St. Lawrence College Retirees Association
Annual General Meeting
Fireside Room, SLC, May 28, 2015
The AGM was hosted once again by St. Lawrence College in the Fireside Room. We had a delightful social time before the meeting, started enjoying coffee and good company. [These minutes were taken by Anne Breault, Secretary, St. Lawrence College Retirees Association. Item numbers refer to the accepted agenda.]
Annual General Meeting
Fireside Room, SLC, May 28, 2015
The AGM was hosted once again by St. Lawrence College in the Fireside Room. We had a delightful social time before the meeting, started enjoying coffee and good company. [These minutes were taken by Anne Breault, Secretary, St. Lawrence College Retirees Association. Item numbers refer to the accepted agenda.]
#1. Welcome and Opening Remarks from President, John Anderson
John thanked everyone for attending this 2015 AGM. He gave a brief demonstration of how to step into a school uniform common to Myanmar, where he spent several months last winter providing training for government workers. He offered a special welcome to Glenn Vollebregt, College President, and Rob Zubak, Director of Development and Alumni.
#2. Adoption of Agenda
Moved by Dick Tindal seconded by Anne Breault Carried.
#3. Approval of Minutes of the 2014 AGM
“The Minutes of the 2014 AGM were approved.”
#4. Welcome of College Guests
John welcomed and thanked Glenn Vollebregt, and Rob Zuback, for attending our meeting and speaking to the group.
# 5. Presentation by Glenn Vollebregt (Future of post-secondary education)
Glenn Vollebregt recently made a presentation at the AGM of CURAC (College and University Retirees Association) held in Kingston. He spoke on the future of postsecondary education and shared his thoughts on that subject at our SLC Retirees AGM. Education today is changing and several key areas of interest are noted.
3. Apprenticeship and Trades – due to an aging workforce there is now a shortage of skilled trades workers. Change needs to be made making trades apprenticeship and programs easier to access.
4. Seamless pathways between Colleges and Universities - Although improved, transfers between College and University need to be smoother. The government is working to make this easier. St. Lawrence is working with Ireland so that our students can transfer to University there and have their College credits recognized. St Lawrence Digital Arts now has a new joint program with Queen’s Music.
Glenn noted that probably 20 years from now there would be only one speaker required at a meeting to discuss postsecondary education – suggesting that the integration between colleges and universities would be largely completed by then.
Rob Zuback was introduced by Dick Tindal. Rob is from Thunder Bay and joined St Lawrence in January 2015. He is new to the College system after spending many years at Lakehead University and the Canadian Red Cross. Rob will be responsible for fundraising at the College in his new position. He feels retirees are important stakeholders. His pledge is to work with us, as he values the expertise and this group has a lot to give back. He wishes to see the retirees involved in the 50th anniversary of the College coming up in 2017. He and Dick have had discussion about the former Wall of Appreciation. Rob is interested in seeing this Wall updated and displayed again (in a new digital format).This would be one project for our group to work on for the 50th anniversary.
Ian Wilson – reported on the goal to raise $50,000 by the 50th anniversary, to provide bursaries for our students. This fund is doing well and has now reached $42,000.
Ruth Tracy – reported on her attendance at the pension presentation at the recent CURAC meeting. She reminded all if they have not yet returned their signed form, received with a recently mailed CATT pension plan statement, they should do so. CAAT needs to ensure that it has up to date contact information. She explained, the Ontario government is changing rules with respect to an executor’s liability. Handouts explaining this were available for pick up. Attached copy is with our minutes.
# 6 Reports
#6.1 President’s Report (John Anderson)
John thanked the executive members for their work.
Time for Us workshops are coming up in June and will be open to retirees. Registration required.
# 6.2 Treasurer’s Report (Clare Rayner)
The Association funds currently are in good shape, with a bank balance of $2428, up $100 from last year. Our expenses over the past year have covered AGM beverages and lunch, beverages and snacks at each social gathering held at the Landings.
Clare has financial and membership statement copies for anyone interested. (Summary posted at this website)
It has been our practice to have someone provide a review/informal audit of the Association’s financial records. We need someone to assume this role for the coming year.
At the end of our meeting Clare explained that in the past, our Association had made an annual donation of $300.00 to the College (Foundation). All in attendance agreed we should do this again.
# 6.3 Membership (Clare Rayner)
Membership – Clare indicated that membership now stands at 108, the highest ever. (copy of breakdown with original minutes) She feels the College is now telling new retirees about us. Contact Clare for a registration form if you wish to become a member.
# 6.4 Social Convener (Dick Tindal)
The coffee gatherings were most popular.
Dick reminded all to submit their Memories of the College to him. These need to be documented.
Our website will now be maintained by Vincent Durant. Dick thanked Bill Kirby for his dedication to doing this in past years. The site is now tied in with the College site.
Dick asked those attending if they felt the wall of appreciation, perhaps in electronic format, would be a good retiree project for the 50th anniversary.
Dick suggested possible events could be BBQ/Corn roast, wine and cheese. If anyone has any ideas or suggestions, please share.
# 7 Election of Executive Officers: (John Anderson)
Although all members have agreed to stay in their position for another year, all positions are open for nominations.
