Vashon Maury Island Community Council Economic Committee DRAFT Meeting Notes August 25, 2005 Vashon Roasterie Attending: Rory Brice, Marilyn Omey, Sandra Hamilton, Armen Yousoufian, Kathleen Fitch, Lisa Mathias, Julia Larson, Rita Schenck, Martin Koenig, Patte Wagner, Tom Bangasser, Lauri Hennessy, Hester Kremen, Marian Whited Rita Schenck called the meeting to order, reviewed the charge of the VMICC Economic Committee as written in the VMICC motion that established the committee. She noted that this was an organizational meeting with the goals of setting a meeting time and electing a committee chair, and begin the discussion about possible visions of Vashon. Duties of the Committee Chair Rita said the duties of the chair were to largely administrative (find a meeting place, send out notices, etc.) as well as facilitating the committee meetings. Marian Whited volunteered to continue to send out meeting notices and help administratively. Marilyn provided guidance from the VMICC charter (control, click to follow link) http://www.vmicc.org/policies_committee.html. Kathleen Fitch suggested that the committee should seek and elect a chairperson who has established: · Credibility within the community · Known mediator and diplomat with differencing parties · Neutral/dispassionate on the outcome of the process · Understand and are savvy in the rules of the community council Several possible candidates for the position of chair were proposed. Kathleen Fitch, Marilyn and Rita Schenck will follow up with these folks before the next meeting. Rita was elected as interim chair until another chair is elected. Role of the Committee The role of the VMICC Economic Committee as defined in the motion unanimously approved at the August 18, 2005 VMICC meeting is to “act as a forum for the island-wide discussion of preferred actions towards the economic wellbeing of the island”. The committee is responsible to the Vashon Maury Island Community Council. It may make recommendations to the Counsel but has no authority to take action until and unless directed to by a motion and vote of the VMICC. It was decided that evening meetings are important so people who commute can participate. Discussion Patte Wagner suggested that the committee needed to look at long and short term goals (for example, working to inform the King County Rural Strategies process lead by Julia Larson). There was general agreement that the committee should work toward action or a product. Tom Bangasser said he thought that a business plan for the island was a desirable end product. Julia Larson said that, given her background in leading economic development having a vision of what a community wanted to be was critical to a successful outcome. Rita Schenck agreed that a vision statement was an important starting place. The group agreed to begin building the agenda for the next meeting. They felt it was important to define what is meant by several key words including: * Rural * Sustainability * Diversity * Economic Strategies * Rural Character and * Environment. They also wanted ensure that several issues/topics/concepts were discussed such as: * Commuting/transportation/connectivity (people and goods to/from the island) * Cyberspace/telecom * Basis principles/values/quality of life Marian agreed to see that a way for people to post information and comments is set up. Until then, please send your definitions of the above to her at marian@iere.org. She will compile the list for discussion at the next meeting. Other topics include * Election of a Committee Chair * Norms of behavior – Marilyn Omey will provide information about the norms written for the Community Council * Inclusiveness The next meeting was scheduled for Thursday, September 1 from 7PM to 9PM at McMurray Middle School Library. Meeting was adjourned.