Our bi-annual business meetings are opportunities for representatives from our member municipalities, invited guests and our partner organizations to share conservation and stewardship success stories and challenges. The meetings are also a chance to network and partner with other SAM communities on your next Stewardship project! Attendance is highly encouraged, and we offer a travel incentive to cover some of the associated costs.

Registered participants will receive the 2023 AGM Agenda and supporting materials via email prior to the Meeting.

Accommodations

Guests are responsible to book their own accommodations and any related travel for this event. When booking, please indicate that you are with the "Stewardship Association of Municipalities (SAM)". The following accommodations are available to book, as well as several AirBNBs in the area:

• Sea Echo Hotel (861-3777) - https://seaechomotel.ca/
• Jeannie’s BNB (861-2254) - https://www.jeanniessunrisebb.com/
• Torrent River Inn (248-5225) - https://torrentriverinn.ca/

Tentative SAM 2023 Spring AGM Itinerary (finalized itinerary will be sent with the information package):

Friday, May 26th:

1pm - SAM Board of Directors Meeting at the Town Hall - 119 Fisher Road, Port au Choix (Board of Directors only.)

5pm - Interpretive Walking Tour with members from the Town of Port au Choix and SAM Staff starting at the historic French Rooms Cultural Center & Bread Oven (45 Forest Road). Please note this is an outdoor event, we ask all to dress for the weather/activity. Transportation to and from the French Rooms Cultural Center & Bread Oven is the attendees' responsibility, but carpooling may be available. From the French Rooms Cultural Center & Bread Oven we will be walking to Barbace Cove (walk is approximately 4km and rated easy). We will be returning to the French Rooms Cultural Center & Bread Oven for the Registration/Meet and Greet event.(All attendees and guests welcome.)

7pm - Registration and Meet and Greet with refreshments at the Town Hall - 119 Fisher Street, Port au Choix. Transportation to and from is attendees' responsibility, carpooling may be available.  (All attendees and guests welcome.)

Saturday, May 27th:

9am - SAM AGM (United Towns Lions Club Recreation Hall,  located within Oceanside RV Park, 18 Fisher Street, Port au Choix (by invitation only)

4pm - Group Outing to the Port au Choix Conservation Area - Limestone Barrens with SAM Staff. Transportation to and from is attendees' responsibility. Carpooling may be available. Please note this is an outdoor event, we ask all to dress for the weather/activity.  (All attendees and guests welcome.)

7pm - SAM Networking Dinner United Towns Lions Club Recreation Hall, located within Oceanside RV Park, 18 Fisher Street, Port au Choix. Transportation to and from is attendees' responsibility, carpooling may be available. (All attendees and guests welcome.)

Sunday – October 16th:

9AM – Optional Interpretive Walk in Hawke's Bay with Birds Canada and the Town of Hawke's Bay. (All attendees and guests welcome. Members of the public will also be invited to attend.)

SAM Meeting Background:

The Stewardship Association of Municipalities Inc (known affectionately as SAM) works with the Eastern Habitat Joint Venture (EHJV), whose mission is to conserve landscapes in Eastern Canada to sustain bird populations, while providing ecological, social and economic benefits to society, to secure, enhance, & restore important wildlife habitat (wetlands, uplands, coastal areas, & species at risk habitat) within municipal planning boundaries in NL. As a network of communities who practice environmental stewardship across NL, SAM  SAM is an incorporated non-profit organization (1994) comprised of municipalities in NL interested in wildlife habitat conservation contributing to maintaining & enhancing biodiversity in the province.

Your town became involved with SAM upon the signing of a Municipal Habitat Stewardship Agreement with the province. This agreement, as a tangible public step taken by your Town's council, serves to proactively conserve wildlife habitat found within your municipal planning boundaries. Since taking that initial step many towns have become involved in restoring and enhancing wildlife habitat while educating and engaging residents in sustainable land use actions. Since 1993, 48 municipalities in NL have signed such agreements and incorporated them into their municipal planning documents and development regulations.

What happens at the meetings?

A finalized weekend itinerary and Saturday meeting agenda and corresponding documents are emailed to all registered attendees before the meeting. Often after the Saturday meeting there is an outdoor event hosted by the community. These events sometimes take place on nature trails, beaches, and in conservation areas. Please come prepared with outdoor footwear and gear (rain gear recommended). Binoculars and cameras are encouraged!

Who can attend a SAM meeting?

Invitations are emailed to SAM communities with an online registration form. Town councils appoint a representative to attend the meetings and they can be either:

A) A member of council

B) A member of staff or

C) A member of a council committee or interested town resident.

What is expected of attendees?

These meetings represent an opportunity for your community to showcase its involvement and implementation of your habitat stewardship agreement. It is also a chance to become inspired by work being done in other municipalities and bring those ideas back to your community. There are two important expectations of attendees:

A) First, we ask that representatives prepare a brief 3-5 minute verbal or written report outlining any conservation and stewardship activities that have taken place in your town since the last meeting. We encourage bringing materials such as a slideshow or photographs to showcase the work that your community has been doing.

B) Secondly, we request that following the meeting, each attendee provide a report on the meeting outcomes to their respective councils and/or committees.

What if I am unable to attend the meeting?

You are welcome to send a brief written report (1 page or less), outlining the activities which have occurred recently in the ongoing implementation of your municipal habitat stewardship agreement or in terms of your town’s efforts to increase environmental sustainability. Your report will be tabled at the meeting.

Does SAM pay for accommodations?

SAM's travel incentive allows SAM to reimburse attendees following the business meeting for one night of accommodations for each represented community at the accommodations that have been arranged by the host. Representatives are responsible for arranging their own transportation and booking their own accommodations at the designated lodgings. If a representative wishes to share a room with a representative from another town, two nights of accommodations can be covered. All other expenses incurred at the accommodations (i.e. second night stay, room service, etc.) are your own responsibility.

Where do I stay during the meeting?

A list has been provided by the host municipality for SAM meeting attendees. When making a reservation please let the hotel know that you are with the “Stewardship Association of Municipalities”.  Please note, SAM will be reimbursing municipalities for one night's accommodations based on the rate per night paid - please provide us with a copy of your receipt during or following the meeting for reimbursement.

Sea Echo Hotel - https://seaechomotel.ca/ (709-861-3777)

Jeannie’s BNB - https://www.jeanniessunrisebb.com/ (709-861-2254)

Torrent River Inn - https://torrentriverinn.ca/ (709-248-5225)

Are meals provided at the meeting? What about allergies and dietary restrictions?

Breakfast may or may not be provided by your accommodations - please take this into account as breakfast will not be provided at the meeting. Friday evening's refreshments are provided during the Meet and Greet event (finger foods and beverages). Registered attendees may bring a guest to the meet and greet as well. On Saturday lunch and snack/coffee breaks are provided during the meeting, these are for those attending the SAM Meeting (Directors, representatives and partner organizations). For the evening meal, registered attendees (and any identified plus ones), are invited to the Networking Dinner. Please let us know on the online registration form about any food allergies or dietary restrictions, as well as if you are bringing a guest to the Friday meeting and greet or the Saturday networking dinner.

Town of Port au Choix's Website

Local attractions:

Parks Canada Port au Choix National Historic Site

Ben's Woodworking Studio

Point Riche Lighthouse

French Rooms Cultural Center and Bread Oven

Museum of Whales and Things

The Coastal Trail

The Dorset Trail

Phillip's Garden

Crow Head

Point Riche Trail

Limestone Barrens

Maritime Archaic Cemetery