Youbou Survey 2019: Results Revealed
Thanks to everyone who expressed your thoughts on Youbou activities and priorities by filling out our Youbou Survey 2019. A robust total of 58 people responded to give us direction and validation. Below are the results, adding the top two scores for each entry:
Oktobeerfest rocks: Oktobeerfest was our most popular dance event (32), followed by New Year’s Eve (29), Youbou Regatta dance (19), trailed by St. Patrick’s (11) and Mardi Gras (6).
Clean those closets: Community events you are most likely to support include: Youbou regatta (30), Youbou clean-up (25), Community garage sale (25), and Haunted house (23). You have less interest in attending the Summer picnic & horseshoe tournament (17), Youbou holiday craft fair (13), and the New Year’s Day blue bear swim (4).
Safe roads and better lake access: You are most concerned about road safety (29), lake access (28), traffic speed (25), and emergency preparedness (20). Many of you care also about cleaning up trash (18), re-opening Yount School (16), road cleanliness (16), killing invasive species (15), trail maintenance (15), and park enhancements (14). Beautification projects are currently of least interest (8). Several of you expressed interest in adding a public boat launch, building a sidewalk through town, preparing for emergencies, and reducing power boat speed and noise.
Giving back: Should we have excess funds to donate to a worthy cause, many of you suggested emergency preparedness supplies (26), park improvements (26), lake access (24), and support for needy families (22). A fair number wished to support trail development and upkeep (18), trash clean-ups (18), invasive species harvests (16) and historic building maintenance (14).
Our response: Your Youbou Community Association has considered the survey results in our planning for 2019, as you can see from our events calendar below. We also look forward to working with you on top-ranked issues throughout the year and into the future. Look for another opportunity to express your thoughts next January.
Townhall Meeting: March 4, 7 pm
As if on cue, just as you expressed concern over roads and our parks in our recent YCA survey, Area Representive I Klaus Kuhn has scheduled a meeting to discuss both issues. He is eager to hear your thoughts on these important topics. Ministry of Transport (MoT) staff will be on hand to discuss the recent road study and options for improving Youbou Road. Klaus will share updates on Arbutus, Bald Mountain, and Mile 77 parks, as well as provide a general update for Area I. Mark your calendars for Monday night, March 4, 7 pm, at the Youbou Community Hall.
2019 Youbou Calendar Announced
Below are our key dates for YCA-related events in Youbou this year. More information will follow as we near each date.
Townhall Meeting: March 4
Community Garage Sale: May 25
Spring Clean-Up: June 1
Community Picnic & Horseshoe Tournament: July 27
Youbou Breakfast, Parade, and Regatta*: August 10
Oktobeerfest Fall Dance: October 19
Haunted House/Fireworks*: October 31
Youbou Craft Fair*: November 30
New Year’s Eve Dance: December 31
*Events held in conjunction with the CVRD and/or the Youbou Volunteer Fire Department.
Emergency Preparedness Task Force
When it comes to preparing for disasters, it’s time to put the YOU in Youbou. The number one response to a disaster is making sure you are ready. Number two is checking on your neighbours. Third is the response of the community, which relies on volunteers such as yourself. A committed team of volunteers has already attended several key planning meetings in Lake Cowichan and in Youbou and plan to have several more before we can safely say Youbou is ready for whatever disaster comes out way (earthquake, fire, power outage etc.). Let us know at julia@raedwulf.org if you can volunteer assistance in any of these areas:
Communications: developing a plan to communicate without power
Neighbours helping neighbours: We need about 40 community members to champion checking on their closest neighbours (about 12 houses) and their pets in the event of a disaster. We hope to develop a list of champions and the households they will check. Please consider taking on this role.
Paw patrol: These volunteers would be ready to temporarily house or care for abandoned or lost pets due to disaster.
Emergency Preparedness Workbook: Pick up a copy of the Emergency Preparedness Workbook to begin your personal journey to disaster readiness. You will find free copies available at the Youbou Community Hall as well as the Lake Cowichan Visitor Centre and Arena. Help yourself!
Welcome Mike
Last month we said good-bye to Mike, and this month we’re saying hello to Mike. Mike Griffiths has been elected to the Youbou Community Association board of directors, replacing Mike Bishop, who stepped down at the end of 2018. Mike Griffiths comes to the board with experience in tackling road safety issues, including Speedwatch, plus a desire to pitch in and help the community. He will also be assuming management of our membership roster and recruiting new members. We would still like to add one more board member, so contact Julia@raedwulf.org if you are interested in serving.
Your YCA Board
Chair: Julia Martinusen
Co-Chair: Lori LaFave
Secretary: Randall Wilson
Treasurer: Spencer Day
Social: Eva Fearon, Garry Fearon
Publicity: Allan Gott
Membership: Mike Griffiths
What’s Happening
March 4: Townhall Meeting: 7 pm, Youbou Hall
May 25: Community Garage Sale
June 1: Spring Clean-Up
Bowling:
Couples: Sunday nights
Men’s: Tuesday nights
Ladies: Thursday nights
Families: Friday nights
Adults: Saturday nights
Pickleball: foul-weather Monday and Friday mornings and bowling nights
Church: Sunday: 10 am Coffee and social, 11 am service. Last Sunday of the month is a potluck lunch gathering.
