SIRRA AGM Minutes of May 28, 2017 DRAFT for approval at 2018 SIRRA AGM

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2017 Annual General Meeting, May 28, 2017
Saturna Recreation Centre
Draft Minutes
Directors Present: David Osborne, Ron Hall, Jeanne Crerar, Bill Schermbrucker, Michael Fry
There were eight additional members and guests present.
1. Call to order , welcome and quorum
Chair, David Osborne called the meeting to order at 1:10 pm with acknowledgment that we are meeting on historic lands of the Coast Salish Peoples with thanks for their hospitality.
There was a quorum present.
2. Approval of Agenda
Approved as circulated.
3. Approval of Minutes of AGM May 28, 2016
The 2016 AGM minutes have been posted on the SIRRA website.
Motion: Jeanne Crerar/Ron Hall moved to approve the minutes of the May 28, 2016 SIRRA AGM. Carried
4. President's Report (David Osborne, acting) - David presented his report (attached).
Motion: David Osborne/Michael Fry moved to accept the President's Report . Carried
4.1 Motion: David Osborne/ Ron Hall, moved to ratify/endorse the acts of the Directors of the 2016-17 SIRRA Board. Carried
Saturna Island Ratepayers and Residents Association
SIRRA AGM Minutes of May 28, 2017 DRAFT for approval at 2018 SIRRA AGM
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5. Treasurer's Report
5.1 Presentation by Ron Hall - Ron reviewed the revenue and expenditures. Current balance = $8,538.60.
In response to a member question relating to cost of using Pay Pal , he noted that it depends slightly on the membership term being paid (eg 1yr, 2yr or 3 yr) but is approximately 2%.
5.2 Motion to approve Treasurer's report (attached)
Motion: Jeanne Crerar/ Bill Schermbrucker moved to accept the Treasurer's Report. Carried
6. Committee Reports
6.1 Membership
The membership report (attached) was presented by Ron Hall. At the present time there are 211 members, with 183 in good standing and 28 arrears.
In response to a member question about how to find out whether his dues were outstanding Ron noted that reminders of dues renewal are usually sent out in November. Membership runs from Jan1 to Dec. 31.
6.2 Member Survey
Bill Schermbrucker presented the Member Survey results from Survey Monkey. Again this year the top 4 concerns relate to ferry services, health services, roads and property taxes. Consideration to possibly purchase the more in-depth Survey Monkey service will be explored at the next regular meeting of the SIRRA Board. Copies of the report will be scanned and posted on the List Serve and on the website. Committee members are Bill, Jeanne Crerar and Michael Fry.
6.3 Communications
David Osborne presented the communications report (attached). He invited someone with more technology knowledge to take on the list-serve communication function. No-one volunteered at this time. Anyone with the skills and interest to do this is requested to contact David.
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SIRRA AGM Minutes of May 28, 2017 DRAFT for approval at 2018 SIRRA AGM
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6.4 Health Committee
Jeanne Crerar presented her report (attached) Tom Johnstone also provide insight into the role and functions of the Sustainable Health Funding Committee (SHFC). Significant issues relate to the limited potential of continuing to rely on the Lamb BBQ to fund the clinic as well as the Community Hall expenses. Tom spoke to the needs of the community being explored by the committee, reliance on the Lamb BBQ as the main funding source and exploring other sources. Currently the committee is working on collecting accurate hard data relating to population figures, needs, demands and actual costs of various services prior to soliciting community input and focusing on possible solutions. As a member of SIRRA, Tom will continue participating on this committee, as will current Board Chair David Osborne.
6.5 Roads Report
Michael Fry presented the Roads Report (attached).
7. Election of Directors
7.1 Nominations from the floor
The resignation of Tom Johnstone having been accepted with regret May 28, 2017, the five current members have agreed to stand for the coming year. This meets the minimum for a quorum. Chair David Osborne called for further nominations from the floor three times. No further nominations were received.
There is a policy for members to attend electronically. It was also noted that the Board has the authority to appoint directors to fill the remaining positions. Members were encouraged to suggest individuals they know who might be interested. Also, interested individuals are invited to contact one of the current Board members for more information about what is involved.
7.2 Election As there were no nominations from the floor, there was no election. The five current Directors will continue. This will constitute a quorum. A full Board consists of nine members so with four vacancies remaining, the Board will continue to recruit interested individuals to fill out their number.
