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Minutes for the Executive
Meeting
of Thursday, July 19, 2001
Status: APPROVED
Minutes of the Executive Committee Thursday, July 19, 2001 at 7:00 a.m.
Bessborough Hotel, Saskatoon, SK
PARTICIPANTS:
Sean Murray, President
Clark Pepper, First Vice President
Heather Dickson, Secretary
Joyce Webster, Treasurer
Guest: Gerry Dorge, CCNA Board Chair
Staff: Serge Lavoie
PRESIDENTÆS COMMENTS
The purpose of the meeting is to review the activities over the three days of the CCNA conference and to prepare for the annual general meeting.
APPROVE AGENDA
MOVED BY Heather Dickson, seconded by Joyce Webster THAT THE AGENDA BE APPROVED AS CIRCULATED. CARRIED.
APPROVE MINUTES
MOVED BY Joyce Webster, seconded by Heather Dickson THAT THE MINUTES OF THE JULY 5, 2001 EXECUTIVE TELECONFERENCE BE APPROVED AS CIRCULATED. CARRIED.
TREASURERÆS REPORT
Joyce presented an updated version of the year 2000 audit incorporating format changes requested by the board at its April meeting. The changes had been made and the current version has been published in the annual report in an abbreviated form and has been printed in its entirety for members attending the AGM.
Joyce also presented the six-month review engagement prepared by the associationÆs auditors. CCNA conducts a six-month review every year but this year was especially important due to the sudden departure of the associationÆs bookkeeper.
Serge commented that while the auditor found several cases of improperly recorded accounts, the accounting was essentially in good shape and the yearÆs expenses were tracking on target. ComBase expenses were creating stress on the associationÆs cash flow. It was necessary to cash an investment certificate before its due date to improve cash flow. Because CCNA was investing reserves in ComBase it would have been necessary to use that investment at any rate.
MOVED BY Joyce Webster, seconded by Clark Pepper THAT THE SIX MONTH ENGAGEMENT REVIEW BE ACCEPTED. CARRIED.
STAFF REPORT
Serge presented a written activity report and answered a few questions arising from the report. Serge highlighted concerns about the convention attendance. Overall attendance at the conference has been declining for several years and, despite a massive expenditure on promotion during the past year, attendance in Saskatoon was on track to be lower than the past two years. Serge presented an analysis of attendance for the past seven years.
The downward trend in attendance raises serious concerns about the viability of the conference. There needs to be a thorough review of the conference, its format and its timing. Most importantly, members need to be polled about their reasons for not attending the national conference. Serge suggested that the board be asked to give the executive committee the task of conducting a full review of the conference. Any recommendations would take effect after the 2002 conference in Halifax, which is already in planning stages.
It was agreed that this matter would be raised with the board later that day.
CONVENTION OVERVIEW
Staff gave a written and verbal overview of the three days of the conference, highlighting events at which executive members played a role.
OTHER BUSINESS
Serge gave the executive members an update on ComBase activity since the July 5 meeting. There was discussion of how to present recommendations regarding incorporation to the full board later that morning.
ADJOURNMENT
MOVED BY Joyce Webster, seconded by Heather Dickson THAT THE MEETING BE ADJOURNED.