Garrison Creek Park Community Association

Garrison Creek Park Community Garden Association
2010 AGM
Minutes of Meeting

Meeting date: December 4, 2010
Meeting location: Toronto Public Library, Shaw/Davenport

In attendance: Kat Tancock, Charles Gardner, David Campbell, Mark Cherrington, Airin Stephens

Minutes prepared by Kat Tancock

1. Call to order and introductions

2. Approval of agenda

3. Recap 2010: Achievements

- water out of a faucet!
- new gardeners have joined
- we got big pumpkins in the community plots
- sent in proposal for expansion and for planting a tree – city has asked us to revisit these topics in the new year

4. Financial Report

- approx $500 in bank account, some change in petty cash
- minimal expenditures in 2010
- paying $2/month in bank fees
- local TD branch is closed – we may want to switch to BMO

5. Discussion of challenges and goals for 2011

Main challenge is managing participation and plot use. How do we get more people involved, and should we continue with the current allocation structure?

Decision: let’s proceed as individual plots, with some communal, like formerly. Airin: individual plots bring more people in.

Proposal: mandatory orientations in spring to bring people together and let people reassess their commitment to the garden. You must attend an orientation to get your plot for the new year. This is also where new gardeners on the waiting list can receive plot allocations, and where we can discuss what gets planted in the community plots.

2011 orientations:

Saturday, May 7, 10am
Wednesday, May 11, 7 pm
Sunday, May 15, 2 pm

Airin to coordinate agendas and leaders for May 2011 orientations.

Preliminary orientation agenda:

- map of plots
- show people garden tools/names list
- bring list of names on waiting list
- take attendance
- talk about soil
- discuss community plots (planting, watering schedule)
- weeding

Another goal for 2011: organize/upgrade the compost system. Kat to take leadership on this.

6. Additional items

Mark and Kat submitted a proposal for expansion (more plots in the park) in 2011. To follow up with city in new year – funds go to new gardens first but if there is money left over they may be able to help.

Weeding – what to do? The weeds get out of control. Suggestion: a monthly weeding party. Front flower boxes are the biggest problem as they get overrun quickly.

Look into mowing solution for 2011? Suggestion: put landscaping cloth or plastic over back fence area (next to railway tracks) to prevent weed growth?

Getting compost from city – through Beth – mushroom compost? (Frankel Lambert did this.)

7. Election of 2011 executive

Coordinator: Charles Gardner
Treasurer: Mark Cherrington
Maintenance coordinator: Mark Cherrington
Education and Community Plot Coordinator: Airin Stephens
Member-At-Large: David Campbell
Member-At-Large: Arthur Flach
Member-At-Large: Kat Tancock

8. Set next meeting

Sunday, April 10, 11 am at The Gem.

9. Follow-ups

Kat to send out note of minutes plus note to clean up plots, and to coordinate transfer of coordinator knowledge to Charles.

Garrison Creek Park Community Garden Association
2009 AGM
Minutes of Meeting

Meeting date: November 28, 2009
Meeting location: Toronto Public Library, Shaw/Davenport

In attendance: Melanie Roscoe, Arthur Flach, Kat Tancock, Ana de Vera, Heather Schibli, Mark Cherrington, Tim Faubert

1. Call to order and introductions

2. Approval of agenda

3. Recap 2009: Achievements

- spring purchase of compost was great improvement to soil quality
- received $1000 grant from Carrot Cache
- planted daffodils in the bed outside the Shaw fence
- better growing season than 2008
- new wonderful members, increase in activity over last year
- Tim grew awesome peppers in the greenhouse
- water/strike – rough-in for faucet in enclosure
- cleaning out shed of mousy inhabitants

4. Financial Report

- We don’t have an official fiscal year, operating budget, capital budget, etc.
- assets: $731 in bank, petty cash $60, additional $12 for compost
- less than $1000 cash flow in 2009
- $1000 grant – most still in bank, some used to offset uncollected compost funds
- Bank is drawing $2 a month in service fees, Art to look at other options

5. Proposed amendments to rules for 2010

Point 17:
- Changed maximum plots to one per household
- Designated three plots as for community use
- Unused plots as per section 2 to be given out to waiting list

Point 19:
- New point that all plot holders are required to perform 6 hours per year of community garden work in addition to the work they perform on their plot

Point 20:
- All plot holders are responsible for clearing weeds in the vicinity of their plot

Art moves to accept rules
Melanie seconds
all in favour

6. Discussion of challenges and goals for 2010

- Big pile of compost – we need to turn the compost properly. Compost-turning party on Nov 29 at 1 pm. Kat to post on blog for increased attendance. All agreed to buy a pitchfork for community supplies.

- Expansion into the rest of the park – orchard, possibly more plots. Heather wants to do a survey/map of the park as part of the pre-planning process. Art to follow up with Brad at city to get survey. Mark to email copy of soil assessment surveys to group. Long-term planning session to follow over the winter.

- Gate and lock – city has asked us to remove the lock as part of the community garden policy. We prefer to lock it as it ensures that the gate is properly latched and doesn’t remain open – so that animals etc. don’t come in. Primary concern is dogs off leash. We agree to respect the city’s rule to keep the gate unlocked but will monitor whether this option works for our needs.

- Signage – we need permanent signs in the garden with basic info and how to contact us. Kat to contact Beth in Joe Mihevc’s office for help.

- Water – we need to make sure the city follows up on installing the water in the park and garden. Park-level irrigation as a possibility to be explored as part of long-term planning. Rain barrels also to be explored as a future plan.

