ISLA Board Meeting Minutes

The Green Room, January 16, 2009

 

Present: Michael Berman, Ian Thompson, Joanne Ovitsland, Kevin McMahon, Michelle Wilson, Jenny Brown

Regrets: Michael McNamara, Masoud Zadeh, Bill Engleson, Erin Hornsey O’Brien, Scott Sweeney

 

Meeting called to order: 7:10 pm

 

Business arising

  1. Administrator hiring-The Hiring Committee reported: “Based on a review of resumes submitted to ISLA in response to the advertisement for an Administrator and interviews with a short list of candidates, we recommend that ISLA hire Janet LeBlanq for the post of Administrator based on a contract for 240 hours of work (six months) at a rate of $20.00 per hour.” Ian made a motion that we hire Janet, Jenny seconded, and motion passed unanimously. Ian and Michael B to inform Janet, as well as the other candidates, of the Board’s decision. Welcome, Janet! Ian and Michael B will also see to the drawing up of an employment contract for Janet. Anticipated start date is Feb. 1st.  Further related discussion: ISLA will consider the purchase of a laptop computer for use by the administrator and Board, in order to consolidate information and for ease of operations, especially as ISLA has no working office to offer the new Administrator. General agreement that this seemed like a good idea and merits investigation.
  2. Report on Quilt monies: Kevin reported that HIES cut a check to ISLA for 75% of the quilt monies raised, as per our agreement with them, in the amount of $6,547.00. Kevin will write a letter of thanks to HIES, thanking them for their gift to ISLA. Kevin reported that ISLA’s current bank balance is $12,568.00, indicating that we officially have enough money to fund the Administrator position.
  3. Board Workshop: Kevin is still coordinating dates of availability of Board members. At present it looks like the workshop will (hopefully) happen in late Feb or the first Saturday in March.
  4. Constitution Committee progress report: Michael Berman and Ian Thompson, committee members, suggested an organization name change, from ISLA to Hornby Island Community Land Trust (HICLT). This supports the goal of revamping the Constitution by employing simple, plain language, with focused stated goals, as well as more clearly stating who we are as an organization and what we do. Any amendments to the constitution must be made at the AGM or a Special Meeting. Much further discussion to take place at later meetings. Ian and Michael Berman circulated their first draft of changes to the Constitution and invite comments and suggestions, to be brought to the next meeting.
  5. Real Estate Foundation Grant: Tabled until next meeting, due to Bill’s absence
  6. Status of Housing Needs Assessment: Ian Thompson reported on his reading of the report. He said the assessment would be a very useful tool for ISLA but he did have a concern that the language used may make the housing situation appear better than it actually is, IE: the report states in its opening that all numbers of those in need of housing are minimums, but it doesn’t track this through the report or reiterate it in the conclusion, allowing one to read there is less of a housing problem on Hornby than real numbers would indicate. As there are plans to bring the Assessment’s coordinator, Margaret Eberle, to Hornby to discuss the report and plan next steps, Kevin will request another copy of the report from Tony and will inform ISLA of the scheduled meeting date so that we may be represented and provide input.
  7. Status of Outreach Committee: Jenny, Kevin and Masoud met and came up with some ideas. The Outreach committee with be on the co-op porch one Saturday every month to connect with community members. We will gather names and info and make a chart, for both public and organizational tracking, that indicates who on Hornby must move within the next twelve months and what type of housing they are searching for. The chart will track and record the status of their search, IE: “still searching”, “homeless”, and “HOUSED!” The outreach committee will also connect to those home or land owners who may have an extra cabin, guest house, etc. on their property that they would be willing to rent to one of Hornby’s “moving” locals. Near future goals include the same type of chart tracking those who have substandard housing. Ian suggested following through with Jenny Brown’s idea to make or have made buttons that read, “Let’s talk about housing”. ISLA is willing to fund these buttons. Jenny to pursue this.
  8. Correspondence/Communications: Kevin reported that Peter Elkins is still interested in helping ISLA fundraise. This is great. Jenny to connect with him to query about the success of Joe King T-shirt sales and see if something like that would be of benefit to ISLA.

New Business: Nada

Next meeting: Friday February 20th, 7pm, in the Green Room

Meeting adjourned: 8:05 pm