Derek Neary
Northern News Services

FORT SIMPSON (Apr 09/99) - First came the budgets, then the programming.

Cam Lehmann took on the job as the Deh Cho Society Friendship Centre's (DCSFC) finance officer back in November. Then, in January, came the added responsibilities of executive director as he willingly stepped into that role.

"It's almost like the two have come together for me. I don't know where one ends and the other begins any more," he said. He joked that he's bound to step on the new E.D.'s toes when the full-time position is filled later this month.

As finance officer, Lehmann's busiest time is upon him with the conclusion of the fiscal year. All income-statement accounts have to be closed out and bank statements have to be "reconciled," meaning that all cheques have been cashed and cash balances must match bank statements.

Being Lehmann's first job out of Lethbridge Community College, where he took two years of accounting, the fiscal year-end is something he's keen to tackle. It will undoubtedly pose some quirks that weren't addressed by his school courses, he said.

"At times I'm stumped," he said of the job. "I'll write it out on paper and sooner or later I'll come up with something that works. I do enjoy the challenge."

Lehmann, who said he plans to go back to school some day when his bills are paid, is working on his level 4 accounting. A designation as a chartered accountant, certified general accountant or a certified management accountant comes after completing Level 5 and obtaining a degree. Since he is undecided about which designation he's going to pursue, he has taken courses in both certified general accounting and certified management accounting.

"Right now I'm trying to decide," he said. "This job almost has me leaning towards CGA because of the stuff I've had to do so far."

As part of his job, Lehmann has been in charge of the Friendship Centre's core budget and budgets for the Fine Option program and a female youth-worker program. As acting executive director, who takes direction from the DCSFC senate, Lehmann has taken a more hands-on approach to existing programming and proposals for more programs.

Among the programs for which funding is being sought are a bush camp for youth, the Community Access Program (CAP) for computer and Internet access, and the return of the Aboriginal Urban Youth Summer Outreach Program (AUYSOP). The latter could see up to five work placement positions for aboriginal youth through joint funding with local organizations.

Lehmann is particularly excited about the Fort Simpson Youth Senate, consisting of 11 young men and women between the ages of 15-24. The youth senate was established two weeks ago and applied for $25,000 in funding through the Department of Heritage Canada.

Depending on whether they receive the funding, they are planning coaching clinics, a computer centre, traditional arts and crafts and setting up a radio station. If the group can remain united and productive over the next 12 months, they will be eligible for $150,000- $200,000 next year, Lehmann noted.