May 9th, 2012 | Leave a comment

Annual General Meeting May 26, 2012

AGENDA 

Meeting Title 

PROPOSAL OF AMENDMENTS TO MHSAA CONSTITUTION AND REUNION STRATEGY

 Date   May 26, 2012

 Time    12:00 – 14:00

 Location

 The Royal Canadian Legion, Churchill Branch 91, 28 rue Ste. Anne, Ste. Anne de Bellevue  

 AGENDA

  1. Approval of June 18, 2011 AGM Minutes
  2. Approval of May 26, 2012 AGM Agenda
  3. PRESIDENT’S REPORT
  4. VICE-PRESIDENT’S REPORT
  5. SECRETARY’S REPORT
  6. TREASURER’S REPORT
  7. ITEMS

ð        Amendments to MHSAA Constitution

ð        Round table discussion re: future reunions

  1. Other Business
  2. Schedule next General Meeting
  3. Adjournment 

NOTE:  If you wish to participate but cannot attend the meeting please send your e-mail address to vivian.bruce@gmail.com .  Friday night, May 25th, we will e-mail you a phone number to call at noon on the 26th. 

Submitted by V. Bruce

 VP MHSAA

April 28th, 2012 | Leave a comment

Donations for the Annual Student Award

About eighteen months ago we solicited funds for the Macdonald High School Alumni Association Annual Award for Student Leadership (Oct. 3, 2010): “No donation is too small.”  Please visit the Canada Gives web site at: http://www.canadahelps.org/ Enter, “Pearson Educational Foundation”, then leave a note in the instruction box saying that you would like your donation to go to Macdonald High School Alumni Association. Donations are tax deductible.  

WHY IS YOUR ALUMNI ASSOCIATION ASKING FOR YOUR HELP?

From the existing funds that The Pearson Educational Foundation holds in MHSAA’s name, we have been drawing $500/year for one award / year.  Additional funds are used for: a souvenir memory book and a small brass plaque engraved with the recipient’s name.  We dropped the mail box at Canada Post and now donate the amount that was charged per year to the school - all Alumni correspondence now going to the school (money better spent, we figured!). Now and again, a teacher will approach us for funding of a class project and we do our best to accommodate. And finally, the www.machigh.org web site is maintained for your use.  As you can see, corners have been cut and “retrieved monies” have been directed toward the school whenever possible. 

On your behalf, we would like to keep this tradition going as it binds us more closely with our alma mater and her progeny. Please give it some thought and kick in a few dollars.

-Viv

April 18th, 2012 | Leave a comment

Two Things

  1. Annual General Meeting …

    The AGM will be held May 26, 2012, 12:00pm at Royal Canadian Legion Branch 91, 28 Ste. Anne Street Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue.

  2. MHSAA on Facebook …

    Our MHSAA Facebook Group has had a new resurgence of life!Join us.

November 11th, 2011 | Leave a comment

REMEMBRANCE DAY – 2011 “11/11/11″

As we remember those who fell, so that we might live at peace in this glorious country think also of our forces overseas right now.  Welcome them home with open arms.

“Grace under pressure, courage with compassion, for the benefit of another, at risk of life and limb: This will be their legacy, in Kandahar and Kabul, as at Ortona, as at Juno Beach. No one can take that away. No one should try.”

Read more: http://www.vancouversun.com/news/canada-in-afghanistan/Whatever+Afghanistan+fate+veterans+deserve+need+hero+welcome/5695341/story.html#ixzz1cNRyZYei

By Michael Den Tandt, Postmedia News November 11, 2011

November 6th, 2011 | Leave a comment

Alain-Joseph (AJ) Déziel – 2011 Recipient of MHSAA Annual Award for Student Leadership

AJ is seen here with MHSAA President and presenter, Mike Angrove. (Photo courtesy of Robert Howell)

 

This young man is the epitome of good citizenship. Two years in a row, he was nominated and selected to run for leadership positions on Student Council. Both times he lost out. Let it be known that he didn’t pick up the ball and go home. In his own words, he, “…did not wish to squander the abilities and skills that I (he) learned in leadership.” Understanding that he was not cut out for a political career, he turned his hand to volunteering in the community at large and came away richer for the experience. Not satisfied with his own role as an ambassador for Mac High, he went on to encourage his peers to follow suit, ironically, LEADING the way by example.

