January 20,2008

Present: Anna, Candace, Meron, Melanie

1. Phelisanong Funding: Mamello has sent priorities for funding, see below

2. Coordinator: funding - no action taken as yet. There is some funding available through JCP. If we get longer term application/set up for a coordinator though there is no one for this position in the wings. EI top up. Part time use of Peg and Peter’s coordinator? Building a proposal connecting SOLID with I-SEA. $10/hr could be shared with I-SEA for 20 hrs per week each, linked through <ned>. Pitch in$ 2.50 additionally per hour each, $15 per hour would probably attract someone.

ACTION: ANNA will talk to Lynn

3. Office Space: Rob talked to Peter re the library people are interested in the office space. share? in place of us? Are they willing to let us out of our lease? Lease till end of May. 1st option to renew?

–if moving better move sooner than later

-doesn’t make sense to pay $250/mo and not be here . If we don’t have a coordinator we should let the space go. (see #2)

Melanie presented idea for use of space for retail outlet. To test the ground for someone to use, like a fair trade store. Thinking of starting a fair trade cooperative, Melanie said. Support artisans in other places. Details to be worked out. Working on volunteer basis like 10,000 villages staff which is all volunteer. Enough stuff to sell? Etc

ACTION: MERON to follow up with Rob about library request to use space.

ACTION: MELANIE will put together a proposal regarding fair trade store and submit to board for consideration.

4.Financial statement: tabled, Rob is completing the books.

5. Phelisanong: Priority $15,000R on turck still owing - about $2,200 Can. Mamello bought the truck with the canopy, even though Peter had found funding for the truck (BEFORE he knew about the canopy). It is not known if Peter S. communicated anything definitive about the canopy.

No insurance and brakes are grinding. Concern was expressed about funding things after the fact, without prior agreement, and about funding either of these projects until the clarification of process and priorities at the next meeting of SOLID Feb. 10th.

$5,000 for building a kitchen and dining area — question why not a traditional hut? cob? a lower cost? 10 truckloads of sand 4,000R $700? Seems very high.

ACTION: ANNA Suggestion regarding finding reduced cost options for the second option (building kitchen) with the statement that we would like to be involved in some way.

6. SOLID: planning meeting: Feb. 10th,POT LUCK Sunday.

Priorities: Melanie will be happy to take this role or assist with this role. Meeting 1 pm through dinner 11th Feb, revisit mission, priorities, process. Agreed that this process is necessary before any further decision making takes place about spending, priorities, process etc.

ACTION: CANDACE will ask Susan Dann to coordinate/facilitate

6. Change Conference: Phil V.and Meron did a presentation. Meron did introduction, “art as activism”. Photos, display, newsletters, peace tiles display and video, why do you do what you do? material. Phil did his presentation. Two Global kids spoke. Event was packed. Phil was told that Meron’s contribution to the kids has been very much appreciated.

Josette going to Sipho’s in spring. Josette will take soccer balls. Heather has a wish list from Sipho. Feb. 17th fund raiser on Mayne Island for Swaziland.

7. Sala Hantle: walk and fun run by UBC Pharmacy Dept. on Mar 16th. 200 students are going to take part. Very exciting and well organized! Anna trying to get industry funding to match. Funds can be used as SOLID chooses.
8. Tax Receipts and other action points related

ACTION ANNA to follow up on new fiscal agent and VIDEA.

9. Rob W and Anna put in proposal for training film Paliative Care. Health Canada $30,000 but has not been signed off by the Minister. Anna still pursuing additional funding. Original proposal was $90,000. (Judy Jackson will do this film and she has given this figure.) Anna feels the concept is valid, though wondering if a film is the best medium to get this word out. Funding can go into training directly and can go into manuals that the trainers could use is another idea. Will discuss further at meeting on the 10th.
10. Partnerships, planning for 2008 funding AT NEXT SOLID MEETING
11. Community to Community conference? - TO NEXT SOLID MEETING
12. <NED>: Networked Enterprise Development - May, Mark proposed that the first <ned> conference be weekend of the 15th

ACTION: CANDACE propose move to May-23-25th on <ned>

13. Website:

ACTION: MERON TO follow up with Aaron Hanford - offering SOLID free web hosting and will import. He cannot work on it. Melanie also asked for this for the retail idea and he will be approached to give a lesson. Meron will work on the web site. Some members on <ned> have a working knowledge of Joomla so there may be some help on <ned>.

