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Opinion: Islands Trust ‘runs rogue’

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Opinion: Islands Trust ‘runs rogue’

By DAVID J. RAPPORT and LUISA MAFFI

One often hears that being an Islands Trust trustee is a thankless job — one of the classic “damned if you do [uphold the Trust’s “preserve and protect” mandate], damned if you don’t” sort. Confronted with that uneasy dilemma, the current Salt Spring Local Trust Committee (LTC) and a majority within Trust Council (TC) at large seem to have chosen to overcome the impasse by simply ignoring, and indeed undermining, the Trust’s mandate. To put it succinctly, in our view the Trust is now running rogue.

We do not say that lightly. It is hard to imagine that fellow islanders would vie for the opportunity to serve as trustees and then deliberately turn their backs on the Trust’s core mission. But how else might one interpret recent events in what we can only describe as the Trust’s “Theatre of the Absurd”?

First, the TC has taken it upon itself to redefine the “object” of the Trust, turning it into a vehicle to preserve and protect such “unique amenities” as housing, livelihoods, infrastructure, and tourism — seemingly without a hint of recognition that none of the above really qualify as being “amenities,” let alone being “unique.”

Second, it appears to us that the TC is seeking to reformulate the all-important Trust Policy Statement (TPS) in ways that align with their twisted concept of “amenities.” That will prove to be difficult. The concept of “unique amenities,” as defined and approved by the TC in 1986, clearly refers to the benefits of our natural environment, its rural character, and its cultural history for our island communities and people in British Columbia and beyond.

Third, the TC is so keen to promote its new “vision” for the TPS (apparently one of unrestrained economic growth and development — precisely the circumstances that the Trust Act was established to curb in our beautiful and fragile islands) — that it seems unwilling to wait for the required input from First Nations before going ahead and formulating its public relations strategy, complete with “talking points,” “speaking notes” and “frequently asked questions” (as detailed in the Jan. 31 Driftwood’s “Draft Policy Plan Delayed” story).

Fourth, our LTC recently attempted an “end-run” around public opposition to their proposal to open the floodgates on more ADUs by requesting Salt Spring’s inclusion under the provisions of provincial Bill 44 — which was designed for municipalities, outlawing public hearings on housing matters provided that relevant decisions don’t conflict with official community plans. That effort was thwarted by the Ministry of Housing, eliciting a sharp rebuke from Minister Ravi Kahlon, who reminded the LTC of our “existing infrastructure capacity issues” (particularly around water and waste disposal), the interests of local First Nations and the LTC’s obligations under the Trust’s “preserve and protect” mandate.

Rather than focusing on “talking points,” our LTC and the TC might be better advised to reflect on the limits of their authority. Much as some of them may fancy otherwise, they were not elected as politicians — that is, as authorities entrusted with “all-purpose” governance over the islands. Quite to the contrary, islands trustees — much like trustees for the fire board, school district or North Salt Spring Waterworks District — are elected for special purpose governance: to carry out a specific and limited, if crucial, mandate. Issues beyond their given remit are not within their purview.

Ironically, this is happening just as our provincial government is owning up its failure to ensure the health of ecosystems across the province. If the Minister for Land, Water, and Resource Stewardship has done so, it is more than high time for the Trust to follow suit. Under all accounts, our island ecosystems are in dire straits. Yet, the LTC and the TC appear to be oblivious to this fact, blissfully pursuing an agenda that conflicts with their own mandate, at an increasing cost for our island ecosystems and, as a result, for the health and wellbeing of island residents.

The draft of the Province’s flagship Biodiversity and Ecosystem Health Framework program (November 2023) should be mandatory reading for all Islands Trust trustees, as well as for island residents. It sets a new course on the stewardship of the environment, addressing head-on the life-essential need to restore health to our life-support systems. The draft document is available on the B.C. government’s website.

