2012 MHSAA AGM
| Meeting Title: |
Proposal of Amendments to MHSAA Constitution and Reunion Strategy |
| Date: |
May 26, 2012 |
| Time: |
The meeting was called to order at 12:12 |
| Location: |
The Royal Canadian Legion, Churchill Branch 9128 rue Ste. AnneSte. Anne de Bellevue, Québec H9X 1L3 514-457-9332 |
| Chaired by: |
Michael Angrove ( President) |
| Facilitated by: |
Michael Angrove |
| Attendees:
Skype : |
Michael Angrove ’74 (President)
Vivian Bruce ’65 (Vice President / Liaison / Acting Secretary)
Robert Howell ’76 (Treasurer)
Jane Davidson ’66
Karen Knechtel ‘77
Toni Scholefield ‘72
Sylvia Murphy ‘72
Daniella Currie ‘96
John Marrett ‘69
Bruce Pollock ‘76 |
| |
|
DRAFT MINUTES – Annual General Meeting, May 26, 2012
Meeting opened at 12:12
1. APPROVAL OF JUNE 18, 2011 AGM MINUTES
Minutes of the Annual General Meeting, as posted on www.machigh.org, were accepted on a motion by Toni Scholefield
Seconded by: John Marrett
All in favour: √
2. APPROVAL OF May 26, 2012 AGM agenda
The Agenda was accepted as posted on www.machigh.org on a motion by: Mike Angrove
Seconded by: John Marrett
All in favour: √
3. PRESIDENT’S REPORT (Michael Angrove)
It has been a fairly quiet year for the executive. Primarily, over the year, we have kept in close contact with school administration staff and teachers. Since the last reunion, we have a sense that the school is slowly becoming a good friend; this because of the ongoing line of communication that has developed. All good friendships take time to catch hold and this is no different. We have so many good ideas for working with the school but too few hands. Perhaps one day this will change.
The highlight of the year, of course, was the presentation of the Macdonald High School Alumni Association Award for Student Leadership to AJ Déziel, who truly impressed us with his work ethic and community spirit. Teachers and the Community Affairs Officer encourage student volunteers to apply for this award and then screen the applications, narrowing the selection down to three possibilities. These are bright, energetic young people who deserve all the help we can muster.
In the coming year I think our biggest challenge will be to find a way to encourage more alumni to donate to the MHSAA fund (through Canada Helps), or find other ways to augment the fund. I’m sure you will all agree that it would be nice if we could offer more than one prize each year. Robert suggested that an abridged version of the first prize be awarded to the first and second runners-up. For this to come about, the fund must be augmented. We will be addressing this proposal further into the meeting.
It is very encouraging to see new faces around the table and I look forward to hearing your input as we go along. I am very optimistic about this coming year and hope that you will pass my good wishes along to fellow alumni.
4. VICE-PRESIDENT’S REPORT (Vivian Chandler Bruce)
MHSAA Award: Last year’s $500 award went to Alain-Joseph (AJ) Po-Déziel. It was presented by Mike Angrove on October 14, 2011. Photo credits of the presentation and thanks once again go to Robert Howell. We have continued to print up a memory book for the award winners and to include a couple of alumni car decals. The school appreciates being given a pre-glued brass plaque as it makes attaching it to the wooden plaque a seamless operation.
Podium flag: Last October it was discovered that the vinyl podium flag, given to the school by MHSAA in 2007, was lost. The replacement and carrying tube were much appreciated. It was noted by Mike Angrove that the outdoor flag was not on the flag pole last week.
Action Item: Vivian will follow up.
Canada Post Mail Box: Since 2007 MHSAA has received four pieces of mail in the Canada Post box. Mac has given us a post box and was offered the yearly stipend we paid Canada Post; $200/year to Community Affairs to spend as they see fit. They were thrilled! We will open a new Canada Post box to handle large events.
New School Principal: Jad Deegan, came to Macdonald from his position of principal at St. Patrick Elementary; very personable and amenable to MHSAA initiatives.
5. SECRETARY’S REPORT (Acting Secretary Vivian Bruce)
Resignation of Secretary, Sharyn Robillard, May 1, 2012. Sharyn filled the position for the year but has since cited family and work constraints as far too demanding for her to be able to continue. We all thank Sharyn for being there when we needed her most and look forward to seeing her at subsequent meetings. An impromptu by-election was held and Vivian Bruce was unanimously reinstated as secretary; this in addition to current posts held. Jane Davidson (from Peterborough) volunteered assistance, when possible and as needed.
Donations: A call for donations into the Pearson Educational Foundation (PEF) / MHSAA was posted on www.machigh.org
Correspondence:
Karen Jones, the Mac High teacher with whom we have worked in the past, wrote to tell us that an old fireplace and sealed-up door had been discovered during a renovation project. She also convinced the powers that be to allow her to go with them into the old tunnel and is ecstatic to have a memento stone from the walls. She plans to work on a history of the school with her new class in September, 2012 and has asked if we know of any Mac history buffs who would be willing to talk to her students. Indeed, she will likely need a little help with printing costs if the project goes to press. Last year she asked for help with the purchase of a display case but has since procured an old one.
