Canadian
Organic Growers Inc.
is Canada’s national membership-based education and networking organization
representing farmers, gardeners and consumers in all provinces.
Canadian Organic Growers Hamilton Chapter Minutes 19 March, 2007
Present: Gerard Parker, Marilyn Fergusson, Carole Campbell, Sandro Bove, Don Brown, Richard Tunstall, Ella Haley, Barbara Pehar, Carrie Ann Watson, Kerri-Ann Peet-Harris, David Harris, Keith Kuntz, Al Burbidge, Irene Maycock, Harry Marshall, Holland Bolster, Kerry Brookes, Jean Burbidge. Regrets: Sharon Gilmour, Gary Proven, Iowne Anderson
1. Membership and voting rights: Members are reminded to ensure
that their memberships are up-to-date. Anyone may attend
meetings; those whose memberships are not up-to-date
may not make or second motions.
Phone/email tree: spot check indicates they are reaching people.
2. Newsletter status: Christeen Urquhart, the newsletter editor, has not contacted COG Hamilton for 3 months. Keith Kuntz will attempt to contact her; failing that, a new newsletter editor will be appointed. It was decided that a one-page newsletter would be sufficient.
3.
Eco-Fest, Glen Abbey Recreation Centre, Oakville:
Saturday, 31 March (10-5) and Sunday, 1 April (11-4): , . Info
table co-ordinators: Howard Wills (905-844-2272) and
Carrie Ann Watson (905-337-8273), co-ordinators: Volunteers should contact
Howard or Carrie.
Hummingbird Festival at Royal Botanical Gardens
on Sunday, August 26 (approx. 10-5). Keith Kuntz will
co-ordinate. Anyone wishing to volunteer for this should call Keith at
905-679-8229.
4.
Future Meetings:
April: Monday, 16 April: a special presentation by Gerard Parker of "In
Your Garden": Naturalizing your Yard. This will take place
at the home of our chair, Jean Burbidge, 322 8th Concession East, Flamborough.
Please wear outdoor clothes. Kerry Brookeswill notify garden clubs, Coalition
against Pesticides and a local > councillor.
May:
Saturday 12 May, 2007: 10:00 am to 1:00 pm;
Plant/Seed Sale. We will ask plant growers to sell their products
and donate 20% of their sales to COG. Members may bring seed that requires
a late planting. Kerry Brookes will contact local farmers for flats to
donate.
June, July, August: may incorporate EFAO info into newsletter; may have other events TBA
5. Budget Report: The treasurer, Holland Bolster, reports a balance of $1,673.48. This balance was verified by Al Burbidge.
6.
Action Ideas:
Organic Farmers' Market, Oakville: Carrie Watson (committee chair)
(905-337-8273), has begun organizing an Organic Farmers' Market in Oakville
on Kerr St at Heritage Square (between Lakeshore and Speers). The mandate
tentatively consists of the following: we approve farmers, artisans, crafters,
those making food as having values and practices consistent with COG's
mandate. Other events would be educational speakers, musicians, a children's
corner, farming demonstrations, a chef teaming up weekly with a farmer,
products for sale in a cafe, info booths.
Canning and Preserving: Gerard Parker (committee chair): tentatively
scheduling a raspberry jam making event in June. Attendees will be charged
an amount and will leave the workshop with jam, a list of instructions,
and health and safety tips.
7.
Members' items: Report by Carrie Watson, Chapter Representative
> Ethical Fundraising: we have to submit fundraising activities, including
grant submissions, so that COG National can ensure that these fit our
mandate.
COG
Task Force: has invited a member to serve. Any
COG Hamilton member wishing to serve, please contact Carrie Ann Watson
(905-337-8273).
The task of the Task Force is to ascertain how COG National and the chapters
can work more closely together. They will put together a questionnaire
on what each chapter feels they should be doing and how national
can support them.
Organic Council of Ontario: a government-affiliated
organization dealing with corporations, certification. It has no consumer
representation. COG Ontario should have a member. No decision has been
made by COG National re our membership. David Harris will report back
on this organization.
Halton Environment Network Conference: Howard Wills (905-844-2272) will provide any info on request.
Naturalization of school properties: This was one of the proposed activities for COG Hamilton. It has been put on hold while we develop the Oakville Market and the Canning/Preserving workshops. However, member Pat Kozowyk (905-690-7070) is currently doing this at Millgrove School. She is offering herself as a resource person for anyone wishing to explore possibilities in their own neighbourhoods.
Blakelock High School: Tom Dykes, a retired teacher, is doing a comprehensive program on nutrition, involving all of the secondary school subjects. Contact Jean Burbidge (905-690-1926) or Carrie Watson (905-337-8273) for further info.
8. Motion to adjourn by Don Brown
Next
meeting: Monday, 16 April, 2007, 7:15 pm
Naturalizing your Yard, with Gerard Parker of
"In The Garden",
322 8th Concession East, Flamborough