June 20, 2010

Hi all Nanaimo-Alberni Green Party members and friends:

Last week we celebrated Oceans Day here in Port Alberni with a salmon BBQ sponsored by West-Coast Aquatics.  As I rode my bike to Victoria Quay I was welcomed with banners attached like sails to the light-posts.  They bore a succession of messages:

When we receive, we want to give.                
               What do we receive from the oceans?
                           Salmon, prawns, crab, halibut, clams, recreation, transportation…
                                       What do we give to the oceans?
                                                   Oil, plastic, garbage, sewage…

It was a sobering message well delivered.  We are sobered daily as we watch the oil pouring out of the failed Deep Horizon drill pipe in the Gulf of Mexico.  It is a stark reminder of why we are involved in the Green Party.  We have to take care of our environment and learn to live in it sustainably.

We had a great AGM last month.  The presentation and discussion on sustainable salmon farming led by Michelle Young of the Georgia Strait Alliance was informative and challenging.  After supporting the salmon migration walk in protest of open net fish farms, it was a good balance to explore the positive alternatives.

At the AGM we elected a new executive for 2010.  This includes:
·         Sunshine Goldberry – returning to the position of CEO after a break of a few years.
·         Liberty Bradshaw – continuing as Financial Agent.
·         Ed Wilson – continuing as our website manager.
·         Chris Semrick – continuing as director and training as membership chair
·         Annie Humphries-Lutit – continuing as director
·         Andrea Wilson – new director and training as Financial Agent
·         Anita Francouer – new director
·         Myron Jespersen – communications (so you will continue to hear from me via newsletters and other communications!)

Welcome to Andrea and Anita!  Thanks to Andy, Doreen and Michele for your service on the executive over the past year(s).

Our National Convention is coming up this August 20-22.  I will be attending and we would like to assist one other person from our area.  None other of the executive is able to attend so if you are interested, contact Sunshine (sunshinegoldsberry@telus.net or ph. 250-248-8809) for details.  Information about the convention is at: http://greenparty.ca/convention.
 
Members of the Green Party can participate without attending the convention by voting online on proposed resolutions and for members of the governing council.  Our former candidate John Fryer is running for a position as BC Rep on Council this term.  If you have not yet become a member or if your membership has lapsed, take this opportunity to help the party by becoming a member and helping the party to choose good policies and council.

Thanks for your interest in all things green.  Which reminds me, it seems that summer weather has finally arrived and I need to get out into the greenery.  Happy Summer Solstice!

Myron Jespersen
Communication Chair and Nominated Candidate
Nanaimo-Alberni Federal Green Party Association
myronj@greenparty.ca
Ph. 250-724-1977          
2635 1st Ave. Port Alberni, BC V9Y 1Y7