ACTION: MELANIE will approach Aaron to do a teaching session.

ACTION: MERON & MELANIE will attend the teaching on the new website.

14. Melanie: Project that Melanie and James are undertaking – Mesango masangodema.org, website under construction: cultural centre. Permaculture gardener from there would like to come to Canada — Dan Jason will be willing to sponsor him business wise. He has money for plane ticket/visa. A letter of support may be requested from SOLID. He would be wiling to assist with SOLID while here. Would need more information.

ACTION: MELANIE will send email in what way he would be part of the organization etc.

15. ACTION: ANNA to talk to Lynn and find out more about the web site through which tax receipts may be available.
16. MOTION: $150 TO Heather Ferris for honorarium for her work at the workshop, Paradox of Altruism. (She received only $50 at the time for her transportation.) Passed.
17. Melanie will attend planning meeting.
18. Gesine and Marggie left on 16th for Malawi to visit Nhkoma and Ndimoyo.

MOTION: In honour of going/support that we send $500.000 to each of those hospitals from Sala Hantle fund. Passed

19. Aware Magazine: Lars at Peace Tiles submitted including our story and we will be written up soon. Were published in book the "Art of Grief", editor in New York Flags, Peace Tiles.

ACTION: MERON to try and find a copy as we weren't sent the one we were promised.

20. ODE intellectual optimist — amazing concepts etc.
21. Meron has had some money coming to her via other situations. Another on line site Meron has been involved with: 3 D Second Life. Better World Island, Gardens of Hope. Peace Tile mural representation from there was done by Meron. One group there raised $1,000.00 Auctioned off virtual objects. Benefactor of the auction. $200 to Phelisangong, and $200 to Rhapoka school in Lesotho, 20 trees apples for orphans, solar cooker going to grannies in Lesotho, classroom school supplies and books. Supplies and books through G.R.O Foundation, Jean and Jamie.

A New Year's benefit for the Gardens of Hope and another donation from the Green Lanterns ~ $430 for Gardens of Hope. Has been talking to Su Russell the Rhapoka group; have 33 people who are trying to start a gardening project to help sustain these people with HIV. Rhapoka is the middle school’s twin school.

NEXT SOLID MEETING: Feb. 10th, POT LUCK at Ango Retreat (Candace's) Sunday afternoon staring 1 pm promptly

SOLID Minutes June 8th, 2008

NEXT MEETING THURSDAY JULY 10TH 6PM SOLID OFFICE

Present: Meron, Anna, Heather, Melanie, Bill Nash (website developer)

Regrets: Candace, Maggie, Sam, Margery

Update Maggie and Phil: tabled

Update Josette: Swaziland - the following correspondence was shared

We arrived back home to Canada earlier today...

News...lets see we had sewing classes for the women that went very well and was a good time. Nancy, Colleen and I made 40 girls uniforms (each girl gets 2 uniforms) and some of the sewing students were able to help a bit and Colleen will carry on with the women sewing and introduce them more to making the uniforms. Colleen went to a professional dressmaking school - so is very good at sewing. The women are happy with the 4 singer machines we bought and we hope they continue on making their baby clothes, skirts and blouses and uniforms. We bought 2 uniforms each for the boys…we were able to get them all socks and shoes.

A large water holding container was bought to aid with the garden project at the school and we were able to contribute to establishing a chicken raising project at the school...the coop is built and the chickens are in it and we were able to provide 8 months of feed - which is was thought was enough time until the children planted and harvested their own crops at the school to feed the chickens. They will learn how many chicks to keep as eggs, how many to keep as layers and for meat, it is also thought that when they produce a surplus they could sell them, as indigenous (free range) birds are sought for market consumption.

PS….we were also able to buy all the kids sweaters that are brown with mustard trim to match their uniforms and I am probably forgetting other stuff as well. I have photo copies of the budget and receipts that I will mail to SOLID once I settle back in - but those will give a good picture of what all was done...speaking of pics we don't have many cause our cameras were stolen in Mozambique!!! Too funny...but the memory card of my mind isn't full yet! A teacher asst, Anna who works at the school, may be able to get some pics for me - I'll see.

Financial Update/Money Transfers:

Most recent bank statements not available…..recent donations include $2000 from Purdue Pharma, $1000 for Maggie and Phil’s project, money from Knit Wits.

