President Power welcomed all the members of the BOD to the meeting and noted that we are now focused on preparing for the upcoming AGM 2010 in Regina.

3. CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES BOD # 9

Moved/Seconded: Geddes/Leblanc. APPROVED.

4 Approval of Agenda

Tim Hoban has added Item #11 for New Business – Storage of BTF files.

Larry Power has two items for the Good of the Association from the Mary Goodman, Marriage after Sixty Advocate and invitation to Legion Convention.

Moved / Seconded Tim Hoban/Rick Morris. APPROVED.

treasurER’S REPORT (Report Circulated)

John Religa stated that he has forwarded the Annual Treasurer’s Report has been forwarded to the Governors and the Divisions for discussion at the AGM Regina. The financial report for today was sent to the BOD’s this past week. Power noted that is the Annual Report that the Auditor, Bob Roy mentioned a shortfall of Annual Dues collected. Power states Roy did not say how much the shortfall was? Religa stated dues are slowly declining. Divisions are slow getting the dues in by the 1st of April each year and they are quite slow this year. Religa feels that the Auditor’s remarks were just an observation. Power stated that in NL Division they presently have 36 paid out of 200 members partly due to not sending out notices for payment of dues. Power hopes this in not a trend. Religa attributes most of these problems due to new members taking on Divisional Treasurer’s positions and there is a learning curve. He is following up with Divisions on dues. We need to try and get dues in by the end of January each year and at the latest the 1st April.

Moved / Seconded John Religa/Tim Hoban. APPROVED

6. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR (Report Circulated)

President, Power welcomed Bill Gidley back. Gidley stated that the report circulated will be tabled at the AGM Regina 2010. Power stated that its seems everyone is on board for V.I.P. and all that needs to happen is that the Government of Canada finds the funds to support this program.

7. REPORT ON THE QUARTERLY

Small gave a verbal update on the Quarterly. Small will have the Annual Report ready very soon for circulation. Support for the editorial content from Heritage Canada came through 31st March 2010 for $21,167 and offsets costs for translation.

Subscription Tracking System: $30,000 was put aside for the potential cost of this system however the Force has done most of the work to complete this system and the Quarterly will not be required to pay for it and a savings of $30,000 will be recognized.

Small stated that a board meeting was held on the 21st April and they decided to print the Quarterly in full colour which may cost upwards of $2,000/edition extended to $8,000/yr.

At the Quarterly Board of Trustees meeting a decision was made to distribute $47,000 to the RCMP Veterans’ Association. $5,000 will be donated to The Heritage Centre, Regina and $42,000 will be divided up between the National and the Divisions. Actual amounts have not been decided as yet. Smaller Divisions (less than 100 members) may get $500/Division.

Dave Leblanc noticed an advertisement in the past Quarterly recruiting members for the Legion. Leblanc asked if Small could find out how much it would cost the RCMP VA to place an ad in an upcoming Quarterly on recruitment for membership in the RCMP VA. Small will find out and advise the Secretary who will inform Leblanc. Religa asked Leblanc to draft up an ad and he will approach Print West to ascertain a cost.

Morris stated that the Quarterly Board is to be congratulated on all their hard work on promoting the Quarterly over this past year.

8. REPORT FROM ADVOCATE Report circulated)

Lively was absent but all members of the BOD’s have received the Advocate’s report which will be submitted for AGM 2010 Regina.

9. national operations Committee (NOC)

1. Report from the Chair

Religa stated that Bylaws was a big undertaking and Ops Manual as noted below. Jennifer Elliott is retyping the complete Manual and the BOD will be consulted once completed prior to posting on the Website.

2. Operations Manual (Updating Chapters)

NOC (Religa, Small, Geddes and Milne) are currently reviewing all the Chapters and will hold a meeting Friday 30th, 2010 with Dale Lively to discuss update of the Advocacy Chapter.

3. Admin Assistant (Update duties)

The Secretary advised that Ms. Jennifer Elliott began her duties on the 2010-03-15 and was aptly training by Ian Cooper who departed his part time duties early April 2010. Ian Cooper was given a farewell lunch and Ian was very happy with the luncheon and a framed print of “The Charge”. Ms. Elliott was introduced to the BOD’s by Bill Gidley and was welcomed by President Power and all in attendance.

