FSNA Ottawa Valley Branch
Board of Directors Meeting, 21 June 2010
McMartin House, Perth Ontario

1. CALL TO ORDER
   Jim Piché called the meeting to order at 1:35 p.m.
   

2. RECORDING OF MEMBERS PRESENT
   Jim Piché, Doug Schoular, Bill Irwin, Chuck Parent, Steve Fahie, Ed Rockburne, Larry Gray
   Regrets: Larry Palmer, Lynda Smith, Judy Buehler, Len Johnston
   

3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
   Jim requested that the following items be added to the agenda under New Business:
   - 10(B) – AGM Preparations
   - 10(C) – The Future - a way ahead
   - 10(D) – By-law Changes
   

4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
   Motion to approve minutes of May 17, 2010 by Ed Rockburne, seconded by Larry Gray, carried.
   

5. BUSINESS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES
   a) Website Change – Approval by quorum required to approve transferring our website host to HostPapa.ca at a cost of $214.20 plus taxes, covering a 3-year period.
   Motion to approve this change by Steve Fahie, seconded by Bill Irwin, carried.
   
   b) Remuneration to Steve – Approval by quorum required to remunerate Steve Fahie for internet costs and incidentals related to his duties as Membership and Webmaster Director a rate of $50 per month, beginning in June 2010.
   Motion to approve this rate by Larry Gray, seconded by Ed Rockburne, carried
   

6. REPORTS OF OFFICERS

• President:
  Jim pointed out the excellent features in the current ON Guard issue related to health and survivor issues, as well as new affinity partners announced in this issue.
  Jim noted that the PIPS VP in charge of pensions was invited to the National Congress. This demonstrates increased acceptance of pursuing Joint Advocacy between FSNA and other organizations. Jim also noted there are ongoing efforts to fight the “Fat Cat” perception of government workers and pensioners.
  Jim said there had been no consultation by the Government with anyone regarding the recent Dental Plan rate changes. There is a need to address these kinds of unilateral moves by the Government, and to encourage consultation prior to making changes that affect seniors benefits. Jim mentioned the suggested changes to Government Pension Plans as an example.
  Jim said there is a proposal for our Region Branches to each make memorial donations in memory of Claude Edwards who passed away recently. There was general agreement that it would be appropriate given Mr. Edwards many contributions, however there was also concern that it would not conform to our donation policy. We also do not know if the proposal is being actioned by the other Branches. It was decided to postpone any decision on the proposal.
  Motion to accept this report by Jim Piché, seconded by Ed Rockburne, carried,

• PSHCP/PDSP:
  Ed Rockburne provided a report on recent queries from members on health coverage issues. Some issues are showing the need for health care improvements since some people are either being released from hospital too soon, or they are being left in hospital longer than necessary due to a lack of home care or other facility to send them to.

• Vice-President:
  Chuck Parent questioned whether the required Branch By-Law changes, needed because of National By-law changes, could be completed prior to our September AGM, It was decided there will be insufficient time to complete this work.

• Membership:
  Steve Fahie provided a report on some minor changes in our membership totals since last month. He said the campaign to recruit members of the Ottawa Branch to join our Branch is on hold pending approval from the Ottawa Branch. At this point Ottawa is suggesting they may have to actually do the mailing due to privacy of the members personal information. Since we already have the names and addresses of these members, this shouldn't be an issue. Steve also pointed out that the membership dues paid by 2 members did not get recorded in our database, and that it is very important to avoid these errors.
  Steve reported that he is ready to produce mailing labels for an AGM announcement to members whenever they are required.

• Webmaster:
  Steve reported that the website hosting company has successfully been moved from RipNet to HostPapa.
  Motion to accept these two reports by Steve Fahie, seconded by Bill Irwin, carried.

• Treasurer:
  Doug presented the Branch Financial Statements to the end of May 2010. Doug says he now has access to the ING account through the Internet. He is also making arrangements for the 2009 financial statements to be audited. It was pointed out that some of the costs attributed to the National Congress may be normal travel costs, so these allocations may be corrected. Doug indicated that he has confirmed we have approx. $19K in the ING account, but he did not have an exact figure at this time.
  Motion to accept this report by Doug Schoular, seconded by Chuck Parent, carried.

• Branch Report:
  No report.

• Other:
  Bill Irwin said he is picking up mail sent to the new PO Box. He said he will check into the advance notice required to inform members about the AGM.
  Larry Gray said he will again approach Shoppers Drug Mart about a static display at the AGM.
  

7. BREAK:
   None
   

8. CORRESPONDENCE:
   None.
   

9. OLD BUSINESS:
   a) Chairs for Branch Committees
   No progress for this meeting, to be carried forward.
   b) ING Signing Authorities
   Resolved.
   

10. New Business:
    a) FSNA National Congress Briefing
    Jim reported that there was a presentation by the Public Service Health Care Plan, and that the FSNA Affinity Partners were at the Congress with displays. Most of the resolutions were not accepted, however it was determined that the National Congress meeting will be considered to be the Annual General Meeting for FSNA in the future, meaning AGM reports will have to be presented and accepted at the Congress in the future.
    Election Results:
    National President – Hélian Lizotte (3-yr term)
    1st National VP – Gary Oberg (acclaim)
    2nd National VP – Les Chipperfield
    3rd National VP – Julie Spencer
    Jim also noted that a new Political Relations Director has been hired by FSNA. Vera Yuzyk will be doing FSNA advocacy work on Parliament Hill and Government departments.
    b) AGM Preparations
    - Judy and Bill to get together to finalize AGM plans
    - Food details need to be finalized – when is payment due?
    - Notice to Membership to be created and mailed (timing?)
    - Speaker and Static Displays in good shape (Sylvia Ceacero to be guest speaker)
    c) The Future – a way ahead
    Jim confirmed that he will be stepping down as President this Fall. Due to his long term as President and for other personal reasons, he will not continue for another term, but will serve as Past President. The Branch Executive will have to consider who will be the next President in order to continue the Branch. All members are urged to consider this issue.
    d) By-Law Changes
    Because of the changes to FSNA National By-Laws approved at the National Congress, the Branch's By-Laws will need to be reviewed and some changes made to align ours with those changes. It was not determined who would be doing this review.

10. Next Meeting:
    BoD – July 19 (Location TBD)
    BoD – August 16
    AGM – Sept. 15, Perth
    

11. Adjournment:
    Motion by Chuck Parent to adjourn, seconded by Ed Rockburne, carried.

(Minutes prepared by Steve Fahie)