Naramata Centre shutting until end of August

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Just a brief news report-a staff was threatened by a union member-RCMP are investigating.

That's what the news said.
You see a lot of the picketers are not Naramata staff-many outside picketers are there and I can see things getting testy sometimes.
I'd find out more tomorrow but I'm not at church-we have a big event in town-The Challenge Race (formerly Ironman) and I'll be a safety canoe for the swimmers.
 
nothing other than what pops up in my FB feed....which included normal accusations by each side of improper actions--those seem to be part of any strike.
 
and there was just another news story-stating that the Centre was owned by the United Church and 1/3 of the staff was going to get positions eliminated. Both points are not true. Centre is owned by a non-profit society and affiliated with UCC of C and 4/30 positions were to be contrated out.

Wish CUPE would quit picking the Community Church (it's Anglican/United).
 
News out of Five Oaks this week which was shared with an unprecedented gathering of five separate Conferences of The United Church of Canada is that as of June 15, 2015 (possibly sooner) Five Oaks will be in such a precarious financial postion that it will have no choice but to close its doors and hand the keys over to a new owner.

Five Oaks has done some consulting with Edge's property management division and will require at minimum 1.3 million dollars over the next three years to pay for a feasibility assessment and bridge funding for staff to decide whether Five Oaks is sold and gets better than 50 cents on the dollar or whether it should rebuild.

The good news is that Five Oaks is routinely having to turn away paying customers because it cannot accommodate all requests.

The bad news is that renovation alone would not solve that problem. A new facility is required on the upper campus in order for Five Oaks to generate revenue needed to meet expenditures. The lower campus is restricted by GRCA because it is a flood plain which would limit rebuilding and renovation to some extent.

Currently Hamilton Conference Executive confirms that Five Oaks does have a viable vision for the future and we are exploring ways to free up $100.000 dollars towards the 1.3 million dollars over the next three years from existing funds. Hamilton Conference Executive may also bring to the Annual General Meeting of Hamilton Conference scheduled to meet in May 2015 further proposals to add to that $100.000 dollars.

Hamilton Conference Executive, London Conference Executive, Manitou Conference Executive, Bay of Quinte Conference Executive and All Native Circle Conference Executive were present for the same proposal from Five Oaks on Wednesday, September 10. I have not heard what the response has been from London, Manitou, Bay of Quinte or ANCC.
 
I am saddened to hear this Rev. John. Seems like Chrisitna conference Cenres-like congregations-need to find a new way of being these days.
 
Wow Revjohn, that is interesting information.
I knew that with the structure it was hard to have revenue from events equal or exceed the costs of runnign the centre.
 
crazyheart said:
I guess the need is no longer there.

If there was no need Five Oaks would not be turning people away. Which is what Five Oaks is having to do simply because it cannot accommodate all who wish to attend.

We have also heard from studies already undertaken that the facilities themselves discourage older members from attending.

So consider . . .some will not attend because the facilities discourage it and others cannot attend because the facilities won't allow it.

What is needed is a newer and bigger Five Oaks to meet the demand.

The need appears to be there.
 
Pinga said:
Wow Revjohn, that is interesting information.
I knew that with the structure it was hard to have revenue from events equal or exceed the costs of runnign the centre.

Which is why a renovation would be throwing good money after bad. Time to go big or go home.
 
Yes, part of the change has been from 4 / people per room (with bunks) to twin beds and folks preferably single accomodation and more washrooms. You lose the # of folks that you can put in any one wing.
So, our societies expectations is accommodation with private washroom access, and more flexible meeting spaces.
 
Five Oaks update

Toronto Conference is committing $200, 000.00
Hamilton Conference is committing $100, 000.00
Bay of Quinte Conference is committing $50, 000.00 - 75, 00.00

Other Conferences are open to further discussion but have not, at this point in time, agreed to financial support.
 
Naramata Centre and CUPE are sitting down for mediation in first week of October.

They should get some coffee and donuts for their meeting. Nothing facilitates a good working relationship better than coffee and donuts.
 
Naramata Centre and CUPE are sitting down for mediation in first week of October.
Hopefully mindfulness and agape will reign

I love how part of their logo is that ancient occult and scientific symbol the Golden Mean Spiral :3

nice symbolism there, tucked away in the middle of nowhere, OK, but who, over time, their influence grows and grows (y)

(i do hope the centre is Alien Friendly -- lots of those in the OK)
hanging_out_at_the_ogopogo_statue_by_metadragonart-d4gle3p.jpg

(source: google image search)
 
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Naramata Centre and CUPE have met twice for mediation. They have presented proposals to each other. Nothing is resolved. No further mediation sessions scheduled at this time. That's from the official e-mail I (and many others) just received. My prayers still go out to them.
 
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