Disability Insurance as a Financial Strategy

We talked to Kevin Plouffe of MPY Financial Strategies here in Prince George to discuss how insurance can actually be used as a financial strategy. Good to know if you're striking it out on your own, you've finished school, starting a new business, are in the work force, or heading into the work force. Whatever industry you're in or headed towards, there is likely a risk associated with it. The opportunity to learn how to mitigate it is here.#howtohedgeyourbets!

You can catch a free seminar on the topic on March 6th @ UNBC's Senate Chambers 1-3 pm @ CNC's Rm 1306 4-6 pm It's open to the public, questions are welcome, with snacks and refreshments provided.

Email or call Wendie to register: wendie@mpyfs.com 250-563-1212

[embed]https://www.mixcloud.com/cfurvolunteer/20170201-ian-interview-with-kevin-plouffe-mpy-disability-insurance-as-a-financial-strategy/[/embed]

Petition: Help protect Quesnel Lake!

Do you remember the Mount Polley Mine tailings dam failure in August 2014? This disastrous breach caused the loss of 17 million cubic meters of water and 8 million cubic meters of tailings/materials into Polley Lake, Hazeltine Creek and Quesnel Lake. As a long-term solution for wastewater management,

Imperial Metals is currently proposing to channel the mine's untreated effluent directly into Quesnel Lake.

Folks living in Cariboo communities (Likely, Big Lake, etc.) have put together a petition, urging the provincial government to look closer at potential long-term environmental impacts of this proposal.

You can help protect BC waterways + wildlife by signing this petition.

 It will be delivered to the BC Ministry of Environment, Minister of Environment of BC Mary Polak, and Cariboo North MLA Coralee Oakes. The petition page includes links to learn more about the issue, as well as Mary Polak's contact info.

https://www.change.org/p/the-bc-ministry-of-environment-water-is-precious-tell-the-bc-government-to-stand-up-for-quesnel-lake-and-river?recruiter=645778145&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=share_email_responsive

Post by Dara Campbell

Site C Dam - Perspective of Yvonne Tupper, member of Saulteau First Nation

Yvonne Tupper of the Saulteau First Nation Speaks a Coresspondent at CFUR 88.7 FM in Prince George BC. Since the Peace River in British Columbia's Peace Country area was declared a working river, her family has been drastically affected by development along the river for generations. She shares her perspective on the most recent of British Columbia Hydro's major projects, the 8.8 Billion dollar Site-C Dam. Some information on the topic can be found at these sources: http://www.stakeinthepeace.com/plant-... http://raventrust.com/join-the-circle... https://www.sitecproject.com/ https://lailayuile.com/ http://www.businesspress24.com/direct...

You are encouraged to search out further sources and develop your own conclusions.

[embed]https://www.mixcloud.com/cfurvolunteer/20161128-site-c-dam-perspective-of-yvonne-tupper-member-of-saulteau-first-nation/[/embed]

Pic Credit: https://www.instagram.com/k_frank_/ www.mypeaceriver.com

NUGSS goes into more detail

CFUR News reported yesterday after the NUGSS annual general meeting that the organization was coming on hard times. We sat down with Eric Depenau who is the Vice President of Finance for NUGSS.  

Listen to the Full Interview here:

[mixcloud width="300" height="200" cover="1" mini="1" light="1" autoplay="1" tracklist="1" artwork="1" iframe="true" ]https://www.mixcloud.com/cfurvolunteer/interview-with-eric-depenau-vp-finance-nugss/[/mixcloud]

At present NUGSS is facing a $99,000 dollar deficit and $49,000 short term debt load for a loan taken out in 2010 to deal with operational revenue short falls. The final aspect to the NUGSS debt loan is on $1.8 million for a loan used to renovate the NUSC space when NUGSS originally started leasing the space from UNBC.

The loan which was originally for $100,000 and was from Bank of Montreal was taken out in 2010.

Subleasing the Thirsty Moose space, Degrees coffee shop as well as the office spaces on the top floor of the NUSC are one of a couple options NUGSS is looking at to balance the budget. Other options are raising the prices of food, or even the possible closure of the Thirsty Moose Pub and Degrees. Right now NUGSS is in talks with some outside groups to take over these business however nothing is definitive and they may not even go down that road, Depenau stressed.

Depenau stressed the idea that the past boards of NUGSS did the best job they could with the information they had. He also felt strongly that these austerity should put NUGSS in a better position as long as they also stick to long term planning. It is unclear after this interview if insitutional measures around accountability will be put in place after this trouble but on thing is sure NUGSS is keeping an open mind.

