MINUTES

11 June 2026 | MCA Annual General Meeting

Attendees: Al Murray, Allen Jones, Bonnie Hardy, Brian Grant, Carol Brown, Don Plank, Donna Carsti, Heather Showers, Jane Haigh, Johnny Carline, Katy Nelson, Kirsten Quealey, Kyara Kahakauwila, Marie Thompson, Mojdeh Baghaei, Morgan Yates, Norm Hardy, Sarah Gray, Shelly Donaldson, Violaine Mitchell, Werner Faust, Barb Sawatsky

Call meeting to order: 7:10 pm

Approval of Agenda - Moved: Kirsten Quealey, Seconded: Barb Sawatsky – Carried 

Approval of Last Meeting Minutes

Approval of June 22, 2025 Minutes - Moved: Heather Showers, Seconded: Kirsten Quealey – Carried

REPORTS

President’s Report  
Kyara Kahakauwila acknowledged the work of the current Board and Volunteers. Kyara reviewed some of the many community association events of the past year, including: Soup Socials, Food Bank Drive, Pi Night, Speaker Series, Parents & Tots and the Mighty Metchosin Garage Sale (MMGS). She noted that funds raised by the MMGS allow the MCA to be self-sufficient, that we receive no government funding (the construction of a paved handicap parking space was largely funded through grants), we manage and pay for facility and grounds improvements and provide programs to support the Metchosin community. (Note 1: See full text at the end of these minutes) 

Motion to Accept The President’s Report

Moved: Sarah Gray, Seconded: Bonnie Hardy – Carried

Treasurer’s Report

Mojdeh Baghaei presented: Income Statement, Balance Sheet, and Profit & Loss for the 2025 Fiscal Year. The Garage Sale ($54,607.03), House Rentals ($22,752.00) and Metal Bin ($11, 530.40) were the main sources of income. The Balance Sheet showed Total Equity of $196,239.08. With total annual sales of $109,461.71 and expenses of $72,065.38 left the Community Association with a Net Profit of $37,396.33. (Note 2: See full reports at the end of these minutes)

Motion to Accept Treasurer’s Reports
Moved: Heather Showers, Seconded: Don Plank – Carried

House Coordinator's Report

Al Murray reported that the House was being coordinated with a 91.37% efficiency, and most of that was made possible by the fine quality of volunteers who come through The House. (Note 3: See full reports at the end of these minutes)

Motion to Accept House Coordinator’s Report 

Moved: Sarah Gray, Seconded: Kirsten Quealey – Carried

Reports from Community House Programs & Tenants

Carol Brown gave a verbal presentation on the Art Drop-In Group with a welcoming appeal for new members to join.

Morgan Yates of the Metchosin Foundation gave thanks to the Community House and ran down the highlights of the year.

Written presentations were submitted by:
Metchosin Rough Voice Singers – Dale Morrison

1st Metchosin Embers – Stacey (Maple Owl)
Metchosin Ukulele Group – Memet Burnett
Westshore Pole-R-Bears – Jan Mosley
Metchosin Rug Hookers – Anne Loxley Baker
Tuesday Afternoon Knitting Café – Nance Maki

Monday Night Knitting Group – Heather Showers

Friday Night Films – Samuel Perez de Leon

Lot’s of activity at The House! (Note 4: House Program written submissions)

ELECTIONS

Past-President Brian Grant presented a list of members nominated to serve as Executive and Board Members.

MCA Executive:

Kyara Kahakauwila (President)

Kirsten Quealey (Vice President)

Mojdeh Baghaei (Treasurer)

Sarah Gray (Secretary)

Brian Grant (Past President)

Other Board of Directors:

Heather Showers

Barb Sawatsky

Marie Thompson

Christel Kaiser

Jane Haigh

Jill McKay

Les Wood

Additional Board Directors positions may be filled throughout the year by resolution of the Board of Directors at a regular scheduled meeting.  Kyara has accepted the nomination of President on an interim basis with a search for a new President to commence as soon as possible. Brian Grant will be staying on as Past-President until Kyara moves into that role, but is no longer a Board Director.

Motion to Declare The Listed Nominees as Elected

Moved: Johnny Carline, Seconded: Don Plank – Carried

Motion to Confirm The Listed Executive Nominees

Moved: Heather Showers, Seconded: Bonnie Hardy – Carried

Meeting adjourned at 8:05 pm.

