Community Council of Overbrook - Board of Directors Meeting

Minutes, February 20, 2007

Attending: Peter MacFarlane, Chris Ellis, Germaine Patenaude, Sheila Perry, Roy Hanna, Leonard Poole

Regrets: Bernadette Emond, Laurie Pardoe, Simon Wood, Dan Wilton, Diane Villeneuve.

Guest: Jan Goetcher

The meeting commenced at 7:05, with the Agenda dedicated to our website, newsletter and communication. Chris Ellis co-ordinated the website demo. He indicated all the Board members can log on and go just about everywhere, and post articles; otherwise anyone else must register, submit an article which then goes through the moderator (Chris at present) for a decision whether to post it. We can also click on an option to be notified by e-mail when new articles are posted, comment on articles, edit the articles we submit, and put in links to other websites. It is difficult through writing to reflect the depth and ability of this tool. It is highly recommended you log in and explore, and submit! Chris has offered to help out if you have difficulty or questions – just give him a call or e-mail. He also suggested more demo sessions may be helpful. As explanatory notes: in the categories of articles, “Not Sure” articles can only be viewed by Board members; the Homepage shows the 5 most recent submitted articles and 5 most recent community events posted.

Some suggestions from this session:

- an explanation be included at the start of the article submission page to explain what “moderation” means; ie. Moderate rather than censorship; perhaps we can examine the CBC wording

- we need to be proactive and get the community involved in the website, eg. there are sections for a Calendar of Events, Business, Schools, Community Resources

- there is an opportunity for translations into French, Germaine Patenaude offered to assist

- good idea to have a depository of information, an archive

- we include a list of Board members (no contact info), (President can be contact by a website e-mail)

- include a privacy statement

- include a volunteer section eg. for new board members, spring cleanup, newsletter etc.

Chris has found it difficult at times to keep up with timely posting and strongly encourages each Board member to do their posting. He also welcomes assistance with webmaster tasks – just give him a call. He was thanked for his involvement with our website over the years, and for his presentation.

The newsletter was briefly discussed as we ran out of time. It was felt by all that the website is an excellent basis for developing a newsletter. Contacts with other organizations can be easily made (eg. OFCRC, City Living, Ottawa City Housing, Community Centre, City of Ottawa, other community newspapers). Chris offered his assistance with layout. We were reminded that the OFCRC has offered their assistance with promoting our newsletter in various ways. We agreed that rather than focusing on a quarterly newsletter, we just aim at starting with one issue when we feel the infrastructure is ready. The newsletter will be on the agenda of our next meeting.

Other items:

55 Ontario: Board members were forwarded (02.20.07) by e-mail, info on a request from Domicile to change the 34 stacked townhomes to apartments along with a request for the Board to meet with John Doran & Jane Ironside (Reg. Pro. Planner) on Feb. 26, 27 or 28. Jane thinks it will last for about ½ hour.

We decided to see if any Board members were interested and be available to meet. Peter MacFarlane will co-ordinate this.

Secretary: As our secretary will be unavailable for minute taking over the next 2 months, Sheila Perry offered to fill in.

Overbrook Community Day: July 21, from 10-3. Peter MacFarlane has sent out an e-mail to Board members on this event. It is being planned by a group (OFCRC, Community Centre, City Living, Ottawa City Housing, CCO, Optimist). Peter sat in on the last meeting, and we are now looking for someone to sit on future planning meetings, next one being March 21 @ 3 pm. Leonard Poole indicated he knew of an individual that may be interested and he will let Peter know. ACTION: Leonard Poole. If anyone else is interested, please let Peter know. This item will be put on our next agenda.

Architectural support! Sheila Perry indicated that she has a contact for an architect that may be interested in helping us out with planning issues. We should consider how we can use this resource.

Peter MacFarlane 02.21.07