2022-2-8 Help the restart of Mansons Hall by filling out a survey

Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - It has been more than a week since the Southern Cortes Community Association, or SCCA, put out a survey to find out what kinds of spaces, opportunities and events the community wants to see in Mansons Hall.

In today’s interview Cora Moret, secretary of the SCCA, describes what sounds like the society’s rebirth after a two-year-long COVID hibernation.

“The survey results are pouring in. Some people are like - ‘is the hall even open? I miss the good old days when we could watch movies!’ Others have imagined great creations like four tiered memberships, every night programming and office hours every day. We're like, okay, let's see what we can make,” she said.

Though the hall was open, it did not offer much in terms of programming and the recently elected Board feels like they are starting from ground zero.

“It is a time of transition. The board is genuinely interested in hearing what people have to say about what they want to see. Just come ask us. Everything we do is out in the open and we are welcoming comments and inquiries of any sort,” said Moret.

The new SCCA board consists of:
Tammy Collingwood (President) - who put out the job posting for a new manager at the hall.
Tony Toledo (Treasurer)
Rebecca Thacker
Joy Shipway - who is in charge of Friday markets
Myrna Kerr, former President of the SCCA who brings a lot of experience to the Board
Cora Moret (Secretary)

The SCCA has also formed a number of new committees

a governance committee, which will compile information about policies, the SCCA’s charter, constitution and bylaws
a fundraising committee
an ad hoc hiring committee for the new manager
a market committee.
A liaison committee to communicate with CCEDA’s ‘Village Commons’ project.

“It's natural that SCCA would facilitate the transition into using that area more effectively, to create a real community feel to the downtown. So that's an exciting part of being on the board particularly now,” said Moret.

They also want to revamp the website so that members can use it to access the minutes and other documents.

Moret and her family moved to Cortes in 2014, and have enjoyed events like the African drummers, Cortes Day and Friday Markets.

“It's been an important part of my family's life, having access to events at the hall and things that are going on,” she said.

Moret mentioned three ways that people can fill out to the SCCA’s public survey. There are forms at Mansons Hall and each of the three Cortes Island Post Offices, or you can fill out the electronic survey which you will find through the link posted on the Tideline or in the written version of this article at Cortes currents.ca.