Minutes, November 8, 2006

BRIDGS
(Bear River Innovation, Development and Growth Society)
November 8, 2006,
Changing Tides Restaurant (Trading Post Building)

Present: Cindy Harris, John & Susan Malmstrom, Hal Theriault, Don Rice, Tim Wilson, Gerry Chute, Wayne Smith, Rob Buckland.

1. Call to Order/Adoption of Agenda
Meeting called to order at 7:30 PM.
MOTION to accept the Agenda. CARRIED.

2. Introduction of Minutes from Previous Meeting

3. New Business: Everyone wished Hal a happy birthday.

Executive Committee Minutes: were read by Secretary Susan Malmstrom.

Treasurer’s Report: Treasurer Wayne Smith submitted a report for board approval; seconded by Cindy. ACCEPTED.

Youth Centre:
Report from the Youth Centre Task Force was delivered by Hal and Gerry:
• According to the local school bus drivers, there are 200 children in our area;
• There will be a new Youth Centre committee meeting on November 10. This committee will oversee the administration of the Youth Centre for the next 6 months and will try to meet with the volunteers on a bi-weekly basis;
• Some possible events to be explored are Christmas craft making and a seasonal concert;
• Hal has submitted a proposal to Annapolis County for operational funds. We will also forward a similar proposal to Digby. Other possible funding sources are Recreation Nova Scotia and Service Canada;
• Wayne said that the budget for the Youth Centre (when it is up and running) would be approximately $600/month;
• Wayne suggested that the mandate of what is offered at the Centre should come from the youth;
• Hal met with Linda Findlay of the Oakdene Centre. They would like to partner with the Youth Committee and BRIDGS on musical events and theatrical productions.

Village Meeting: John noted that the Village Meeting/Volunteer night has been scheduled for November 27th at the Oakdene. The Oakdene is allowing us to use the facility at no charge. BRIDGS will host the event. It will be an opportunity for all of the village organizations to talk about what has been accomplished this year, and what they plan for next year. Cindy and Susan are organizing the meeting.

Strategic Development Plan: Due to the re-structure of the RDA, there have been many delays to this, and we had to re-submit our budget. The Office of Economic Development has assured us that they will provide adequate funding for the plan.

Voice of Bear River: CBC Radio will be interviewing Gerry Chute as the “voice of Bear River” to provide a report on what is currently happening here via live early morning radio every month.

Looking to 2007: Suggestions were made as to formation of new subcommittees for 2007: Communications, Board Development, Fundraising were listed. It might be worth researching (again) charitable status, to encourage corporate donations.

4. Review and Adoption of Minutes from Previous Meeting
MOTION: Moved by Cindy, seconded by Rob to approve and adopt the Minutes of the October 11, 2006 meeting. CARRIED.

5. Next Meeting
December 13, at 7:30 PM at the Youth Centre (Trading Post).

6. Adjournment
Motion made by Cindy for adjournment, CARRIED. Meeting adjourned at 9:00 PM.

Agenda, November 8, 2006

AGENDA

BRIDGS (Bear River Innovation, Development and Growth Society)
Wednesday, November 8, 2006, 7:30 pm
Youth Centre/Trading Post

1. Call to Order

2. Introductions/Call for Presentations & Delegations

3. Adoption of Agenda

4. Introduction of Minutes from Previous Meeting

5. Continuing Business
I. Report from Executive Committee (Susan Malmstrom)
II. Project Updates: Bear River Pageant, Strategic Plan (Hal
Theriault)
III. Youth Centre Update

6. New Business: Town Meeting (John Malmstrom, Cindy Harris)

7. Treasurer’s Report (Wayne Smith)

8. Adoption of Minutes

9. Next Meeting
TBA

10. Adjournment

Executive Committee Report – Nov 01/06

BRIDGS
Executive Committee Report
November 1, 2006
Trading Post

Present:  John Malmstrom, Susan Malmstrom, Wayne Smith, Hal Theriault, Gerry Chute.

The meeting was called to order at 9:00 AM.  This was a special meeting to focus on the future of the Youth Centre.  Members of the Task Force were present.  Gerry opened the meeting by relating that we have a potential 200 school children to draw upon, according to school bus driver Ricky Pulley

Recommendations of the Youth Task Force:
•    The current Task Force members should mentor a newly formed Youth Centre Subcommittee over the next 6 months;
•    The Centre should have a paid employee, such as an event coordinator/manager, who would report directly to the chair of the Youth Subcommittee;
•    The Subcommittee should stage a community event as soon as possible;
•    A priority of the Subcommittee should be constant development of the Centre’s target audience (parents, kids, volunteers);
•    A regular report to the community on the Centre’s progress should be circulated.

MOTION made by Wayne Smith to request that BRIDGS continue to support a Youth Centre in Bear River.  Seconded by Gerry; CARRIED.

Treasurer’s Report:
Treasurer Wayne Smith submitted a Treasurer’s Report to the Executive Committee, with a motion for acceptance.  Seconded by Susan. CARRIED.

Final Word:
John thanked each member of the Youth Task Force for all of their hard work on the youth centre.  He noted that the best way for BRIDGS to accomplish its goals is by forming hardworking subcommittees who take on specific tasks, as exemplified by the Youth Task Force.

Meeting adjourned at 9:30 AM.