Minutes

Sunday 24th May, Craik - Eco Centre 10 - 12: Workshop/Scavenger Hunt (using GPS units trek around the Eco-centre on a scavenger hunt) 12 - 1: Buffet Lunch in the Solar Garden Restaurant 1 - 3: AGM and SOEEA's 40th Birthday Tea Party

Things to remember:
 * Invite SPRA, Melanson award winners and other special guests (40th Birthday)
 * Advertise in Spring Envisage
 * Check Board positions
 * Book venue and catering

1: Welcome and thank you for coming to this 40th celebration of SOEEA and our AGM 2: Introductions 3: **Motion 1: That we approve the minutes from the 2008 AGM (see copies).** 4: Business arising 5: Thank you to the 2008/2009 SOEEA Board President: Peta White Vice President: Sara Smith Past President: Yvette Crane Treasurer: Michael McCoy (resigned April 2009) Program Director: Jessica Latshaw (resigned March 2009) Working Group Leaders 6: President report (Peta) 4: Treasurer report (Yvette) Thanks to SPRA for their continued support 5: Executive Assistant report (Tina) 6: Working Group Leaders reports
 * Agenda - AGM**
 * Communication: Kyle Lichtenwald
 * Education: Karen McIver
 * Public and Families: Carla Ballman (resigned March 2009)
 * Partners: John McKenzie
 * Decision Makers: Jolene Siemens
 * **Motion 2: The SOEEA Board accept the 2008/9 Auditors report.**
 * **Motion 3: That we appoint Frank E Garrett to be our 2009 Auditor.**
 * **Motion 3: That SOEEA Board accept the operating Budget as presented fro 2009.**
 * Communication: Kyle Lichtenwald
 * Education: Karen McIver
 * Public and Families: no report
 * Partners: John McKenzie
 * Decision Makers: Jolene Siemens

6: Election of 2009 SOEEA Board of Directors (Yvette) President: Sara Smith Vice President: Jolene Siemens Past President: Peta White Treasurer: John McKenzie?? Program Director: vacant Working Group Leaders:
 * Communication: Kyle Lichtenwald
 * Education: Karen McIver
 * Public and Families: Paul Stinson
 * Partners: Rob Notenboom??
 * Decision Makers: Jennifer Bayer
 * **Motion 4: That we accept the slate of officers as presented**


 * New Business**
 * **Motion 5: SOEEA adopts the new vision, mission, principles and values, and goals (see below).**

Vision of SOEEA
Proposed: People of Saskatchewan are environmentally responsible, valuing diverse and interdependent systems, working together to learn and practice ecological sustainability and healthy living for all beings.

Mission of SOEEA
Proposed: Saskatchewan Outdoor and Environmental Education Association (SOEEA) encourages educators and people who participate in outdoor recreation to practice and teach environmen tal responsibility.

Guiding Principles/Values
Proposed: The Saskatchewan Outdoor and Environmental Education Association (SOEEA) values the following as guiding principles: 1: Supporting education (formal, non-formal, and informal). 2: Valuing and coming to know our own place (Saskatchewan). 3: Environmental responsibility. 4: Working cooperatively and strategically.

Goals
Proposed: 1: Support educators to practice outdoor and environmental education. 2: Encourage outdoor recreation, exploration of Saskatchewan, development of outdoor and environmental skills and practices, and the development of a sense of place. 3: Actively connect diverse members and support environmental decision making encouraging ecological responsibility. 4: Be a happy and healthy organization (leadership, communication, partnerships, networks, members, and membership benefits).


 * **Motion 6: SOEEA establishes a calendar year orgnisational/operational plan and that the next AGM be held in December 2009.**
 * Present Board recruitment process
 * Board members are to take responsibility to recruit their own replacement
 * Board Recruitment Event/Meeting to facilitate SOEEA Board information to be held July of each year
 * Recruits are to shadow Board member for the next six months (attending SOEEA events as possible (Ecotour etc))
 * New Recruit Training process (introduction to the Board Handbook and walking through it)
 * AGM in December (Lumsden- snow shoeing, sleigh ride / carol singing)
 * Present Board Strategic Planning Process
 * Strategic Planing focus to solicit programming ideas (July - September)
 * What does SOEEA mean to you?
 * What can SOEEA do for you?
 * Grant planing meeting/event (late September - this year Sunday evening after Conference 27th September)
 * Programs
 * Special Projects
 * Major Projects
 * Budget plan
 * Submit SPRA Grant due early October
 * AGM December to wrap up previous years Grant (including audited financials)
 * Submit SPRA Final Report due early January (Report, AGM minutes, Audited Statement)
 * **Motion 7: SOEEA embraces the many opportunities that come from providing "teacher training" (acknowledging formal and informal educators) across Saskatchewan, with a focus on providing an information/contact hub along with specific training opportunities (Flying Wild, Canoeing Accreditation and Leave No Trace Training).**

Close AGM
 * SOEEA would like to offer to host the following:
 * EECOM Leadership Clinic 2010/2011
 * EECOM Conference 2011


 * 40th Celebration - bring on the cake!!**

1: Regina EcoFair (Yvette, Peta, others please???) - need a cheque for $10 This year's EcoFair will take place on Saturday June 27 from 10am to 3pm in the Cathedral Area (Retallack St. and 13th Ave). We will get a table and two chairs. The event is hosted by Regina EcoLiving. 2: WEEC Report (Karen and Peta) 3: Flying Wild MOU and Jump Start Funding (sign) (Peta) Flying WILD, a new program of the Council for Environmental Education, introduces middle school students to bird conservation through standards-based classroom activities and environmental stewardship projects. Flying WILD encourages schools to work closely with conservation organizations, community groups, and businesses involved with birds to implement school bird festivals/events in which students take a leading role in teaching their classmates and community about migratory birds. 4: Leave No Trace - update about training plans, advertising strategy and funding options. (John) 5: SOEEA EcoTour - update information, numbers etc (Tina and Yvette) 6: SOEEA Conference - update information and plans (Karen and Peta). Catering, Participation. 7: $upport Grants - Check that all cheques have been sent and that grants were acceptable (Tina, Board) 8: Opportunity to support PLACE at the U of R (Peta) 9: Workshops on Gardening with native Plants (June 1st and 29th) (Peta) 10: Melanson Award - be presented at the Sat night Celebration of the conference 26th Sept. Nominations to Peta please. 11: Set date for AGM in December and Christmas party - Lumsden Sleigh Ride and Caroling?? 12: Need to have SOEEA money spent by mid November for 2009 (in time to have our finances audited for the AGM)
 * Agenda - SOEEA Board Meeting**