AJ embraced his academic responsibilities and balanced them well with sports, a paid job and his volunteer work. The bottom line is that he set his sail, lived in the moment and was personally rewarded for his accomplishments. The MHSAA is delighted to send him on his way to John Abbott College with a $500 cheque in his pocket and our very best wishes. We hope to see his name on McGill’s Engineering roster and eventually up in lights as a Canadian astronaut! GOOD LUCK, A-J, and welcome to your Alumni Association.

No donation is too small. If you feel inclined to keep this young award tradition alive, please feel free to visit the Canada Gives web site at: http://www.canadahelps.org/ Enter, “Pearson Educational Foundation”, then leave a note in the instruction box saying that you would like your donation to go to Macdonald High School Alumni Association. Donations are tax deductible. -Viv

 

June 19th, 2011 | One comment

Annual General Meeting Minutes – June 18, 2011

Macdonald High School Alumni Association [MHSAA]

Meeting Title:     Nominations and Election of Executive Committee for 2011-2013

Date:                 June 18, 2011
Time:                Meeting called to order at 10:23
Location:           The Royal Canadian Legion, Churchill Branch 91
                        28 rue Ste. Anne, Ste. Anne de Bellevue, Québec   H9X 1L3
                        514-457-9332

Chaired by:       Michael Angrove (Vice-president)
Facilitated by:   Michael Angrove

Attendees:           

Michael Angrove (Vice–president)

Vivian Bruce (Executive-Secretary/ Liaison Officer)

Sharyn Robillard

Regrets

Robert Howell (Treasurer)

Bruce Skilling

Toni Walker

Lynda Haddon

Conference call

Pieter Leenhouts (President)

Bruce Pollock ‘76 (member at large)

DRAFT MINUTES – Executive Meeting, June 18, 2011

1. MEETING OPENED AT 10:23
Delayed by 23 minutes because Ste. Anne Street was blocked by vintage car rally; all access was cut off.

2. APPROVAL OF JUNE 5, 2010 AGM MINUTES
Minutes of the Executive / General Meeting June 5, 2010 were reviewed and accepted on a motion by: Pieter Leenhouts; seconded by: Mike Angrove

3. APPROVAL OF JUNE 18, 2011 AGM AGENDA
The Agenda was read and accepted on a motion by: Sharyn Robillard, seconded by: Michael Angrove

4. PRESIDENT’S REPORT (Pieter Leenhouts)
Pieter has completed his term in office and, after eleven years of MHSAA affiliation, will not entertain nominations for an executive position this year. He stated that he has entered into a new phase (retirement) and will leave the committee knowing that the current executive is of ‘high calibre and integrity’. He foresees a long life for the MHSAA. The committee thanked Pieter and agreed that he would be missed. (Pieter has undertaken a project on behalf of the committee and will report his findings at a later date. Please see “Other Business”.)

5. VICE-PRESIDENT’S REPORT (Mike Angrove)
Mike reports that all is well at Mac High. Past principal, Jim Aiken, sends his best to the committee and stated that he has imported our alumni concept to Lindsay Place; he offered thanks to MHSAA for being the model.
Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue Mayor, Francis Deroo, has asked that MHSAA approach him in the fall concerning the old Macdonald High School building being recognised as an historic building by the town.

4. SECRETARY’S REPORT (Vivian Chandler Bruce)

a. MHSAA Award Plaque:
At one of the regular e-mail conference meetings of the MHSAA Executive, it was agreed upon that an award plaque be presented to the school; this to display names of successive winners of the Annual Award for Student Leadership. Mike Angrove presented it at the 2010 fall convocation.

b. 2011 MHSAA Annual Award for Student Leadership Winner
Kerry Dinh, this year’s award winner, was among three applicants. Mike Angrove presented; Robert Howell photographed. Sue Tuff, Mac Community Office Co-ordinator, asked if four, rather than the customary three, applications could be submitted this year; agreed.

c. Quebec Enterprise Number (NEQ):
After careful consideration, the executive committee unanimously agreed that an enterprise number offers absolutely no gain for our purposes. The yearly fee of $16 will come due in August; we will ask to be struck off the roll at that time. The government will send renewal forms automatically.

d. School Gift:
School principal, Mrs. Mary-Anne Bindner, requested financial assistance with a school wall-painting project. With $500, offered by the MHSAA, the painting continued. Vivian Bruce visited the school and reports that the halls are very much brighter and more welcoming. Money well spent!

e. AuthorsAlcove:                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   Upon invitation by Vivian Bruce, another book has been added to our Authors Alcove shelf in the library. Denise D’Aoust donated “Vaudreuil Station”, a child’s view of the Vaudreuil-Dorion region of seventy-six years ago.

