Minutes – January 9, 2019

~25 people in attendance

ISSUES TO FOCUS ON IN 2019

Climate Change

• Michael leading a course on with Sooke Lifelong Learners

“Envisioning Sooke in 2020”

• Open Space event to be moved to March or April whenever the timing is right as this event will be linked to the OCP review process by the District of Sooke Council
• Carol Mallett is the point person on this proposal.

Sooke Vital Signs survey

• One has been done for Victoria and for Tofino. Should Sooke have one done?
• Brian White pointed out that Tofino’s was well done and is available on the Tofino municipal website. He and Paivi can look into this and make a recommendation.
• Sooke Pocket News recently linked to Sooke 2018 demographics

Earth Day 2019:

• Link to a number of events under the Earth Day umbrella. Theme is “Protecting our species”
• ZWS is to lead a spring clean-up again

Zero-Waste Sooke:

• ZWS is operating another repair cafe – date/place to be determined
• Promoting a ban on single use plastic bags. ZWS to resume pressure on council to pass a bylaw.
• ZWS has a table at Seedy Saturday February 23.

OCP Review monitoring

• We need to be aware how tourism in Sooke is being marketed especially as a hotel tax is proposed/coming into effect for marketing Sooke. It was stated that the development of the OCP is lacking in clarity about how tourism fits into the development of Sooke.
• Concern was expressed that the appointment of a new CAO could lead to a rush to pass the OCP?

Street Lighting

• Bernie wants to see the upgrading of street lighting to involve LED technology and point to the ground. He is going to to try and bring this before Council on January 28

Wild Wise Sooke

• Samantha Webb, who works with Debb Read, talked about the bear resistant bins for garbage pick-up that are being manufactured with Alpine making an initial run of 50. Testing in Sooke to follow. All this is underway.

Woodside Farm Proposal

• Patrick Gauley Gale would like to see either Council or the CRD parkland acquisition fund purchase this property for the benefit of the whole community. The steering group agreed with the spirit of his proposal and will offer whatever support we can.

REPORTS FROM WORKING GROUPS

Climate Change Cafe

• Jo Phillips and Susan Clarke stated that the initial meeting is proposed for a Monday evening. Jo and David Mallett looking into locations. Word will go out in due course.

Sooke Region Multi-Belief Initiative (SRMBI)

• Michael mentioned that Mark Ziegler has prepared a report based on an Open Space event last October. It covers compassionate attention and possible actions needed in 5 areas: Homelessness; Affordability as it relates to housing, food and child care; Social Isolation; Inadequate Heath Services; and how we work together through Communication, Awareness and Collaboration.
• The next meeting is on Wednesday, 16th January at 2:30 p.m. at the Baptist Church. All welcome.

Wild Wise Sooke

• An agreement between WWS and the Society was signed to clarify the responsibilities of each party to maintain a good working relationship.
• The new Community Coordinator, Sam Webb, was on hand to bring us up to date with what’s happening with WWS and their work in Sooke. Their focus is gradually transitioning from bears to all wildlife.
• There is a volunteer meeting on 22nd January at Seaparc, at 7:00 pm.

GENERAL BUSINESS

Sooke Pocket News

• The group agreed that we should establish an active working relationship with Britt Santowski of the Sooke Pocket News. Thanks were expressed for her help and cooperation.

Appointment of a new Treasurer

• Motion to appoint David Mallett as the new treasurer of the sooke transition town society “I move that Dave Mallett, a member of this Society in good standing, be appointed as the new Treasurer for this Society effective immediately.” Moved by Michael Tacon and seconded by Paivi Abernethy. The motion was passed unanimously.
• Members requested that Martin Bissig be properly thanked for his help and services as our Treasurer for the last few years.

Earth Day Legacy Funds to pay for Recycling Bins

• Jo Phillips announced the final numbers for these bins. For 1 outdoor and 2 indoor bins the cost will be $1,800 plus tax. The bin purchase was budgeted at $2,400 from the Earth Day Legacy Fund. Jo has worked closely with 2 volunteer sports groups in Sooke where the bins will be located. Jo was authorized to proceed and place the order.

Awareness Film Night with Transition Sooke

• “WHAT IS DEMOCRACY” is a new NFB documentary film to be shown at EMCS on Wednesday, February 13th at 7 p.m. Michael Tacon will facilitate a discussion after the showing.

Speaker Series presentation for February

• Peter Carter and Elizabeth Woodworth, co-authors of the book “Unprecedented Crime: Climate Science Denial and Game Changers for Survival”, will present their take on the climate crisis, who is responsible, and how Sooke and southern Vancouver Island will be impacted. A question and answer period will follow their presentations.
• This event is set for Tuesday, February 19 at 7 pm at the theatre at EMCS.
• Carol and David Mallett are handling the logistics and Lily Mah-Sen is looking after the publicity

Annual General Meeting of the Society

• Annual General Meeting of the Sooke Transition Town Society at Harbourside Cohousing proposed for 7 p.m. Tuesday, February 26th, 2019
• Timetable: 5:30 pm Warm-up / 6 pm Potluck supper / 7 pm Meeting begins 7-30 p.m. Dessert and Socialize

Financial Report

Martin reported the current account balances as at December 31, 2018:

Main chequing account = $6,006.38

Zero Waste Sooke sub-account = $1,083.60

Wild Wise Sooke sub-account = $16,446.22

Special Events sub-account = $3,406.85

A more complete 2018 report will be presented at the AGM

Meeting adjourned shortly after 9 p.m.

Next meeting set for Wednesday, February 6 at Harbourside

Minutes by Bernie Klassen and Michael Tacon (Co-Presidents)

Appendix 1

2020 Vision via Stream of Consciousness Initiative

If anyone is interested, this organization makes it possible for us to put on a seminar about Transition Sooke using the skills and equipment available to us for a video presentation that could go viral using digital technology.

Check it out at www.streamofconsciousness.ca

For an example of one of their presentations done for Creatively United Victoria see: