Transition Meaford (TM) Meeting Summary
July 10th, 2013
In Attendance: Joyce T., Jaden C., Jan C., Mary B., Bobby D., Bill M., Judy M.,
Liz B., Ollie B. (Jr. participant), Steve G., Lindy I.
Regrets: Jan C. Samantha M.
Special Note: Share with a wider audience that TM meetings are child-friendly.
Action: Everyone
Project Updates:
Lending Library: (Lindy Iversen)
Sarah Elton spoke at EcoInhabit July 4th. This event happened because of Meaford Library staff. Lori
Ledingham and Cathie Lee in their effort to outreach into community saw the natural connection
between Sarah’s subject of local food sustainability, EcoInhabit Lending Library and Transition
Meaford.
Action: none
Film Series: Nothing new to report.
Action: none
Meaford Community Gardens: (Mary Bryant)
The gardens now have 3 locations: GBSS Community Garden, 6 raised beds in Victoria Village (The
Village Green) and 2 demonstration gardens on the Bethany Church of the Nazarene front lawn.
In this third year of the gardens, the ‘community’ aspect is growing. The organizing team is made up
of Mary Bryant, Jaden Calvert and Lindy Iversen. Thursday morning 9-11 has been established as the
communal work time.
Tomorrow, Thursday, July 11th, the team will be spreading out a round bail of straw, as well as,
weeding.
Mary & Wayne are part of the Meaford Garden Club. They have arranged for the GBSS Community
Garden to be added to this year’s garden tour. Mary & Wayne will host the tour.
Due to a conflict with the July 15th film at The Market (The Vanishing Bees) Lindy’s not available to
help host the tour and Jaden will try and make time to host part of it.
Action: Mary & Wayne and maybe Jaden
B&B Habitat Initiative: (Lindy Iversen)
EcoInhabit donated the current supply of seed mix to the B&B Initiative. ($150. Gift)
S. Griffiths will handle the funds raised to support this initiative.
EcoInhabit will continue to sell the seed packets at $20. Each packet is good for 100 square feet. $18
covers costs, $2. Is profit for the initiative.
EcoInhabit will still sell the seed. Investigate the possibility of The Market selling the seed.
Action: Jan S.
Small gift seed packets are handed out at TM information tables. Some of the packets were donated
from the Municipality of Meaford via L. Buckton. Others were part of EcoInhabit’ s donation/gift.
The Market is hosting a film night. The film is Vanishing Bees. It is at 7:00 pm (free of charge). Roger
Klein from CTV Barrie will be present along with several beekeepers.
The ideal outcome of the film and follow-up discussion would be to take the next step in our B&B
Initiative to expand the number of sanctuary gardens and plan and execute some relevant action that
among other things talks to local farmers about the repercussion of the neonicotinoid family of
insecticides on our bee populations.
Action: S. Griffiths to call a follow-up meeting after the event.
Plastic Film Recycling Pilot Project (Lindy Iversen)
S. Griffiths will work with and take over from Thomas Dean as team leader if Thomas does leave the
area.
Action: Steve G.
New Sparks:
Earth Week: (Jaden Calvert)
Dan has not responded to TM’s e-mail sent by Jaden C. We requested a meeting to look at the
possibility of creating a community-wide Earth Week in 2014.
The choice of 3 projects being proposed by the steering committee for TM as a whole:
 Lunch & Learn: A festive, low carbon lunch time event that ran for 5 days of Earth Week. It
would include speaker, music and socializing.
 During Earth Week, celebrate with an information booth and/or video the expansion of the
Plastics Recycling Pilot Project from September 2013 to April 2014. Keep in mind the value of getting
into schools.
 Expand/Enhance the B&B Initiative by creating a presentation that travelled to our urban and
rural hubs during Earth Week to speak of the B&B initiative, share the current plight of bees and a
short video and a knowledgeable beekeeping in the group.
The decision as to what we’ll do as a group was put into abeyance until we’ve met with Dan
Buttineau. At that time we’ll know the level of organizing that is ahead for TM participants.
Call Dan the week of July 21st.
Action: Jaden C.
Networking:
MACA Community Meeting: June 24th- L. Iversen will attend future meetings as TM’s liaison
Presentation to Meaford Chamber of Commerce June 27t (Lindy Iversen)
Information Table: Canada Day, July 1st at Meaford Harbour (Jan & Tim S., Mary & Wayne B., Jadon
C & Lindy I.)
TM will have 2 Special Feature article in The Meaford Independent over the next month. One talking
about Meaford Community Gardens in the context of a food revolution. The other sharing the nature
of Transition Towns and Transition Meaford activities.
Meaford Farmers Market Information Table: August 9th 3-7 pm
Action: L. Iversen to staff farmers’ market table. Other volunteers welcome.
Bridge to Local Government – L. Buckton Municipal Senior Planner
October 2013 during Local Government Week the Municipality will launch a new and on-going
initiative. The intention will be to focus on developing community connections around the ‘Celebration
of our Differences’.
A work plan and strategies will be developed around the strength that grows out of diversity. Initially,
the nature of the new strategy will be around storytelling.
The Official Plan has been submitted to Grey County for final approval.
Have You Heard?
 CFOS has a free community spot called Making Waves. A citizen can call in and record their
position on any topic. If chosen for airing, it plays 2 time in one day. (Bobby Docherty)
 Bobby Docherty is organizing an event called Meaford’s 100 Mile Stomp, September 29 th at
Meaford Harbour from noon to 8:00 pm..
 Information and/or sales tables cost $25.00. If Transition Meaford takes advantage of this
opportunity, negotiations will take place with B. Docherty to determine how to cover the cost.
The event is to celebrate the life and legacy of Stomping Tom.
Everything will be local from within 100 miles of Meaford. Tables will include local artists, authors,
artisans businesses and food.
Contact:: stompinmeaford@gmail.com or call Roberta Docherty at 519-538-3566
 Grey County is spraying pesticides on County road in the ditch areas.(Jaden Calvert)
 Next Meeting: At EcoInhabit, Wednesday, August 14th, 7:00 am.
Respectfully Submitted: Lindy Iversen
July 11, 2013