DNC Board Meeting – Mar26, 2011

DNC Board Meeting – Mar26/2011

Present: Earl, Fraser, Dave M, Harold, Ping!, Wendy, Ann, Tami, Paul M., Sid on Scype.

Minutes: Tami

Acknowledgement: Tami

Chair: Ann/Wendy

Constitution: Fraser

1)     Street Market – Dave M: Job posting has gone out to the community. Ann/Paul/Dave met with Doug Bain & Dana Walker. Rev Barry complained about bike locked to the gate over his window. Ice cream store girl complained about church feeders in her way. Dealt with – solution found.  Doug Bain complained about “stolen goods”. Dave explained that we do not police our community and certainly have no control over people shop lifting and where they sell it. Ann: we recommend that we have 1 or 2 regular officers of experience to liaison with. Wendy: someone needs to draft a letter to the city and public about evils of ticketing and purpose of the street market.  TO DO:  Dave & Ann to draft letter.

2)     General Meeting: Saturday, April 2.  

a.       TO DO:  Wendy to make poster

b.      TO DO:  Fraser & Tami – arrange printing & postering.

c.       TO DO:  Harold to glean past minutes to see if board needs to take important recommendations to the board.

d.      TO DO:  Wendy & Harold to draft GM agenda:  Include current DNC issues:  Library housing; Street market job posting; shelter closures and women’s shelter statement; LAPP update; Chinatown towers hearing; recommendations from board like LAPP liaison to the city; agreed to not bring up letter from board to absent board members at this GM – wait until next GM;

e.       TO DO:  Food – Fraser/Britta/Craig. Aids Test investigation.

f.        TO DO:  Phone Tree: Tami.

g.       TO DO:  Wendy to ask Stacey & Beth to help with membership list/sign in.

h.      Discussion about Honorariums (see below):

i.         TO DO:  Tami to organize daycare

j.         Co-chairs: Tami & Wendy (or Harold). 

3)     Board Development:

a.       TO DO:  Ann to draft letter to absent board members as passed at last board meeting.  Not done yet.  Ping feels conflict and stress with the board meetings.  Happened over the past 6 months.  Everyone agrees General Members will make final decision about board turnover.   

b.      Board Development workshop Saturday, April 9 1 pm at 118 Alexander Street Buzzer #100

                                                               i.      Decision to add conflict resolution to board development workshop and something on team building.

                                                             ii.      Decision to include honorarium evaluation discussion

                                                           iii.      TO DO:  Tami: print off photo copies of constitution with Wendy’s help so we can discuss this at the workshop.

                                                           iv.      TO DO:  Tami do an anti oppression workshop

                                                             v.      TO DO:  Committee struck at last board meeting:  Sid/Dave/Ann/Ivan to work on agenda and organize this meeting including getting a facilitator

                                                           vi.      TO DO:  Wendy to book room     

4)     Honorarium evaluation:  Motion: to extent the trial for honorariums for 2 months (May & June) and discuss the evaluation process at the April 9^th board development workshop for ½ an hour.  Passed.  Abstainers: Fraser & Ping.  Evaluation could entail:  establishing set venue; having 2 meetings in consistent space with no stipends and measuring difference; taking attendance; giving stipends for work outside of meetings rather than attendance at GM; measuring quality of meetings with and without stipends; difficulty getting quorum at GMs; measuring attendance of very poor people; measuring increase in volunteerism etc. 

5)     Chinatown towers:  Sign up to the April 5^th at shitty hall.  Jean is a good advisor for speeches if you want help.  Ivan met with 14/15 seniors for meeting entirely in Cantonese at Solhiem and they were against the towers. Consider Mr and Mrs Tang for board members of DNC.  Ryder Cooey &  Claudia Li are doing outreach with the small businesses.  We need to organize a more discussion meetings in Chinatown to get people up to city hall on the 5th. Chinatown residents committee meeting will be Carnegie Theatre / april 9/ or 16^th.  Works better for Ping on the 16th. 