END NOTES

Note 1
President’s Report - June 11, 2026

Good evening,

Thank you very much for taking the time out of your busy schedules to join us tonight for the Metchosin Community Association’s Annual General Meeting.

The MCA is grateful to operate the Community House in the beautiful territory of the Scia’new Nation, who were part of the Klallam tribe before boarders were drawn, and are the historical stewards of the land and sea now known as “ma-choose-in” in the Klallam language.

I want you all to know just how hard the Board members of the MCA work.  Not only do they assist with the governance of the association, they also volunteer… a lot!  For every event and activity that the MCA does, they are always there to make it happen.  This is truly a volunteer board, and they deserve to be recognized for what they do to support our community through the work here at the House.

This year, we expanded programs launched previously.  Our Soup Socials were immensely successful, with a full room every time.  In partnership with the Seniors Information & Resource Centre we keep our freezers filled with single servings of soup that can be warmed up to provide a soothing meal for a senior or community member who needs a little extra warmth now and again.  The soups are made with love, supported 100% by the MCA and given out by donation.  The donations we receive through the Soup Socials and the frozen soup program go directly to the Goldstream Foodbank to aid in their support of residents within Metchosin and in the surrounding municipalities.

The past two Christmas’s and holiday season have seen the MCA provide a “matching donation” program of up to $1000 each year.  With the help of Metchosin residents and patrons of the House, through this food drive program, our soup donations and the gate donations of the Mighty Metchosin Garage Sale, we have been able to give back over $9100 to the Goldstream Food bank this past board term.  So thank you to all of you who have supported us in being able to do this.

We hosted our 2nd Pi Night on March 14th (also known as 3.14).  Another successful, fun and tasty evening where Board and community members gathered to enjoy savory and sweet pies along with round-shaped delightful eats!  Conversations were lively, competitions over board games were had (including my very first game of Scrabble; while I was unable to beat the formable Barb Sawatsky I did come in 2nd after being the 1st out of tiles!) and the room filled with happy chatter.

We have restarted the Speaker Series having hosted 3 evenings of interactive presentations on finance and RRSP’s, introducing the Metchosin health clinic and learning more about Pearson College.  Please stay tuned for more events to come in the future.

The MCA is self-sufficient.  We achieve this by fundraising efforts through multiple means, two of which are the metal bin and the Mighty Metchosin Garage Sale.

The Metal bin (aka the community “water cooler”) is not without its challenges, but we have continued the service because of the level of success it has achieved.  The bin is full almost as soon as an empty one replaces a full one.  The community has embraced the ability to be able to recycle large and small metal items.  This could not be done without the constant support from Barb her husband and her “Heavy Metal Dudes” – Thank you for perseverance through the aggravation of dumped garage that does happen, a little more often than it should…

Just last month the Mighty Metchosin Garage Sale celebrated its 25th anniversary and was another huge success!  Over the 2 and ½ weeks of the event; including intake week, sale days and post event wrap-up and clean up, we had over 100 volunteers and well over 1000 volunteer hours.  Through the leadership and hard work of Heather and Kirsten, we were able to feed our volunteers, cementing their desire to come back the next day!  We bring together community members in the spirit of working together, enjoying some social time and fundraising to help us remain resilient.  Through the MMGS we offer a way for the community to repurpose items they no longer need or want.  We have made great efforts to ensure we have a robust recycling system in place, minimizing the end impact of materials hauled to Hartland.  I would like to thank Marie and her sidekick Sarah for the work done coordinating this effort.  The MMGS has become a community event, not simply just a fundraiser.  The rumours of a possible cessation are greatly exaggerated, stay tunned for the 26th MMGS next year!

In being self-sufficient we can offer programs like the Friday Parent’s & Tots.  This year we welcomed our new program facilitator, Haven, who has an astounding level of enthusiasm and energy that they bring to this role.

We maintain the building and grounds.  Planning and paying for ongoing maintenance, large scale items, updating equipment (please stay tuned for equipment upgrades to our AV in the House!) and operational costs.  These costs include items like an astronomical water bill that Garry, Doug and Marie have spent countless hours trying to diagnose and repair.  Having found the problem to be an intermittent water leak through a valve on one of the community public washrooms (whose water bill is included with ours) we have now remedied the situation and our water bill has regulated back to an expected double digit bill instead of the triple digit bills we had begrudgingly become accustomed too.

