AGM & FALL COMMUNITY SOCIAL: Invite to all members & parents to join the NFS AGM & Fall Celebration on November 22, 2025
- Jenni OTTILIE Keppler
- Oct 3
- 5 min read
Updated: Nov 14
Dear NFS Members, Dear Forest School Parents,
In January 2025 Nanaimo Forest School began the process of transitioning from a Limited Company to a Nonprofit Community Services Cooperative. We took this action after learning from the City of Nanaimo that park user fees for nonprofits were substantially less than those charged to for-profit businesses. We chose a cooperative model to best represent our personal politics and vision for Nanaimo Forest School as a community of children, families and lifelong learners dedicated to grounded nature connection and stewardship of the land.
“A cooperative dedicated to outdoor education? How do I become a member?”
We have news for you – if yours is one of the over 272 families we’ve served over the last year, it is highly likely you already are.
As part of the guidelines prescribed by the BC Cooperative Association, Nanaimo Forest School requests families meet a $10 membership fee upon first registration. As a result, every student household holds a share in our fledgling coop and is eligible not only to cast a vote for new board members at our upcoming Annual General Meeting on Saturday, Nov 22, 2025, but may also be nominated to run for a position on our Board Of Directors.
For more information about our term-end celebration and first annual AGM see below. For details about what we are looking for in Board Members —> click here, or keep scrolling.
We invite you to join our Annual General Meeting & Autumnal Celebration. 🍁 🍂 🔥 🍂 🎃 🍂 🍁
Saturday, 22.11.2025
11:30am — 4:30pm 88 Princess Street backyard at Thuthiqut Food Forest
In case of bad weather living room of 88 Princess Street
Carpooling encouraged, please don't park in the Cul de Sac, You're welcome to walk through front of 88 Princess Street
Tentative Agenda:
12:30 — 1:15pm Lunch Campfire, stone soup and potluck.
1:15 — 1:45pm Reports & Vision
1:45—2:45pm Presentation of Candidates & Voting Process, "Grove" Facilitation
*Groves are groups of 2 or more members that would like to collaborate on bringing a new aspect of forest school to live. They develop proposals which they present to the board for feedback.
WHY YOUR PRESENCE & ATTENTION ARE RELEVANT :)
—> YOU HELP SHAPE THE ORGANIZATION
—> OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE DECISIONS WITH US
—> TO CREATE A BETTER OUTCOME FOR EVERYONE
— RSVP —
Let us know if you are planning on coming!You can either tell one of our teachers or send an email to officen@anaimoforestschool.com and the number of people you are bringing.
Thank you!
We are hoping to receive your input to know what areas matter most to parents / our members and hear what you hope Forest School could be.We will be presenting the outcomes along with our vision for Nanaimo Forest School at the AGM.
Please fill in the form by Monday, November 17, 2025.
Filling out the form allows you to enter a raffle for winning a 50% discount. The winner will be drawn at the AGM, Nov 22.
>> NFS Vision Input Form <<
Current candidates for incoming board:
*Michael Geselbracht // Current board member // Former Owner of NFS // Lead Teacher, 6-12 programs // Registration // Payroll // Admin // Finance
*Kristjanne Vosper // Current board member // Lead teacher, 3–5 programs // Admin, Operations // Worker’s Rights
*Jenni Ottilie Keppler // Current board member // Visual Communication & Organization Development
Kara Rafuse // Lead teacher, 3–5 & 6–12 programs // Lead teacher Cedar cohort // Admin // Social Media
Laura Moro // NFS parent // BA(Hons) Psychology // Yoga Teacher // Business Owner-Perrier Road Marking Ltd. // Forest Fairy - Nature Enthusiast
Lindsay Coulton // NFS parent // Psychology Student // Former Farmer // Retired Punk
*Michael, Kristjanne, and Jenni will continue to serve on the Board, as board members are elected for two-year terms.
INTERESTED ?
IF YOU…
– are passionate about building community
– believe in the value in time in nature
– prioritize effective communication
– are a parent or guardian to a forest school student
– are proficient in basic tech such as emailing and collaborating on shared documents
– have experience in finance & administration
– writing grant applications & advocacy for quality education
– can spare 2–4 hours per week for board activities
– are able to attend monthly meetings online or in-person
…and even if you don’t meet all of these qualifications:
…please fill out this NOMINATION FORM for the Board of Directors (BoD) by November 17, 2025—> https://forms.gle/4A3ZTVxyoVdVRk4Z8
What is a cooperative?
The culture of a cooperative is cooperative. Members get a say in how the organization is run. Responsibilities are shared.
Principles of a Co-op
Rules of Association – Nanaimo Forest School Co-op
You can find our ROA (Rules of Association) & By-laws here:
As a cooperative, our bylaws are the rules that guide how we work together. They ensure fairness, accountability, and transparency in everything we do. Here are the key points:
Membership
Open to anyone who supports the co-op’s purpose and responsibilities.
To join, members purchase 10 shares ($10 total) and may pay a membership fee set by the board.
Members may withdraw at any time by giving notice and redeeming their shares.
Membership can be ended if a member does not meet their obligations, but members have the right to appeal.
Joint memberships are possible, but only one person from the joint membership can vote or stand as director.
Shares
Each share is valued at $1.
Shares cannot be transferred between members; they must be redeemed through the co-op.
If a member leaves or passes away, their shares are redeemed at face value.
Governance & Directors
The board manages the co-op on behalf of members.
The board has 3–7 volunteer directors, elected for two-year terms at the Annual General Meeting (AGM).
Directors must be members, at least 18 years old, and able to pass a vulnerable sector check.
Officers (President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer) are appointed from within the board.
Directors serve without pay but may be reimbursed for expenses.
Meetings
AGM is held once per year. Members receive reports, elect directors, review finances, and make key decisions.
Special meetings can be called by the board or by at least 50% of members.
Quorum is the lesser of 10 members or 10% of the membership.
Each membership equals one vote; no proxy voting.
Finances
The co-op is not-for-profit.
Any surplus is reinvested in operations, placed in a reserve fund, or donated for community benefit.
No dividends or patronage refunds are issued to members.
Changes to Rules
Changes to bylaws or the co-op’s memorandum require a special resolution by members.
Dissolution
If the co-op dissolves, after paying debts and redeeming shares, any remaining funds will be donated to a charity, society, or community service co-op chosen by members.
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