Eagle Valley News, August 29, 2012

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EAGLE VALLEY

NEWS

Chinese travel program focuses on the Shuswap Page 3

Run organizers aim to expand annual event Page 9

Wednesday, August 29, 2012 PM40008236

Vol. 53 No. 35 Sicamous, B.C., • 1.25 (HST included) • www.eaglevalleynews.com

Red Barn Arts Centre denied disaster aid Decision : Not-for-profit organization disqualified for charging rental fees. By Lachlan Labere Eagle Valley News

Carla Krens is fed-up with the province after the volunteer, non-profit organization was denied disaster assistance for post-flood restoration of the Red Barn Arts Centre. Krens says the arts council had applied for about $4,000 through Emergency Management BC’s Disaster Financial Assistance (DFA) program, under the “Charitable/Volunteer Organization” category, to help repair damage sustained by the Red Barn in the recent flooding. “It’s not much what we’re asking for, and whatever we don’t get from the disaster fund, we have to raise somewhere else,” says Krens. “This is not within our budget. Where am I going to get the $4,000 from?” Emergency Management BC, which oversees the DFA program, turned down the arts council’s application. An Aug. 17 letter from Emergency Management BC recovery officer Mona Smith states, “there is no evidence the Eagle Valley Arts Council is a charitable organization, therefore we regret we are unable to provide you with financial assistance.” The letter notes the arts council charges a fee to member groups, and for public events, and states that an eligible organization is one that, “in the opinion of the minister, provides a benefit or service to the community at large; has been in existence for 12 months; and is registered under the Society Act.” Krens asserts the arts council is a volunteer, non-profit organization that has been registered under the BC Society’s Act since 1980. “We’re definitely non-profit,” says Krens. “Charitable? I don’t know. We’re very charitable to our member groups who we charge $2 an hour for the use of the barn.” Krens says no one from Emergency Management BC contacted her to explain the income recognized in the letter, which she says was information not provided by her or the arts council. “ I could have explained that in order to get funding, other grants, you have to generate some See Volunteers on page 2

Restoration: Above, Carla Krens surveys the volunteer work being done to restore the back section of the Red Barn Arts Centre. Below, Rebecca Sharpe, Tim Nickerson carrying sister Leslie Heppner and Jacquie Michie packing Emerald and Lakai Heppner, make their way across Riverside Avenue in front of the Red Barn during the recent flooding. Photos by Lachlan Labere and James Murray


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