MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE CANADIAN COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS ASSOCIATION HELD VIA CONFERENCE CALL, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 1999, AT 1:00 P.M. EASTERN TIME



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PRESENT
Sharon McCully, President/Executive Committee Chairman

Gerry Dorge, First Vice-President

Sean Murray, Second Vice-President

Len Pizzey, Treasurer

Joyce Webster, Corporate Secretary

STAFF PRESENT
Serge Lavoie, Executive Director

Karen Hamilton, Regional Services Director

Tina Ongkeko, Administrative Assistant



CALL TO ORDER

Sharon McCully called the meeting to order at 1:00 P.M.



CHAIRMANÆS COMMENTS

Sharon welcomed all to the meeting and introduced CCNAÆs new executive director, Serge Lavoie.

Sharon expressed her hope that CCNA could begin to work immediately on three key initiatives: a communications strategy, member services, and technology.



APPROVAL OF MINUTES

MOVED by Gerry Dorge, seconded by Sean Murray THAT THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD NOVEMBER 26, 1998, IN TORONTO, ONTARIO, BE APPROVED AS DISTRIBUTED.

CARRIED.



TREASURERÆS REPORT

Len Pizzey presented the 1998 year-end audited financial statement for review and discussion. (see Appendix A)

Serge Lavoie noted that a strategy should be in place for dealing with payments from Cancopy so that it is kept separate from the general operating budget. He suggested that a Research and Development Fund be established. Other money that is meant to be used to benefit all members could also be put into this fund. The committee agreed to recommend this to the board.


Serge Lavoie and Len Pizzey will meet to discuss incorporating detailed management reports into the budget statements.

Karen Hamilton will review the amounts listed for unbudgeted expense (Statement of Operations) and Community Markets Canada expenses (Schedule III).



MOVED by Joyce Webster, seconded by Sean Murray THAT THE 1998 YEAR-END AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS BE RECEIVED.

CARRIED.



CCNA STAFF REPORTS

i - Executive Director

(see Appendix B)



ii - Regional Services Director

Karen Hamilton reported that a contract for CCNAÆs partnership with the National Capital Commission is expected at the CCNA office within one week. Serge Lavoie will be assuming responsibility for this project.



MOVED by Gerry Dorge, seconded by Len Pizzey, THAT THE CCNA STAFF REPORTS BE ACCEPTED AS PRESENTED.

CARRIED.



OTHER BUSINESS

i - Proposed format for CCNA board meeting, Ottawa, April 22 - 24, 1999

Sharon McCully noted that with CCNAÆs current internal issues, less time should be spent on meetings at Parliament Hill. Gerry Dorge recommended that only a few very focused meetings be arranged. The committee considered the possibility of meeting with Alphonso Gagliano, Minister responsible for Canada Post, as well as representatives of Industry Canada or Canadian Heritage regarding information technology.



ii - Personnel policy

(see Appendix C)

Sharon McCully and Gerry Dorge expressed concerns about the concept of wellness days in the draft of the personnel policy. The committee agreed to review the policy further at its meeting in Ottawa on April 22 .



iii - Financial Authorities

(see Appendix D)


The committee agreed to review this issue further at its meeting in Ottawa on April 22, and then make recommendations to the board of directors on April 23 and 24.



DATE OF NEXT MEETING

The next meeting of the CCNA Executive Committee will be held on Thursday, April 22, at 6:00 P.M. in the PresidentÆs Suite at the Minto Place Suite Hotel, Ottawa, Ontario.



IN CAMERA SESSION

An in camera session was held.



ADJOURNMENT

The meeting was adjourned at 2:15 P.M.



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Chairman