Last year we launched our awards to further education, including a partnership with the Metchosin Foundation, and we are pleased to say that we are continuing that program with intake just beginning for this year’s awards.

VIHA has increased their Adult Day Program to include an additional day each week that they utilize the House.  Through the support of the District, Metchosin based businesses and individuals, along with a grant, we were able to have the cement pad poured to assist with parking and accessibility of the House.  Making it easier for VIHA’s clients and guests of the House to gain regular access.

In January 2023, I joined the MCA Board of Directors.  I was looking for a place to land, a place where I could remain connected to my community.  From my very first meeting, I felt welcomed and knew I was exactly where I was meant to be.

As luck would have it, I apparently possessed a particular skill set that proved useful at my first AGM.  I indicated that I would be willing to serve as President if nobody else wished to take on the role. To my surprise, my rookie year on the Board saw me join the Executive, and I have not regretted a single moment of it.

Serving as President of the MCA for the past three years has been a privilege.  I have had the opportunity to work alongside an incredible Board of Directors, dedicated volunteers, community partners, and residents who care deeply about Metchosin and about one another.

I am stepping back from the role of President as I pursue a new, but old, avenue of service to our community this coming Fall.  While my role may be changing, my commitment to the MCA is not.  I look forward to continuing to support the MCA as Past President.

In closing, thank you for allowing me the opportunity to be part of something that is truly all-things-Metchosin.

Kyara Kahakauwila

Metchosin Community Association, President

Note 2

Treasurer’s Report - June 11, 2026

Note 3

House Coordinator's Report - June 11, 2026

“Four gruelling hours a day, four gruelling days a week labouring in the salt mines”... that’s what I tell people when they ask me if I’m retired or still working.

Most days it’s hard to classify this role as House Coordinator as “work”. My approach to each day is influenced more by the volunteer spirit that occupies The House, rather than a resolute work ethic.

I start each day by turning on the neon “Open” sign then responding to email and voicemail messages. Most of the messages involve rental inquiries and administrative queries or updates from The Executive. ,

The Vancouver Island Health Authority Adult Day Program, our largest rental client, rents The House 3 days a week. VIHA runs an excellent program. It provides an important service for the community. Tightly scheduled around VIHA’s 3 day a week rental are 19 House Programs ranging from Knitters & Rug Hookers to Scouts, Parents & Tots and at least 3 singing groups. A wide variety of semi-regular community groups and private parties also convene at The House.

When the rentals are all in order, I process invoices and write cheques. I update the website & the road sign when needed. I spend an inordinate amount of time transcribing the on-line Calendar of Events onto a paper version then dealing with the discrepancies between the two calendars. I’m told that the duplicate paper calendar is an important resource for Board Members and Executives that don’t have Smart Phones or access to a computer.

I take the garbage & recycling to the curb and replenish paper towels & soap, etc.

Once a week I walk up to the Community Mail Box to check for new junk mail.

In the coming year, I would like to see the plexiglass and locks replaced on the Road Sign.

-House Coordinator, Al Murray

Note 4

Reports from Community House Programs & Tenants - June 11, 2026

Art Drop-In – Tuesdays 10:00 – 1:00 – September – June.

On our roster we have 10 regular members. Each person brings their own project and gives advice or admiration to the work of other members.

During Summer, our group does Plein Air (painting outdoors). We go to a different location each week.

Once a year, Dorothy Donovan and her son Paul take us to one of the Gulf Islands to paint. Last year we went to Mayne Island and this year it will be Saturna. At Christmas we participate in a Community House craft show. We also like to hang our pictures in The House. Most of our members help out at the Garage Sale.

We would like to thank the MCA for the use of the house.

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Friday Film Night

During the first half of 2026 (the last Friday of the month at 7pm), the Metchosin Film Night hosted 5 monthly documentary and film screenings followed by a discussion and comments related to the topic of the films showed.

 This activity is also partnered with Pearson College as an outreach program and led by faculty member and Econ prof. Samuel Pérez.

These community gatherings provided a free, engaging space for metchosinites to explore global perspectives through film and have an opportunity to engage with Pearson College students who also help moderating and commenting films.

The film nights are attended by an average of 20 participants including students and community members. The admission is by donation and popcorn is provided.

 Second term 2025 film highlights:

 September: The documentary WE WERE CHILDREN was presented honoring Indigenous Month. A debriefing was facilitated by Dr Tracey Murphy.