4. Veterans’ Badge

Geddes advised that Supt. Greg Peters has liaised with the CO “C” Division and the President of the Montreal Division RCMP VA, Mr. Rene Charbonneau in regards to a letter he has sent to the Montreal Division to cease the sale of the RCMP Veterans’ Badge. According to Peters both the CO “C” Division and the President of Montreal Division RCMP VA appreciated Peter’s approach.

Insp. Carole Bird stated that the draft sample letter from RCMP Legal Branch, that we received and held on file, will be the procedure to deal with illegal marketing of RCMP / RCMP VA items for sale in violation of the Copyright Act.

5. Payment of Dues

RCMP National Compensation Branch stated it would be impossible to manage a system of dues deductions from the RCMP VA member’s pension cheques. Because of our size and lack of a common set rate for annual dues it would be costly and unmanageable.

6. Civil Suit (Affidavit)

Cal Small stated, as a result of a civil suit launched by a former RCMP Member during 2008, Jim Forsyth’s Vets Net, Frank’s Facts and Funnies (FFF), RCMP. The Quarterly and the GOC were implicated or allegedly associated to posting of an offending article to this member. Cal Small made an affidavit on the 6th April for the Dept of Justice (DOJ) regarding the Quarterly. The RCMP forwards an unclassified informational E-Post every week to employees and this is given to Frank Ritcher. This article may have been reprinted from E-Post in FFF and Forsyth cut and pasted this article from FFF for his site. Jim Forsyth and Frank Ritcher were named in the civil suit but are not considered liable. They have submitted an affidavit and they may have to testify. The civil suit says that Jim’s website is an RCMP site but Jim has clarified this in that his site is a personal website. Forsyth will forward the complete document referring to the civil suit to Cal Small for his information. Further updates to follow.

10. Communications & Membership COMMITTEE

1. Report from the Chair

Leblanc reiterated the initiatives noted in his Annual Report and the work ongoing with the Committee Members. Issues dealing with Membership Applications (disclosure from the RCMP) and awards for initiatives on membership recruitment were discussed. It was clarified that National Compensation Branch does not oppose us putting a check box on the Application form; however they still will not give us notice of a member retiring due to Privacy Act concerns. Leblanc stated that Nova Scotia President, George Savage has agreed to discuss Transitional Membership with Leblanc at the AGM Regina on a side bar. Once these things are completed we can modify the RCMP website information on the RCMP Veterans’ Association. A meeting will be set up in the near future with the new D/C Al Nause, Chief HRO through his Exec Asst, Insp. Eric Simard to see if we can resolve the issues of Privacy Act.

2. Website Update

The Secretary advised the Website continues to be managed by Bryan Neville and successful efforts to ensure all items of interest are posted immediately are taking place. Ms. Jennifer Elliott, Admin Asst, is looking at ways and means to make our Website Menu more user friendly. The National Executive, Governors, and Division Executives will be uploaded to our site in the very near future. Neville continues to manage multiple Division Websites in an efficient manner.

3. Award for Membership Recruiting

Leblanc wants to recognize a Division/individual for work on the recruitment initiatives for membership strategies to encourage retiring members of the Force to join the RCMP Veterans’ Association. Leblanc would like to name it “The Howard Kearley Award” because of his tireless work during the recruitment of members in the Manitoba Division until his untimely death last year.

Leblanc made a motion to give an award to recognize a member for efforts to increase membership in the RCMP Veterans’ Association. Seconded by Cal Small.

A discussion ensued on how to identify individuals or Divisions for this award. Leblanc wants to ensure that this award is for efforts to increase membership through many efforts not just to increase membership based on statistics but for innovative ideas an methods that other Divisions can benefit for these best practices.

This motion was put to a vote: CARRIED.

The Committee will ascertain as to who will qualify for the first award and what will be given to them. Power stated that perhaps Howard Kearley could be given the first award posthumously for 2010 and then the Committee could discuss who should qualify for further awards starting in NL AGM 2011.

4. Newsletter

Rick Morris stated March newsletter went out and he is hoping that members of the BOD can submit articles of interest to him prior to the AGM 2010 Regina and then the membership would be right up to date on the BOD activities.

