Newsletter - February 2026

Wow – 2026 is already 1/12th in the can – I’m always amazed at how so little time seems to elapse between newsletters!

We’ve had a relatively-quiet January from the Shed perspective, except for the important milestone of our first Annual General Meeting (more below). It’s hard for me to digest the fact that we’ve only just started and yet we’ve accomplished so much!

As always, suggestions and submissions are encouraged! I would especially like to have some more “Cool Tools” to display!

What has Bowen Island Men’s Shed Done Lately?

The big deal (of course) is our first AGM:

Annual General Meeting

The AGM was held at Collins Hall on Saturday, January 31st, starting at 11:00 AM. A total of 17 shedders attended, coffee/tea/cookies were devoured, and your Board made a short presentation.

The meeting minutes in their entirety will be circulated shortly, but here are some of the highlights that jumped out at me:

1. We have established a very strong and mutually-beneficial relationship with staff and

students at IPS.

2. The sea can is about 75% along the way to being a fully functional meeting space and workshop.

3. We received an astonishing grant of over $9,000 from the Bowen Island Community

Foundation that enabled us to insulate, heat, and light up the interior of the sea can.

4. In addition, we raised over $5,100 from sorting cans and bottles at BIRD, so we’re wellplaced to be able to afford the next round of improvements to the shed.

5. We set up an official bank account with First Credit Union here on Bowen.

6. The members approved the suggestion from the Board that annual membership dues in the amount of $20 be implemented. Payment by E-transfer will be arranged shortly.

7. Stephan Richter & Lance Weismiller will join the Board for the coming two-year term.

The Year Ahead

We all felt a sense of enthusiasm for what the B.I. Men’s Shed will do in the coming year!

In no particular order, here’s what 2026 is fixing to look like:

1. Dust extraction, shelving, lockable storage, clamp racks will be constructed & installed in the sea can.

2. Stephan R. & Steve E. will press ahead with programs for enrichment and practical

education for students at IPS:

a. Stephan is providing a course on creation and presentation of short videos!

b. Steve is leading further woodworking classes for Grades 7 & 8 in their Design course.

3. Another major grant application will likely be submitted to BICF for paving/improving the outdoor space at the sea can.

4. A more formal shared-use agreement for the sea can will be concluded with IPS.

5. Our shed’s Code of Conduct and Bylaws will be circulated for feedback from members at large.

6. The board will move to create committees to specifically handle social activities and

projects. We want to be more proactive in starting to give back to the community at large this year and beyond.

Workshop Projects

We are looking forward to completing some projects and starting on some new ones in the shop!

Workbench Completion

We need to finish the two workbenches already in place. The work surfaces need to be attached securely, and each bench will get at least one woodworking vise (already on hand). We will be looking for volunteers at the coming Social Saturday, so if you’d like to participate, please come!

(If you would like to help but can’t make it on Saturday, drop me an email and I’ll be sure to put you on the list.)

Dust Collection Completion

Rosco has installed a rough-in of the large dust collector pipes. We now need to cut in the branch lines, attach the blast gates, and attach the flexible hose. A couple of hours should do it, so if you want to help, please let Rosco know!

Storage Cabinet Planning

We’d like to strike a committee to come up with a rough plan and sketch for storage cabinets or shelving. Right now we have a lot of flexibility as to where things could go, so it’s a great time for some brainstorming! Please bring your ideas and enthusiasm to the Social Saturday!

Newly acquired Tools & Equipment

We’ve received donations of three excellent routers from a local estate. These tools will find a lot of use in the shop!

BIRD Recycling Depot Returnables Sorting Project

As noted at the AGM, our bottle sorting project last fall raised $3,048! This was an astonishing return on the investment of time and e􀆯ort, and we will surely attempt to repeat it at least once this year. Big thanks to BIRD for giving us the opportunity.

IPS Kid’s Workshop Project (update)

The Grade 7 design class at IPS have finished their toolbox projects and decorated them amazingly!

They certainly picked up a lot of good woodworking skills and had a fun time doing it. This spring they are each working on a project of their own choosing, so I can hardly wait to see what comes along!

Pictures of finished wooden and decorated toolboxes built by IPS students.

Bowen Men’s Shed Board Members (cont.)

Matthew Redekopp is an engineer, entrepreneur, and long-time community builder, born and raised in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

His education spans the basic sciences, engineering, and theology, a mix that still shapes how he thinks about systems, people, and purpose.

He moved to Bowen Island in 2004, where he runs Rede Energy Solutions, a values-driven consulting business that helps schools and public organizations better understand and manage their energy use.

Matthew’s work blends technical thinking with curiosity, clear communication, and a genuine respect for people who like to understand how things actually work.

Outside of work, Matthew is married to Jeni, his partner of 20 years, who is the General Manager of Rivendell Retreat Center on Bowen Island. Together they’ve raised three teenagers and built a life rooted in community, creativity, and the outdoors.

Matthew is an avid skier, a cottage tinkerer, and someone who genuinely enjoys making and fixing things with his hands. He’s drawn to spaces like the Men’s Shed because they value craftsmanship, shared learning, and showing up without

pretense.

As a board member, he brings a steady, thoughtful presence and a desire to help the Shed remain a welcoming, sustainable place where men can connect, create, and contribute.

Upcoming Activities

Social Meeting

We invite you to our next regular social meeting. As usual we’ll have coffee/tea and cookies; please remember to bring your own reusable cup if possible.

Date: Saturday, February 7th, 2026

Time: 10:00 – 11:30 AM

Location: Men’s Shed sea can behind IPS – 671 Carter Road, Bowen Island

Other upcoming community activities of interest:

UPCOMING REACH FOR SKY in the series on Brain Health and Healthy Aging:

Sunday March 1 “The Sounding Board” celebration of World Hearing Day

Monday March 2 Traumatic Brain Injury and Vascular and Metabolic Health as Risk Saturday March 28, a film screening followed by discussion with the film-maker will be held as a special REACH FOR SKY event at the Bowen Island Community Centre theatre. The film-maker presented at a recent conference of the Canadian Association on Gerontology in a session on creativity and healthy aging. The film “Silver Screamers” is a documentary about a crew of seniors who made a horror film

https://mythicproductions.ca/project/silver-screamers/.

Contact SKY at info@skyonbowen.ca for more information.

For more information about the Men’s Shed Association of BC, visit ww.bcmensshed.ca.

For more information about Men’s Shed Canada, visit www.mensshedcanada.ca.