DNC board meeting minutes, January 27^th, 2015. Location: #62 East Hastings.

Agenda

Housing

Meeting with the Liberal Candidate.

Legal Committee

Meeting Space

Other business

Housing

Discussion that non profits that claim to provide supportive housing coerce tenants with 6 month fixed term rental agreements to accept illegal rules that violate people’s rights and the Rental Tenancy Act. Rules such as no guests, not even family members as visitors are illegal. Files are kept on residents by staff. People feel coerced to accept this treatment in a time of 0.5.vacancy rate. Fipa Act says it is illegal for companies to keep files on people. Facilities are not licenced and residents are monitored by staff and notes are kept on them. The only other place this occurs is a jail, or a hospital.

Meeting with Liberal Candidate

Discussion that Amanda and Marla will go to the event to meet the Liberal candidate for Vancouver East Joanne Griffith.

Legal Committee

Discussion that HR complaint is almost completed. There is another opportunity to take it to another advisor for more feedback.

Meeting Space

Shawn: will check out First United.

Other business

Rob:  A new political party is forming, looking for reps throughout BC.

Roland: We should have a meeting with Vandu.

Ann: The most important thing is to do a Saturday meeting.

Amanda: We should consider the budget, we can’t afford stipends.

Rob: Tuesday group. Vandu can put in their funds for stipends.

Roland:  There are systemic issues such as poverty. You don’t get to engage the poorest people without stipends.  $3 is what needs to be done.

Leo: $2 plus coffee and a sandwich.

Amanda: The reality is we have to watch the budget.

Shawn: We can make a big bowl of chili.

Roland: It’s important for us to hear new stories of abuses. We need to have people come so we can hear. Most vulnerable should be encouraged to come.

Shawn:  I will create a DNC suggestion box. Will report back.

Moment of Silence

Adjourn