David J. Rapport is an economist and ecologist who pioneered the field of ecosystem health. Luisa Maffi is a linguist and anthropologist who pioneered the field of biocultural diversity. They live on Salt Spring Island.

Viewpoint: The Madness of it All

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Viewpoint: The Madness of it All

By ERIC BOOTH

Last month, our MLA Adam Olsen declared the Drake Road supportive housing project “a disaster.” He should have gone further and declared the entire island a disaster zone when it comes to housing.

Trustee Laura Patrick, (whose resignation I publicly requested a couple of months ago), after over five years in office, has now taken us backwards with Bylaw 537, the dumbed down, self-proclaimed “silly” version she had Trust staff concoct to replace proposed accessory dwelling unit Bylaw 530.

There are literally hundreds of “illegal” suites and cottages on the island. Everyone with even half a brain knows that. 537 will not legalize them. Thus, those tenants fortunate enough to be clinging to them will continue to live under the tenuous possibility of eviction.

Of the 100 or so properties which 537 WILL legalize accessory dwelling units on, according to estimates given by Patrick herself during the election debate, less than 10 of them are likely to create a unit.

Twenty years ago, Tim Wake, a housing consultant from Whistler, recommended to the Salt Spring Local Trust Committee (LTC) the legalization of ALL suites and cottages on the island. He reiterated that recommendation in 2011 to the LTC. Details of his recommendations are available at my blog site at http://tinyurl.com/2xczpku2.

His prime rationale, based on every other jurisdiction which has legalized accessory dwelling units, was there is, as Patrick stated, very little uptake.

He also said the long-term solution to housing is to split the real estate market into two sectors, the regular housing market, and a controlled housing market like Whistler has done. I have been advocating for this now for two decades, apparently to deaf ears.

And to add to the insanity of the situation, the Province has announced financing assistance for accessory dwelling units . . . and Patrick just said no to most of them.

Salt Spring, your workforce community is dying in front of your eyes. In case you weren’t aware, people in the middle or working classes cannot afford an $850,000 home.

Wake the hell up. Get mad. Write a letter to the editor. Demand action of your elected representatives. If they don’t act, demand they resign. Those you elect have the power to effect the changes necessary. You have given them that responsibility. To date they have failed miserably.

I have not seen any proposed plan from them as to exactly how they are going to solve the crisis. Another study? Another groupthink? Another advisory committee? Where is the visionary leadership that a community of over 12,000 citizens should expect?

Are you seeing answers to any of those questions? At what point will you be “mad as hell, and not going to take it any more?” When you get your eviction notice? When there is another cancelled ferry sailing? When your child is in a classroom of 40 because of a lack of teachers? When you arrive at the hospital only to be shuttled off island? When you can’t find an employee because there is nowhere for them to live?

Yes, it’s madness nothing is being done, when clear, proven and well-tested solutions were provided to the Trust two decades ago.

To paraphrase Einstein: “The definition of insanity is to repeatedly study the same problem over and over and over and expect to achieve a different outcome just by studying the problem.”

The writer was a Salt Spring Islands Trust trustee from 2002-2005.

Hospital foundation’s new executive director looks ahead

Robb Magley
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Hospital foundation’s new executive director looks ahead

Inside one upstairs office in downtown Ganges, a fresh coat of paint has dried, a handful of indoor plants have found their footing and Eric A.F. Jacobsen — the new executive director for the Lady Minto Hospital Foundation — is as hopeful for what’s ahead as the day is sunny.  

Not quite two months into the new job, Jacobsen’s excited about helping shape the future of the 32-year-old island charity — and the critical healthcare resource it supports. He and his family have been on Salt Spring Island for six years now, he said, since the birth of their first child — having lived the previous five years on Galiano Island. Long before the hustle-bustle of McPhillips Avenue, he worked with the Galiano Island Conservancy as an education coordinator. 

“That was an amazing group of people, who did some really cool things there,” said Jacobsen. “We built a community food forest! We worked with the Penelakut First Nation, I couldn’t say enough about what a wonderful job that was.” 

