Minutes of the Monthly Meeting held on January 18, 2016, at City Hall Committee room # 2

Present:

Thomas S. Saras
Neel Nanda
Maria Saras-Voutsinas
Jacques Varbedian
Suleyman Guven
Ricky Castellvi
Ishan Ghazarian
Adu Raudkavi
Rakhie Prabhakar
Sandeep Prabakar
Paul Nguyen
Teshome Worldeamanuel
Andrei Mazurece
Luba Cherny
Balan  A. Samlan
Behrang Rabbari
Onik Nazamani
Raffi Der Boghossian
Mohammad Tajdodlati
Janusz Niemczyk
Margaret Boukaska
Muhammed Enad
John Saraidaris
Ned Blair
Ahmed Hotaki
Luis Apabilio
Paulraj- Kathir Oli
Parry  Long
Samy Ramachanden
Jurn Klufas
Luije Aparicio
Paula McKeygei
Srimal Abeyewardene
Ricky Castelvi
Javad Manaei
Foad Mahnaei
Nimal Egoda Gedara
Isa Melo
Mohammad-Bagher Samimi
Mourat Belamine
Jaudish Grewal
Tom Gijvoet
Yohen Birde
Chanrarina Bandara
Nishap Sharma
Jonathan Annobil
Mark Golden
Kolosowski
Saad Alsafar
Eleni Iliadi
Metin Ciyay
Yilmaz Delic Ciyay
Yanusz Nietacyc
Tomasz Walach
Ngozi Ugoh
Venthan Ramang
Hermie Garcia
Mila Garcia.
Mujibor Rahman
Dumitru Poposcu
Mehmet Onayli
Tharmasri Rajan
Susan Donan
Saad Alsafar
Nagamany Legendrinligan

Agenda

1. Welcome Remarks by the chair.
2. Minutes of the previous meeting
3. Report of the President
4. New Business
5. Adjournment

Welcome Remarks by the Chair:

Mr. Thomas Saras chaired the meeting and declared the meeting open. Sandeep Prabhakar moved a motion to approve the agenda. Raffi Boghossian seconded it. The motion was carried

Minutes of the previous meeting:

Raffi Der Boghossian moved a motion to approve the minutes of the previous monthly meeting Ahmed Shah Hotaki seconded it.  The motion was carried.

President’s Report/Discussions:

President Thomas Saras informed the council that the awaited meeting with the officials of Canadian Heritage which took place on January 12 in Ottawa was a step in the right direction. Further to the last discussion with the officials of Heritage Canada – there is an ongoing dialogue to make amendments before the new guidelines come for Canada Magazines Fund out.  He explained to the members that how some rules may be changed this year to benefit the members of NEPMCC. There were a lot of discussion on what is defined as the Canadian content and what percentage is needed to qualify for funding. President Thomas Saras categorically cleared all doubts on the definition of Canadian content and the percentage of Canadian content needed to qualify for Magazines Fund.  Margaret, Rakhee Prabhakar, Sandeep Prabhakar, Marek Goldyn and others participated on this issue of the Canadian content and presented their views on the percentage of Canadian content needed to be eligible for the Canadian Magazine Fund.
President Thomas Saras mentioned on the number of journalists killed worldwide in 2015.
Thomas Saras also reminded the members to renew their membership this year in order to enjoy the benefits and privileges of being a member of NEPMCC.
Thomas Saras informed that nomination for this year’s annual award has begun and will close on June 30 2016

President Thomas Saras suggested that NEPMCC launch a digital publishing platform for the members of NEPMCC.  A consulting firm will undertake this assignment on behalf of NEPMCC after a contract being signed by both. The consulting firm will also do the marketing for NEPMCC. The proposal is subject to approval from Government. The consulting company will also do the marketing to NEPMCC. There were various discussions around this topic. President Saras mentioned a committee to be formed which could liaison with the consulting form for this project. This project will be major breakthrough for all the members as it would increase their reachability and target audience. There were also suggestions by some members that NEPMCC could approach Trillium Foundation for future projects for the community
President Thomas Saras announced on all the proposed events that will take place in 2016. President Thomas Saras thanked all the members for their hard work to make 2015 a year of great success. The annual dinner was a great success with the participation of very distinguished individuals from different sections of the community and the government. President Thomas Saras, however expressed regret that more members of the council could come with their families to attend a function like this as it brings us together. The event, however was over sold out, and more participation of the members with their family would be desired in the future as special arrangements are made for such events for the members.

New Business:

The Chair asked the members if any new business were on the floor for discussion.

New Members:

President Thomas Saras thanked all the members who worked very hard over the years to make NEPMCC a strong voice for the community and wished to make 2016 an even better year for all the members of NEPMCC. He wished the members and their families the best for 2016!

                 
Adjournment: Rakhee Prabhakar moved a motion to adjourn the meeting and Ahmed Shah Hotaki seconded it. The motion was carried. The Chair President Thomas Saras adjourned the meeting at 8:30 pm. The next monthly meeting would take place on February 8, 2016 at City Hall, committee room #2.