TO DO:  meet at Carnegie on Monday at noon to work on next steps for Chinatown towers campaign.

TO DO:  Wendy to put together info bulletin on what happened, what needs to happen next and video of some of the speeches for GM and wider circulation

6)     (Ann: shitty hall is the great big tit in the sky)

7)     LAPP update:  Update from Wendy, Harold and Paul on progress with BCS and City.  May send joint DNC/BCS letter soon.  Will send around final copy on email to board before sending it out.  See draft in pkg.  Stalling on taking it out to low-income groups.  Need to give update on this to GM.  Paul said big stumbling block with BCS is around our need for 70% low income residents on the committee.  Fraser: resources available to do the LAPP is a big issue. Don’t believe there are major decisions to make on this at the next GM.

8)     Library:  quick update and round table pat on back for our success. 

9)     Kerry:  Harold took this on. Letter is done by lawyer and sent out.

10)Methadone clinic issue & Strathcona Rez Association opposition to it moving it their neighbourhood.  Complicated says Ann because there are so many and some pharmacies are corrupt.  Why need to expand their business from small shop on Main to big location (ex Pivot site) on Hastings?

To DO:  Ann and Dave to take the issue to BC association of people on methadone and seek feedback and possible letter to SRA and City.

11)Rickshaw:  Motion:  Oppose new liquor licence application for Rickshaw.  Passed.  One abstainer:  Paul.  Reasons:  1 liquor seat for every 2 residents; messy sidewalk never cleaned after parties; too noisy; residents complained about violence from outside drinkers in ccap vision.

TO DO:  Ping to draft a letter to the city from DNC and circulate it on board email list before sending out.

12)New issues to deal with in the future:  End Prohibition Coalition growing out of DTES activism; HIV testing; Ping’s tofu making workshop;

Wendy

CCAP/604-839-0379

Minutes March 19, 2011

Minutes March 19, 2011

Downtown Eastside Neighbourhood Council Board of Directors

CCAP Office, Carnegie Community Centre

Chair: Wendy

Noted: Nathan

Attendance: Ivan, Fraser, Earl, Wendy, Harold, Paul, Richard, Nathan, Ron, Ann.

1)     Chinatown Heights Hearing at City Hall

a.      Ivan provided report on organizing efforts to get people out to City Hall to oppose the Chinatown Re-Zoning.

                                                  i.      Overcame challenges getting more than 100 people to City Hall to speak against condo towers in Chinatown.

                                                ii.      Many bus trips, posters, door knocking occurred to get people out.

                                              iii.      Supporters of towers out in force wearing red shirts. Took up all seats in Chinatown.

                                               iv.      Penny Ballem successfully challenged to provide space for elders and DTESers.

                                                 v.      17 people had a chance to speak. 100 more people on list. Hearing scheduled for April 5^th.

b.      Harold described how supporters of towers were using sleazy tactics.

c.      Paul commented that we should write a response to what happened at City Hall.

d.      Ivan said two reports were circulated to all of the City Councillors. Petition delivered to Mayor Gregor Robinson.

e.      Fraser reported that a lot of the red shirt wearing ‘supporters’ did not know what was really going on.

f.        Wendy stated that there needs to be a strong presence on April 5.

g.      Ivan said that we set a very respectful tone. And we should continue to do that.

2)     Letter to Kerry Jang.

a.      Harold explained that the process in responding to a letter complaining of harassment by City Councillor Kerry Jang.

                                                  i.      Copy of letter drafted by Pivot Legal Society letter Scott E. Bernstein.

                                                ii.      Ivan proposed a friendly amendment to letter.

3)     LAPP

a.      Wendy provided update on LAPP process.

                                                  i.      Meetings with BCS and City Manager.

                                                ii.      Letter approved by board over email sent.

