March 17 2025

BAMFIELD COMMUNITY AFFAIRS SOCIETY

General Meeting Unofficial Minutes-Draft

Monday 17 March 2025 at 6.30 pm
via Zoom - hosted by Jamie Willock

Attendees (18): James Willock (Chair) Jaleen Rousseau, Julie Bradley , Susan Derasp, Stella Wenstob, Jan Teversham, Stacy Denton, Barry Sills, Birgit Gagne, John and Sheryl Mass, Jerry Gassner, Tom Jensen, Louis Druehl, Rae Hopkins, Anne Stewart, Jane Morrison, Jane Trussler

Regrets: Bob Beckett, Bob Schmitt                      

Acknowledgement of Indigenous Lands: The BCAS acknowledges that the land on which we meet is within the Traditional territory of the Huu-ay-aht First Nations where indigenous peoples have lived since time immemorial.

The meeting was called to order at 18.32

Adoption of Agenda m/SDerasp s/JMass

Adoption of Minutes of February 2025 Community Affairs Meeting.

ACRD DIRECTOR’S REPORT – by Bob Beckett

Bob is currently in the Ukraine and sent this message: “I had the privilege and pleasure to present a beautifully illustrated drum to the Ivano-Frankivsh Regional Children’s Hospital on behalf of the Huu-ay-aht Nation in celebration of the new Breast Milk Bank. Vancouver Island Supports Ukraine paid for all of the equipment through our generous donors”

Chequing $5,836.50

Savings $33,209.86

Member Equity $5.21

Total Assets $ 39,051.57

Change in financial position $20.91

$5000 has been sent to BCSA for their GIA but the amount has not been accepted by them as yet. Nancy Hendry has already received the $1000 for Song West bursaries.

CORRESPONDENCE

Jan reported that the Fire Department/First Responders had okayed the installation of MOTI road signs on the west side and so she had written a letter to MOTI to set the process in motion.

COMMUNITY REPORTS

1.      Bamfield Community School Association- Julie Bradley for Jaslyn Haber

·         Spring Break runs March 15 to 30, and the BCSA has a variety of free day camps, programs, field trips, and courses to engage community members of all ages.

·         From Monday, March 17 to Friday, March 21, we are hosting Day Camps, featuring fun activities like archery, making art, playing games and exploring local forest, coastal, and marine environments on field trips. Thank you so much to the Bamfield Community Affairs Society, Huu-ay-aht First Nations, and School District 70 for the support and space to host this program.

·         On Thursday, March 20, we are hosting a community film screening of the documentary YINTAH, which explores over a decade of Wet'suwet'en resistance to colonial violence and resource extraction projects in their territory. Come to the school at 6pm for a snack potluck, the film will start at 6:30pm. After watching the film, we will have a short discussion and check in.

·         On Saturday, March 22, we are supporting a local art showcase and craft fair at the Salty Hearts Music Festival. Between 11am and 2pm, the stage at the Hacas Inn will be filled with local artists and vendors showcasing their work, in a fun, free entry event. Could be part of a pretty nice outing, since both of the west side restaurants are opening for limited hours on Saturday afternoon!

·         The second week of Spring Break, Monday, March 24 to Friday March 28, the BCSA is hosting field trips for different age groups of children and youth. Please contact the BCSA or check out our Facebook page or website for details, and to register your child.

·         On Friday, March 28, we are hosting a Red Cross Babysitting Training for youth ages 11+. Please contact the BCSA to register your youth in this free training opportunity.

·         *Weekly Adult Programs* Monday night 7-8:30pm - Drop in Sports, ages 15+; Wednesday night 5:15-6:15pm - Yoga with Aneri; and Thursday night 5-6pm - our new Group Fitness Training program with Alessandra

·         Jaslyn will be leaving her position as coordinator at the end of July and BCSA is seeking her replacement . They would like to start the new manager on May 1 so that there is a 3 month overlap and the new person will fully grasp the whole range of programming.

2.      Centennial Park-Sheryl Mass

·         A new park manager has been hired for the summer: Jody Anne Thompson is a part time resident of Bamfield.

3.      Bamfield Health Clinic- Jane Trussler

·         Staffing is now stable which is a relief.

·         The flu and cold season is coming to an end but masks still have to be worn while visiting the clinic until April.

·         A Covid immunization clinic will be held in May.

·         Jane asked if anyone knew of any humanitarian aid groups that might be seeking supplies whose BB dates have expired, as the clinic had extras.

o   Jamie suggested Bob Beckett might be able to take them to Ukraine and Jane said that this had been done a couple of years ago.

4.      The New Bamfielder-Louis Druehl

·         Bob Baden’s celebration of Life will be held on April 20 at 2.00pm in the Rix Centre.

·         A new journalist is needed to take over the New Bamfielder to cover life in Bamfield as Louis is interested in handing over the reins.

NEW BUSINESS

1.      Small GIA  (less than $1000) request for Cougar Pass improvement.

A petition and a letter had been received last year asking for improvements to the trail in Cougar Pass. Costs were sought to install a handrail and create a stable gravel surface through the area but the estimates came in above $40,000. This is above the level that a GIA can fund. Further to this some danger trees would have to be removed before any construction could begin adding to the total cost.

As an interim solution the two most difficult spots (uneven, narrow) to navigate for strollers, walkers and those with limited mobility were identified. A GIA is applied for of less than $1000 by Delores Bowker to address these problem areas only. The presentation of this GIA was presented by Jan.

NEXT MEETING

The next meeting will be on Tuesday, April 22, 2025.

Meeting Adjourned at approximately 19.02  m/BSills s/SDe