His energy when speaking about projects is captivating, but still comes across fully grounded; Jacobsen dreams big, but practical. With a resume that includes work with several nonprofits — and co-founding a healthcare tech company — Jacobsen admitted he can’t help but see things through a “feasibility lens,” knowing what to do with what you’ve got. 

“So it’s about doing great big things,” said Jacobsen, “but doing the groundwork to make sure that they are successful great big things.” 

The foundation’s core mandate, according to Jacobsen, is raising money — to support healthcare on Salt Spring in general, and at the Lady Minto Hospital specifically. It’s work that’s all about nurturing partnerships, he added — understanding the needs of the community, the ability of governments to assist, and somehow aligning all the stakeholders and their priorities and figuring out how to make the biggest impact with every donated dollar. 

Jacobsen said he’s found one of the best ways to engage with people is through stories — and there are some big ones to tell on Salt Spring. 

“I love the community here, I love raising my children here,” said Jacobsen. “I feel like it’s one of the kindest communities I’ve ever experienced.” 

Nowhere is this clearer than in the story of Lady Minto’s new emergency department, he pointed out — a $12.8 million project, opening this spring, built with $8 million raised and contributed by the LMHF. 

“It’s a huge deal,” said Jacobsen. “It’s a state-of-the-art facility. And we funded the lion’s share of that through the generosity of the community. That’s incredible.” 

Jacobsen and the LMHF board are working through a big strategic planning process at the moment, he said, to map out the future and find new opportunities to engage the community — and, of course, the donors. Perennial successes like the annual golf tournament will continue, as will the successful year-end donation drive (visit ladymintofoundation.com).  

But Jacobsen — with the help of a soon-to-be-hired communications admin — wants contributing islanders old and new to hear more about where their donations wind up — and how they affect everyone who makes their home here.  

“Increasing the storytelling around that, making more opportunities to learn about the impact we’re having,” said Jacobsen, “and finding more opportunities for the community to tell their stories, tell us about their experiences with the hospital and the help they received.” 

Indeed, like many on Salt Spring, Jacobsen’s not just a supporter of the hospital, he’s also been a customer. He found himself at Lady Minto just a few months back with his two-year-old daughter, who had hit her head after a bad fall. He called it an especially scary time, particularly as a relatively new parent — you move as fast as you can, he said, and there’s always some confusion as to what you should do first. 

“I felt so grateful that the answer was so obvious,” he said. “We showed up [at Lady Minto] and received just unbelievable fantastic, quality care.” 

Salt Spring is proud of its healthcare providers, Jacobsen said; community support for the people who work at Lady Minto is near-universal. The new emergency department is something to be proud of, and the foundation will celebrate with everyone else when it opens. But there’s plenty of work ahead. 

“There’s still a lot of need on the island,” said Jacobsen. “The hospital is an aging facility; it’s going to need a lot of upgrades over the next 10 to 20 years. And we still have critical staffing problems.” 

Jacobsen smiled. “There’s plenty to do,” he said. “I think we can go a lot further together.” 

What I learned as a new hospice volunteer

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What I learned as a new hospice volunteer

By CONNIE GIBBS

In July 2022, I read in the Driftwood that the Salt Spring Hospice Society was recruiting new volunteers. I knew nothing about the hospice society. And the little I thought I knew turned out to be wrong.

Running errands in Ganges, I would sometimes wonder where the hospice was. I imagined a homey place, tucked away on a quiet side street where people were cared for lovingly in their last days.

When I showed up for my interview at the cozy hospice office on Rainbow Road, two veteran volunteers soon set me straight. There is no physical hospice building, they explained. Hospice on Salt Spring operates as a set of services to provide compassionate support to the dying and bereaved. There is no charge for any of these services.

In the training sessions, I learned more about these services. They include a vigil hotline that connects volunteer vigil sitters with family members who need respite from long hours sitting by the bedside of a loved one in their final days.

