, Executive Director,
Goose Bay MFRC

Reconnecting with loved ones deployed far from home has been made easier thanks to the Goose Bay Military Family Resource Centre (MFRC). In preparation for a 2008 unit deployment from Goose Bay, staff at the MFRC, in cooperation with Director, Information Management Technology, Products, & Services (DIMTPS) in Ottawa, have acquired a Video Television Conferencing (VTC) system on a temporary basis. Locally, Goose Bay MFRC arranged an Internet connection that the Wing Commander, Col. Mark Matheson, was kind enough to support through his funding.

VTC, a technology used widely on military sites and in the government, provides cost-effective communication over large distances when all parties cannot be present for meetings. While many MFRCs work with local commands to use military VTC terminals and existing VTC networks, access often depends on the availability.

Our military VTC terminal was located in the Wing Commander’s conference room, which created a number of challenges. The room required advance booking which is not always possible due to the schedules of personnel serving in Afghanistan. Time zone differences between Goose Bay and Afghanistan introduced the problem of having the room available after hours. Another and possibly more important problem was one of privacy because families of serving members wanted the option of communicating with loved ones in a private environment. While I’m certain every effort would be made to ensure a private setting for the families, the MFRC is a more private, relaxed setting for such communications.

We have all recognized the power of video conferencing technology. When a soldier is separated from their loved ones, the ability to see family on a television screen and communicate is wonderful – especially for children. We currently have two VTC sites in Afghanistan that are managed through CFPSA with the local PSP coordinator on site.

While we are excited about the ability to offer this new service to Canadian Forces families, we are thankful for the partnerships we developed along the way. DIMTPS in Ottawa who are responsible for the VTC project were fantastic in their support and assistance and we are grateful for everything they have done to make this a reality for us. The support and technical expertise provided by Serco Ground Electronics Services section made this project come together seamlessly. The PSP coordinator in Afghanistan helped with the protocol involved in using this method of communication. The local Wing Commander recognized the hardships faced by families of serving military members and provided support at every step along the way to making this possible.

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