A Unique Parntership

OPEN: Monday-Friday 9:30am-2:00pm

Delicious affordable, fresh and frozen meals made in-house with quality ingredients. Entreés, chilis, soups, salads

Gail Hughes (MRRA) on the right with Lesley Cobus (Oak Bay) on the left.

A Unique Partnership

The Monterey Recreation Activity Association is fortunate to have a home at the Monterey Recreation Centre. Our Club Members pay the annual Monterey Membership fees and in turn receive classroom spaces to meet. Clubs have a minimum requirement of maintaining 10 active club participants to be eligible for room space. All Monterey Members are eligible to participate in numerous activities, courses, and events at discounted prices. These benefits are possible because the Association and the Centre staff have a strong and mutually beneficial working relationship.

Board Members Left to right Back row: Cher Owen, Joan Wells, Judy McMullen, Sharon Belton Left to right Front row: Gail Hughes, John Herbert, Sandy Cotton, Jill Garnett and Gail Dawson (on stool). Missing - Diane Hanson and Joyce Bevan

Both organizations share similar goals and values. However, we do have different responsibilities. First off, the Monterey Recreation Centre (MRC) is one of five recreation centres operated and managed by Oak Bay Parks, Recreation & Culture Department. The MRC operates as a business. Although Monterey is partially subsidized by Oak Bay taxpayers, the staff work very hard to generate revenue to lessen the tax burden. All MRC staff are employed and paid by the District of Oak Bay. They create and oversee the adult course programs, drop-in activities, special events and day trips. Staff are responsible for the daily maintenance and upkeep of the building. The MRC Volunteer Programmer oversees the Centre volunteers and manages all associated record keeping. MRC’s purpose is to provide lifelong learning and recreational opportunities for adults of all ages, as well as special services for adults aged 50 and older. Monterey Recreation Activity Association (MRAA) is a registered non-profit charity managed by volunteers. We fundraise to enhance our members’ experiences at Monterey. MRAA does not own any physical assets, although we have donated furnishings to the Centre. We do not employ any paid staff. MRAA’s purpose is to provide learning and recreational activities for MRC members who are aged 50 years and over. Together MRC and MRAA each achieve their objectives by working in collaboration under the terms set out by a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). Both the MRC and MRAA provide services to adults aged 50 and over. Both depend on a core of volunteers, and both abide by a Code of Behaviour (posted throughout the Centre). MRC and MRAA work together by open communication and abiding by the terms outlined in the MOU and the Code of Behaviour.

The main goal of both organizations is to maintain a warm, welcoming, and safe environment for all members. We achieve this by: • Collaborating on joint committees that consider MRC improvement projects, special events, and other initiatives. • Providing a range of learning and recreational opportunities for MRAA members. • Distributing available resources to optimize benefits for MRAA members. • Ensuring MRC members are well informed about MRAA activities through a variety of channels. • Promoting and mentoring volunteerism at the Centre. As we go forward, MRAA and the MRC will build on its current relationship and continue to offer all Centre patrons an environment where its members can continue to expand their current interests, explore new ones and be active participants in the community.

Gail Hughes, President, MRAA