Saturna Island Ratepayers and Residents Association
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8. New Business
8.1 Request for Member Input - Bill Schermbrucker requested input from members of new or different questions they would like to have included in the next member survey. He also made note of the dangerous condition of Harris Road, especially the narrow section proceeding past Barry Crooks' mill. Various actions have been taken, including having roads officials visit to see the condition of Harris Road. The SGI RCMP even wrote a letter to the highways minister on behalf of Saturna and still it continues to be a hazard. Ideas of how to get action on this matter are requested; submit to Michael or any other Board member. One member suggested this may be a good time to approach our new MLA about this issue.
9. Adjournment of AGM Business - the meeting was declared adjourned at 1:55pm.
Keynote Speakers: after a short break, former Truth & Reconciliation Commissioner Jane Morley and
honorary Blackfoot elder Morgan Yates shared their insights on the topic Saturna Island & First Nations
- Exploring the Past, Present & Future of Shared Lands & Water.
Morgan Yates distributed a map showing Historical Treaties of Canada and shared information relating to Coast Salish occupation and the Douglas Treaties including a handout of texts of the Douglas Treaties between the Saanich Tribe - South Saanich and the Saanich Tribe - North Saanich.
Jane Morley focused her presentation on the theme of respect, a core value of Indigenous peoples - respect for all people, for all creatures, for all things, for the land. She shared some of her experiences and insights as a Commissioner during the Truth and Reconciliation hearings. Building on Morgan's information about treaties, she elaborated on the idea that issues relating to land rights are about relationship not ownership and a key to right relationship is respect.
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Acting President then presented Jane and Morgan with copies of the local book "Tafoni" produced by Islander Maureen Welton in appreciation. Recording Secretary, Bev, having resigned after long and excellent service to the organization, was also presented with a copy of the book, inscribed with thanks from each Director. We wish her the best in her 'retirement'.
Saturna Island Ratepayers and Residents Association
SIRRA AGM Minutes of May 28, 2017 DRAFT for approval at 2018 SIRRA AGM
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Saturna Island Ratepayers and Residents Association (SIRRA)
AGM Reports Attached Below
Annual report of the (acting) President. May 28, 2017
I have the honour to have been appointed the acting President of SIRRA as of January, 2017. I replaced Joan Hoskinson, the former acting President who resigned in December, 2016. New officers will be elected by your Board of Directors for the coming year following the AGM May 28, 2017. We are still accepting nominations for vacancies on the Board.
It has been a busy and interesting year. I joined your Board a year ago, as did Tom Johnstone and Susie Washington-Smyth making 8 directors and one vacancy. During the year, Susie resigned in 2016, and Charles Burslem joined and resigned after helping us with some advice and information about the IR7 logging proposal. Six directors remain and we hope to fill three vacancies at this year's AGM or shortly after. If you are interested in being part of the Board, please let me, or any director know.
I thank all of the directors over the past year for their hard work and contributions, and especially to our Recording Secretary Bev Lowsley who is a pillar of consistency for us. Thanks also to Harvey Janszen for support with our web site.
Membership continued strong with a significant proportion of full and part-time Islanders. Please respond to our call for membership renewals to help the organization remain credible in our interactions with government.
Our primary focus in the past year has been on the logging proposal for IR7 which surfaced last Spring and consumed the attention of the Board, and the Island since. Your Board worked with the Community Club and the Local Trust Committee (LTC) to facilitate public consultation between the First Nations involved and the Settler community on the Island. It went very well, as did a public workshop on First Nations' language and culture. At this year's AGM, we will continue this focus
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SIRRA AGM Minutes of May 28, 2017 DRAFT for approval at 2018 SIRRA AGM
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with a presentation from Morgan Yates and Jane Morley. In the coming year, we will also support the efforts of the LTC and others to improve relations with First Nations on our Island.
With respect to 'business' matters, we relocated the Registered and Records office of SIRRA to Saturna Island, at the address of the Secretary, David Osborne. Those records have been brought up to date. We will be addressing the transition
of the Association under the provisions of the new Societies Act in the coming year. Your Board also adopted a number of new policies clarifying practices on Communications, Guests at meetings, Electronic attendance at meetings, 'In Camera' meetings, and a Code of Ethics. These can be found in full on the website under the tab “policies”.
Harvey Janszen was hired during the past year to maintain and update the website. We are posting more information such as minutes, the policies and correspondence in an effort to communicate more effectively and be open about what the Board is doing. We invite you to participate by posting on the list serve, asking questions of the Board, or by attending any of our meetings as a guest.