11. Benefits COMMITTEE & Benefit TrustS Committee

1. Report on Insurance Committee

Small attended a meeting on the 26th March 2010 which was chaired by the Force. The meeting was called to give the auditors from Ernst and Young an opportunity to present a draft audit report. This is a final step before Treasury Board assumes the role of Policyholder from the Force. Treasury Board will assume chairmanship and Small feels this would be an excellent time for a new person to take on this task as the first meeting will be held in May 2010. Small recommends that Bill Gidley take this on as he is more than familiar with insurance and represented the Force for many years on the Insurance Committee and Bill knows a lot of people in the Force and takes a lot of calls on insurance questions on a daily/weekly basis.

2. Benefit Trust Fund (BTF)

Hoban stated that his Annual Report has been completed and submitted and worked on 14 reports last year and two are still open and gave an overview of the report. He will have a committee meeting with Kim Veck, representative from the Force, the middle of May 2010 and sees this as a good opportunity as a new CO will be in place for this meeting. He will report his finding prior to the AGM.

Destruction of BTF Files

Hoban has several drawers full of BTF files at his home and he would like to have them moved to Ottawa for storage and possible destruction. Murray Milne suggested going to the Dominion Archivist to check on the destruction periods of destruction for government and non-government files. These files can be classified and a destruction date can be applied. Religa will write to the Dominion Archivist and ask for instructions on this and apply it to these files. Bill Gidley will get the address from Access to Information Directorate. HQ RCMP Vets, Office has copies of information from Hoban’s files. Hoban states that most of the material is exactly the same information he has at his residence. Religa stated that we will see what we can destroy/retain, and then Hoban can destroy his files at his residence once we know that we have back up files.

b. Cal Small stated that the Salute Magazine of Veterans Affairs Canada just published an article and photograph of Bill Gidley, Cal Small, Dale Lively, R’td D/C Martin and Senior ADM VAC, Mr. Brian Ferguson taken at Charlottetown in December 2009. The article expounded on the VAC relationship with the RCMP Veterans’ Association. Small stated that Insp. Parker Kennedy, Force Liaison Officer with VAC will publish an article in the Spring Edition of the Quarterly.

12. MARKETING COMMITTEE

1. Report from the Chair

Morris did not have anything further to report at this time. Power congratulated Morris on getting several businesses on board. Jim Forsyth asked if Morris could look into obtaining a Veterans’ Visa or MasterCard that will give points/rewards to a Veteran when used. Morris will investigate the possibility of obtaining such a card and report.

Update on the RCMP Foundation

Morris stated that things are rolling along at The RCMP Foundation. He stated that they have three stores open (Musical Ride Bldg, HQ Nicholson Bldg, Pacific Regional Training Centre, Chilliwack, BC., and soon will open a fourth store in new HQ Bldg on Merville Rd, Ottawa).

They are organizing one Gala in Calgary and one in Ottawa. They hope to get $110,000 from the Gala in Toronto and even more in Calgary as it is a first. Veterans’ can get a ticket for $100 each vs. general public admission of $250. They are looking for donations for auctions at these Galas. Fred Semerjian continues as the President. Michael Hortie will be the new chair from Toronto area.

13. OLD BUSINESS

1. AGM 2010 – Agenda Discussion

The draft agenda is being prepared and will be forwarded to the BOD for feedback prior to being sent out to all BOD/Division Presidents/Governors. There will not be a dance this year but the entertainment will come from a from a Radio personality from Saskatoon. They have about 360 registered and are hoping for many more people to register prior to the 15th May.

a. Voting Procedures (AGM)

All Executive positions are unchallenged for the AGM Regina 2010. Rick Morris will cast the vote for the Executive positions. Voting on resolutions and other business items will be by Division Delegates, and general membership in attendance for regular business of the AGM. Religa will ensure that the vote count per Division is clarified prior to the AGM.

Donation to Haitian Police

Religa advised that the $10,000 donation, through the RCMP Foundation, purchased tents and all were supplied with no cost through delivery by Canadian Military. Commr. Israel, Haitian Police was extremely grateful. Forsyth asked if this was going to be reported as Western Divisions needed more information about this Donation. Articles are being posted in RCMP Newsletters, The Quarterly and the RCMP Vets Newsletter.

Religa stated he attended a dinner last evening and was given a set of book ends for the RCMP Veterans’ Association for our donation to this cause. These book ends will be kept at the RCMP Vets Office at HQ.

