Last week, we reported Langley Tories have been urging local business owners to attend a party fundraiser/expo because it would provide them with an "exclusive opportunity to showcase your company's products or services" to International Trade Minister David Emerson. But entrepreneurs weren't the only ones approached to participate in that event. Local MP Mark Warawa's press secretary Tanya Charles-Tait also talked to the Langley Spirit of BC Committee about having a booth at that event. But, according to meeting minutes obtained by Public Eye, "the committee decided not to have a booth as the perception of being associated with any one political party would not be acceptable." The exhibition portion of the fundraiser has since been cancelled. Ms. Charles-Tait - a member of that committee - hasn't yet responded to a request for comment concerning this story. The following is a complete copy of those minutes.

Notes from the Langley Spirit of BC Committee Planning Session
Held Thursday, Sept. 7, 2006
At Langley Music School

Present: David Esworthy, Michael Jackstien, Ed Kolla, Sharon Crowley, Bev Herman, Ann Corner, Tanya Charles-Tait, Cathy Gibbs, Gayle Martin, Susan Magnusson, George Miller, Larry Willoughby, Allen Langdon, Mary Polak, Judy Gerein

Meeting was brought to order by David Esworthy at 7:10pm.

1, Opening and Introductions:
- David introduced Allen Langdon, new Director for Spirit of BC.
- round the table introductions took place
- agenda was introduced and accepted
- recent events where the Spirit of BC Community flags were flown included:
- Keg Grand Prix held at Thunderbird Stadium Aug. 25th-27th
- International Para-Dressage Championship at Milner Downs on Labor Day.

2. Minutes of June 15th meeting
- were reviewed by David Esworthy

Vision Statement: The Langley Spirit of BC Community Committee will be a catalyst dedicated to the enhancement of the social, cultural, economic, sport and recreational fabric of the Langleys.

Mission Statement:
The Langley Spirit of B.C. Community Committee, through the membership of civic, cultural, educational, sports and business leaders, will provide the expertise to maximize opportunities presented by the 2010 Winter Olympic Games. Supporting all residents of the Langleys, sub-committees will play the leading role in every aspect of capitalizing on initiatives available before, during and after 2010.

3. Allen Langdon update:
- Allen has been the new Director of Spirit of BC for 3 and 1/2 weeks. He has met with 7 other community spirit committees so far. His background is in communications, public relations and public affairs. LegaciesNow was a client of his most recent company which helped to promote Feb. 06 Spirit of BC week.
- A recurring challenge that Allen has noticed from other community committees is: what is expected of them and what does LegaciesNow expect?
- Allen would like to establish goals to give purpose and meaning to these committees
- The new focus in his next year is to come up with “the brand” for Spirit of BC and community committees. The reason for this is two fold: to encourage committees to increase their awareness within their communities; and to keep Spirit of BC consistent within the province.

- The next Spirit of BC week is February 9 - 17, 2007
- BC 2008 update - $15 million over 3 years has been assigned for BC's 150th anniversary celebrations. Being the birthplace of BC, Fort Langley will play a prominent role.
- There are 4 ways that a community committee could organize themselves; there needs to be a method of collecting and distributing funds. (Approx. $200 is forwarded to communities who organize Spirit of BC Week events.) And they are: incorporating as a society; stand alone, be a committee of Council(s), partner with a Chamber or Economic Development office. Allen is to check into the liability for committee members.
- Note of interest: Abbotsford has an office and 5 part-time employees which are paid through HRDC (60%) and sponsorships (40%).
- New websites for LegaciesNow, Spirit of BC, and each Spirit of BC Community are in the process of being developed by the end of this year.

4. Co-Chairs Reports
David - Langley 150 Committee Chair, Judi Donald, of Langley Township has been declared. Some monies have been allocated. Dave has attended one meeting and will be attending future meetings as this event will be closely tied to this Spirit committee.

Michael - Michael attended The Keg Grand Prix held Aug. 25--27th at Thunderbird. A Spirit of BC banner was incorporated into one of the jumps, announcements were provided regarding the 2010 Winter Games and the Spirit of BC Langley Community Committee.

A LegaciesNow Connecting Communities Tour which consists of an interactive display is touring through 9 BC communities this fall. The closest one to us is Abbotsford; dates TBA.

The Para-Dressage Championship held Labor Day was both a national and international event. 41 para-riders from around the world (Russia, China, Ireland, USA, S. America, Canada) competed.

5. Specific Work Group Reports
Heritage - Larry Willoughby reported
- The Fort Langley Cranberry Festival is to be held October 7th. Dave is to ive Larry Madleine Rab's info (from Bell) on Connecting Communities Committee to see if he can get pins to give away. Larry can use both Spirit of BC flags that this committee has.

- Organizations that need support are Aldergrove Festivals which is on the verge of forming a BIA, and the Rowing and Canoeing Clubs of Fort Langley. They use the channel and want to hold regattas and fully develop the Ft. Langley waterfront. This could possibly tie in with the Kwantlen museum development plans. Larry will have an update of these 2 organizations by the end of this year.

Tourism - David Esworthy reported
- The 2nd draft of the Langley Tourism Plan was presented last night. Tourism Langley is to be in place by December 2007. $350,000 is needed annually which should come from Langley City's hotel tax plus the upcoming township hotel tax plus the Chamber money budgetted for tourism.

Arts - Susan Magnusson reported
-noticed her name was not on the original working group list. Dave has ammended that list.

Volunteers - David Esworthy reported
- he cannot reach Michele Coleman and has started to look for another contact.

Accessibility - Noone present to report

Sport and Recreation - Bev Herman reported
- distributed a report that is an email attachment to these notes.

Literacy - Sharon Crowley reported
- LiteracyNow has been launched, but has lost some momentum since that time. There is a $10,000 start up fund; as well as $100,000 available to the committee to do future activities. They are presently doing an inventory of literacy groups in the Langleys.

Communications - Tanya Charles-Tait reported
- distributed a report that will either be attached to these notes or emailed separately.

2010 Torch Route - Mary Polak reported
- it is the wish of Minister Colin Hansen that as many communities as possible experience the torch.

Aviation (Council) Update - George Miller reported
- George sits on VANOC, who has asked aviation to take on a leading role in transportation. High security and regulations are to be expected. As access to Whistler will be difficult, VANOC is to announce shortly that Langley will be the helicopter center.

Committees were thanked by David Esworthy and asked to go forward to their next stage.

6. Operating Guidelines
- the committee provided consensus to accept the Operating Guidelines as distributed by David Esworthy by email.
- It was noted that the Spirit of BC week should be included in each working group's future discussions. The Executive Committee will meet and email the full committee in the near future.
7. Selection of Steering/Executive Committee
- The designated lead person for each working group along with the committee Co-Chairs, Secretary, and any others so designated, (Ed Kolla and Patrick Yearwood), will form the Executive Committee.

8. Identifying and involving Langley Olympians
- Tanya has not received the support she expected from LegaciesNow. She will ask all committee members if they know of any Langley Olympians. Minister Mary Polak may be able to share her list.

9. Other Business
- Tanya provided information regarding Langley Expo 2006, A Langley Trade Showcase featuring Hon. David Emerson and MP Mark Warawa, and wondered if the committee would like to have a booth. The committee decided not to have a booth as the perception of being associated with any one political party would not be acceptable.

5. Next meeting: TBA

Meeting adjourned at 9:05pm.