Faces of FCSS Bill
Bill Chapman,
Vice Chair
Barons-Eureka-Warner FCSS
By way of introduction, my venture into municipal service and politics began in 1987 when I was appointed to the local FCSS Board in Three Hills, Alberta. Encouraged by our MLA, the Hon. Connie Osterman, I ran for Town Council and was first elected in 1989.
In 1995, my wife and I moved to Lethbridge, where I enrolled at the university and earned a BA in Political Science in 2001. I returned to public service in Coaldale in 2007, and in 2017, I was appointed to the Barons-Eureka-Warner (BEW) FCSS Board. I was subsequently elected Vice-Chair, a role I am honored to hold today.
Over the past decade, our Board has advanced its governance, administration, operations, and counselling services:
- Expanded Governance: We increased board representation from nine to include all 16 municipalities we serve. We also host a biennial “All Councils Dinner and Meeting” for elected officials, administration, and staff.
- Professional Development: We actively support ongoing staff development across the organization.
- Administrative Modernization: Under the leadership of Zakk Morrison, we transitioned to Microsoft Office 365, updated HR and OH&S policies, and consolidated administrative and counselling services into a secure, centralized system. Our tracking database ensures relevant and accurate reporting for our partner municipalities and provincial departments.
- Strategic Planning & Grants: Every three years, BEW FCSS leads a strategic planning process to define our operational pillars. Proactive grant writing has driven a 51% growth in funding over the past ten years.
Key organizational milestones include:
- Digital Presence: Secured the domain www.fcss.ca (http://www.fcss.ca/) in 2017.
- Strategic Facilities: Leasing space within municipally owned facilities to strengthen local partnerships.
- Provincial Recognition: Received the 2016 FCSSAA Award of Excellence for our seniors conference format.
- Community Engagement: Active participation in McHappy Day, the Smile Cookie campaign, and 13 annual regional parades.
- Impactful Programs: Our Community Volunteer Income Tax program has filed 4,079 returns, accessing $35.7 million in benefits and refunds for local residents. Additionally, our Youth Do Crew program has engaged over 628 youth contributing more than 7,423 volunteer hours.
Looking ahead to 2027:
- Budget: The Board has approved a 0% increase in financial per capita support from our 16 municipal partners for 2027.
- Homelessness Study: Following a $200,000 provincial grant sponsored by the Town of Stirling in 2024, the Prentice Institute at the University of Lethbridge completed a comprehensive data-gathering report. An executive summary will be presented at an upcoming All Councils meeting.
I am proud of the direction of BEW FCSS and the strong leadership of Zakk Morrison, whose title was recently updated by the Board to Chief Executive Officer.
Faces of FCSS
If you want to be featured, or have someone you think should be featured, as a Face of FCSS, contact: communications@fcssaa.org
FCSSAA
The Family and Community Support Services Association of Alberta (FCSSAA) was founded in 1981, as a member-driven organization dedicated to bringing Family and Community Support Services (FCSS) programs from across the province together. We provide the platform for our member programs to connect and collaborate, so they can maximize resources and speak with an informed, credible, unified voice to all stakeholders.
