The Bridge River Valley Community Association set out 3 years ago to develop a grassroots umbrella type organization. The concept was taken from the Hornby Island Residents and Ratepayers Association. Hornby Island, while not geographically large does have a small population. They had to grapple with maintaining the community systems as we have with our very small full time population of 224.
The concept is to provide a non-profit board and organization with many, as autonomous as possible, committees, groups, events etc within that structure.
In the last three years we have developed a Heritage Committee, an Economic Development Committee, a Trails committee, a Valley-Wide Forestry Committee, a Gun Lake Boat Launch committee, a ValleyWide Fire/Emergency Training Committee and The Bralorne Community Advisory Committee (Wow). We also have several events (Winterfest, Summerfest, Remembrance Day, Canada Day). Several societies have dissolved – BBRVCA, Church, Trails and we have created unique Management systems and partnerships for other organizations, such as the Museum and Minto Communications. The philosophy is whatever works for our community to keep us sustainable!
The concept of pooling is also key to this initiative. We have been able, by pooling funds, to provide a valley-wide yard maintenance Program and shared bookkeeping, accounting and insurance expenses. Each committee and event’s money is kept separate by assigning general ledger accounts to each committee and each of them get a financial report out every two months.
We have described our organization as a BUS as it is less hierarchical than an umbrella. It is a system based on trust of each other and faith in community members to drive that bus to the right destination. The bus has an autobody and an engine to keep in good repair though, that is the non-profit society and its board. It is a system based on the “sharing” economy.
The annual tune-up is due with a membership drive and our annual general meeting.
It is very important that you be part of ensuring that “tune-up” with any “body work” that’s needed happens so that your seat on the bus is assured and the darned thing doesn’t break down on the Hurley!
Please take our your 2015 membership by filling in this form: or print out the attached form and mail it in/drop it off to us.
Then, please make plans to attend the AGM, Thursday June 11 @ 6 pm at the Gold Bridge Community School . We are allowed food on this bus, so there will be food. Please do your part of the tune-up and any needed body work and attend!!! (Toll Free Teleconference is available).
We would appreciate if you could forward this to all of your members and volunteers on your committees, groups, events, etc. and encourage them to join and if possible, attend the AGM. Membership numbers and diversity is very critical on many funding applications that are done on your behalf.
Thanks for helping us drive this bus!!!
Andre, Michelle, Sue, Jamie, Roger, Darlene and Sally
Board of Directors
Bridge River Valley Community Association
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