SIRRA Minutes March 7, 2015 - Final 1

Directors' Meeting Minutes
March 7, 2015 @ 3 pm
116 Winter Cove Road
Members Present: Eva Hage, Valerie McMillan, Ingrid Gaines, Bill Schermbrucker, Jeanne Crerar, Dian Johnstone, Joan Hoskinson, Ron Hall, Michael Fry
1. Call to order
Meeting was called to order at 3:07pm.
2. Approval of Agenda
Motion by Ingrid/Bill to approve the agenda. Carried
3. Approval of Previous Minutes
Motion by Michael/Bill to approve the minutes of December 6, 2014. Carried
4. Business Arising from Last Meeting
4.1. Constitution and name change to SIRRA
The Certificate of Change Name to Saturna Island Ratepayers and Residents Association, effective February 12, 2015, has been received. Bank account changes have been submitted. Current signers are Bill Schermbrucker, Michael Fry, Eva Hage and Ron Hall.
4.2. Website, logo and letterhead
When sending out letters to attract new members, Val suggested a new letterhead similar to the banner and image on the website (attractive and professional). She offered to work on a design which could be on directors' computers for use when doing SIRRA mail. Ron also suggested that for the website a variety of scenes of Saturna be available to rotate at intervals for visual appeal.
4.3. List serve
There was discussion of using Facebook as a means of communication as well as the list serve. The Facebook Saturna Bulletin Board could also be used to post SIRRA notices. A positive aspect of the list serve is that subscribers get an email notification of new postings. Different venues will appeal to individual community members.
4.4. Annual membership survey
Results were discussed. There were 47 responses on Survey Monkey and one received by mail. Ferries was the overwhelming issue, health services second, then property taxes and roads. Bill noted that the ferry services and property taxes are issues which could be best addressed by a coalition
Saturna Island Ratepayers and Residents Association
(SIRRA)
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of islands. Issues relating to retirement of our Home & Community Care
nurse and lobbying for replacement may have brought this to the forefront.
A discussion of the Better at Home program being established on the Gulf
Islands. Dian gave an overview of the program noting that information on
the program is posted on the SIRRA List Serve and is posted on community
bulletin boards. Also noted was that the Home &Community Care position
had been filled by an LPN (Licensed Practical Nurse) although originally
posted for a Registered Nurse.
Motion: Bill/Joan moved that a letter be sent to the health committee
sharing the results of the survey especially relating to the nurse
position and that SIRRA would be willing to support any action to
lobby the government about our concerns regarding the reduction in
the level of nursing services. Carried.
4.5 Community/membership meeting in April
In the past, an information session was held at the pub. An alternative
suggestion was to combine a general information meeting sharing results of
the survey in conjunction with the AGM. The major themes identified could
generate active discussion and ideas for actions. The survey committee
(Bill, Jeanne, Michael as well as Eva) will spearhead this.
5. Committee Reports
5.1. Financial – Ron Hall circulated and discussed his financial report for
SIRRA(attached). Legal fees for the name change have not yet been
received.
Motion: Ron/Ingrid moved acceptance of the financial report. Carried
5.2. Membership – Val McMillan noted that two years ago a membership
drive was held. This year with the new name, letters can be sent out
to newly eligible residents. Val has already been doing personal
approaches discussing what SIRRA does within the community. Ideas
for sharing information included a Scribbler article about the name
change and to announce the AGM, as well as a letter to off island
members. Val suggested a "first year free" to be included in the real
estate package and at the discretion of Val and Ron (membership
subcommittee). A letter which can be sent out to off islanders was
suggested. Proposed title, Stay Connected. Also suggested is a SIRRA
ad in the new telephone book.
5.3. Communication - Dian will submit the Scribbler article as noted above.
She has also been posting items of community interest as requested.
5.4. Roads – Michael Fry noted that potholes are being filled in after the
winter storms. Pat Ropars' mandate is to keep the roads clear. Safety
issues such as Harris Road, need to be addressed separately. The
potential hazards need to be specifically identified and notification
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given to the Ministry of Transport. Ron will also bring up Harris Road as a significant accident hazard at the Police Advisory Committee.
5.5. Ferries – Eva Hage reported that the Queen of Nanaimo will be replaced with two new ferries in the future. The role of the Ferry Advisory Committee is to inform BC Ferries of service issues not to lobby for the community. Others need to pressure the Ministry of Transport to further explore the short link option. First steps to explore are details of financing and scheduling. Other significant issues were identified with discussion of pros and cons and strategies for addressing these.
5.6. Health – Jeanne noted that an updated document recently sent out by mail drop related to hiring of the new Home & Community Care nurse, her role and how to access her services. This has also been posted on local bulletin boards.
5.7. Property Taxes – Some comments from the survey related to the distribution of tax dollars to various organizations on the island. Dian reported that the letter to the BC Assessment Authority seem to have had some influence on the Court of Revision when considering property assessments. Some comments from the survey relating to allocation of tax dollars were shared.
6. New Business
6.1 Membership – how to attract members
6.1.1 Pay Pal special membership rate - Ron suggested offering members who pay using Pay Pal to get 3 years for the price of 2 years. Ron will put together a proposal to this effect for presentation at the AGM.
6.1.2 Free membership for new residents for first year - discussed above
6.2 Islands Trust – SIRRA presence/activity
There was discussion regarding the process of application for variance and rationale why previous applications were refused. Is there a role for SIRRA related to this? Community education about Islands Trust processes and background information was suggested. Eva will start working on an item especially for non-resident property owners to understand the processes. Further discussion was tabled for next meeting.
6.3 Date and speaker for Annual General Meeting
6.3.1 AGM - Sunday, May 31 at 11am at the Rec Centre with a post-AGM information session on the survey results with refreshments. Potential guest speaker suggested someone from Island Health re health services (Bill will explore this), or Brian Hollingshead (Eva will ask him).
Saturna Island Ratepayers and Residents Association
(SIRRA)
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6.3.2 Nominations for Board – A list of current Board and their dates of service was circulated. As per the constitution, no director may serve more than three consecutive terms. They may by reelected to the board after two years. Since we are now SIRRA, it was suggested a community resident would be appropriate to either join the Board or to attend and be mentored. Several names were suggested.
7. Next Meeting - will be the AGM on Sunday, May 31 at 11am.
The meeting was adjourned at 5:20 pm.