The Revelstoke Community Forest Corporation (R.C.F.C.) will manage and operate its Tree Farm in a sustainable manner that will enhance the forest resource while respecting the principles of integrated use, environmental stewardship and public consultation & participation; providing the following community benefits on a sustainable basis:

• revenue (to sustain the Corporation and to support the community)
• local control of resources
• local processing
• local employment
• forestry training and education
• outdoor recreational activities; and finally but clearly not least
• a lasting relationship with the land that comprises T.F.L. 56

We will be guided by the values of integrity, openness and respect for people.
  

R.C.F.C. will harvest more wood fibre when the economics are favorable and build reserves to buffer against economic down turns. When the economics are unfavorable, R.C.F.C. will harvest less and utilize reserves if and as needed.

R.C.F.C. will strive to protect the integrity of the natural environment by utilizing safe, ecologically based, efficient forest practices which maintain the optimum productivity of its land base.

R.C.F.C. will aggressively employ the principle of public involvement and public consultation in all its affairs.

In order to maintain fairness, R.C.F.C. will publicly tender, wherever reasonable and feasible, its contract work and purchases.

R.C.F.C. will strive to be a leader in planning, reviewing and protecting all the resource values contained in its Tree Farm License.

R.C.F.C. will aggressively support the development and training of a local workforce in all aspects of forest management activities.

R.C.F.C. will try to utilize other funding sources to achieve its vision, for example, employment training, Downie Bonus Fund, research and development funds, etc.

R.C.F.C. will support research and development into value added processes, new forestry techniques, etc.
  

R.C.F.C. is a totally self-funding Corporation with dividends and excess revenues (as determined by the Board of Directors) returning to its sole shareholder, the City of Revelstoke.

1. MAJOR DISASTER/FIRE/CONTINGENCY RESERVE will be established by R.C.F.C. with the following conditions:
     
   1. There will be an accumulated fund “cap” (including accumulated interest) of between $1 Million to $1.25 Million. (The amount and formula to arrive at an amount is being reviewed and finalized over the next several months.)
   2. This reserve may be drawn upon to:
        
      a) stabilize operations by ameliorating any prolonged economic downturn (that may be inherent in the cyclical nature of the forest industry);
        
      b) maintain R.C.F.C.’s operations in times of fire, natural disaster or any unforeseen act of major destruction to the R.C.F.C. operation. (R.C.F.C. already has reserves for its silviculture and other operating obligations; thus this reserve is meant to only be drawn upon in times of a disaster).
       
      After the above payments have been made and/or reserve funds established, excess
      profits will be paid to the City of Revelstoke.
        
2. PAYMENT OF DIVIDENDS:
    
   Annual dividends, with the following conditions, will be payable to the City of Revelstoke from R.C.F.C.:
     
   1. The average prime rate at the Royal Bank of Canada for the current fiscal year plus one percent (1%) calculated against the $1 Million City start-up loan.
        
   2. This dividend would be payable after the fiscal year ends April 30th of each and every year.
       
   3. The Board of R.C.F.C. reserves the right to modify this policy from time to time.
        
3. FUND FOR ENHANCED SILVICULTURE, SPECIAL INNOVATIVE PROJECTS AND RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT:
    
   The Board will make an annual allocation to this fund at fiscal year end.  The primary purpose of this fund is to increase yield; thus Corporate Participants are expected to contribute to this fund, or expenditures against this fund, to an equal amount. If partners chose not to do this, any AAC increase due to increased yield will accrue to R.C.F.C. only.

R.C.F.C. will actively assist and promote the development of a comprehensive training and research and development centre for forestry workers and professionals.

R.C.F.C. will be pro-actively involved with the education system from K to 12 and adult learning through such things as tours and classroom presentation and discussions.
  

The General Manager will produce quarterly reports for the media/public.

R.C.F.C. will exceed the standards of public consultation required of private tree farms by:

• Holding annual town hall meetings to discuss its annual report.
   
• Presenting forestry information in an easy to understand manner for all audiences.

Public statements to the media, public and other agencies should normally be made through the President or General Manager, depending on the nature of the issue. Individual Directors should not make statements on behalf of the Board without Board’s approval.
  

1. The Board of Directors of the R.C.F.C. shall have complete control of R.C.F.C. However, the following limitations apply:
     
   1. R.C.F.C. is solely owned by the City of Revelstoke and the Board is made up of a majority of direct City appointments and serves at the pleasure of City Council. R.C.F.C. must therefore be sensitive to the wider community interest.
        
   2. R.C.F.C. was funded in part (50%) by Industry Participants (Downie Street Sawmills, Joe Kozek Sawmills and Cascade Cedar) and therefore must remain sensitive to them as equity funders and as customers of 50% of the Corporation’s wood supply. This relationship and its rights and restrictions are laid out in the Timber Removal Agreement between R.C.F.C. and the industry participants.
       
2. The primary means of establishing liaison and communication with its Industry Participants is by holding regular monthly meetings between the R.C.F.C. Board’s representatives and representatives of each of the Industry Participants.
    
   These meetings should be the primary means of communication to the Board, but other means include:
     
   1. communications through R.C.F.C. staff on day-to-day activities; and
       
   2. communications direct to the Board on special issues where such communication warrants (including before the Board’s Annual Report is presented to the community).
       
   3. informal quarterly luncheons will also be held between the Board and its Corporate Participants.
       
3. Board of Directors remuneration shall be as follows:
    
   1. $600/year for Board Members (excluded City Administrator or any other City staff that might sit on the Board).
       
   2. $1,200/year for President.
       
   3. Travel expenses will be paid at City Council rates ($75/day not including accommodation, mileage and/or airfare) in addition to a per diem for lost wages of $125/day.

Conflict of interest, tendering policy and other policies that are not fully covered in this manual will fall under the Municipal Act or City of Revelstoke policy.

  
[Table of Contents] [Introduction] [Background] 
[Opportunity is Created] [From Opportunity to Reality] 
[First Two Years of Operations] [Current Challenges] 
[Further Information] [Appendix]y