                                              iii.      Discussion of how DNC will be represented.

1.      Wendy determined to be the point person to the city through the ongoing planning process. Wendy will be nominated by the Board for ratification at the next General Meeting of the Neighbourhood Council.

2.      Ivan moved motion to recommend to General Membership. Second Fraser.        

                                               iv.      Wendy reiterated that we have to win against the Chinatown Towers.

                                                 v.      Harold stated that he suspects that Vision Council will approve the towers. The LAPP may not be the only means to stop gentrification.

                                               vi.      Ron stated that once we are in negotiations we are going to go all out.

4)     Street Market

a.      $20,000 secured. Job as Street Market Coordinator will be posted. Focus will be fundraising.

b.      Ann described how the market will be organized staff wise, so that it is fair.

c.      Wendy read out job description.

d.      Ivan said that the office should be at the Ginseng Meeting. Ivan also stated that the Anti-Vending By-laws remain the problem.

e.      Harold said that the position will be a challenging one. Questioned how the job will be monitored.

f.        Earl said that their needs to be communication on the tickets and how warrants get issued.

g.      Ann reported that we are hoping for another $20,000.

h.      Earl asked about how the money will be spent. Wendy went over plan including food, and admin costs for VANDU

                                                  i.      MOTION to post Street Market Fundraiser and Coordinator Position as amend. Moved/Second/Carried.

                                                ii.      MOTION to approve hiring committee as Wendy, Paul, Ann, Irene, Marion, Earl and Richard. Moved/Second/Carried

                                              iii.      MOTION to write a public statement announcing the creation of street market is proof that vending is a positive activity and that the Anti-Vending by-law should be abolished. Moved/Second/Carried

                                               iv.      MOTION to support VANDU Street Market Action and endorsement in media release statement. Moved/Second/Carried

5)      GINSENG

a.      Ivan reported that we would be able to have space end of April.

6)     New Board

a.      Discussion of Board Members attendance at meetings.

b.      Harold said that we need to have a talk with those members and gauge their level of interest in the participating on the DNC Board.

c.      Discussion of how to reach out to absentee members.

d.      Ivan stated that our procedure is that if someone misses 3 consecutive board meetings they will be contacted their participation assessed.

e.      Ann will draft a letter.

f.        MOTION that Ann draft a letter to the 6 board members who have been missing Ping, Vanessa, Robert, Ilene, Nicole, Gladys, to clarify their status as board members and request that they contact the board before a specific date, or the board will replace them.Moved/Second/Carried

g.      Ann clarified that we can be accommodating by offering people a leave of absence.

h.      Earl stated that our original intention was to make room for homeless representatives.

7)     Community March Against Racism Announced – March 20st.   

a.      Ivan reported that DNC endorsed march. Email to be sent.

8)     Women’s March Tuesday March 22

a.      Another march scheduled to support women assaulted in shelters. Main and Hastings, 1 PM Hastings.

b.      Ivan moved motion of support.

                                                  i.      MOTION to write a public letter of support for the action of the coalition of women and women’s organization against threats of funding cuts by BC Housing. Moved/Second/Carried

9)     Board Development

a.      Meeting Scheduled for Saturday April 9^th.

                                                  i.      MOTION that we have a Board Development day from 11Am to 3PM, Saturday April 9^th, with an outside facilitator .