- For community area – better communication about what needs to be done in the garden so that anyone visiting can help. Possibilities: checklist on inside of shed door or on website. Simple solution: checklist with pen on inside of door, people can check items off and add items as they come up. Issue to be readdressed in spring.

- Suggestion to dedicate a community plot to edible flowers. One also to be a perennial herb garden. Other rotating. Something to show to school for an observational project? To ask Kristy about taking charge and organizing a planning session/get-together for the community plots and seed swapping etc. Early March.

- Shed: Art to defend the shed from mice – seal door etc.

- Money – should we be asking members for money annually for projects such as compost, plants, etc.? We can’t require a fee but we can ask for suggested donations. Pay what you can – up to $20. Offer up email transfers as an option.

- Should compost be an individual purchase? Suggestion: do group purchases at Fiesta Farms on a smaller basis. No large purchase for 2010.

- Cold frames – extend season in community plots, eg lettuce early in the year.

- Signs for individual plots? Sign “social”?

- paint shed – like Ben Nobleman did. Project for spring.

7. Additional items

- none

8. Election of 2010 executive

Education Coordinator role expanded to include Community Plot Coordinator.

Coordinator: Kat Tancock
Treasurer: Arthur Flach
Maintenance Coordinator: Mark Cherrington
Education and Community Plot Coordinator: Ana de Vera
Events Coordinator: Heather Schibli
Member-At-Large: Melanie Roscoe
Member-At-Large: Tim Faubert

9. Items for the next meeting of the executive

Kat to give everyone access to the blog.
Long-term planning meeting in January.
First executive meeting in February.

Garrison Creek Park Community Garden Association
2008 AGM
Minutes of Meeting

Date: 27 Nov 2008
Prepared by: Melanie Roscoe
Edited by: Kat Tancock

Meeting Date: 18 Nov 2008 7-9pm
Meeting Location: Wallace Emerson Community Centre

Present:
Kat Tancock (Acting Coordinator)
Melanie Roscoe
David Campbell
Mark Cherrington
Barbara Bruce
Airin Stephens

Distribution:
Attendees
GCPCA Membership

MINUTES

1. Call to Order and Introductions

2. Recap 2008: Achievements
• Initial group formation
• Initial garden construction
• We have a achieved a lot for our first year!
• A big “Thank You” to Marc de Mouy for all of his hard work to get this vision realized!

3. Financial Report
• Review of Expenditures
• Review of Treasurer’s Report and Recommendations (presented by Kat Tancock on behalf of Arthur Flach)
• see attached documentation

4. Soil Report
• Information package delievered to the meeting by Marc de Mouy, who worked to get the information from the city
• Mark Cherrington to review the information package – has a friend with biochemical knowledge who may be able to help us understand the results
• Executive to review the material through the winter and summarize for presentation to the membership in the spring

5. Name Change
• Due to the designation of the GCPCGA as “stewards” of the Garrison Creek Park in addition to (but including) the fenced-in garden area, it was proposed that the name of the association be changed to “Garrison Creek Park Community Association”
• Vote was held. Proposed name change passed with a vote of 5-0.

6. Vision Statement
• In order to define and focus the direction of the association, a vision statement was drafted. The text is as follows:

The aim of the Garrison Creek Park Community Association is to:
• Create a community of actively participating members;
• Act as stewards for Garrison Creek Park, working with the City of Toronto to create an     inviting green space for community enjoyment;
• Co-operatively educate ourselves on issues of the environment and the food systems that     sustain our community; and
• Operate a garden space in which GCPCA members can grow food and other plants for     the nourishment and enjoyment of themselves, their families, and the community as a     whole.

A vote was held to accept the vision statement as it appears above. The proposed vision statement passed with a vote of 5-0.

7. Discussion of Challenges and Goals 2009
• Soil in raised beds is not very good – needs to be amended.
• Need to develop a “soil strategy” – this is an ongoing item for the executive to discuss through the winter, to be in place by March 2009.
• Big Plans for the future: ideas include train platform, “wild” garden area, educational programs and aspects
• Need to articulate a plan for the future so we can look for further funding
• Need to find funds to resolve current financial situation ASAP
• 2009 should be a building year for the garden
• Community yard/bake sale for spring 2009?
• Should consider selling the greenhouse
• Park bulletin board to communicate events and information

8. Election of Executive
• See attached for descriptions of the executive roles. A vote was held to accept the executive role descriptions as modified during the meeting (attached document has been updated to reflect those changes). The proposed executive roles with the discussed changes were passed 5-0.
• Empty roles should be filled by 07 Dec 2008.
• Votes were held for all executive positions, and all passed with a vote of 6-0. The results are as follows:

Coordinator: Kat Tancock
Treasurer: Arthur Flach
Maintenance Coordinator: Mark Cherrington
Education Coordinator: Melanie Roscoe
Events Coordinator: Airin Stephens
Membership Coordinator: (this role has yet to be filled)
Fundraising Coordinator: (this role has yet to be filled)
Member-At-Large: (this role has yet to be filled)
Member-At-Large: (this role has yet to be filled)

9. Discussion of Plot Assignment
• Need descriptions of types of membership (eg: who qualifies as an active member?)
• Need rules about who gets a key to the community garden area
• Need rules for maintaining active membership
• All current plot holders will be given the option of holding at least one plot per household for the 2009 gardening season
• First order of business for the executive: sort out membership descriptions and plot assignment!

10. Items for the next meeting of the executive
• Soil Strategy
• Presentation of budget, prepared by Treasurer
• Discuss approaching Joe Mihevc for further funding
• Membership and plot assignment as discussed above
• Date: January 2009

11. Meeting Adjourned