Still awaiting cheque from Active.com for last $1200 – was mailed to the office on May 15th – Meron and Rob to follow up.

Cheque from Kelsey School for $155 stale dated so Anna to contact school to have cheque reissued.

Waiting for confirmation of Agnes’s bank details, have not received email reply – perhaps Candace could call Agnes and prompt this?

Money transfers need to be sent to Sipho, Ndi Moyo and Agnes as soon as we have confirmation of bank details – Meron and Rob?

Finances need to be up to date in time for the AGM.

Per Diem:

Meron felt strongly that she would not be requesting a per diem for project related expenses, as her time and efforts are contributions to SOLID.

Heather found it necessary to be reimbursed for the expense involved in setting up a suitable volunteer accommodation in Lesotho (the “volunteer box” with cooking utensils, pots, bedding etc).

Anna felt that it was reasonable to offer a $5 per diem compensation for SOLID directors to compensate for direct project related expenditures (receipt supported) if the director chooses to claim for such expenses.

We did not have quorum so could not vote on this. Tabled.

Fundraising Events:

Plans are being made for the following fundraisers in the next 12 months

June 20th Muzuva Band – Duncan ... Melanie and James will take SOLID materials to advertise our NGO

July – AGM and presentation by Sam and Meron at Community Gospel Chapel. Need to advertise 2 weeks ahead of time.

And, after impromptu ferry meeting in the morning…. Maggie and Phil also willing to participate and tell stories of their most recent journey. We could all bake, or ask for donations from local business for coffee, tea, and cookies. Maggie has been invited to be a board member with Candace’s departure…will advise us of her decision.

Possible Date for Anna Sunday July 27 but weeknights may also work…Please Meron Doodle your available days and see if others can attend ... Meron and Sam to work out potential date for event.

August – Masango Fundraiser – Zimbabwean dinner and music on SSI and Vancouver – James and Melanie

Sept – Jami Sieber fundraiser for Agnes - Shelly Sherrif organizing with Candace.

Dec – World AIDS Day – one idea (from chat with Maggie this am) is to do another mini C2C3 with the following themes around this date ... Maggie and Jackie Larkin run an incredible workshop called “Reconnecting to Life” which encompasses many powerful pieces, but would assist AIDS activists in preventing burn out and coming to terms with the tragedies we witness. This could be tied into a workshop following last year’s event at Candace’s addressing the best way for us to help in Africa ... Perhaps we could collaborate with Peg and Peter????

Anna to explore with Maggie, Candace, Peg and Jackie.

Maggie and Phil to do Tuendelee Mbele fundraiser

Spring 2009 – UBC/VIDEA/Sala Hantle Fundraiser – VIDEA is very excited about partnering on this and wants to involve their contacts in Nelson and the Okanogan so that we have a run in Victoria, Van, Nelson and Kelowna raising money for our health projects!!! Anna to work on.

Maggie and Anna talked about the need for a big general fundraiser for SOLID. Ideas anyone?

2009 C2C3!!!!!!!!!!

Masango Proposal:

Reviewed proposal circulated by Melanie and agreed in principle to support the project (majority vote) and Melanie and James to work with contacts in Zimbabwe to organize leadership training 3 x 3 days event for up to 30 participants at a total cost of $1100.

Currently on hold as communication has been very difficult with Zim.

SOLID Exchange:

Display looks fabulous. Some concerns re lack of volunteer hours for opening the store…perhaps we could advertise on Volunteer Salt Spring. Bill Nash developing website called www.saltspring-island.com and he is very keen on getting the word out on what we are doing and who we are. Would be helpful to have more information posted in the SOLID exchange about the various African projects we are working with.

Also discussed signage outside the group will create a banner that represents who we are better, and that we are working on African Projects.

So far items are on consignment to the store, and we have profited $372.

There are some opportunities for partnering with Global Village in Victoria…they offer grants and small interest microloans to social enterprises such as SOLID Exchange. Meron to organize meeting to discuss volunteer hours etc.

JCP and VIDEA Meeting:

JCP application is still being worked on by Lynn at VIDEA…the idea to create a position to expand the SOLID Exchange. Would be great to identify someone from Salt Spring who has been on Social Assistance in the last three years and might be eligible for the position. Melanie to talk to Kate Leslie.