Many people want to be confident that someone is keeping watch over their loved one, especially through the night. The dedicated vigil team meets that need.

Later I would be amazed by how quickly the Salt Spring Hospice vigil team is able to show up at Lady Minto or Greenwoods, ensuring that someone will always be at the bedside and allowing family members to leave for much-needed sleep.

Our group of trainees had a full learning curriculum, starting with grief companioning. One-to-one bereavement support is a key service offered by Salt Spring Hospice, and is available in person, in the hospice office, or by phone. We spent a lot of time learning about grief companioning, what it is and what it is not. At the heart of grief support, I learned, is compassionate and attentive listening. My job as a grief companion would be to pay attention, in a mindful and caring way to what the bereaved person is saying, or not saying if they are silent. Later when I put this into practice, I was surprised by the power of this kind of listening. It struck me as a form of mindful meditation, something I’ve tried and failed at many times as I have an annoyingly chatty mind. The training taught me to bring a steady focus to my listening that I had seldom experienced before. (My husband would agree I’m more of a talker than a good listener.) I had tried meditating by focusing on my breath or a candle, but this kind of attentive listening to another person was profoundly different from any of my previous meditation attempts. More importantly, the person I was listening to felt deeply heard. Together we created a safe and trustworthy space where grief could be expressed, validated and supported.

Beyond the overwhelming sense of loss that comes when a loved one dies, other unsettling emotions may arise during grieving and are unique to the bereaved person. I was taught that ALL emotions are acceptable to express, including uncomfortable ones like guilt, relief, shame, anger. Short of throwing furniture around, anything goes in a one-to-one grief support session. Grief support companions are NOT counsellors and are not trained to help with mental health concerns and complex personal issues. I appreciated that boundaries and self care were essential parts of the training curriculum for volunteers.

Facilitated grief groups are offered from time to time, usually with no more than nine participants.

Finally, hospice volunteers visit residents and patients in Greenwoods and Lady Minto who indicate they would like a friendly visit.

Hospice on Salt Spring may not have a building, but it has compassionate, dedicated volunteers providing needed services to people at their most vulnerable time of life.

I take comfort knowing that, when my time on Earth is up, there are caring, skilled and trustworthy people who will be there for my family if they need support.

Seedy Saturday ready for growing excitement

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Seedy Saturday ready for growing excitement

SUBMITTED BY ISLAND NATURAL GROWERS

Island Natural Growers is proud to present the 29th annual Salt Spring Seedy Saturday. Join us Saturday, Feb. 17 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Farmers’ Institute.

Entry is by donation. This seasonal community event is a great opportunity to meet fellow gardeners, pick up some locally grown seeds and plants, and learn from your neighbours. 

There will be seed producers, fruit tree growers, beekeepers, community groups and more from Salt Spring and surrounding islands. The heart of the event is always our seed swap table. There will also be a free educational series held during the afternoon, featuring talks and demonstrations. Coffee and food vendors will be there with some delicious offerings to snack on through the day.

We will have more educational opportunities on Sunday, Feb. 18 from 1 to 3:30 p.m., again at the Farmers’ Institute. A farmer-to-farmer panel discussion will include topics such as adapting to climate change and unpredictable weather, and the viability of small-scale farming and tips for financial success.

Join us for conversations about overcoming the challenges facing farmers on Salt Spring, whether it’s drought, heat or high costs of production. You don’t have to be a farmer to participate and you can gain valuable insight from experienced growers. Panelists will include growers from Duck Creek Farm, Bright Farm, Ruckle Heritage Farm and Chorus Frog Farm. Entry to this event is by donation, with a suggested amount of $5.

‘Call Me Dancer’ final Best of the Fests film

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‘Call Me Dancer’ final Best of the Fests film

BY STEVE MARTINDALE

for SS FILM FESTIVAL SOCIETY

The Salt Spring Film Festival wraps up this season’s very popular “Best of the Fests” film series with the joyfully celebratory documentary Call Me Dancer at ArtSpring on Wednesday, Feb. 21, just a week prior to the annual documentary film festival, which runs from March 1 to 3 at Gulf Islands Secondary School.

