Annual General Meeting. Membership Report. November 26, 2009

Thea Kruyne, JCRI Secretary 2009-12-09

On May 1st 2009 the total membership of the Joshua Creek Residents Association consisted of 2 members who had worked diligently and persistently to keep JCRA alive for a couple of years.

On May 7th 2009 a number of residents responded to an invitation from Ron Fiorelli to attend a meeting with presentations about a proposed Power Plant. Ron correctly saw this huge issue as the litmus test to determine whether a basis existed for the survival of JCRA. If such a huge issue would not resonate in our community and would not be able to revive interest in a residents association as a vehicle to share information and speak out for community interests, probably nothing else would either. Hence this meeting marked the revival of Joshua Creek Residents Association.

On May 14th 2009 18 volunteers who had attended the May 7th meeting, confirmed their willingness to form the new Interim Board of Directors of the revived Joshua Creek Residents Association. On August 13th, during a Special General Meeting, all 18 Directors were approved by the membership at large.

So within two weeks, we grew an astounding 800% - from 2 to 18. Needless to say that we couldn’t keep up that pace! However, at this time, we have more than 160 members and we are still growing!

The Directors believe that it is very important for an organization like ours, to have a good proportion of the residents as our members. The more members we have, the more legitimate we can be as your representatives.

Increasing the JCRA membership base became a key consideration with each of the activities and events organized by the current Board and its committees. These events/activities include:

  • Canvassing door-to-door with a petition against the Power Plant and at the same time encouraging neighbours to join JCRA as members, during the month of June;
  • Supporting the Oakville Power Plant Rally and manning a recruitment table in August;
  • Sponsoring an information and membership sign-up booth at the Chisholm Fall Fair in October;
  • Sponsoring a “Spooktacular” free Public Skating event at Maple Grove Arena in November.

    • Mid-December we plan to start a membership campaign, encouraging existing members to renew their memberships and encouraging those who are sitting on the fence to jump in.

    The JCRA membership year is based on the calendar year, but for this transition year we have considered it appropriate to offer members, signing up during the 4th quarter, an effective membership through the 4th quarter of 2010 for the same annual $20.00 fee. That said, most existing memberships will be up for renewal in January for 2010. A reminder will be sent out to you.

    On a final note: Please talk to your neighbours and friends about JCRA and ask them to join: Our strength is in numbers!!! To effectively represent the interest of the Joshua Creek Community, our community, we need all the support we can get………..