Fort Liard (Feb 25/05) - In the one year since the Community Action Team was formed in Fort Liard, how does the group measure its success?

Nancy Smith, one of 11 volunteers on the committee, said she gauges progress by the increasing number of community members who attend events hosted by the Community Action Team.

Those events have included workshops on traditional healing, HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis C, peer pressure, bullying and drugs and alcohol. As well, there have been comedy performances by Don Burnstick, monthly craft nights and jam sessions.

"If you see more youth involved and you have an event where you see more parents out there, you say, 'You know what, it is having an impact,'" Smith said. "That's kind of our measuring stick."

Spearheaded by Dianne Gonet, the group was formed to promote a substance-free lifestyle for Fort Liard's residents by offering healthy and positive pursuits.

"The comments on some of the activities that we've had so far, like with Don Burnstick, the traditional healing workshop, the peer pressure (workshop), it's all been positive so far," said Gonet. "Even if we're helping one person it's worth all the work that we're putting into it."

The Community Action Team has representation from the hamlet, the RCMP, health and social services, the school, the district education authority and ordinary community members. John McKee, the hamlet's senior administrative officer, has been a wizard at finding event funding from various sources, according to Gonet.

Because there are a limited number of regular volunteers, she noted that the group has been pacing itself, trying not to take on too many activities and "burn out" the committee members.

Gonet and Smith agreed that more volunteers would certainly be welcome.

"If you want to be part of the committee, please, we encourage it, come!" Smith said emphatically. "Your opinions are always useful."

Gonet suggested that other communities might want to look at setting up similar initiatives.

"If we can do it, sure, anybody else can," she said. "It seems to be working. There's hope out there."