Minutes of a meeting of the Board of SIRRA. Saturday, September 23, 2017

Present: David Osborne, Ron Hall, Jeanne Crerar, Michael Fry, Bill Schermbrucker
1.. David called the meeting to order at 10:15 AM and a quorum was declared.
2. The agenda was approved as circulated except: A report on the 13 Moons Calendar Sign project was
added at #4 iii), and an update on survey at #4 iv), and Parks and Rec. Discussion was moved to #6.
3. The minutes of July 22, 2017 were approved as circulated. David to have Harvey post to the web
site.
4. Matters arising from the minutes:
i) Discussion of a new recording secretary. Inquiries and advertising by various members produced no
results. We will continue to look. In the meantime, David will take minutes assisted by Jeanne with
her notes.
ii) David provided an update on the work of the Health Sustainability Committee. A public meeting to
discuss options is scheduled for Saturday, October 7 at the Hall from 1:30 to 3:30 PM. SIRRA has
posted details on its web site and list serve and will be represented at the meeting. The mandate of
David, SIRRA's representative to the Committee was reviewed and confirmed. He is an active
participant encouraging all points of view and options to be considered.
Iii) Jeanne and David provided an update on the '13 Moons Calendar Sign project in which they are
participants. Funds have been raised in full. Signage has been determined. Locations in various places
on S.I. Will be offered to the Tsawout Elders. Local labour is being sourced.
iv) Bill and Jeanne continue to look at options for enhancing the survey.
5. Ron delivered the Treasurer's report (attached). He commented that not much has changed in the
past months and that we have approximately $7700.00 available for projects subject to providing for
contingencies and operating expenses. Moved (Ron/David) that the report be accepted. Carried.
6. Moved (David/Jeanne) that SIRRA continue its practice of reviewing the operations and finances of
tax-funded entities on S.I. and providing the results of analysis to its members, and that The S.I. Parks
and Recreation Commission be the next entity looked at by a working committee consisting of Ron,
David and Michael, and that they report back to the Board. Carried. David will follow up on
governance and financial information with the CRD and will forward what he has from Eva to Ron and
Michael. Ron is authorized to write to David Howe, the CRD director to ask him to help us obtain
timely financial information respecting their operations.
7. Moved (Bill/Jeanne) that SIRRA authorize the President to write on behalf of SIRRA to a group on
Galiano Island a letter of support for their request for funding from the CRD for a solar demonstration
project which will benefit all the SGI.
8. Strategic Planning: There was discussion of the related issues of sustaining and increasing
memberships, recruiting new directors and policies respecting the funding which SIRRA has
accumulated. The mandate and objectives were reviewed. A working committee consisting of Ron,
Bill and David was struck to put together a preliminary proposal for supporting the provision of
information and other support to Saturna Islanders about the provincial Firesmart program and wildfire
protection for structures on S.I. To report back to the Board at the next meeting.
9. The next meeting will be at the call of the Chair before Xmas. Meeting adjourned at 2PM.