October:  (due to Halloween it was pushed to the first week of November) two short documentaries around the Opioid crisis in North America were screened at the time: Heroine, and the Community Portrait Project, which was filmed by Pearson College Students.

The November film night was cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances

 First-Term 2026 Film Highlights

• January: The film Twelve by Lester Alfonso, about a first generation immigrant born in Canada trying to find his identity asking 12 questions to other Canadians.

• February 2026: We had the film: Soundtrack for a Revolution. Which was well attended. A special singalong after the film with the people present was led by the Pearson College singers.

• March film was cancelled due to unforeseen reasons.

• April 2026: The film Keepers of the Land was presented and commented by Jonathan Eunaraq, an indigenous student from Pearson College.

 Thanks to those who attended this past year and a special thanks to Brian Grant for his support driving students and helping with the logistics!

I hope to see you all again in the fall!

Kind regards.

Samuel

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Metchosin Rough Voice Singers, 

The singers have enjoyed the use of the Community House with average of 40+ each month.  We have wonderful musicians that have provided the accompaniment and have been very fortunate to keep finding new talent that wish to share with us.  Community members have enjoyed the ability to not only sing but also visit and make connections with each other.

This December we donated some $450 to MCA for their food bank drive, and this spring we donated $600.00 to the community house itself.

We are very appreciative to the MCA to allow us the use of this wonderful facility and hope to continue to support the house.

Thanks very much.

Dale Morrison

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Metchosin Uke Group

Hi there MCA house folk, 

Another fun year of ukulele strumming has passed at the MCA. Our group, the Metchosin Uke Group (MUG) meet every third Friday of the month from 5-6:30 in the main room and play together campfire-style in a large circle with attendee musicians either choosing songs out of one of our books, or bringing sheet music from home to share with the group. We play a wide range of music from folk classics like Wagonwheel and Four Strong Winds to soft rock like ABBA and the Eagles to singer songwriters old (eg: Simon and Garfunckle) and new (eg: Watchhouse) to indie hits (eg: Caamp). Every 3-4 years we bind some of the most popular songsheets into a new book which gets printed and sold to recover costs.  We are due to do this again (Book 3) this upcoming year. 

Our group is comprised of both new players and more experienced players. Some have been with us since we started… ? 10? 11? year ago??. Everyone is welcome -- no audition. Sometimes we get accompanied on piano by my hubby, Murray, and often one of our members, Tim, brings his guitar which rounds out our sound. Everyone else plays on soprano, tenor or bass ukuleles. Sometimes people come just to sing along (all our songs have lyrics). They too are welcome. 

For the past several July 1 Canada Day Festivus events our group has played a set. Barring unforeseen circumstances, we will be doing this again in 2026. 

We typically have between 5- 15 attendees— it is highly variable and unpredictable. No matter tho’- we always have fun. We usually take a break from July- August inclusive. 

Thanks for the use of the main room on our Fridays— we appreciate the clean, safe, warm and welcoming space that MCH provides us. 

Cheers,

Memet (Margaretha) Burnett and the rest of Team MUG

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Metchosin Foundation

Thank you for your recent expression of interest in receiving a brief summary of the Metchosin Foundation's activities and highlights over the past year and outlook for the coming year.

Thank you also for providing a great venue for the Foundation's monthly board meetings and AGM.  Being able to book this top notch, shared space helps us to stay connected with community.

Metchosin Foundation highlights over the past year included:

o   counter-execution of a Memorandum of Understanding with BC Parks Foundation, regarding our shared interests in establishing two conservation corridors in Metchosin. 

o   helping to facilitate Rocky Point Bird Observatory's establishment of their new regional headquarters, at Hummingbird Hill

o   forging stronger and deeper relationships with Metchosin registered charities who have title to property in our community.  These agencies worked together, to elevate recognition of the ongoing value created by local volunteers and to reverse a sudden and harmful change in local permissive tax exemption policy.

o   Being inspired by the calibre of applicants to our 2025 scholarship program.

o   Working with local ally agencies such as Bilston Watershed Habitat Protection and the Metchosin Biodiversity Project, to preserve local biodiversity and to document species new to Metchosin.

o   Celebrating the success of member Erin Ronsse in building a very successful Westshore chapter of NatureKids BC

Looking ahead, we are hoping that Foundation activities will grow to include new initiatives that can complement and support the efforts of the recently formed Metchosin Agricultural Alliance.

