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CANADIAN GUARDS REGIMENTAL ASOCIATION
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
HELD IN FOX AND FEATHER PUB
OTTAWA, ONTARIO
17 OCTOBER 2009
CALLTO ORDER
1.The President called the meeting to order at 1000 hours. He advised
that the Secretary/Treasurer was unavailable and John Barclay was
acting Secretary for this meeting. The meeting was attended by 19 members.
REMEMBRANCE
2. John Barclay read the Regimental Prayer and the Roll of Honour (38
names). A minute of silence was observed.
WELCOME
3.The President welcomed the members, noting that Ambrose Dwyer and
Norm McBride had traveled down from Petawawa and Jack Martin had come
from Killaloe to attend.
4.The President remarked that his duties as Poppy Campaign Chair at
his local Legion Branch had opened his eyes to the importance of The
Legion for all veterans and their families. He was encouraged by the
involvement of the Branch members in the community. He noted the two
very successful events of the past summer; the "Atlantic Reunion
and AGM" in Clarenville, NFLD, and the equally successful
"Guards 2009", celebrating the 5Oth Anniversary of the
'Changing of the Guard' ceremony, held in Ottawa in August. He
thanked the members of both committees for their hard work in making
a success of those ventures. He then read an e-mail from Ernie Martin
in far-flung Guatemala, who sent greetings from the "Central
American Branch of the Association", assuring the AGM that all
qualified members of the branch met on a daily basis to toast the Regiment.
MINUTES
5. The Minutes of the 2008 AGM were reviewed and it was moved by Jack
Martin and seconded by Ambrose Dwyer that the Minutes be adopted as read.
CARRIED
BUSINESS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES
6.Guards 2009: Bill Maclver advised that the full report of
"Guards 2009" was contained in the Newsletter and that the
final bill from Carleton had not yet been received. He stated that
Carleton had advised us of the approximate amount and that with that
taken into consideration, and after sending our refunds to "no
shows", we had achieved a revenue/expense 'neutral' financial
position on "Guards 2009". The President again thanked Bill
and his working group for their efforts.
7.Military Families Fund "Army Run": The President advised
that again this year, we had received a request from Heather Inrig
Guylas for sponsorship in the "Army Run". Last year, the
Association considered that it was a good cause and the Board
authorized a donation amount of $100.00. This year, the Board again
discussed the matter and it was decided that a sum of $150.00 be
donated, which amount covers the entry fee for 2 runners. It was also
concluded that the Board would ask the AGM for agreement to take
similar action in succeeding years.
It was moved by Myles Gregg and seconded by John Hunt, that:
"The Association sponsor participants in the "Army Run"
fundraiser event, in the amount of $150.00 for 2009, and annually
thereafter in an amount to be decided by the Board of Directors."
CARRIED
REPORTS
8.a. President's Report
The President suggested that we are not getting any younger and have
not had a recruit in the Regiment since 1968, and felt it was time to
start considering our future. He noted that the By-Laws of the
Association provide for certain actions to be taken on dissolution,
(Article 600.1 and 600.2) and that it would be prudent to begin the
process now so that, when the time comes, we are ready to make the
necessary decisions. He suggested that we all take a look at what
"organizations" have a "similar purpose to the
Association" and to which assets could be directed. Such
proposals should be communicated to the President and Board for
evaluation before any action can be taken. In order to make certain
that the membership at large is aware of this process, it is intended
to provide a notice in the next newsletter (and other media) in order
that we may have some sense of the membership’s wishes by the
2010 AGM. This will preclude any question that there are any
preconceived ideas being shoved down anyone’s throat. The
article/notice will make it clear that no immediate action is contemplated.
b. Financial Report.
The Acting Treasurer presented a brief report, as follows:
A. Balance as at 31August, 2008 $8,764.88
B. Revenue $20,321.11
C. Expenses $ 4,568.86
D. Total Revenue and Expense (B-C) $15,752.25 $15,752.25
E. Balance as at 31 Aug, 2009 (A+D) $24, 517.13
Note: This report was finalized prior to receipt of the bill from
Carleton for accommodations and meals during "Guards 2009".