Action Item: Four people were suggested as possible speakers; they will be contacted by Vivian to see if they would be willing to visit Karen’s class in the fall.
Suanne Stein Day, Chairman of Council of Commissioners (Ward 16) LBPSB wrote September 26, 2012 to tell us that her new ‘chair’ fits well and that we have new contacts for PEF business. The new president of the foundation is Barbara Freeston and our new contact person is Executive Director, Ms. Bessie Michael.
Numéro d’entreprise du Québec (NEQ) / Québec Enterprise Number: Received confirmation that our NEQ has been successfully cancelled
MAC HIGH: Thank you notes for podium flag and donation.
6. TREASURER’S REPORT (Robert Howell)
A copy of the MHSAA financial statement is available upon request. The PEF balance will be forthcoming. Robert suggested maintaining a minimum balance in the fund and that the time had come to generate more revenue. He would like to see awards given to each of the three yearly contenders ($500, $250 and $100 for 1st, 2nd and 3rd prize winners respectively); this, in addition to more gifts to the school throughout the year.
That the Treasurer’s Report be accepted as read:
Moved by: John Marrett
Seconded by: Mike Angrove
All in favour: √
7. ITEMS
Amendments to MHSAA Constitution. The Constitution was reviewed and a round-table discussion produced an updated version of the original working document (please see http://machigh.org/about/mandate/ )
Building the Award Funds. Robert Howell suggested holding a fundraising BBQ at the legion; Mike Angrove thought this venue might be attainable. At Karen Knechtel’s recommendation, it was decided that a corn roast be held first, since this was a cost effective way of testing the market for future fund raising events. Toni Scholefield recommended that we sell any remaining memorabilia from the 2007 reunion at the fundraisers. In addition, all agreed that MHSAA should attempt to link up with the school’s fundraising events. To this end, Daniella Currie, expressed an interest in collaborating with Mac’s Do Unto Others Club.
At Vivian Bruce’s proposal, Daniella Currie agreed to being appointed Head of the newly formed Alumni Donations Committee.
Action item: Daniella will investigate possible avenues for generating funds. She will be put in touch with Mac High’s Community Affairs officer, Sue Tuff, with an eye to hosting a corn roast.
Jane Davidson asked that the ‘Donation Request’ be posted on Facebook
Action Item: Mike Angrove will solicit donations on Mac High Facebook page.
Round-table Discussion about future reunions. There was great interest in having a reunion in the foreseeable future. Themes, ways of communicating the event to the alumni-at-large, use of ‘MailChimp’, generation-specific drawing cards, target date (TBA) and a slogan were among the several topics contemplated. The Karen Knechtel proposed inviting JAC/MAC students, as several also attended Mac High. It was felt that a general invitation to all alumni would cover this segment of the alumni population. Jane Davidson said that use of MailChimp might be a communications option. The proposed foundation of the reunion was that of the school being recognised as a Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue Historical Site. Planting of a replacement for one of the historical willow trees was discussed; the school would have to be consulted before such an undertaking.
Action items:
- Jane Davidson will look into feasibility of using MailChimp
- Vivian Bruce will write a letter to the Town of Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue, requesting an MHSAA committee meeting with Mayor Francis Deroo
- Robert Howell will finalize the wording of a reunion motto
8. OTHER BUSINESS
Action item: Vivian will find out why; request reinstatement
- With an eye to looking for ways to save on overhead expenses, our current Jumpline expenses (web page) were targeted. John Marrett volunteered to host a Mac web page in the near future. All agreed that this proposition looks promising. It was also agreed that Jen Worden, our current web host and technical advisor, should be consulted before any decisions are made.
Action item: John will work out the logistics and get back to us later in the summer.
- Vivian suggested that the Facebook page be modified such that conversation and creative writing become two separate and distinct threads. Users are having difficulty with continuity of chat.
Action item: Mike will attempt to split the entries into two categorical threads.
- Vivian proposed offering a ‘welcome-to-the-MHSAA’ card to each graduate; this, to officially recognise each student as an alumni member and to let them know that they are automatically inducted into the Association upon receipt of their diplomas. Contents of the card to be discussed.
Action item: Vivian will design a preliminary card.
- It was suggested that a newsletter be posted on www.machigh.org and Facebook. Robert Howell offered to table a copy of his original online newsletter for comment. (TBD)
SCHEDULED INTERIM MEETING
Tentative Agenda: To discuss progress of fundraising and reunion possibilities
Date: July 28, 2012 12:00 – 14:00 at Ste. Anne’s Legion
SCHEDULED 2013 AGM
Date: May 25, 2013
Time: 12:00 – 14:00
Place: Ste. Anne’s Legion (tentative)
On a motion by: Mike Angrove seconded by: Robert Howell The meeting was adjourned at 13:42
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Respectfully submitted by Vivian (Chandler) Bruce ’65 VP/Sec. MHSAA Date: May 28, 2012
Greetings Fellow Mac Alumni!
)