Jim Forsyth feels that the Divisions out in his area do not know that much about why the donation was made so quickly and how well it was received. Power stated that John Religa will write an article with some pictures in the Newsletter and this would inform the membership beyond the other articles being prepared as noted.

Rick Morris suggested sending a letter to the Pres/CEO The RCMP Foundaton to thank them for their assistance. Geddes has initiated a letter for forwarding to Mr. Fred Semerjian, Pres/CEO, and The RCMP Foundation.

Hoban stated that the New Brunswick Vets along with other organization gave over $5,000 to this cause. Rick Morris stated Toronto Division gave $1,000. Other Divisions may have donated to Haiti as well but the exact number is not known at this present time.

14. NEW BUSINESS

1. Promotion initiatives The Quarterly (AGM Regina) Small stated that he wants to make more of an impact on the financial donations that the Quarterly will give to the Divisions. This will be on the AGM agenda and the Division Delegates will be asked to give us some positive feedback. Small would like to either go to the Heritage Centre or have them come to the AGM and get some photographs for the Quarterly. Morris wondered if Small could send him an article and an electronic copy of the application for the Quarterly and he can put it in his newsletter. Forsyth stated he could post it as well. Small wants to be cautious as to how we approach the promotion of what the Quarterly is doing on financial donations. He will discuss this with Morris/Forsyth prior to publishing an article.

2. Approval Borrowing Funds National

Religa stated this may have arisen from Ottawa Division about the BOD borrowing money from the Reserve Fund and the BTF. There is nothing in the bylaws about going back to the Association on the executive borrowing money from these funds. Power started that in the present bylaws that the BOD can change their budget and we can change or amend the budget when necessary and all that needs to be done is advise the next AGM that we did borrow this money. Funds from dues, less demand on our budget this year (Admin Assistant paid by the Force) and other donations (Quarterly) will replenish these funds.

Power made a point that he wants to discuss the matter of Dues after the National Council meeting on Friday in Regina. He would like to generate a syndicate discussion on the issue of dues. This will be put on the Agenda for the National Council meeting.

The RCMP Foundation representation.

Rick Morris will continue to be the RCMP Veterans’ Association representative to The RCMP Foundation as his term is for six years and does not run out until 2012.

4. RCMP Vets Insignia (Vets Net - Jim Forsyth) - liability

Power wants to know if the RCMP Veterans’ Association would be liable being that we gave Jim Forsyth permission to use the RCMP Logo on his Website. A short discussion resulted and Cal Small will check with our Insurance provider and report if there is any liability in having our Insignia displayed o private members websites. The BOD will continue to allow Jim Forsyth to use our logo on his website.

5. Insurance Committee Representative

Power advised that he and the NOC agreed that Bill Gidley will take over these duties from Director Small as he has been monitoring Insurance issues with other Government/RCMP Committees in the same area for several years. Small will turn over the Commercial Insurance file to Ms. Elliott and Ms. Elliott may be asked to take on some other committee responsibilities as well.

6. Procedures requests for Email Voting (e-voting)

Morris raised this issue due to the increase lately on email debates on motions. After discussion, the BOD agreed that e-voting was necessary for the BOD’s as we cannot always form a committee meeting and we must use email for voting on urgent matters. It was decided that if a member of the BOD’s has a motion and it is seconded by another Board Member it will be forwarded to the President/Secretary and the Secretary will distribute it to all members of the BOD’s for discussion with a diary date for response in favour/amendments or not in favour and reasons why. The responses will come to the Secretary. Then the Secretary will ask for a vote to support/defeat or modify the motion for approval/defeat. The President can give advice, if asked, on the motion but will only vote to break a tie.

7. Order of Dress (Nat. Council /AGM Meetings 2010)

The BOD has been advised by RCMP VA Regina Division that dress for the National Council Meeting will be “Smart Casual”. No blue jeans.

8. Retirement of Mace – Tipstaff

After a short discussion, the Secretary will distribute a Notice to the BOD/Governors, Presidents and Secretaries on a procedure to rectify the Minutes of AGM 2008 Winnipeg and for the approval of Whitehorse AGM 2009 Minutes to conform to Robert’s Rules of Order for Meetings. This will entail the making of two motions at AGM Regina to rectify this situation.

