16-Nov-2005 minutes

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Minutes of GNCC board meeting, November 16, 2005

Barbara Henoch (meeting chair), John Van Beek, Dave Beer, Michael Bean, Graham Shuttleworth, Keith Brown, Jim Kirby. Regrets Garth Rustand.

Meeting commenced 7:00 pm

1. Financial situation. Graham is bowing out of the treasurer position. He reviewed the financial statement dated Sept 22/05 for the group. Balance at that time was $796.00. As of this date, however, there are outstanding debts of about $263.00, and cash received of $50.00, leaving a balance of about $583.00. These transactions will be completed within the next few days by Beer/Kirby. GNCC assets including computer equipment, answering machine, 3 bike trailers, tools, bike stand, file cabinet, tshirts, water bottes and stationary are currently being stored at Jim Kirby's and Keith Brown's residences. Graham left the key to the GNCC mailbox with the group (Box 130 at the Olde Book Exchange). Graham says he would be happy to brief the new treasurer when the time comes...
Thanks again to Graham for volunteering his hard work and time for the GNCC!!
Action items- John Van Beek to check with Karen Boers to see if she would/could help as treasurer. Jim Kirby to check with Volunteer Nanaimo re treasurer assistance also.

2. Future meeting dates and locations. Several options have been explored regarding suitable board and general meeting locations. The board agreed that Volunteer Nanaimo continues to offer a low-priced, convenient option, but the third Wednesday time slot is not available at VN. It was agreed that Jim would explore costs and availability of renewing membership with VN, and securing the 2nd Wed of Jan, Mar, May, Sept and Nov 2006 for board meetings. General meetings will continue to be held at Bowen Park Activity room 1, however, unless attendance justifies this cost (about $47 per meeting), other options will have to be explored. The scheduled Dec 21/05 general meeting was cancelled, Dave to ensure the Parks Board are aware of this change. Jim agreed to check with Gay Cunningham regarding a possible craft fair/pot luck bike ride in December as has happened in the past. Any other suggestions??

3. Multi-use trail update. Dave showed a draft power point presentation that the working group is putting together which can be used to promote the benefits of a multi-use approach to the E&N right-of-way. Keith suggests the final could be put on the GNCC web site. John suggests the new Liberal MLA Ron Cantelon be approached in this regard. He has been a keen supporter of local cycling issues and the GNCC in the past. Dave anticipates the power point presentation should be ready about Feb, 2006.

4. Routes and technical committee update. Barbara advises that Brian Denbigh is the city of Nanaimo contact regarding cycle stencils on roadways. Cycle stencils identify the exact spot where a signal light can be activated by a bicycle. If anyone has any issues with these very useful stencils (locations where they are needed, where they don't work, etc.) they may contact Denbigh at 758-5222, or email brian.denbighATnanaimo.ca. Keith checked with Richard Harding regarding the cycle map. The existing map may have become outdated in some areas by changes in roadway/trail construction. The map is available as a (large) PDF, so it would be better to break it into manageable pieces before providing it on the GNCC web site. Keith to action.

5. Commuter challenge. A $2000-$4000 grant is once again being offered by BC Transit for participation in Commuter Challenge. The deadline to apply for this grant (for the 2006 event) is Nov 30/05. As this seems an unrealistic date, Dave will confirm if this date is correct. No conclusions were reached whether the GNCC, in some fashion, is in a position to support a commuter challenge event in 2006. The 2005 event was not done due to a lack of volunteer help.

6. Website/spokelore. At the past general meeting Michael volunteered to help, in some way, with a GNCC promotion initiative. This followed a discussion regarding the temporary(?) suspension of the Spokelore publication. Michael drafted a one-page flyer which would inform readers about who the GNCC is, what it does, why, and benefits of supporting the GNCC. It could have a member application attached with fees and mailing address. They could be placed in locations which previously received Spokelores (bike stores and other business establishments, rec centres, etc), and kept by members to be given to interested cyclists. Michael emphasized his opinion that getting more members is key to the future survival of the GNCC, like the value in circulation numbers is to a newspaper. Some discussion too on a previous suggestion that bike stores give a free one year GNCC membership with each new bike sold. Michael to put his proposal in a PDF to be shared with the board for thought and action. There was a brief discussion on the merits of a "buy and sell" section on the website. Past buys and sells thru the Spokelore have not been successful.

Meeting adjourned at 9:30. Thanks to Dave for hosting the meeting and providing coffee and muffins!!

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Last updated: January 10, 2006.