Rainy River Seniors Depot Agenda
March 1, 2023
Welcome: President Rebecca Wood
Minutes of February meeting: Secretary Norma Johnston
Treasurers Report: Cathy Seguin
Activity Report: Linda Budreau
NOTE: Election of our new Executive will be held at the end of our regular meeting. Please hold questions about election for the proper time.
Old Business:
Door: We have changed supplier of auto access door because after 2 frustrating months of calling them weekly, we have had zero information from the recommended supplier. The representative from Windows and Doors came here last week, took measurements, talked to the building Inspector and has assured me we will have a quote in a timely manner, and that they are able to do the job.
Water filtration system: will be installed under sink in March by Oak Drive Enterprises in Barwick.
Dish washer: There was a suggestion to buy a new dishwasher due to concerns about the dishwasher not working because no one has seen it work since before COVID.
– One of the reasons it has not been used is that because of COVID, we were requested to use disposables to stop spread of the disease.
-The dishwasher uses a liquid detergent that is sucked from a gallon container through a hose into the machine. Since the machine hadn’t been used, the liquid evaporated and crystallized in the jug.
I visited Fort Frances General supply and asked about getting a new gallon jug of detergent. Because of the current plastics problems, the suppliers are currently offering this detergent only in larger pails, which are not suitable for our limited use. However it is possible to get this detergent in a powdered form which comes in a cloth bag that sits in the bottom of the washer and dissolves over a period of 3 months or so. This would be more suitable for our use. Because of the recent supply problems of many things, they did not have any in stock. They are trying to get some in. Someone should check with FF Gen Supply periodically to see if they have gotten any in yet.
Stove: Carol has ordered the new stove and it has been delivered. The old stove is available for any member to bid on today. It has been suggested by the executive that interested members write their name and amount they are prepared to pay on a paper and put it in an envelope for two of our members to check and announce the winning bid. A cheque payable to Rainy River Senior Depot should be turned over to Cathy. The stove should be removed from the premises within a week.
Other Equipment: Two sewing machines and a Cricuit machine have been purchased. Thank you Betty Hagarty for the donation of a third sewing machine.
Excursion: Our planned Winnipeg trip will go ahead next week. Six members have paid their deposits and bus and event tickets have been purchased. Trip is to leave Thursday and return Saturday. We will have a brief meeting with participants of the trip in the sitting area this afternoon after lunch to go over itinerary and answer questions.
New Business:
2022-23 SALC Grant:
We are winding up our grant purchases this month. Thanks to the SALC grant, the past year has seen huge growth in members, activities and acquisition of items to support many new projects now and in future years. It has given us the opportunity to dream of things to come and make real plans to accomplish our goals.
We are so pleased to have had Dawn Whiting to guide us through the process of applying for and reporting on grants. She has given us the confidence to go forward knowing that we have someone to explain things we know nothing about, concerning the grant process.
2022-23 Final Grant Reporting: The executive will receive notification of the date and final reporting process from SALC sometime in the next month or two.
2023-24 SALC Grant:
Dawn visited us last month to help Cathy, Angele and Rebecca write the new grant for 2023-24. I believe it will be somewhat less stressful this time around as we will have a full year ahead to do our spending, rather than only 5 months. I hope that the members who did not want to travel in winter will be interested in some of the summer excursions that we talked about last year. She recommended getting someone to work with us for the rest of our term to lesson the load of clerical duties prior to the fiscal year end. With the large increase of active members and added activities, we require someone dedicated to this work, as it is too much for one volunteer member. Rebecca has been working with Thrish Ginadassa towards submission of the 2023-24 grant application and preparing for the 2022-23 final report, as well as starting a handbook for the new executive.
Now that we have purchased many arts, crafts and sports items as well as items to help with food preparation, the new grant focus is for education, particularly in the use of our technology. It also must get a program going to provide remote access for isolated seniors. Resources have also been put in place to obtain clerical assistance this year , which, with the right person will greatly reduce the amount of time the executive will have to spend learning computer programs, typing various documents, etc.
The right person would take a huge load off the shoulders of the executive. This has been addressed in the allotment of funds in our new grant application. Another area to be addressed will be computer training, with provision for one-on-one appointments as well as group classes. The new executive is advised to plan for some time this month to meet with their counterparts from the current executive.
Reminder that 2023 memberships are due before March 31.
Next meeting: Wed, April 5 at 11 a.m. Coffee and conversation at 10
Adjournment of March monthly meeting
Election of officers:
Current officers will officially step down on March 31 of this year, and new officers elected this month will assume their official positions on April 1, 2023, as our fiscal year end is on March 31.
We are hoping that the newly elected members will take this time to organize their goals and priorities and have their questions answered by the leaving executive.
Positions Available: President – Florence Newman
Vice President –
Treasurer – Dawn Jarvis
Activity co-ordinator – Linda Budreau