9. Annual Reports from BOD’s (AGM 2010)

The Secretary has received most of the Annual Reports from the BOD and encourages all those on the BOD to have their reports submitted in next two weeks so that they can be translated and forwarded to the Division Presidents for the AGM 2010 Regina.

10. Basic Service Officer Training (BSOT) (Report distributed)

After a short discussion Dale Lively, Fred Lyle and Bob Kell will be attending this training at Legion Command HQ, Legion House, Kanata, Ontario from 27th – 29th April, 2010. Lively will report on the training program to the BOD’s. Kell’s costs for flight and accommodation left him short approx, $500. Motion from Dave Leblanc that Kells is covered for the shortfall of $500. Seconded by Jim Forsyth. Carried. The Treasurer will look after reimbursing Kell’s expenses. The Secretary will contact Bob Kell and clarify his expenses with him prior to reimbursement.

15. NOTICE OF RESOLUTIONS/ AGM AGENDA**

a. Approval of Amendments to Bylaws

b. O & D and GL Insurance (2010 per Capita Dues)

c. RCMP VA BTF

d. NL Division - Spousal pension from 50%

e. 2011 recognized as 125 th Anniversary of the NWMP, RNWMP, RCMP

**Forwarded to BODGovernorsNationalCouncil

The Secretary advised the BOD that all Resolutions were forwarded on the 23rd March 2010 for AGM Regina 2010.

16. NOMINATION COMMITTEE a. Nominations for President, V/Pres, Secretary, Directors***

*** Forwarded to BODGovernorsNationalCouncil

Morris advised that his letter has been forwarded by the Secretary as noted for AGM Regina 2010. President Power stated that the incoming President, Hoban will have to look at possibly finding a new Director after AGM Regina 2010 to replace Cal Small who is moving to Vice President’s position.

17. GOOD OF THE ASSOCIATION

1. Voting Privileges of Associate Members (Regina Div)

Bill Greenslade stated this item has been withdrawn by Regina Division thanks to John Religa’s note explaining “Associate Member Status”.

2. RCMP Veterans’ Identification Card (Edmonton Div)

Will Bodnaryk, Edmonton mailed a photocopy of his ID Card and it was the RCMP ID Card issued by Commr. Elliott. I advised Bodnaryk that we have no control of RCMP ID Cards however Bill Gidley will bring a RCMP Veterans’ (Active Membership and Life Membership Card) to Regina and explain the procedures to obtain this ID Card. This was well received by Bodnaryk.

3. Resolution Review

Withdrawn as Director, Murray Milne reviews all Resolutions for the BOD.

Challenge Coins:

(4) sample coin designs have been completed by the National Communications Section, RCMP HQ to honour the 125th Anniversary of the RCMP Veterans’ Association. These coins were distributed to all members of the BOD. Costs for production are being investigated. These coin designs are going to be distributed to all Division Presidents for their feedback/interest on whether we should do this project or not. This will be placed on the National Council Meeting Agenda for discussion.

Marriage after Sixty:

Ms. Nancy Goodman, 2066 Leal Rd, North Sannich BC., is an Advocate for this cause. Nancy GOODMAN email (nancysgood@shaw.ca). Jim Forsyth will look into making contact and discussing Ms. Goodman’s role and to her legitimacy. If they are legitimate we would support the Marriage after Sixty issue as we always have in the past. Bill Gidley has outlined Marriage after Sixty in his Annual Report as well.

6. Royal Canadian Legion:

An invitation was received by President Power to attend the Legion National convention Wpg, Manitoba 13th June 2010.

President Power advised the Legion that the new President, Hoban could attend or if not Director, Dave Leblanc could attend in his place and this was found acceptable to the Legion. Hoban will look into making contact and attending this convention.

18. NEXT MEETING (AGM Regina 3 – 7 June 2010)

19. CLOSING REMARKS

Power stated that a lot was accomplished in this meeting and wished everyone a good trip home. Power stated he looks forward to seeing everyone on the golf course in Regina.

Alex Geddes

National Secretary

2010.04.28

Royal Canadian Mounted Police Veterans' Association

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Video Conference MEETING MINUTES #10

Royal Canadian Mounted Police
Veterans' Association