Richmond Village Association Inc. Minutes A Proud Past, a Bright Future General Members Meeting, April 8, 2014, St. Paul’s, Richmond

Executive Members present: Tino Bevacqua, John Shearer, Lorne Smallwood, Doug Arnold Board Members present: Kim Bruton, Shelley Lafleur, David Proulx and Kristine Quarrington

Guests attending: Mr. Scott Moffatt, Councillor, Rideau-Goulbourn Ward; Ms. Mary Lou Davidson, Program Coordinator, North Gower, Goulbourn and Stittsville, Parks, Recreation and Culture, City of ; Ms. Julie McKercher, Community Developer, West Ottawa Community Resources Centre (WOCRC).

General Members attending: Margo Bevacqua, Lori Hogg, Chris King, Rosemary MacArthur, Wanda Shearer, Judy Wagdin, Ben Wightman.

1.The meeting was called to order at 1930 hrs. by President Tino Bevacqua, who welcomed to the first RVA General Meeting for 2014 – 2015.

2.RVA status report – Mr. Bevacqua: a. Committees - members: Advocacy – Chairperson: Mr. Shearer. Marketing and Communications Committee – Co-Chairs: Messrs. Proulx, Bevacqua and Shearer. Programme and Events - Chairperson: Ms. Quarrington. Fund Raising - Chairperson: Mr. Bevacqua. b. Miscellaneous items: - will budget $1,000.00/year to add two murals during 2018. - will budget $2,000.00/year for the 2018 Committee; i.e. Richmond’s 200th anniversary. - have established a contingency fund. c. Overview of finances – Mr. Smallwood, report attached. d. RVA Board has decided to phase out Garden judging and Hanging Flower Baskets programs. e. Mentioned the success of the Winter Banner program and hope to start a summer banner program. f. Institute a yearly RVA Volunteer Award. g. Initiated two Student Scholarship Awards, one for a male student and one for a female student who are attending either South Carleton High School or Sacred Heart High School in Stittsville. h. Website – continuously under review. i. The RVA’s Email blast, used for significant news items regarding or of interest to Richmond residents; currently reaches 75 – 100 households. j. RVA Flyers – February was the RVA’s second flyer and the third flyer is currently being prepared. Among other considerations, it is an attempt to attract people to the RVA’s business directory. King’s Independent Grocery supplies the paper for the flyers; Kelly Funeral Homes underwrites the cost of the printing and the RVA pays the cost of the postage. k. Upcoming RVA events: May 3, 2014, Clean Up the Village Day; May 10, 2014, Village Garage Sale; June 14, 2014, Richmond Family Fun Day. l. Richmond Community Centre – currently in discussion with City of Ottawa concerning its expanded use for RVA activities. m. the RVA is reaching out to other service organizations in Richmond and the area to ascertain common interests and whether viable joint projects may exist.

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Richmond Village Association Inc. Minutes A Proud Past, a Bright Future

n. Bylaws – there is a need to update the RVA’s existing Bylaws as well as bring them into conformance with the Not-for-Profit Corporation Act. o. This is the last RVA meeting to be held in St. Paul’s United Church. Interim General Meetings will be held in the Richmond Public Library. There was a question from the membership as to why the RVA was moving out of St. Paul’s. One of the major drivers was cost. The RVA is also moving out of St. Paul’s storage shed and will be renting space in Len Bertrand’s, Richmond Motor Sports Ltd. storage facility.

3.The floor was turned over to Mr. Shearer, who led an interactive discussion concerning what activities the General Membership would like the RVA to support. a. The RVA’s meeting format has changed; there will be formal Board meetings and, like tonight, General Membership meetings wherein the Board will engage the General Membership regarding various topics. b. Tonight’s meeting will start off by reviewing the RVA’s Letters Patent: The object for which the corporation is incorporated is: 1) to foster and encourage Village identity and pride; 2) to identify issues critical to the well-being of the residents of Richmond, and resolutions that are in Richmond’s best interest, and advocating the resulting positions to the City of Ottawa by whatever means best serves the situation; 3) to promote local business and support improved community services; and 4) to identify, propose, organize and manage projects that enhance the natural beauty and recreational resources of Richmond. For example, the RVA has been an advocate for a splash pad, more sidewalks and has promoted local business via the RVA’s website business directory, etc. c. Attendees were asked as to which RVA activities should be continued/discontinued/enhanced? i. A food fest was suggested, which draws large crowds in some places. ii. Social causes – the next RVA General Meeting will include representatives from all of the Richmond and area service clubs. iii. The RVA receives funding from the City, but it has a narrow focus; i.e. disadvantaged youth and seniors. iv. Burning issues suggested by the WOCRC – food banks, community space to hold activities. v. RVA website – add a historical walk/tour along McBean St., but concern was expressed that it may water down 2018 activities. Advertise community-wide activities, such as Hockeyville; the June 14th Richmond Family Fun Day; the Lions and Agriculture Society St. Patrick’s entertainment and fireworks; Moms morning out – analogous to the programs in Nepean, Rideau and Osgoode; Story Time; map with service locator; Welcome Wagon; 2018 Anniversary; List activities and market to community; Newsletters – Baker’s Bean had one, Munster Hamlet has one; however, requires writers and editors; the RVA’s General Meetings having one focus per meeting; have a questionnaire on RVA website, possibly with as few as three questions to ascertain interests; have the RVA website serve as a hub for community information, cooperation among service groups, business coordination, advocacy, etc.

4. The meeting was adjourned at 2052 hrs.

Respectfully submitted,

Doug Arnold

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Richmond Village Association Inc. Minutes A Proud Past, a Bright Future

The next RVA General meeting will be held on Wednesday, June 4, 7 – 10 PM at the Richmond Community Centre. It will be a round table conversation with the other community organizations (Goulbourn Historical Society, Lions Club, Kiwanis, Richmond Agriculture Society, Richmond Legion) for the purpose of getting acquainted, shared goals and objectives, identify potential synergies and to consider how theses community groups could work together for the common good of our great village, in particular, the upcoming 2018 celebrations.

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