Present: Michael Berman, Vice president; Kati Marshall; Wayne Roberts, Masoud Zadeh and Janet LeBlancq, Administrator.
Absent: Ian Thomson; Michael McNamara; Cindy Anderson; Sharon Rogalsky; Kevin McMahon.
In the absence of a quorum, this is an information session.
1. Minutes of the February board meeting for approval. Tabled till next board
meeting.
2. On Going Business:
a) Business Plan development: Michael Berman has done the preliminary gathering of materials to be included in the business plan to the CMHC specifications. Marketing analysis: very preliminary analysis indicates that there is a gap between the cost of a house and our constituents ability to pay (ie) affordability. We need to discuss all with the people who will live there. Have to have a waiting list that should start at the AGM. Need to figure out the financial viability. We can’t go forward without user group feedback. Need to identify the target groups. Need to identify prices, services and amenities. Financial planning for capital and operating costs needs to be developed. Management of the housing project needs to be decided. CMHC guidelines were available to board members. We do not have a viable financial plan. Need more accounting experienced input into budgeting. Need board members with skills in accounting, developing, business planning, engineering. Janet to ask Bill Engleson if they have done a business plan that CMHC has accepted? There followed general discussion about how to go forward. There was mentioned the possibility of forming another organization and applying for charitable status. Janet to send a note to CHI (and Heron Rocks Friendship Society?) to ask for funding toward the riparian study.
b) Design/Build: Wayne to trade logs for grading the entrance with Eban.
c) Fund Raising Update: The Gaudi event promising on April 2nd. Buzz around the rummage sale on April 9th. Last meeting only Robyn and Kati showed up. But there are some committed people. May long weekend is too busy for an ISLA event. June 10th will be an Asian fusion night..Sushi, saki and song. Need someone to talk on the Gaudi night about ISLA. Summer event for hosting a major donor’s evening at Dianne Cox’s depends on the readiness of the business plan. Suggested that we organize a Fashion Show everything has to have grown or be natural – The Grow Show; A spring Herring Ball, and an event on Dec 21 2012. 2012 is the year of the Dragon. The feasibility of hosting raffles will be revisited.
d) Residency, Eligibility and Selection Committee: Application forms need to be developed. There was discussion regarding continuing to distribute the potential residents’ survey questionnaire.
e) Membership: Efforts need to be made to recruit board members and to revise our information brochure.
3. Treasurer’s Report: approximately $23,000 in the bank account.
4. Administrator’s Report:
a) Vancouver Foundation grant: Letter of intent due in July.
b) Comox Valley Foundation Grant opportunity being researched.
c) Funding support through CHI and Heron Rocks Friendship Society was discussed.
d) April 22nd open house at the hall: sponsored by HIRRA’s Regional Parks Committee, purpose: public information. ISLA is invited to have an information table at this day time Good Friday event. What do we want to inform the public about on this occasion? There was brief discussion.
5. New Business
a) Date of upcoming meetings: board meeting April 20th. Committee meetings on call of the chair.
6. Adjournment at 9 P.M.
__________________________ _____________________________
Michael Berman, Vice President Janet LeBlancq Recording Secretary