Convention 2019

The purpose of this page is to document the plans and preparations for the 2019 Convention.

Note that shortly after the June 7, 2018 General Election Allen Small, the Party Leader resigned. In spite of the ambiguity of the Constitution, it was agreed that the Deputy Leader, Rob Ferguson, should become the Leader. Gene Balfour recruited two candidates for Deputy Leader, Gerry Boudreau and Jacques Bourdeau. The Party Caucus (all candidates in the recent General Election) were invited to vote for one or the other. Gerry Boudreau was elected.

There had been several other changes in the Executive Committee since the 2017 Convention. As a result, there was agreement that a Convention should be held sooner than the normal 3 year interval, November 2020. The next General Election is scheduled for June 2022. It as agreed that November 2018 was too soon to organize a proper Convention, given considerations for updating the Constitution and Bylaws. November 2019 has the advantage of electing an Executive Committee for a three year period that extends beyond the date of the next General Election in 2022.

2018 AGM

By Jim McIntosh

• See *2018 AGM Minutes for details of the Meeting.
• Jim McIntosh was the organizer.
• Cynthia Sneath and Gene Balfour volunteered to schedule a speaker.
• 39 members and guests attended the AGM.
• Thanks to Gerry for preparing the Ballots, Sabile for copying the handouts and video recording Dr. Whatley's presentation and "testimonials" from participants, Cynthia for taking minutes, and Wojo for providing high quality smart phone and setting it up to Live Stream the meeting to Facebook.
• Registration fees amounted to $925 plus collection of $65. Allen Small made a $50 donation after the AGM to cover his and Rita's registration fee since he was not sure he would be able to attend until the day of. It was fortunate he was able to attend and receive the Marilee Haylock Award in person.
• The Monte Carlo Inn charged $2,086 ($70.16/person x 40 people including our guest speaker).
• Using the projector (instead of flip charts) to record nominations and election results expedited the process of preparing the minutes. Unfortunately the projected info was too small and difficult to read from the back of the room. This might be fixed by moving the projector further from the screen, or using software other than our Wiki that allows larger fonts.
• Gerry recommended that the ballots be provided in an envelope to each delegate when they register. This would save time during the elections and allow delegates who need to leave their ballots (completed or blank) with a trusted delegate or the Credentials Committee.
• Action Item - Jim to send Oath of Office" to new executives to sign and return. Jim will upload them to CRM.
• Jim asked for receipts for any expenses incurred for the AGM for reimbursement -Gerry asked if personal expenses i.e. hotel rooms, would be reimbursed: -Jim recommended reimbursement for a significant amount would need prior approval -WoJo said that attending the Convention, and its cost, is the responsibility of the attendee -We need to define what kind of expenses can be credited -WoJo offered that if it was an Official Duty, it should be considered for reimbursement
• Jim said re: Minutes, anything on Minutes can be corrected after-the-fact by any meeting attendees.

Date and time

Proposed - Saturday November 2, 2019 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM

Possible Locations

• Monte Carlo Inn, 8900 Woodbine Ave., Markham
• Annandale Golf and Curling Club, 221 Church St S, Ajax

Constitution and Bylaws Amendments

Bylaws Article 10:

1. The Constitution and Bylaws Committee shall meet in open session to consider amendments to the Constitution and Bylaws originating with itself or with other Members or Associates. (Emphasis added)
2. At least 30 days prior to the Convention the chairman of this committee shall mail, to all Party Members and Associates, all amendments which the committee has reviewed. These amendments shall be placed on the Convention agenda for consideration by the Delegates.

• It has been proposed that George Dance be asked to be Chairman of the Constitution and Bylaws Committee.
• One of the amendments would be to clarify that email and fax would qualify as "mail" within both the Constitution and Bylaws where notification by mail is required. (While the Party does not have a fax machine, a member may.)