Alberni Valley Transition Town Society
Minutes 24 March, 2025
Present: Mike, John, Peter, Jim

Meeting with MLA Josie Osborne, on Climate Change 4 April, 2025: There is a risk it will be cancelled again because she is busy + federal election. Plan to be organized to use time most effectively. Mike will resend meeting plan from first attempt to meet last month.
Somass Lands/Owatchet Creek Development: Expected announcement from Matthews West hasn’t happened yet. Discussed lack of council response to our list of questions. The response from staff was perfunctory and provided no real information.
Cycle Alberni: John has acquired extra funding for the next Go By Bike Week, 31 May to 6 June, on the basis of incorporating a First Nations component. We lack appropriate contacts at the moment. John will follow up but would appreciate any suggestions for collaboration.
Federal Election All Candidates Meeting: We are planning to co-host an all candidates meeting with the Chamber of Commerce. Perhaps we would contribute $200? Roles will need to be defined well in advance. John will follow up (a tentative date has been set).
Public Transit Lobbying: Peter and Jim have written letter to Alberni Valley News. Have been encouraging people to respond to BC Transit survey. Peter has been in contact with Todd Littman from ‘Better Island Transit’. Consider Littman as a possibility for a public event on transit. Discussed a widely distributed petition. Fall Fair would be good venue for promoting that. Peter and Jim will present our argument to Josie Osborne at 4 April meeting. We need more factual background.
Mike took part in a recent WE-CAN conference. WE-CAN members on the Island agreed to focus on improvements to public transit as goal for 2025.
Community Garage Sale 19 April, 2025: Mike reported that we have 7-8 tables spoken for. That would be enough to make the event worthwhile. Mike will work on soliciting more tables. $15 for individuals or businesses, $10 for non-profits. We will put up our large banner. People are encouraged to bring their own tables, card tables, etc.
Food Security: Mike and Anna Lewis met and agreed to do an event on food security, but this is best put off until later this year.
AVTTS Quarterly Newsletter: Mike is working on a newsletter
AVTTS Strategic Review: Mike is collating answers to the survey but will first focus on the newsletter and the April events.
ACRD Regional Parks Working Group: Mike is filling out an application for AVTTS
Reviving Green Drinks: Char is willing to host Green Drinks before the Skysong Choir event on Tuesdays. But Skysong is moving in April. Format should change to explicitly invite community activists. Jim will continue to explore
Shipbreaking: Mike will share correspondence from Baynes Sound residents who have been fighting this industry for years. Letter warning Port Alberni about allowing the industry to set up shop here was sent to city in January but has not appeared in council correspondence.

Next meeting: 14 April, 2025

From Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, 6 pm

Location: 5115 Gordon Avenue in Northport
A special meeting of the board to discuss 2025 activities and strategic planning.

Greetings/introductions
Acknowledge unceded First Nations territory
Approval of meeting agenda Moved, seconded
Approval of previous minutes (no minutes from Dec. 9 meeting).
UNFINISHED BUSINESS

1. Recordkeeping request (Mike) Jim will be asked to do recordkeeping going forward, Leo will do it for today. 
2. Financial and membership reports (from previous meeting) Cycle Alberni: $679, general: $1984.55 (does not include paypal). Loney fund has been officially moved over.
GROUP UPDATES

Dry Creek Restoration Group: Letter to Editor re 25 questions to the city on Owatchet/Somass Lands (Mike) 

Cycle Alberni (John) GoByBike is Feb 8-15, got a grant for $750. John’s looking for an activity that’s easy and gets people out. There will be a celebration station at Jumping Slug’s new location. The big GoByBike is in May, and John will apply for a larger grant. 

NEW: Transition transition (Mike) Mike is trying to get access to the website and Paypal (since resolved).
NEW: Active transportation grant. Action: Robert will look into it.
NEW BUSINESS

Collaboration with Vancouver Island Privately Managed Forests Action Group (Jim) Judy will write a letter of support for review after she sees the resolution. 

Support for improved regional bus transportation (Jim and Peter) All support this initiative

NEW: Industrial Heritage Centre/Curling Rink solar panel (Chris) no update

NEW: Membership/outreach table at AV Seedy Saturday (Mike). Two volunteers needed, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Facebook/Meta and social media alternatives including B.C. Social startup (Mike) Action: Mike will send out a link
FOR DISCUSSION

2025 calendar planning (see Activity Planner)
• All candidates meeting in April. Action: John will contact Jolene at the Chamber of Commerce
• Somass Lands
• Mike is taking this year to slow down and focus on membership, communications, newsletter, and we’ll see what comes up. Possibly an event on regional transportation.
* Long-range strategic planning session (see strategic planning questionnaire)
• Consider adding civil disobedience/direct action to questionnaire.

MOVE TO ADJOURN

ADDENDUM:
* The board agreed at its Dec. 9, 2024, meeting to hold a strategic review for the purpose of planning society activities in 2025 and beyond. A questionnaire was distributed among board members and a handful of regular participants to guide the exercise. Results will be distilled into a report for followup discussion.