A naturally talented self-taught street acrobat, Manish Chauhan dreams of one day becoming a professional dancer on the world stage, but seemingly insurmountable odds are stacked against him. Both his father and grandfather are taxi drivers, and Manish is expected to follow a traditional path, as his hardworking parents are relying on their son’s future financial support in their retirement years.

“Dancing is a hobby for rich kids,” his father tells him, dismissing Manish’s impractical dream. Other than his beloved grandmother —who encourages him to follow his heart — Manish’s extended family criticizes his parents, shaming them because Manish is unemployed and seems to want to do nothing more than waste his time dancing.

Dreaming of an unlikely future and struggling to break free from the confines of his economic and social circumstances, Manish doesn’t tell his parents that he has secretly dropped out of school and used the tuition to pay for classes at Mumbai’s DanceWorx, an inner-city performing arts academy.

In this classic Horatio Alger story of a determined young man without means who makes a success of himself with the help of a benevolent older mentor, Manish has the good fortune to cross paths with the curmudgeonly Yehuda Maor, a self-exiled Israeli dance instructor. Recognizing the young man’s potential, Yehuda encourages a rivalry between Manish and adolescent ballet prodigy Amiruddin Shah.

Disadvantaged by a late start to ballet, Manish is instead directed to try his hand at modern dance at the Kibbutz Contemporary Dance Company in Israel, while Amir is fast-tracked to the Royal Ballet School in London. Nothing can stand in the way of Manish realizing his dream, however, which he pursues — despite repeated setbacks — all the way to the bright lights of Broadway. Filmed in India, the U.K., Israel and the U.S., this family-friendly crowd-pleaser is co-directed by Pip Gilmour and former professional dancer Leslie Shampaine, who provides an insider’s perspective on the passion that drives dancers past the pain in order to achieve greatness.

A story of hope, heartache and hard work, Call Me Dancer has received accolades and standing ovations at film festivals around the world, including the Vancouver International Film Festival, where it won an audience award in October.

Co-presented by Dance Your Ability, tickets to Call Me Dancer are $13 each and available via the ArtSpring box office, where full film festival passes are also available for advance purchase.

DAY, Martyn David

Driftwood Obituary
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DAY, Martyn David

Martyn David Day was born May 1st, 1938 in the small village of Aberbeeg, South Wales. He died of pneumonia on January 20th, 2024 just three days after a successful, long-awaited hip operation.

He first came to Salt Spring in 1990. The island offered him a refuge from a very busy life as an engineer in the metals business. By the time he retired to the island full time in 1999 he had travelled through and worked in 52 different countries. His greatest pleasure came from finally being able to stay at home, make a garden, join a choir and do some serious hiking.

He loved that we were able to share the property with so many artists over the years and he relished the rich diversity their ideas and work brought to the place. That some of them came with children was an added bonus. He was unwavering in his support for a wife, two daughters and four grandchildren all involved in design and the visual arts but he really hoped that his two very youngest grandsons might one day choose a sensible career in the sciences. He was tremendously proud of his only son, a ski guide, who carries on the family tradition of loving a good adventure.

All his life Martyn loved a good time, an honest day’s work, and the company of good friends. He was able to enjoy most of those things to the end of his days.

A celebration of his life was held at his home with family and close friends on January 27th.

Search & rescue command vehicle a game changer

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Search & rescue command vehicle a game changer

By JASON GRINDLER

SAR Manager, Public Information Officer

After a highly successful fundraising campaign in 2022-23, Salt Spring Island Search and Rescue (SSISAR) is pleased to publicly announce the deployment of our new customized Mobile Incident Command Vehicle (CV).