10)  Adjurn: 1:01 PM

Wendy

CCAP/604-839-0379

DNC BOARD - February 12, 2011

February 12, 2011
DNC BOARD OF DIRECTORS

ACTION ITEMS & MOTIONS:
((1))
DECISION: That we will send some (but note many) representatives to
speak against the Concord Pacific land swap with city council on these
terms:
i. That the city should not let Concord out of their obligation to
build social housing on False Creek: Concord should give their parcels
of land in the DTES to the city for social housing. They have made
enough money off the DTES and the city of Vancouver.
ii. The city must build 100% social housing at the sites (should they
accommodate this land swap deal), not apartments for couples with good
jobs, as some councilors have stated.
Consensus agreement
((2))
MOTION: That the DNC Street Market Committee approach Hope in Shadows
for their charity number. Our second choice would be the Chinese
Canadian National Council, through ACCESS. Our third choice will be BC
Persons with AIDS Society (BCPWA).
Moved: Paul; Seconded: Fraser; PASSED unanimous.
((3))
MOTION: That all funding proposals and applications to the city must
go through the Board of Directors. That no individual has the mandate
to pursue these matters on their own.
Moved: Ivan; Seconded: Paul; PASSED unanimously.
((4))
DECISION: That Wendy, Paul, and Dave will come up with a way to bring
it up at council that the street market is a DNC project.
Consensus decision
((5))
DECISION: Wendy will contact Nathan A and help him with contacting
Atira and negotiating our way into the space before March.
Consensus agreement
((6))
ACTION ITEM: Read the funding committee's proposal and prepare for the
next BOD meeting. (appendix A)




MEETING MINUTES
Present: Wendy, Dave H, Dave M, Sid, Paul, Harold, Tami, Fraser, Ivan, Ron
Guests: Agnes, Bob
Chair: Wendy
Minutes: Ivan

Agenda:
1. Local Area Planning Process
2. 10 Sites campaign
3. Street market
4. Ginseng space
5. Funding proposal
6. Announcements
a. Raycam event
b. Aiyanis and dental care proposal
c. VCMN conference
d. Homeground
e. Memorial march
Acknowledgement: Ron
Constitution reading: Dave M
--- ---
1) LOCAL AREA PLANNING PROCESS (LAPP)
Discussion: On the progress of the LAPP committee formation. The DNC
planning committee was empowered to investigate what it might look
like to work with BCS as LAPP co-chairs and bring back
recommendations. There are no recommendations yet, but a report on the
first meeting with BCS. There was no action necessary from the BOD.
Wendy: - The DNC planning ctte (PC) met with reps from BCS and sent
them a letter asking them to come out against the Chinatown towers;
they did.
- We have to continue to watch them and listen
Harold: - We don't know what the dynamics in BCS are and we need to
work for the LAPP committee we want.
Sid: - The city is probably buying time to buy votes
Ivan: - BCS's position on chinatown towers was a litmus test.
--- ---
2) 10 SITES CAMPAIGN
Discussion: On three upcoming events around the 10 sites campaign; a
press conference on Feb 15; the land swap for 58 W. Hastings on Feb
17; and a report from the CCAP volunteers. There was no action
necessary from the BOD.
Ivan: - The press conference on Feb 15 will have speakers from DNC,
VANDU, WAHRS, Walk for Justice, and CCAP. It will focus on challenging
the provincial leadership hopefuls to fund social housing,
specifically the 10 sites in the DTES. It will use Pantages as an
example of why this is urgent.
Harold: - The Condord landswap of trading their social housing
obligation at NE False Creek for land at 58 W. Hastings and 112 E.
Hastings goes to city council on Feb 17.
DECISION: That we will send some (but note many) representatives to
speak against the Concord Pacific land swap with city council on these
terms:
i. That the city should not let Concord out of their obligation to
build social housing on False Creek: Concord should give their parcels
of land in the DTES to the city for social housing. They have made
enough money off the DTES and the city of Vancouver.
ii. The city must build 100% social housing at the sites (should they
accommodate this land swap deal), not apartments for couples with good
jobs, as some councilors have stated.
(Consensus agreement)
Wendy: - The CCAP volunteers have invited councilors Reimer and Jang
to come to a meeting to present a property buying proposal to them for
the next capital budget. They will keep us informed.
--- ---
3) STREET MARKET
Discussion: Our proposal for the city to fund the street market is
going forward to council on Thursday Feb 17; we discussed and decided
on some specific necessary steps and actions.
Dave: - The street market committee met on Friday for the first time
in months. Discussed what to do about funding and operational issues.
Wendy has been looking into getting City Hall's funding matched by the
Central City Foundation in order to increase the street market's
funding base.
Wendy: - The street market committee appointed two chairs to run
meetings and coordinate street market issues: Dave M, and Paul.
Wendy: - We need a charity to undersign the matching from Central City.
MOTION: That the DNC Street Market Committee approach Hope in Shadows
for their charity number. Our second choice would be the Chinese
Canadian National Council, through ACCESS. Our third choice will be BC
Persons with AIDS Society (BCPWA).
Moved: Paul; Seconded: Fraser; PASSED unanimous.
Ivan: - Worried because the proposal that went forward to council was
done in the name of VANDU not DNC. It should have been done by a
group.
MOTION: That all funding proposals and applications to the city must
go through the Board of Directors. That no individual has the mandate
to pursue these matters on their own.
Moved: Ivan; Seconded: Paul; PASSED unanimously.
DECISION: That Wendy, Paul, and Dave will come up with a way to bring
it up at council that the street market is a DNC project.
Consensus decision
--- ---
4) GINSENG SPACE
DECISION: Wendy will contact Nathan A and help him with contacting
Atira and negotiating our way into the space before March.
Consensus decision.
--- ---
5) FUNDING PROPOSAL
- The proposal written by the funding policy committee (Sid and
Suzanne) was presented and distributed and tabled to the next BOD
meeting after everyone has had a chance to read it.