Please support our work as you are able – contact any Board member with your ideas, post on the list serve, come out to a Board meeting and see what we do, visit the website, and consider becoming a director.
Thank you, David Osborne, Acting President
Saturna Island Ratepayers and Residents Association
SIRRA AGM Minutes of May 28, 2017 DRAFT for approval at 2018 SIRRA AGM
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Saturna Island Ratepayers and Residents Association
Treasurer's Report - AGM Summary 2017

COMMITTEE REPORTS
Communications Report
I took on this work from Dian Johnstone a year ago with the support and guidance of Susie Washington-Smyth and Ron Hall. Thank you Susie and Ron. Since I am essentially computer-unfriendly and not on Facebook, I'm not an ideal person for this job but have muddled through somehow. If you have an interest in this stuff, by all means rescue me, and SIRRA!
Our efforts to communicate effectively with the membership include the web site, the list serve, occasional posters and mail outs, and the Scribbler and our annual survey.
You can consult the web site for minutes of meetings, policies and correspondence.
You can attend meetings to see what your Board is doing.
Saturna Island Ratepayers and Residents Association
SIRRA AGM Minutes of May 28, 2017 DRAFT for approval at 2018 SIRRA AGM
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You can post on the list serve at sirra_members@yahoogroups.com
You can write to any Board member or phone. We appreciate the several thoughtful responses and comments we received through email from members about IR7 and other issues through the year. You can post your responses and comments on the list serve as well so others can see them, and perhaps respond.
You can consult the calendar of events on the web site.
Thanks to Bev Lowsley and Harvey Janszen for help in keeping the web site current.
Please participate in the annual survey as it helps us set priorities based upon what you want.
Sincerely
David Osborne
Report on Saturna Health Issues
May 28, 2017
Health Services at the Saturna Medical Center are funded in part by the Community Club, from funds raised at the July 1st Lamb Barbecue. The physician and nurse practitioners are funded by the province through Island Health.
This year brought some major changes, with Joan Selby becoming chair of the group. An initiative by a separate group to explore tax-based funding for medical services began early in the year. Tom Johnstone will speak to
that initiative and the process so far. Discussions about a possible referendum and the health-related needs of
our community took much time, as a result.
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As well, we became concerned that our island had undergone a change in classification within Island Health, which could affect the funding we get for medical services. After some investigation it was verified that Saturna still has remote community status.
We also experienced some indirect communication about staffing changes, when some committee members learned of two major changes at a Gulf Islands Advisory meeting. Our assumption had been that such information would go directly to the Community Club, as the contractor with Island Health.
Finally we welcomed a presentation from an Island Health representative about the formation of a Gulf Islands Community Health Network. The outcome was a community meeting for a similar presentation, but with discussion specific to our needs on Saturna. The concept of "determinants of wellness" expanded the discussion about medical
services to the requirements for a healthy community for people of all ages and needs.
Jeanne Crerar
ROADS REPORT
The issue of roads continues to be a high priority for SIRRA members, usually ranking 2nd/3rd on the annual members survey, after ferry service, property taxes and health. Considering that Mainland Contractors has only one representative on this island (Pat Ropars) our roads are in remarkably good shape.
This winter the last 4 months had been harsh to say the least but Pat continued to make his daily rounds of the island sanding, plowing, removing fallen trees on the roads working day and night, often with little rest.
Now potholes are again being filled as needed, some roads will be oiled as needed to keep the dust down, roadside ditches are getting cleaned out and roadside grass is starting to be cut back. All this work by one man.
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The SIRRA Board, at a recent meeting decided to send Pat Ropars a thank you for his efforts, especially over the last winter. It reads as follows:
March 15, 2017
At a recent meeting of the Board of Directors of SIRRA it was unanimously agreed that we send you a letter recognizing your efforts in keeping Saturna roads safe, not only all year but specifically over the past 3 - 4 months. Considering you mostly work alone, the long hours you put in and the severe winter conditions you face, the Board feels you deserve a big thank you for a job well done.
I encourage SIRRA members when you see Pat, to acknowledge his efforts and of course to let him know of any safety issues you notice when driving our roads.
The issue of Harris Road continues to be a huge concern for us all. Pat actually calls it a mountain road which it surely is. A resident recently told me that since the NDP did so well in the Vancouver Island ridings maybe it is time to renew contacts with them and maybe pressure can be brought to bear on the Minister of Transport for a solution to the road before a serious accident happens. We will pursue this suggestion.
Michael Fry