Action Item: Continue to promote donation of high-school-appropriate books by published Mac High authors.

f. Pearson Education Foundation (PEF):
June 2011, Suanne Day, our contact and past chairman of the PEF, was elected Chairman of the Lester B Pearson School Board.

g. New School Principal
Jad Deegan, presently principal of St. Patrick Elementary will become principal of Macdonald High in the new school year.

h. Correspondence:

(1) Karen Jones, the Mac high teacher we assisted with the “Ghosts and Tunnels” project, is asking the alumni for donations of memorabilia such as old report cards, buttons, fliers and jerseys. To celebrate Mac’s 105th year in 2012, she envisions installation of a permanent display case for the memorabilia and could use a little help with the funding. The project is in its early planning stages. The new principal is yet to be consulted.

Action Item: MHSAA Executive will consider making a contribution towards a permanent display case should it be approached with a proposal. Likewise, a memorabilia request will be made on www.machigh.org should the school decide to embark upon the project.

(2) Kathleen O’Neill, St. Thomas High teacher, wrote to ask questions about reunion planning. We assembled a CD of pertinent planning information to assist others who may need help in the future.

(3) Barb McClintock, sent an article from The McGill Head and Neck Cancer Fund: Annual Fundraiser Soirée. Michael Douglas’ address mustered donations of $375-$750.

Action Item: Mike suggested we investigate fund raising possibilities; perhaps using the school gym for a soirée with a guest speaker.

(4) Suanne Day, responded to our congratulatory note. We will be given a new PEF contact name in the near future.

5. TREASURER’S REPORT (Robert Howell)

A copy of the MHSAA financial statement is available upon request.
That the Treasurer’s Report be accepted as read:
Moved by: Vivian Bruce                      Seconded by: Pieter Leenhouts         All in favour

6. NOMINATIONS / ELECTION MHSAA Executive
The following positions were open for nominations:

President, Vice-president, Secretary and Treasurer.

President:
Nominations: Michael Angrove
Elected: Michael Angrove
Moved by: Vivian Bruce         Seconded by: Pieter Leenhouts            All in favour.

Vice-president:
Nominations: Bruce Pollock (respectfully declined); Vivian Bruce
Elected: Vivian Bruce
Moved by: Sharyn Robillard         Seconded by: Pieter Leenhouts            All in favour

Executive Secretary                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             Nominations: Sharyn Robillard
Elected: Sharyn Robillard
Moved by: Vivian Bruce   Seconded by: Mike Angrove   All in favour

Treasurer:
Nominations: Robert Howell
Elected: Robert Howell
Moved by: Pieter Leenhouts     Seconded by: Bruce Pollock                       All in favour

7. OTHER BUSINESS

a. Business brought forward from 2010

• Pieter Leenhouts reported that the MHSAA Constitution does not preclude formation of MHSAA chapters.
• Jen Worden prepared a “1-2-3 step-by-step” directive for alumni wishing to update their personal information on www.machigh.org
• On-line fund raiser to be considered; ongoing

b. Discontinuation of the NEQ Affiliation

It was unanimously agreed upon that the NEQ serves no useful purpose for this committee since the gross funds are handled for us by the PEF. The annual fee is $16.
Action Item: Vivian to cancel NEQ

c. Campaign Strategy to recruit and train new executive committee members.

(Items c & d have been joined) All agreed that changes must be made to the registration process re: self-management, standardized information, guaranteed security (no spam) etc.; membership software a possibility. Class of ’70 cited as the “how to” example of standardizing members’ data.

Action  Items:  

Pieter and Bruce will investigate logistics of sending out hard-copy newsletters to alumni members. They will also consult with the class of ’70 alumnus responsible for the class web page.
Mike and Vivian are poised to draft black & white newsletter to alumni members;
Jen Worden is to be consulted concerning RSS feeds; Face Book / Mac High link.

d. Critical analysis of alumni registration process (Please see Item c).

e. Conference Call Dues Evaluated:

 The MHSAA mandate stipulates that attendees pay their own way to meetings. Clarity Conferencing (the company we are using) charges 10¢/minute. Pending further investigation, it was agreed upon that the membership should pick up cost of conference calls.
Action Item: In preparation for heavier conference call traffic cost comparisons will be done.