--- ---
6) ANNOUNCEMENTS
a. Raycam: That Wendy and Ron will go to the event on Sunday at
Raycam and leaflet
b. Aiyanis: That Aiyanis wants to come to the next BOD meeting and
present on the Dental plan that he's working on
c. VCMN conference: That Tami will organize a table at the conference
next Saturday
d. Homeground festival: That we will try to participate with a table
e. Memorial march: That we will all go on Monday.
--- ---
MEETING ADJOURNED / CLOSING




APPENDIX A:

DNC Funding Policy Committee meeting - 7:00pm, Feb. 7/11
Lore Krill (239 E. Pender) – Suzanne B. & Sid T.

The following is suggestion:

As an organization whose main membership is low-income residents of
the DTES, we strive to create and maintain a Council that is
self-reliant and independent. In general, we recognize the need to
raise funds from diverse sources and will accept donations that
further our organizational goals.

To that end, we accept funding under the following conditions:

Transparency:

1. DNC will be fully transparent about its sources of funding and
will accept funding which furthers our organizational mandate,
missions, and values.
2. All funding received by the DNC must be announced and funding
decisions must be discussed and ratified by the DNC membership at a
General Meeting.
3. All monies donated, raised or earned must be placed into the DNC
general account.

Specific purpose and project funding:

4. Specific purpose and project funding donations must be approved
by a motion at the DNC Board and brought for discussion and
ratification by the membership at a General Meeting.
5. DNC will not accept funding from any source that would demand
any kind of unacceptable oversight into our membership, advocacy and
actions as determined by our membership at a General Meeting.

Anonymous Donations:

6. Anonymous donations are accepted for purposes determined by the
DNC Board and membership in accordance with this funding policy.
7. Should the DNC Board refuse the anonymous donation, the donor
(or representative) can appeal to the membership at a general meeting.

Funding Policy Committee:

8. The Funding Policy Committee is an ad hoc committee which may be
reconvened if and when needed by the DNC Board.

Action required from DNC Board:

1. Prepare motion based on the above Funding Policy for
presentation to membership at the next General Meeting.

Friends of the DNC recommendation:

The Funding Policy Committee recognizes the need to provide
opportunities for friends and allies of the DNC to raise funds for our
organization. To this end, we would recommend that Friends of the DNC
group be initiated to explore the possibilities. Any such
organization would remain accountable to the DNC