John Anderson, President
Ruth Doran, Vice-President
Anne Breault, Secretary
Clare Rayner, Membership and Treasurer
Dick Tindal, Social Convener
Kathy Lawton, Immediate Past President
Vincent Durant, Webmaster
Bill Kirby, Founder
Nominations from the floor were requested by John. No response. Ian Wilson moved that the current slate be adopted. Yes, all attending responded.
# 8 New Business (Barb Carr)
Barb thanked the executive for their work this past year.
# 9 Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 12:05 pm.
John thanked everyone for attending this 2015 AGM. He gave a brief demonstration of how to step into a school uniform common to Myanmar, where he spent several months last winter providing training for government workers. He offered a special welcome to Glenn Vollebregt, College President, and Rob Zubak, Director of Development and Alumni.
#2. Adoption of Agenda
Moved by Dick Tindal seconded by Anne Breault Carried.
#3. Approval of Minutes of the 2014 AGM
“The Minutes of the 2014 AGM were approved.”
#4. Welcome of College Guests
John welcomed and thanked Glenn Vollebregt, and Rob Zuback, for attending our meeting and speaking to the group.
# 5. Presentation by Glenn Vollebregt (Future of post-secondary education)
Glenn Vollebregt recently made a presentation at the AGM of CURAC (College and University Retirees Association) held in Kingston. He spoke on the future of postsecondary education and shared his thoughts on that subject at our SLC Retirees AGM. Education today is changing and several key areas of interest are noted.
- Return on Investment – students today are asking, “what is the payback going to be” when choosing schools and programs. St Lawrence College has a very strong economic impact on our region.
3. Apprenticeship and Trades – due to an aging workforce there is now a shortage of skilled trades workers. Change needs to be made making trades apprenticeship and programs easier to access.
4. Seamless pathways between Colleges and Universities - Although improved, transfers between College and University need to be smoother. The government is working to make this easier. St. Lawrence is working with Ireland so that our students can transfer to University there and have their College credits recognized. St Lawrence Digital Arts now has a new joint program with Queen’s Music.
Glenn noted that probably 20 years from now there would be only one speaker required at a meeting to discuss postsecondary education – suggesting that the integration between colleges and universities would be largely completed by then.
Rob Zuback was introduced by Dick Tindal. Rob is from Thunder Bay and joined St Lawrence in January 2015. He is new to the College system after spending many years at Lakehead University and the Canadian Red Cross. Rob will be responsible for fundraising at the College in his new position. He feels retirees are important stakeholders. His pledge is to work with us, as he values the expertise and this group has a lot to give back. He wishes to see the retirees involved in the 50th anniversary of the College coming up in 2017. He and Dick have had discussion about the former Wall of Appreciation. Rob is interested in seeing this Wall updated and displayed again (in a new digital format).This would be one project for our group to work on for the 50th anniversary.
Ian Wilson – reported on the goal to raise $50,000 by the 50th anniversary, to provide bursaries for our students. This fund is doing well and has now reached $42,000.
Ruth Tracy – reported on her attendance at the pension presentation at the recent CURAC meeting. She reminded all if they have not yet returned their signed form, received with a recently mailed CATT pension plan statement, they should do so. CAAT needs to ensure that it has up to date contact information. She explained, the Ontario government is changing rules with respect to an executor’s liability. Handouts explaining this were available for pick up. Attached copy is with our minutes.
# 6 Reports
#6.1 President’s Report (John Anderson)
John thanked the executive members for their work.
Time for Us workshops are coming up in June and will be open to retirees. Registration required.
# 6.2 Treasurer’s Report (Clare Rayner)
The Association funds currently are in good shape, with a bank balance of $2428, up $100 from last year. Our expenses over the past year have covered AGM beverages and lunch, beverages and snacks at each social gathering held at the Landings.
Clare has financial and membership statement copies for anyone interested. (Summary posted at this website)
It has been our practice to have someone provide a review/informal audit of the Association’s financial records. We need someone to assume this role for the coming year.
At the end of our meeting Clare explained that in the past, our Association had made an annual donation of $300.00 to the College (Foundation). All in attendance agreed we should do this again.
# 6.3 Membership (Clare Rayner)
Membership – Clare indicated that membership now stands at 108, the highest ever. (copy of breakdown with original minutes) She feels the College is now telling new retirees about us. Contact Clare for a registration form if you wish to become a member.
# 6.4 Social Convener (Dick Tindal)
The coffee gatherings were most popular.
Dick reminded all to submit their Memories of the College to him. These need to be documented.
Our website will now be maintained by Vincent Durant. Dick thanked Bill Kirby for his dedication to doing this in past years. The site is now tied in with the College site.
Dick asked those attending if they felt the wall of appreciation, perhaps in electronic format, would be a good retiree project for the 50th anniversary.
Dick suggested possible events could be BBQ/Corn roast, wine and cheese. If anyone has any ideas or suggestions, please share.
# 7 Election of Executive Officers: (John Anderson)
Although all members have agreed to stay in their position for another year, all positions are open for nominations.
John Anderson, President
Ruth Doran, Vice-President
Anne Breault, Secretary
Clare Rayner, Membership and Treasurer
Dick Tindal, Social Convener
Kathy Lawton, Immediate Past President
Vincent Durant, Webmaster
Bill Kirby, Founder
Nominations from the floor were requested by John. No response. Ian Wilson moved that the current slate be adopted. Yes, all attending responded.
# 8 New Business (Barb Carr)
Barb thanked the executive for their work this past year.
# 9 Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 12:05 pm.