This modern, purpose-built, four-wheel-drive self-contained Mobile Incident Command Centre fills a critical gap in the SSISAR vehicle fleet, replacing our aged and limited 1998 converted bread van. This new vehicle will allow access to a greater number of areas in all weather conditions. It has been custom built to leverage all the technological and safety improvements that a high-functioning SAR group requires.

Since soft launching the deployment in mid-2023, SSISAR volunteers have been putting this customized vehicle through its paces; testing, upgrading, fine-tuning and leveraging all the capabilities it offers.

Utilizing Satellite based internet connection and an onboard integrated generator, this vehicle can function without interruption, anywhere it is required. Linked computer systems use electronic mapping software that allows for real time tracking of search teams, clues and search areas that seamlessly connect to electronic search planning and management software, making searches and rescues as efficient and as safe as possible.

“This CV represents an incredible leap forward in our capabilities and will be the operations hub for all of our search, rescue and emergency activities on Salt Spring and the other Southern Gulf Islands for years to come,” says search and rescue society president and SAR manager Conrad Bowden.

This vehicle and all the significant benefits it provides to the members of the community in need, as well as the increased safety for our responders, could not have been possible without the support of so many generous and giving individuals and organizations.

We want to give particular thanks to the following organizations; the Province of British Columbia, Salt Spring Island 100+ Women Who Care, Royal Canadian Legion Branch 92 – Salt Spring, Country Grocer, Windsor Plywood and several anonymous donors.

On behalf of our non-profit team of unpaid professional SAR volunteers, we cannot thank you enough for your support.

Did you know that Salt Spring SAR’s coverage area not only includes Salt Spring Island, but the other Southern Gulf Islands as well?

SSISAR responds 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. In case of emergency, call 911 at no cost for rescue. Our team of committed volunteers are here to help. Learn more at ssisar.org.

Islands Trust staff offices unlikely to end up at SIMS

Robb Magley
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Islands Trust staff offices unlikely to end up at SIMS

Islands Trust staff have not pursued the possibility of moving Trust offices to Capital Regional District (CRD)-administered buildings for months, according to CRD staff, seemingly discouraged by the Salt Spring Multi-Space (SIMS) facility’s zoning and building code requirements. 

The Trust’s Salt Spring Island staff have been casting about for a new home since last summer, as that body’s lease with BC Hydro at their Lower Ganges Road location is not being renewed and will end on July 24. And as they seek an office for full- and part-time planners and administrative staff — along with document storage, meeting and server space for the land use authority — the SIMS building appears to have fallen out of the running early.

According to a Trust staff report, the Trust’s 2022 governance review prioritizes serving the more than two-fifths of Islands Trust residents who live on Salt Spring through an on-island office — and they’ve been looking for a new one in an increasingly small commercial market.  

While Islands Trust documents avoid mentioning specific buildings by name, SIMS has long seemed a likely possibility — but Salt Spring’s CRD Electoral Area manager Dan Ovington gave a sort of “preview” of an upcoming staff report on the matter Thursday, Feb. 1, during the Local Community Commission (LCC) meeting, suggesting SIMS might not be on the short list.

Ovington said Trust staff had reached out with some interest in late fall. For its part, the LCC had asked staff to report back what possibilities there were for bringing more of its own CRD offices under the same roof as current parks and recreation staff at the SIMS building — and even, perhaps, leasing space to the Islands Trust. 

But Ovington said the impression he was left with after speaking with CRD building inspectors was that there would be a number of obstacles to overcome. 

Apart from space, Ovington said, he’d been told the real problems to solve centred on zoning and building codes. The SIMS building’s “Community Facilities” CF1 zoning, to start, requires any office space to be “accessory” to its permitted principal uses. 

“So [administering] recreational programs, educational programs, that type of thing,” said Ovington, noting that even CRD offices outside of parks and rec — like building inspection — wouldn’t immediately qualify, much less those for the Islands Trust. And, Ovington said, while in his early discussions with Islands Trust staff they had suggested the Trust could issue a temporary use permit allowing those kinds of offices, CRD building inspectors have told him it would require a change in the occupancy permit — which would mean getting the building up to code for diversified uses. 

