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