Esquimalt Men’s Shed Meeting Notes April 30th 2026

Present were:

• Jan Woo
• Doug McLeod
• Brian harvey
• Rob Harris
• Roger Jennings
• John Houston
• Layton Engwer
• Ian Horridge
• Pete Kerr
• John McWilliams
• Gregg Eligh

Thanks for coming out gentlemen.

Welcome to Jan Woo. Jan retired to Victoria over a decade ago, after working his way west from Montreal as a carpenter. Jan built houses, from full-custom homes to ‘Vancouver specials’. I look forward to learning what I can from you Jan. 

Doug made a great suggestion; social functions can be put into the google calendar on the website. Doug, Brian and I are each able to do so. BBQs, crib tournaments, garden tours, pub nights, what have you… Whatever we decide to do, it’ll go in the calendar. Good idea Doug. Thank you

Project spreadsheets are in development. Thank you Brian.

Birdhouses; John Houston tabled full size templates for a robin house design. It’s simple to build. The robin is common to our area, and a pleasant harbinger of spring. Should be well received. John H, Pat O and Brian H to do a materials take-off for a production run, and coordinate a build date. Thanks John, Pat and Brian.

MP Stephanie McLean meets with Doug, Pat, Rob and I tomorrow afternoon. Our priorities will be; 

1. Point out the advantage to Ms McLean of having a relationship with our shed
2. Request assistance in gaining funding for our shed
3. Schedule the next meeting with Ms McLean, or her staff

Thanks Doug, Rob and Pat.

Cornhole sets for Esquimalt Seniors; 

Doug Bowen has assembled materials for 3 game sets. Doug McLeod to confirm the materials list and coordinate a build date with Doug B, Pat and the build crew. Thanks Doug

Our earnings from the KMS bbq totalled $409.25. Our cost for ice and onions will come out of this.

At our most recent outing the morning was particularly busy. Discussion resolved to schedule 4 people per shift for the May 9th BBQ. Doug will manage the signup for this event. Thanks for this Doug.

Layton made the clever suggestion that we approach Milwaukee tools reps on May 9th to ask for tool donations to the shed. Thanks Layton.

Layton tabled his draft of a Memorandum of understanding between the shed and Pat Olson for the use of Pat’s garage as a workshop for the shed. Please look it over and send suggestions, and encouragement, to Layton at layton.engwer@shaw.ca Thanks Layton for developing this..

This link to the draft MOU

Roger suggested using Google drive for all shed documents. This is underway. Thanks for the suggestion Roger. 

Layton reports the following on progress with Repair Cafe planning;

• Roger, Layton & John met yesterday to review the startup guide from RepairCafe.org
• Please volunteer, and invite others you know to do likewise. We will need a long list of both fixers and house staff from which to draw for the next repair cafe, and for those following.
• Layton & Doug will develop a web signup form for volunteers. 
• Gregg E agrees to do art design for promotional materials
• Brian H will continue webmastery to produce promotional materials, signage, etc.
• Layton will liaise with Woody at Fairfield repair cafe directly for guidance
• Ian H will join the Sunday planning meeting

Thanks to 

Layton, Roger, Doug, Gregg, Ian and Brian. 

Brian and Gregg will take head shot photos of members for inclusion in the contacts list. The photos may help us learn each others’ names as the membership grows. Great idea. Thanks Brian and Gregg.

This link to the shed contact list

A member of the Vic West Community Ass’n wrote to me asking if the shed would consider building another food pantry for their group. Discussion resolved a unanimous yes. Thanks to all for that. I will communicate with Andrew Gow at Vic West Community Ass’n. I will also appeal to Andrew for volunteers from his group to help out at the repair cafe.

Rob pointed out that our participation in VicWestFest June 6th gives us opportunity to promote the repair cafe (June 20th). Well observed, Rob. Thank you.

There concluded the business for the day.

We enjoyed many laughs around the table, both during the business and afterward. 

Thanks again for coming out gentlemen. 

Please correct me if I err.

Best regards,

John McWilliams