The Association has a BMO GIC in the amount of $ 15,710.60 thus with
the Bank balance of $24,517.13 total assets are $40,227.73
The Museum accounts are as follows:
Canadian Guards Collection -Operating Account $ 15,399.96
Canadian Guards Collection -Trust Account (CFCF) $ 11,032.26
Total $ 26,432.22
c. Membership Report:
JAS Haley presented the statistical report showing that there are 610
'paid up’ members and an additional 26 members who are in
arrears of two years or less, for a total of 636 "current" members.
d. Museum Report:
John Barclay read Gerry Wharton's Museum Report into the record. In
part, read; "Norman McBride has arranged the services of
maintenance personnel to help with the refurbishing of the 1970's
jeep, which we agreed to in 1999." Norm McBride was at the AGM
and provided the following update: The jeep is a work in progress. It
was decided not to replace the windshield because of the prospect of
damage from falling branches from the trees under which the jeep
situated. He further advised that all "unnecessary" work
had been stopped until the current deployment to Afghanistan has been
completed. Norm also added that plans for the expansion of the
Museum, with a concept and proposals for enlargement, are well under
way. Gerry Wharton's report went on to say; " We have recently
been advised that the widow of Drum Major Walford has given
us.......a bass drum and a snare drum emblazoned with 2nd Battalion
markings.......they will be a striking addition to our Collection .
With respect to donations, Norm McBride indicated that the procedures
for accepting artifacts into the Museum collection have been
radically altered from the early days. There are protocols requiring
who, what, where, dates and to whom the articles belonged. Loans to
the Museum have less stringent protocols.
Wharton again, "We are most fortunate to have Norman McBride as
our "foot on the ground" in Petawawa. Norm is an amateur
archaeologist who has taken part I several 'digs' in the Ottawa
Valley and in the USA. His dedication to our Collection is much
appreciated. Many Thanks Norm!"
e. Guards Help:
The President reported that there has been lots of work for Percy
Price and the other participants with major success regarding the
"Atomic" recognition and 	grants.
VAC has brought out a new award for "tinnitus" -a buzzing
or roaring in the ears-quite apart from other hearing loss awards.
Anyone who has been diagnosed with tinnitus, or believes they have
tinnitus, may qualify for compensation. Members are advised to
contact either a Legion Service Officer or VAC.
J.P. Riendeau mentioned that there was a movement to provide
compensation for people who occupied PMQs in Valcartier in the
early1950’s who may have been affected by improper insulation in
certain houses. He did not know the status of the claims nor could
any one provide additional information on the subject
f. Communications
Website -Gerry Heffernan reported that the website was running well,
getting upwards of 600 hits per week. He noted that our
"Domain" has two more years remaining on the current
contract. He also advised that the Atlantic website has a new server
and is back up on line.
Guards Net -JAS Haley is still maintaining over 400 names on the net.
Newsletter - John Barclay noted that expenses were going up, and
that, at the September Board meeting, it had been suggested that
reduced number of issues should be considered to save money and
effort. It was moved by Myles Gregg and seconded by Ed Theoret, that
"The Guards newsletter be reduced from three issues per year to
two issues per year."
CARRIED
g. Petawawa Branch.
Branch President Ambrose Dwyer read his report into the record and
invited the members to the Petawawa Branch AGM on 20 November, 2009,
at the Petawawa Legion Branch 517. The meeting will follow the dinner
which starts with cocktails at 1700.
h.Atlantic Branch. A/Secretary John Barclay advised the meeting that
this report could be found in the current edition of the newsletter,
website and Guards net. In brief, the Atlantic Reunion was a smash
hit. The new Branch President is Dan Murphy, Secretary/Treasurer is
Wilma Murphy and Terry Dexter is Immediate Past President.
OTHER OLD BUSINESS
g. There was no other Old Business
NEW BUSINESS
10. Election of the Board of Directors. Pursuant to article 130.6 of
the by-laws of the Canadian Guards Regimental Association, the
following are nominated for election to the Board of Directors. Each
candidate has agreed to let his name stand:
John Barclay, Henry Campbell -Petawawa, Ian Douglas, Terry Dexter
-Atlantic, Ambrose Dwyer -Petawawa, JAS Haley, Gerry Heffernan, Al
Johnston, Bill Maclver, Norman McBride -Petawawa, Dan Murphy
-Atlantic, Howie Pierce, Percy Price and Gerry Wharton.
The Nominees were elected by acclamation. The Executive remains unchanged.
APPOINTMENT OF AUDITOR
11.It was moved by Ian Douglas and seconded by John Barclay that
David DeClerq be appointed auditor for 2010.
CARRIED
ADJOURNMENT
12. Prior to adjournment, Ron Cheriton thanked all those involved
with "Guards 2009" and the nucleus of the Association for
their continuing efforts to maintain the Association. There being no
further business the meeting adjourned at 1130 hours.
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