January 9th 2014 – General Meeting Minutes

General Meeting Minutes

Thursday January 9^th, 2014 – Central Memorial Recreation Centre

Present: Elisabeth B., Diane G., Sarah G., Lorraine V., Farhina S., Rebecca D., Matthew H., Ben B., Christina B., Joanna M., Andrew D., Mike M., Devon M., Matt G., Adam B., Marinne V., T J L., CAWDB member, Ralph M., Katherine D., Erika M., Senyo Agbeyaka

1. Welcome and Introductions

• The meeting began with everyone introducing themselves
• All participated in an ice breaker question: what would you do with one million dollars in Stinson?

 

1. SCA Executive elections: Elect President

• Vice President requested interested candidates for President come forward to run for 2014 President elect
• Matthew Hall and Jo Anna Millions came forward for president-Matthew removed himself as a candidate
• JoAnne was acclaimed in as President for 2014

 

1. Agenda Review and Additions; Minutes review and accept

• No additions to the agenda
• November meeting minutes-originally drafted meeting minutes were altered, will be resent out for comments, will  remove minutes from the website and repost once approved
• ACTION: Erika to send out original meeting minutes drafted in November

 

1. Guest Speaker: Sarah Glen, Neighbourhood Leadership Institute (NLI)

• Residents learn leadership skills which they apply to a neighbourhood project
• Benefits to participation – Apply for a small grant up to $500 into your neighbourhood, will receive one Mohawk College credit
• The course will run 10 sessions on Saturdays. Transportation, child care and lunch are all provided
• At least one project per neighbourhood , but can be flexible-no limit on project idea
• Endorsement process from SCA for project ideas
• Applications are due Jan 17^th-series of guidelines available, Sarah can share with the SCA.
• ACTION: Sarah to email NLI criteria / guidelines to Erika
• Andrew has expressed interest, Diane agreed to partnering with Andrew; Matt considering applying for a project. Diane as a partner on Andrew’s project

 

1. Carter Park Skating Rink

• Marianne Vrbanic provided review of how to apply to get a skating rink
• Need a water source,  a lead volunteer-who will fill out application/paperwprk
• Once application is submitted, Parks Dept to assess rink area, set up infrastructure
• Also need a core group of volunteers who can flood and maintain ice surface
• No less than 6 people suggested
• Responsibility of the community to ensure the rink remains safe
• Guideline book, risk management form for all volunteers to review
• Questions were raised regarding Liability? Must sign a consent form
• Katherine would like to explore –Mike, Matt, Jay
• ACTION: Katherine to arrange meeting on Sunday, fill out paperwork
• ACTION: Marianne to find out timeline of the application process-will email Katherine, attach booklet to be shared

 

1. SCA Event Planning

• Contact SCA Executive committee if there is interest to join an event committee. Upcoming events include: Easter Egg Hunt-next event, Team Up to Clean Up
• Agreed that to have an event  need someone to champion or lead the event, or the event may not occur
• ACTION: Katherine to be the lead on Easter event-Matt,  Mike and Devon to help out
• ACTION: Team up to clean up – Mike to look into doing jointly with Easter event
• At each SCA general meeting meeting will have standing item to talk about events to discuss
• ACTION: Ralph will add to website request for  volunteers to Easter event

 

1. Building Momentum Hamilton event

• Event at Liuna station , 6 tickets free, share accomplishments, with other neighbourhoods, also engage and attract other orgs and corps
• Suggest that the 4 execs attend, plus Andrew and one other volunteer/member
• Need a list of atendees by January 17^th to Rebecca
• ACTION: Members who want to attend send an email to [email protected]

 

1. Action Tracker Role Overview

• Group of neighbourhood residents who are tracking actions to see how communities are developing their ideas and moving through stages of their goals
• Attended training in November
• ACTION: Andrew to send information to Erika and post to website
• Trackers role will be working with committee chairs to find out actions, first reporting is in March-where are we at, what are next steps

 

1. Committee Updates

• History – no report
• CPR – Public Information Forum- 37 people signed in, 9 City Staff, 9 SCA volunteer, 6 were SCA members, 13 residents
• 19 comment forms – most provided positive feedback
• Constitution Committee – little left to do, Code of Conduct, will go out to members for input and feedback, another review to collate, then a vote from a membership
• Why a constitution? Good guide, common understanding
• Campus Connector – partnership with McMaster and Neighbourhoods to conduct research
• ACTION: If any interest in forming a small group with a research interest, speak with Devon
• Newsletter committee-will be initiative by Erika, Katherine, Ralph, and Rebecca but looking for volunteers
• ACTION: Will be meeting within the next month-January-to discuss what we would like to do-Mike and Devon to join
• Executive Committee-first Thursday of each month at 7 PM, at Radius-all welcome to join

 

1. Executive Committee Update

• January 20^th at City Hall-Ward 2 committee meeting. One Ward 2 meeting has already occurred
• At the Ward 2 committee meeting, Jay Farr will discuss next iteration of PB. Ralph to attend and will provide updates/meeting minutes
• Community clean up forum happening on the 15^th, Ralph, and Mike to attend
• Treasurer’s Update-no income dollars, no updates to report
• Currently with credit union, not good hours, will be seeking other banking options. First Ontario Credit Union, National Bank suggested-want good hours, will be exploring other options
• Questions were raised Re: Motion to hire accountant. There were comments regarding concern on spending $400, would like to look into free accountant
• Willing to wait one month for Rebecca to look into free options
• ACTION: Rebecca to report back with free accountant options to pursue