For more information: http://www.cfur.ca/nugss-hits-rough-waters/

*Updated as new information is learned*

NUGSS Hits Rough Waters

The Northern Undergraduate Student Society got some stark news from their auditor KPMG that shows the organization has taken losses year over year. The historical mismanagement of funds has led to a $100,000 debt to BC Transit for the Upass. NUGSS hopes to repay this back by the end of BC Transits fiscal year however that will require strict austerity measures.

VP Finance:

According to KPMG “Negative cash flows from operations in the current year and has a working capital and general fund deficiency … these conditions, along with other matters indicate the existence of material uncertainties that may cast significant doubt about UNBC Northern Undergraduate Student Societies ability to continue as an ongoing concern”.

One of the first measures NUGSS is taking is to work with the university to ensure that student fee's go up to match CPI indexing. This was approved by the student population in 2012 but was never acted on, and therefore "tens of thousands" of dollars has been lost according to NUGSS.

The student health and dental reserve fund has not be properly built up over the years. The funds that were supposed to be going into this reserve were being allocated to general revenue instead. That has been changed and for the future funds will now consistently go to this fund in order to ensure that there is a backup in place.

The Student and Conference building is another area of concern. According to NUGSS $373,341 in "Building Fees" that ensure the upkeep of the Student Centre building, have also been going to operating costs instead. NUGSS plans to pull back on the spending of "building fees" for general operation over the years in order to build up a backup fund for the buildings repairs and maintenance needs.

In order to meet these mounting problems the Moose and Degrees are being looked at. Both NUGSS businesses lose money and it has been stated that that must to change. The board has asked management to look into possible solutions for both organizations. Reductions in hours, raising costs of products, leasing out of space to other organizations, or possibly even the closure of the business all together are on the table.

Other changes NUGSS will be looking at:

• The board of NUGSS is looking to cut the current boards pay by 7.27%
• General Manager volunteered to cut pay by 20%
• Decrease MAC funding by 20% until current obligations are met
• Get more tenants along the top floor of NUSC
• Current tenants, Example CFUR, Over the Edge, Pride Centre, PGPIRG, will begin to be charged
• Will not be shouldering the financial burden of Northern Students Give Back next year
• GM to reduce risk and cost of the Backyard BBQ next year
• No plans for direct oversight of NUGGS is on the table

These changes are by far extensive and far reaching however according to NUGSS necessary to ensure the past years of financial mismanagement are remedied.

*Update 10/27/2016* When asked about whether the financial mismanagement in the past would prompt more oversight of NUGSS. General Manager Duncan Malkinson replied that it is the purpose of the annual general meeting to hold NUGSS accountable.

Grant Bachand - News Director, @grantbachand

Due North Interview with Dr. Oscar Venter

Due North had Dr. Oscar Venter in the studio to discuss his research on the human impact on the environment. Dr.Venter highlights how the economic rate is growing but yet the environment impact is not keeping pace with it, could this mean we are getting more efficient? Dr. Venter explains what it all means. To see his map on human impact on the environment here is a link.

http://wcshumanfootprint.org/

[embed]https://www.mixcloud.com/studenttalks/dr-oscar-venter-due-north-interview/[/embed]

Interview with Spencer Morphy, of The Velveteins - 20160816

In August of 2016, we caught up with Spencer Morphy, of The Velveteins during breakfast and talked labels, surf, winter, and more. Check out their sound on bandcamp:

...and tune in to 88.7FM to catch them during the Barrage of Garage, Ether in the Attic, and soooo much more

Here's the interview:

[embed]https://www.mixcloud.com/cfurvolunteer/20160816-interview-with-spencer-morphy-of-the-velveteins/[/embed]

pic credit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rssZ2AjA5F8

CFUR Presents: A Current Events Internship!

Need 3.0 credits?

Going into 4th year POLS or ENGL?

Have an interest in RADIO?

Check, Check, Check?

An internship is available:

-No matter what end of the political spectrum you align with, your efforts are valuable to us.

-get on-the-job media experience

-valuable expereince to a number of professions

-learn how journalists think, whether you become one or end up talking to one in your career path.

-Aids in presentation confidence. Practice makes perfect.

-Flexible schedule, don’t have to broadcast LIVE all the time, we have ability to record news

-focus on local, buffered by provincial, national, international events

-email your CV to programming@cfur.ca

-Volunteering, interning, puts you in line for employment

-professionals in CBC here in town, @ the Drive,

-Sports down south, it’s an open field up North

-Events Coordinators booking shows and making $ here in town

-You pay a student fee, take advantage of it

- + We have lots of fun parties. Work hard play hard

Peter Jackson talks air quality

Peter Jackson local professor of environmental studies talks air quality in prince George.

[embed]https://www.mixcloud.com/cfurvolunteer/due-north-peter-jackson-talks-air-quality/[/embed]