EAST PORPOISE BAY RATE PAYERS ASSOCIATION

PO BOX 1886  Sechelt  BC V0N 3A0

Minutes of the meeting of the Annual General Meeting of the EPRPA held on March 8, 2006 @ the Seaside Centre in Sechelt at 700 p.m.

Call to Order: The meeting was called to order by Secretary Norm Hooper at 07:04 p.m. He welcomed all 27 present and introduced the Directors.

Approval of Agenda: Moved by Moira Sholtz and seconded by Bill McKinnon that the agenda be approved as modified. Carried

Approval of Previous Minutes: The minutes of the Extraordinary Annual General Meeting of October 25, 2005 were reviewed in brief. No issues were raised from the floor. Motion to approve by Serge Planidin and seconded by Dick Tingley. Carried

1) Our invited guest speaker District of Sechelt Director of Planning Ray Parfitt was unavoidably unavailable.  He was required to attend a Council Meeting.

2) Lorraine Gallant moved and Pat Follett seconded that a change be made to the EPBRA By-laws as follows:

that “Part 2 MEETING OF MEMBERS

(f) A minimum of one Extraordinary General Meetings shall be held during the year.  Additional meetings will be called at the discretion of the Board of Directors.”

Be amended to

“Part 2 MEETING OF MEMBERS

(f) Extraordinary General Meetings shall be called at the discretion of the Board of Directors.”

The relevant section of the EPBRA bylaws affecting changes to the bylaws is copied below for reference.

BYLAWS AND CONSTITUTION

 (b)  These Bylaws shall not be altered or added to except by a majority vote of 70% of the members at any General Meeting.

(c)  In order to change the bylaws, the membership shall receive notice of the proposed change in writing, a minimum of 30 days prior to the meeting in which a change will be proposed.

(d) The proposed change to the bylaws shall be put forward within the first half hour of the start of any General Meeting.”

The Chair noted that proper notice had been given and that the issue was within the time frame specified at this AGM.  There was extensive discussion for and against which included the need to have the Directors accountable to the membership more frequently than once per year, the practice of other local organizations, the time wasted on convening meetings if nothing much is going on, etc.  The chair noted that the by-laws did not allow several proposed amendments to the motion without proper notice being given again.  On a call for a vote, the motion was defeated, 7 for and 4 against, as having failed to obtain approval of 70% of the members present.

3) Treasurer’s Report: Mike Watson reported a balance of $1,565.62 on account and petty cash of $27.80.  This does not include 2006 memberships paid tonight.

4) Membership Report:  We have 54 members with 15 having paid their 2006 annual dues.  We would ask the membership to please drop off their annual dues to Michael Watson or any director.   Save us from the annual door to door canvas. 

5) Community Events:  Sally Watson advised of a community garage sale on

May 6^th on Marmot Rd.  Everyone in the area will be invited to bring tables down; posters and info to follow.  July 9^th is scheduled as an EPBRA barbeque in the park.  (There is a $300 annual budget as approved at the Oct/05 EGM).  Sally was thanked by all members present for her efforts and the efforts of her team of volunteers.

6) Sunshine Coast Community Association Forum:  Serge Planidin provided an update on recent SCCAF meetings concerning water access, B&B’s etc.  The SCCAF minutes and past EPBRA minutes are available on SCCAF website.  http://sechelt.net

7) It was moved by Serge Planidin and seconded by Sally Watson that the Directors be allowed to continue an annual Christmas donation, at their option.  In the past, this donation of no more than $100 has been directed to the Elf’s Fund, Stocking Fund, etc, for families in this area, if possible.  Carried unanimously

Other than $100 honorariums for speakers to the AGM/EGM’s, the Directors have not made any other charitable donations.

8) It was moved by Serge Planidin and seconded by Nancy Liddell “that $1,000 from the surplus be put into a legal assist fund to contribute to legal action requested by SCCAF or the Directors in defense of water access roads (Beach Access) or similar items that may require a financial contribution to legal action.  Defeated.  Considerable discussion occurred around the issue.

9) Board Election:  Sitting directors John Alvarez, Norm Hooper, Lorraine Gallant, Bill McKinnon, Nancy Liddell, Serge Planidin and Mike Watson volunteered for another term and were acclaimed.   We are two Directors short and are looking for volunteers.

Kathy Holmwood did not stand for re-election.  She is thanked on behalf of the association for all of her efforts.  All interested members should contact any of the Directors to volunteer.  Next meeting is scheduled to be at Lorraine Gallant’s house on Monday March 20/06 at 0730 p.m.   Discussion on Silverback referral form.

Motion to adjourn by Terry Burdeny at 8:00 p.m.