VIDEA also very excited about the possibility of creating Internship positions for our partner organizations in Africa. Anna to discuss further with Lynn.

Volunteer for SOLID:

VIDEA will advertise on their website and Volunteer Victoria for a volunteer coordinator for us. We need to come up with a “job description”…..some ideas include:

Website Knowledge (Joomla)

Bookkeeping

Writing Press Releases

Basic Administration

PR – community outreach

Retail Sales

Volunteer scheduling

Grant writing

Correspondence with African Partners.

Please discuss any further ideas with Anna and I will get this job description into Lynn.

Phelisanong Clinic:

Briefly discussed Phelisanong. SOLID has a commitment to support the clinic building with a $500 donation (along with Partner’s for Others) should the US Ambassador’s grant come through.

Mamello and Meron have been speaking on the telephone and Mamello is sending three more proposals our way

1. Greenhouse….this has been ongoing for a long time, and it now seems that they have a Basotho permaculture expert volunteering for the project ... could consider this as a contained project

2. Computers – electricity now at project ... Mamello wants to open internet café as well as supply computers to the school. Ray can load onto container going to ADRA.

3. Tractor – Mamello is asking for another tractor as an income generator, but the SOLID group present felt that this was not something we could support at this point.

   Decisions tabled until we have proposals and another meeting.

Local Awareness/Advertising:

We need to get the word out as to what we are up to in our own community. Meron to resend Abigail’s letter (with pictures) to the Driftwood. Also need a letter to the editor advertising AGM. Anna came up with the idea of a “diary” type letter, “A Year in the Life of SOLID” which describes all the activities we have been involved with in the last year….will discuss with Meron and write for the paper.

Newsletter much needed ...

Tuendelee Mbele - Maggie

Swaziland – Jo

Malawi – Gesine

Power of Peace Nomination

Sam and Meron’s trip

Financial Report ...

<ned> Weekend

Fundraiser ideas

Commitment to Care Award

Can we start working on these and choose a deadline??? Should be ready for AGM.

Swazi Container:

Ray and Meron working on container to go to Swazi with tools etc (through Community Gospel Church). Elizabeth Wiekle has barrels of tools, and wants to organize a garage sale to benefit SOLID. Heather to work on details of this event with Elizabeth.

Re: July – AGM and presentation by Sam and Meron at Community Gospel Chapel. Need to advertise 2 weeks ahead of time.

I've been speaking with the Community Gospel Chapel people and this isn't going to work out/isn't appropriate. I had another thought that we could combine the AGM with a presentation at the Lion's Hall like we did last year. Sam and I could do our presentation and Maggie and Phil could do something about their recent visit to Kenya. I ran in to Maggie in town today and she's going to check with Phil.

Possible dates for the AGM/Presentation:

• Thursday, July 3rd
• Thursday, July 10th
• Thursday, July 17th

We'd need to check on availability of the hall etc. Some feedback on this idea would be appreciated.

Re: Elizabeth Wiekle has barrels of tools, and wants to organize a garage sale to benefit SOLID. Heather to work on details of this event with Elizabeth.

Note send out by Heather:

Hi I am sending this out to board members and some friends of SOLID to let you know that Elizabeth Wiyckel is trying to organize a huge 3 day garage sale for June 27, 28th and 29th. She has asked for three volunteers for each day. It will be so large that the furniture and other items will have to be moved outside and she will need a lot of help with set up, sales and take down. She feels that SOLID could do very well with this fund raiser. Half of all sales will come to SOLID and the other half will go toward her Dog Rescue Center. She has an amazing amount of stuff to sell and I believe that other families are also involved.

Elizabeth would like to have a meeting with as many people as can show up on Tues June the 17th @ 3pm @ the SOLID office to discuss the sale and find a way to make it an event.

Please e-mail me and let me know if you would be able to help with the sale and come to the meeting. I will not get to my e-mail until Sunday, so I can be reached @ 537-9675.

Thanks for your consideration of this request.

All the best, Heather

If you can help out with this fundraiser please post here and let Heather know.

Re: July – AGM and presentation by Sam and Meron at Community Gospel Chapel. Need to advertise 2 weeks ahead of time.

I checked with the Lion's Club, the hall will be available on Thursday, July 24th so I booked that for the AGM/presentation. Hope that fits in to everybody's schedule.