April 23 2026 Meeting Notes

Present were:

• Doug Mcleod
• Brian Harvey
• Rob Harris
• Pete Kerr
• Layton Engwer
• John McWilliams
• Roger Jennings
• Greg Eligh
• Ian Horridge
• Graham Hayes

Welcome Ian Horridge. Ian hails from Vic West. Now retired, Ian worked as a goldsmith.

Doug passed on that Simon Swanek has been accepted to a graduate studies program back east (apologies Simon, I didn’t note the school). Simon plans to continue attending the shed prior to moving. Congratulations Simon! 

Doug reiterated the need for clarity in email communication; please stick to the subject line  topic when responding. New or unrelated topics should be introduced on their own, with clear description in the subject line. This keeps the messages clear, distinct, and easily found when looking back.

A suggestion was made – by who I don’t recall, sorry – to generate a spreadsheet for any build project to track budget, expenses and income. A solid idea. Thank you.

Roger suggested a build date for mason bee houses in December ‘26 to take advantage of Christmas sales, and to get the houses into yards before the bees become active in March. Most sensible Roger, thank you. To be scheduled

Doug suggests a meeting with Mark Nicoll and those attending the meeting with MP Stephanie McLean to set our talking points. The meeting with Ms McLean is of 15 minutes duration. This list to NOT include seeking shop space.

On the topic of shop space, Pat O asked for clarification about the shed using his garage space for our shop. It is understood that for the present, and foreseeable future, the shed will use Pat’s shop. Improvements to the shop to separate the shed space and contain dust are needed. Discussion to follow. 

Layton offered to draft an agreement of tenancy for review with Pat and shed exec. 

Thank you Pat for your generosity. Thanks Layton for your helpful offer.

John Houston was attending to his wife, who has fallen ill, so we await his report on bird house designs and build details. Doug will follow up with John. Thanks Doug.

Doug M passed on that Doug B has the budget for materials to build cornhole sets. It was agreed that the shed can build 4 sets of the tables; 3 for Doug B’s group, and one for the shed’s use. Further discussion needed to schedule build date.

Doug displayed some of the repair cafe materials on the big screen. Roger offered to manage those files and produce the needed materials as we ramp up to our next repair cafe. Thank you Doug and Roger.

Our repair cafe will need both fixers (a few more)  and front of house volunteers (many). I sent a message to Doug B at Esquimalt Seniors Services inviting his crew to help out. So far no word from Doug B.

John M and Layton E volunteer to lead the repair cafe organizing crew. Thanks Layton, and John.

Pat passed on news; Tony DaSilva, shedder and pastor at Highpoint Community Church, is moving to a new posting in Hamilton ON June 15th – just prior to our repair cafe. I will follow up with Tony to ensure the plan for the repair cafe is put forward to his successor at Highpoint.

Thanks Pat for the news, and thanks Tony for bringing the repair cafe idea to the shed, and for hosting the cafe at Highpoint.

Rob H will organize our VicWestFest participation. June 6th 12-6pm. Pete’s tent and table are pledged, and Doug’s table as well. Thanks Rob for taking the lead on this, and thanks Pete and Doug for the use of your gear.