To learn more about us, please contact any one of our directors - and/or visit our website: https://metchosinfoundation.ca/

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Metchosin Rug Hookers

The Metchosin Rug Hookers meet twice a month at the House on the 1st and 3rd Friday from noon to 3 pm. We meet from September to June and, though attendance varies each meeting depending on the time of year, we probably average around 8. Numbers have dropped slightly since we were asked to change the day and time (from Thursdays 10.30 to 1.30), but we are getting some inquiries, and we welcome new members. We bring our own lunch so that we don’t need to use the kitchen, and each person attending donates a toonie each meeting to the house, which I give to Al. We appreciate the use of the House very much. Thank you for supporting the Arts in this way.

Blessings 

Anne Loxley Baker

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Tuesday Afternoon Knitting Café 

Our gatherings continue throughout the year on the second and fourth Tuesday afternoons each month.  Attendance fluctuates, based on the time of year, with spring and summer usually finding people enjoying more outdoor than indoor activities and that is okay because it IS a drop-in format.  We are always happy to see new faces and encourage members to spread the word and invite their friends. 

Our attendees are very talented and we all learn from each other.  It’s very casual, social and fun – a nice break from the everyday world, where you can stop by for a cuppa, some light snacks and a few laughs amongst people with common interests. 

We ask for a small $2.00 donation each visit which covers the cost of our refreshments and usually allows us to offer a small contribution to “the House” at the end of the year in appreciation for having such a great place to meet.  In 2025, we were pleased to donate $215.00 in this regard.

 We’ve been knitting and crocheting at The House now for 14 years – since February, 2012. 

 Thanks for having us!

 Nance Maki

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The Monday Night Knitting Group continues to meet on the 1st and 3rd Monday evenings at 7:00.  We are a core group of 10 knitters and crocheters and projects have included Christmas stockings, intricate patterned sweaters, blankets, socks and cute felted bumble bees.  Over the past year our suggested $2.00 drop in fee has added over $200.00 to the Community House treasury.

New members are always welcome, with or without experience.  The group will be on summer holidays for July and August and will return on Sept 21st.

Thank you to the board of the Community House for providing this lovely space.

Heather Showers

Program Lead

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1st Metchosin Embers

1st Metchosin Embers had a lovely first year at the Metchosin Community House. This first year was spent getting to know the space and how to run a unit at the Community House. The Embers had fun doing crafts, singing songs, sharing stories, and making new friends. We played outside, explored the field, and named the bunnies we found. During a meeting in the fall we visited the Metchosin Community Garden for a tour and harvested sunflower seeds. We also enjoyed some of the beaches Metchosin has to offer.

Next year we hope to get out into the community more and would love to visit nearby farms, and spend more time outside in general. We would love to collaborate with nearby businesses or community partners to give the Embers a chance to give back to the community. We look forward to continuing to meet at the Community House and enjoying all the beauty Metchosin has to offer.

Thank you - Stacey (Maple Owl)

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Westshore Pole-R Bears

Greetings from the “Westshore Pole-R Bears” … a group of Nordic Pole Walkers.  We have an active group of 30 pole walkers and while we are open to any age, our youngest is 58 and our oldest 91! Within the large group we have 5 subgroups walking different distances ranging from 1km to 10kms 

We walk a large variety of trails and routes on Wednesday and Saturday mornings at 10:30am. Monthly we walk from Metchosin House to and around the Sea Bluff trail then back to the house for a large group social. We celebrate birthdays, holidays and the end of polewalking challenges or adventure events. The highlight of the past year’s socials at the house was celebrating the 90th birthday of one of our “Cruisers” group who continues to polewalk at least 1 km each time! 

This is a free community group that is open to everyone. We do ask that you have at least one lesson from a certified instructor to learn the skills of Nordic walking for maximum benefit, for your own safety on the trails and for the safety of others. 

Thank you for the wonderful venue you have where we have the privilege of learning, connecting and maintaining friendships around a common interest. 

Respectfully submitted,

Jan Mosley

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Weights & Measures

After many years of meeting bright and early at The House, the Weights & Measures group has decided to disband. Their final meeting will be June 30, 2026

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Other regular House users:

Mix Tape Singers

Free Range Singers

Parents & Tots

VIHA Adult Day Program

Baha'i

Scouts