Category: SCCA

Dear Cortes Community member,

As many of you are aware, since the failure of the “Hall Tax” initiative several years ago, Mansons Community Hall has been operating on a mix of grants, donations and fundraising activities. Needless to say the process has been quite tense at times with staff and board members not knowing quite where funds to cover the next month’s budget commitments will come from. However, we have muddled through, until now…

AT present we find ourselves in a tough situation where we need $10,000 to pay bills that are critical to getting us through the next year, with insurance being the big one. We have just two months to find this money.

At the same time, we are truly excited about the amazing renovation that has been done to our old kitchen and at the prospect of being able to re-open it as a food preparation and food service facility for islanders.

We are also very happy with the way numerous programs and initiatives that use Mansons Hall are flourishing and providing amazing benefits to our community.

But… and we hate to say it, but if we don’t find that $10K in the next few weeks, the hall and all these programs will grind to a halt.

This is the stark reality we face and the only place we have to turn is to you, our island community members.

However, one good turn deserves another so in return for your support we would like to offer you at least a little immortality… Here’s how it works. In return for your $100 donation we will create a bronze plaque with your name on it* and mount it on a display board to be hung on the wall of the Pioneer Room when it re-opens as a café. That $100 donation also earns you recognition as one of our “Sustaining Members” and all the glory and status that goes with it!

Naturally, if $100 is too much of a stretch, we are happy to accept smaller donations. Every little bit helps and believe us, our backs are against the wall.

So please make use of the donation form below and donate whatever you can to keep the doors of Mansons Community Hall open. At the same time rest assured the SCCA board is seriously looking into long term funding strategies that will help avoid us having to do this type of emergency fund raising ever again.

Thanks for your generous support!

The SCCA Board

*You can decline the plaque and remain anonymous if you so wish.

 

 

YES! I want to support the SCCA with a $100 donation.

(Or other amount, please specify $______  )

NAME: __________________________________________________________________________

ADDRESS:  ____________________________________________  P.O. Box ___________________

CITY (e.g. Mansons, Whaletown) _____________________________   POSTAL CODE: __________

Please make cheques payable to; SCCA or Southern Cortes Community Association

     I wish to make this donation anonymous.

We are pleased to report to the community that so far, $63,000 has been raised through generous donations from the community, as well as grants. Our budget goal is $131,000.00 to renovate and fully equip a modern, to code, health-approved kitchen.

Costs include basic renovation, expansion of the footprint, new electrical wiring, flooring, stove, dishwasher, convection oven, cold table, small appliances,  refrigeration, stainless steel canopy and exhaust system. Included in the budget are also dishes, small wares, pots and pans, cash register etc.

The Board has given approval to commence Phase 1 in mid July, consisting primarily of opening up the area, levelling the floor and new subflooring, installation of a 200amp panel and power supply and new skylight (that doesn’t leak!).

Over the summer months the final plan will be developed, go for approval by VIHA and we will begin equipment purchasing.

We plan to start installing equipment and fixtures in the fall, depending on the success of fundraising efforts over the summer.

Our grants are primarily “matching funds” so every dollar donated privately is matched by the granting agency.

The SCCA is a Registered Charity and a tax-deductible receipt will be provided for all donations on request.

In the past, the kitchen was leased to private operators. Our new “Community Kitchen” is intended to provide food services that benefit Islanders and support SCCA programs:

The cafe will be open for morning coffee and baked treats.

Monday: Seniors Day.

Weekly lunches specials on a cost-recovery/break even basis, offering a fixed-price low-cost lunch menu for our Seniors. Later we hope to offer “heat ‘n serve” pre-packaged dinners, and eventually a program similar to Meals-on-wheels for housebound Elders.

Younger folks are welcome to eat too, with a regular-priced menu.

Wednesday: Family Day.

Featuring a children’s menu. All revenues will go to support the Playschool and children’s programs.

Friday: Market Day

Full-service menu, bringing back the legendary burritos, grilled sandwiches and great desserts.

Proceeds to support SCCA operations.

In addition to cafe-style food service, the Board intends to integrate the kitchen into community life, as follows:

-Community Organization Fundraising: facility rental to local groups for fundraising lunches and dinners.

-Special Event catering facility: including fundraisers, Community meals (ie Xmas dinner), and rental for weddings, celebrations etc.

-Youth: provide job experience, education credits and skills training.

-Education: through local learning institutions, food preparation, canning and cooking classes.

-Market Vendors and local food producers: rental of certified kitchen for preparation of food for retail sale and private label food products.

This exciting addition to the Hall services is dependent on community support, please help us to realize the vision and make a donation today!

With thanks from the Kitchen Committee, and the SCCA Board.

 

The Cortes Island Playschool is pleased to announce our new teaching team for the 2014/2015 year. We have Hired Jen Stevens as the lead teacher, and Alanah Caron as the assistant teacher.

Jen Stevens has worked as an ECE teacher on Vancouver Island for the past eight years. In 2004 she completed her diploma program at VIU in Nanaimo and Waldorf Early Childhood training through the West coast Institute for studies in Anthroposophy. Jen is excited about working as the lead teacher at the Playschool this year.

Alanah Caron has worked as a Waldorf assistant and is in the process of becoming a certified ECE assistant. Alanah brings her warm and gentle nature to the playschool and looks forward to helping create a nature based, magical environment for the children.

 

The playschool hours will be Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. The fee is $160.00 per month. Classes will begin on Tuesday September 9^th at 10:00 am. Come in to the Manson’s Hall office Mon/Wed/Fri 11:00 am – 4:00 pm to register your child.. Talk to Mary in the hall office if you need a subsidy. Office closed Mon Sep 1 for the holiday.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Cortes Island Playschool, operated by the SCCA, has an opening for an experienced teacher (ECE certified) AND an assistant (ECE assistant), starting September 2014. Hours will be Tuesdays and Thursdays 10am – 2pm.

We want the program to be:

• Child-centred;

• Play-centred;

• Nature/Arts/Music/Movement-based

• Inclusive

Skill set:

• Phenomenal interpersonal skills. Able to communicate effectively with children, parents, Manson’s Hall Manager and the SCCA Board.

• Depth of experience with young children.

• Ability to create a strong daily rhythm while maintaining flexibility

• Strong organizational skills.

• Ability to meet each child’s developmental stage.

• Ability to gently teach literacy, numeracy and other pre-school learning objectives within the context of play, nature, and the arts.

• Ability to create a compassionate environment, supporting healthy peer interactions among children.

• Ability to create an attractive program for children and parents.

Please send cover letter noting the position(s) you are interested in, resumé and phone numbers for 2 references by Friday, August 8th to mansonshall@gmail.com or mail to Cortes Island Playschool, Box 222, Manson’s Landing, BC, V0P 1K0. Only applicants selected for interview will be contacted.