INAUGRAL GENERAL MEETING 1/2000

7.30pm
Wednesday 26 JULY 2000

At: CERES Offices
8 Lee Street, Brunswick

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PRESENT:
Paul Adams, Noel Blencowe, Robyn Evans, Sam Grover, Fran Hoban, Dot Hutton, Hamish McCracken, Tony Morton, Sharryn Muir, Cathy Nixon, Mara Ripani, Vyv Rodnight, Adam Tiller, Hans Tilstra (observing)

APOLOGIES:
Paula Jorgenson, Anna Morton, Maya Ward Chaired by Mara Ripani. Minutes taken by Dot Hutton. Timekeeper Tony Morton.

1. ELECTION OF COMMITTEE OF MANAGEMENT
The meeting appointed Robyn Evans as Returning Officer in the event of contested positions. The following nominations were received for the Committee of Management.
Public Officer: Cathy Nixon (nominated NB, seconded MR)
Chairperson: Mara Ripani (nominated VR, seconded TM)
Deputy Chairperson: Sam Grover (nominated NB, seconded RE)
Secretary: Tony Morton (nominated VR, seconded AT)
Treasurer: Tony Morton (nominated PA, seconded SG)
Process Rep: Hamish McCracken (nominated RE, seconded PA)
Education Rep: Sharryn Muir (nominated RE, seconded TM)
Finance Rep: Noel Blencowe (nominated MR, seconded TM)
Design Rep: Maya Ward (nominated NB, seconded PA)
Communication Rep: Paul Adams (nominated TM, seconded FH)
Ordinary member: Adam Tiller (nominated RE, seconded VR)
Ordinary member: Fran Hoban (nominated NB, seconded PA)
Ordinary member: Vyv Rodnight (nominated RE, seconded MR)
There being no contested positions, the above were duly elected.

2. MOTIONS OF INCORPORATION

2.1 Name of Association
AT suggested that the name "Merri EcoVillage" was too narrow for the group, as it made no mention of cohousing which is the primary purpose of the organisation. A number of alternative names were suggested. Eventually it was moved that the name of the organisation in the Motions of Incorporation, the Statement of Purposes and Rules be changed to Merri CoHousing and EcoVillage Incorporated. (moved NB, seconded CN, carried)

2.2 Amendments to Purposes and Rules
NB presented the proposed Purposes and Rules for the organisation. The following amendments were agreed by the meeting.
Statement of Purposes 2: remove "intentional community" and the parentheses around "co-housing".
Rule 2.1(h): remove "and any members co-opted to the Management Committee".
Rule 15.3: change "Section 19" to "Section 16".
add Rule 31 to read as follows: "31. ALTERATION OF RULES AND STATEMENT OF PURPOSES The Rules and the Statement of Purposes of the Association may be amended at a general meeting if: (a) notice of the substance of the proposed change is provided to members at least 21 clear days prior to the meeting; (b) the substance of the change is consistent with the Act; (c) at least five votes are recorded; and (d) three quarters of those voting support the amendment."

2.3 'Motion 1'
That the Public Officer of Merri CoHousing and EcoVillage be authorised to incorporate the organisation as an Incorporated Association. (moved TM, seconded VR, carried)

2.4 'Motion 2'
That the Statement of Purposes presented to the meeting become the Statement of Purposes of Merri CoHousing and EcoVillage Incorporated. (moved SG, seconded NB, carried)

2.5 'Motion 3'
That the Rules presented to the meeting become the Rules of Merri CoHousing and EcoVillage Incorporated. (moved HM, seconded PA, carried)

3. OTHER BUSINESS

3.1 Report: meeting with Moreland Council
RE reported on a meeting with Paul Buxton from the City of Moreland. We were presented with a number of documents relating to the council's urban design and open space strategies.

3.2 Report: meeting with Office of Housing
RE reported on a meeting with representatives from the Office of Housing. Those present included RE, David Oppenheim, Kevan Thomas, Jennifer Nicholson, Hal Bissett and John Putts.
* They will come on board and pay for an agreed amount of housing (not more than 12 houses). Financial backing would be required before they could provide more support.
* An environmental audit has been registered with the EPA only, not concluded. This needs to be brought forward by the owners.
* There is apparently a loophole in the 'Remington House' requirement which may allow the Office of Housing to buy the land. This needs to be followed up.
* The government supports the concept of the ecovillage but cohousing is an 'issue' for them; they are cautious about having any involvement with a cohousing project. We will need to limit the risk associated with the cohousing if they are to come on board.

3.3 Report: meeting with Permaculture Cohousing Reps
NB and AT reported on a meeting with a business associate who offered to purchase the land on our behalf. Following an initial investigation it appears it would be hard to secure a cheaper price for the land because word has got out that our group is keen to purchase and so would be prepared to pay a premium. Our purchasing strategy needs consideration: we should perhaps consider looking for other sites. This issue will be put on the agenda for the next Committee meeting.

4. CLOSE

The meeting closed at 9:40pm.