If the CRD leases space — beyond the current facility booking regime currently in place, where CRD staff unlock the building in the morning and close it at night — building codes will require multiple safety improvements. 

“If we give keys to someone else,” said Ovington as an example, “we have to put firewalls in, to separate them from the other users. That’s what I’ve been told — I think if we want to do an in-depth needs assessment and evaluation, a higher level of expertise needs to be retained to give us some real clear recommendations. That’s probably what my report back will say, and recommend that as a next step.” 

Holman asked if the Islands Trust was still considering SIMS at this point; Ovington said although it was still possible, there had been no indication they were. 

“Essentially, what I was asked was if space was available at Portlock, and at SIMS, and I gave them the same response that I just gave you,” said Ovington. “And that was probably in October; I haven’t been approached again.” 

The report to the LCC is expected at its regular meeting Thursday, Feb. 8, which begins at 5 p.m.

Ometepe coffee and culture celebrated at event

Gail Sjuberg
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Ometepe coffee and culture celebrated at event

Island coffee drinkers may be familiar with Ometepe Coffee by seeing the signature brown bags at Country Grocer or buying brewed cups at the Saturday Market or other community gatherings, but an event at the library on Monday, Feb. 12 will share the Ometepe story and much more.

The Ometepe-Gulf Islands Friendship Association (OGIFA), first formed in 1988 to help bring potable water to the almost 30,000 people living on Ometepe Island in Lake Nicaragua, is responsible for importing Ometepe Coffee to Salt Spring and other locales.

As people attending Monday’s event in the library’s community program room will learn, coffee sales through OGIFA currently support about 70 farmers in two co-ops in Nicaragua. In partnership with the Bainbridge-Ometepe Sister Islands Association (BOSIA) of Washington state, funds have helped farmers survive some particularly challenging years.

OGIFA secretary Debbie Magnusson and board member Frances Hill explain that the impact of a coffee rust disease, aging trees, hurricanes and Covid combined for “some terrible years” for the farmers.

“They said the coffee plant varieties had to be completely changed in order to consider rust resistance and climate change,” said Hill, who takes care of the coffee ordering and pricing.

In partnership with BOSIA, coffee sale profits have paid for an agronomist, who has helped navigate the farmers through the crises. After only three years, beans are growing on a new crop of plants.

“And so the coffee plantations are much stronger now,” said Magnusson.

Ometepe Coffee has also recently received a “Denomination of Origin” designation, recognizing the coffee’s unique characteristics specific to its growing region.

“And it’s not just fair-trade coffee, it’s fair-wage,” said Hill.

A slide show and talk about both OGIFA and another non-profit venture — the Nicaragua Children’s Foundation (NCF) and pottery from the small village of San Juan de Oriente in southwestern Nicaragua — takes place from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. in the library’s program room.

Salt Spring residents Mona and Allan Donovan created the NCF, which helps support educational efforts in the region, and will have ceramics for sale at the library on Monday. The ceramic artists are also paid fairly, they stressed.

From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., people can view exhibits, enjoy complimentary coffee and shop for pottery as well as note cards by the late Art Simons.

People are also welcome to the group’s annual general meeting set to run from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. in the same space.

One reason for holding the event is simply to let more people know about the organization, with the hope that they will be interested in becoming involved. Like many volunteer-run societies on the island, long-serving members are aging out or dying, and new people are needed to continue the valuable work.

“Hopefully there’ll be a free flow of people who wouldn’t ordinarily know about us learn about us,” said Magnusson.

Members will be invited to an upcoming tour of the Serious Coffee roasting facility in Duncan.

People who want more information about OGIFA but can’t attend the Feb. 12 Celebrating Ometepe Coffee and Culture event can contact chairperson Nedjo Rogers at nedjo@islandnet.com.

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