8. SCHEDULE NEXT GENERAL MEETING
Date:          May 26, 2012
Time:         10:00am – 12:00 noon
Place:         Ste. Anne’s Legion (tentative)

On a motion by Vivian Bruce; seconded by Mike Angrove, the meeting was adjourned at 11:56am
__________________________________________________________________________________________

Respectfully submitted by Vivian (Chandler) Bruce ’65                                       Date: June 19, 2011
VP / Liaison MHSAA

April 23rd, 2011 | Leave a comment

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 2011

Date:        June 18, 2011
Time:       10:00 -12 noon
Place:       Royal Canadian Legion
               Churchill Branch 91 (Que.)
               28 Ste -Anne St.
               Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue (Quebec) H9X 1L3

Object:    Alumni update and financial report
               Election of Officers
               New business

Invitation:   In accordance with the MHSAA Mandate, Alumni Association members must nominate and elect an Executive Committee every two (2) years. At the last elections AGM, April 25, 2009, the four incumbents were voted in.

It is with pleasure that the current executive extends an invitation to all members (i.e. Macdonald High School graduates) to attend the Annual General Meeting and participate in the General Election of Officers for 2011-2013. New leadership will be determined as Chairman, Pieter Leinhouts, will be stepping down after several years of dedicated service. He will be missed and this committee wishes him well as he launches a new career – retirement!

Head Count:   Please advise MHSAA, if you plan to attend in person or by pre-arranged teleconferencing, at the following e-mail address: vivian.bruce@gmail.com

Respectfully submitted by
Vivian (Chandler) Bruce
Executive Secretary / Liaison Officer MHSAA

April 23, 2011

April 5th, 2011 | Leave a comment

Cadet Photos on Bulletin Board

Check out the new photos that have been posted on the Bulletin Board in the General Photos forum via Geoff Seaton. Recognize anyone? Why not add to the conversation?

Colour Party

Colour Party

Or add your OWN alumni photos! It’s simple. Really.

To Post Photos:

  1. Start a new topic (click New Topic) or reply to a comment (click Post Reply).
  2. Scroll down to Upload Attachment below comment box.
  3. Click “Browse” to find the photo on your computer. PLEASE keep file sizes down. Thanks!
  4. Add a comment(optional) to your upload if you want.
  5. Click “Add the file”. Wait until the page refreshes.
  6. You can now add more comment AND you have the choice of having the photo show up as a link OR in your comment box. Click “Place inline” beside Attachments at the bottom of the comment box.
  7. Be sure to click “Submit”!

And that’s it! Please be sure to keep photo files sized down as we have to pay for the storage. Other than that … Enjoy!

December 6th, 2010 | One comment

New Bulletin Board

Finally! I got around to updating our bulletin board. You might also notice that the most recent posts from the board are visible to the right over there –>

I think you’ll like the new board … BIG bonus you can now upload photos! Let’s see what all y’all are up to these days.

Any problems or issues just holler!

cfn … Jen

October 3rd, 2010 | Leave a comment

KERRY DINH – MHSAA ANNUAL AWARD FOR STUDENT LEADERSHIP 2010

Thank you, Mac Alumni, for making possible a yearly award to a graduating student, an occasional donation to the school during the year, a web site and a Canada Post box for those without internet connection.

This year’s award winner is a shining model of altruism and the following presentation speech, that Principal Bindner read on our behalf, sums up Friday night’s presentation:

There are 134 additions to Macdonald High School’s relatively new alumni association seated before me tonight. We are among only a handful of high schools with an alumni group and are slowly building camaraderie that stretches far beyond the walls of the school.
It is because of the affinity old Mac students have for their school that we have been given several useful gifts and a yearly monetary award for a remarkable student who has a deep-rooted commitment to school and humanity. Leadership comes in many forms and the young lady who was chosen this year leads by example.

“We are proud to receive a plaque from the Alumni Association, which has been inscribed with the winners` names from the past two years of this award and, of course, this year’s recipient. It represents continuity of our Mac Spirit and will be mounted in a prominent place in the school, with the hope that it will be added to each year and will encourage other students to work for the good of the Macdonald High community, the neighbourhood in which they live, our country, and hopefully the world.

“Vice President of your alumni, Mr. Michael Angrove, is with us tonight to present this year’s award and to offer his congratulations to a very remarkable and dedicated young woman: Miss Karry Dinh.

Thank you, Mike Angrove, for always being willing and happy to make the presentations, and Robert Howell, for taking ceremony photographs for the past two years. Thanks to you, Jen Worden, for helping me with the intricacies of posting our photos!

No donation is too small. If you feel inclined to keep this young award tradition alive, please feel free to visit the Canada Gives web site at: http://www.canadahelps.org/ Enter, “Pearson Educational Foundation”, then leave a note in the instruction box saying that you would like your donation to go to Macdonald High School Alumni Association. Donations are tax deductible.

Viv Bruce