A Recent Meeting at the Ag Hall - Q and A sessionFinancial Reporting
While the financial statements for the year ending December 31, 2012, as examined by Dale Matheson Carr-Hilton Labonte will be presented at the meeting, a short article based on interim results, appeared in the March issue of the Mayneliner to inform the community about how the Conservancy's activities contribute to the local and regional economy. An edited version is reproduced here complete with explanatory pie charts. Additional charts and graphs highlighting other aspects of the Society's performance will be prepared and shown at the AGM in order to add a visual element to our reporting.2012 was a very active year for the Mayne Island Conservancy on the water and on land. Our Shoreline Care and Community Stewardship projects are big tasks, and have depended for a large part on support from the corporate world, from government and from independent charitable foundations (the Victoria Foundation, VanCity’s EnviroFund, and Environment Canada’s EcoAction fund.)Want to know more? Come to the 2013 AGM on March 23rd to ask questions and join the discussion!Most of these funds have been spent right here on Mayne Island: paying staff, buying project supplies, running education programs. Close to $140,000 has been disbursed in this way over the last two years – representing “new” money circulating in this community.
Our grant applications include carefully conceived budgets, detailed schedules of activities and anticipated outcomes in terms of environmental and community benefits. A significant portion of these applications covers how MICS will make its own contribution to these projects under the headings of cash, resources and in-kind donations of time from volunteers or gifts of materials. Chasing after large amounts of money to further our work on Mayne Island is a continuing process and would not be possible without the support of many individuals here and elsewhere.
The Society may appear to be well funded for 2013, but the support of volunteers and donors is essential to the execution of our projects. We have three, sometimes more, employees and various volunteers to co-ordinate, large amounts of data to record and analyze, as well as field tools and supplies to store. We can’t operate off the corner of a Director’s dining room table any more! So we now rent premises and own computers, network infrastructure and software and pay for internet and phone connections. Granting agencies usually don’t cover administrative costs. We’re doing this because we count (humbly and appreciatively!) on the generosity of our donors, most of whom live on Mayne or visit the island regularly. But this does put us in a very vulnerable position.
We source locally as a first priority and then go elsewhere, but still in the region. The specialized weatherproof signage for Henderson Hill and Plumper Pass Park was the first time we’ve gone further than that.
Our employees have been full time or part-time residents of the island and last year’s Shoreline Care and Stewardship project payroll amounted to $94,000. This figure has been covered by various grants and subsidies.
On the down side, $8000 worth of administrative time (much spent in applying for funds!) has not been covered. At the same time an estimate of the value provided by operational and administrative volunteers – the society’s directors and many others – is at least $65,000. This in-kind and volunteer component is a significant part of our operational success! However, cash donations representing 51% of our non-grant revenue only totaled $9,000 for the year.
Putting it bluntly, we really rely on grant funding, maybe too much. The Conservancy is just one of many groups competing for limited agency funds. Without local support, continuation of our projects may be threatened. To that end we will be looking for your very important involvement in our fundraising activities. As the folks on Knowledge Network say, whether it’s a bequest, or the cost of a few cups of coffee a month, every bit helps. And your contributions help us do more to protect the diversity and natural beauty of our island.
Last Year
Business Meeting
The agenda included reports from President, Michael Dunn, from our Executive Director, Leanna Boyer and the Treasurer, Alan Ryder. Members heard about the progress in our projects and our plans for the rest of 2012 and financial results and budgets were presented
The nominated Directors were elected, there being no nominations from the floor. The meeting ended with a Q & A session and all present were invited to return for our "Raising the Green" St. Patrick's Day evening!
Raising the Green
Crowds duly attended, potlucks were shared, while fundraising events whipped by and dancing broke out to the accompaniment of the "gypsy fusion orchestra" known as Compassion Gorilla, pictured below.
The Morning After
Helen O'Brian writes to helpers AND members & guests:
What a great FUNdraiser . . . and, I think, we all had fun, even if it was exhausting (or maybe I speak for myself)! and . . . Everyone pitched in magnificently and made it all happen, so a very big round of applause for us all!.The music was terrific - thanks Chris and all the other band members. You can come back anytime. The kitchen and food table were very ably watched over by Rob and Lauren and Harold. The dishes actually got done without any seeming difficulties. The food was delicious and the silent auction items diverse and interesting. Again, many thanks.
Some pictures of the evening's festivities are posted on our Gallery page
| 
