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Minutes of the Monthly Meeting held on July 09, 2018, at Committee Room #2 City Hall.

Present:

Thomas S. Saras
Neel Nanda
Maria Saras-Voutsinas
Rosemary Sadler
Ricky Castellvi
Jacques Varberian
Jonathan Annobil
Cezar Bangu
Leila Monteiro Lins
Jonathan Annobil
Mohammed Bagher Samimi
Ali Mahmoud
Mohammad Tajdolati
Ghulam Rasool
Anfisa Lyasota
Ranjit Wicks
Sandie De Freitas
Norman Hart
Teshome Woldramanuel
Khalid Magen
Gezahegn Mekonnen Demissie
Tom Bigoet
Saad Alsafar
Rui Yang
Hai Tien Lin
Joe Volpe
Logan Longarigham
Banglatore Nagaragn
Arif Ahmed
Marek J. Goldyn
Kumanan Thnambi
Nishrite Don
Ernest Donan
Isa Melo
Thavapalan Kathiravelu
Yuri Natcetoi
John Saraidaris
Said Henry
Lui Queano
ElizabethMurok
S. Krinalingam
Inga Cernei
Hermie Garcia
Mila Garcia
Kumayan Thambi
Najibullah Popalzai
Robin Beckosian
Khalid Magnam
Hannan Mamun
Nobodi News
AysegulKalkan
ErsoyKalkan
Nishanta Don
Ali Mahboub
Mulugeta Zergaba
Janusz Niemczyk
Denis Brito
Stensont A
Anna Nieuinos
GeethaNangarajh
Syed Irbal
Mike Kolosowski
Euginea Bakchinow
Boddy Wang
AnastasiosChatzitheofanous
Muhacumad NaeemUl Islam
Najib Popalzai
Wais Popalzai
Foe Jole
Nishantha Dion
ThanapalanKathivarelu
Bety Glothai
Salah Allam
Stena Allam
S. Subramanian
Elizabeth Muzale

 

Agenda of the day:

  1. Welcome Remarks by the chair.
  2. Minutes of the previous meeting
  3. Report of the President/Discussions
  4. Presentation by Peace and Justice Alliance and  Canadian Human Rights International Organization (CHRIO)
  5. New Members/New Business
  6. Adjournment

    7. Welcome Remarks by the Chair:

    Dr. Tajdolati chaired the meeting and declared the meeting open. Ranji tWics moved a motion to approve the agenda. Isa Melo seconded it. The motion was carried. .

    Minutes of the previous meeting:

    Jonathan Annobil moved a motion to approve the minutes of the previous monthly meeting Isa Melo seconded it.  The motion was carried.

       President’s Report/Discussions:

  7. Freedom Day was attended by very few members although 300 members confirmed their attendance. This is a drain on treasury and also reflects poorly on the organization as the event was attended by the Mayor and many other dignitaries.
  8. President Thomas Saras suggested that next year NEPMCC will be working to organize better the event.  President Thomas Saras expressed disappointment that the May 4 Celebration of Press freedom Day was attended by only few members. The president also announced a 4 day educational seminar on journalism for all the members in 2019. He would send a questionnaire to members to find what subjects interests the members most, for the educational seminar and the program would be decided accordingly.
  9. Due to sickness of Brother Srimal Abeyewardene, Senior VP and Treasurer of the organization, and his inability to perform his duties, the Board of Directors decided to appoint as new treasurer and Senior VP, Brother Arif Ahmed until the end of the life of this board, March 31, 2019. A motion was presented to members to accept the recommendation of the Board. The motion was accepted unanimously.
  10. The Annual Ethnic Press Festival will take place at CNE as all the other years and the booth of NEPMCC will be located in the International Pavilion near the main stage. Members were asked to bring 50 copies of their best publications for the press festival for the CNE. This is a great opportunity for the members to promote their respective publications as thousands of visitors drop by the MEPMCC booth every day at the CNE. The official opening ceremony of the Ethnic Press Festival will take place on August 18, Saturday at 12:00 noon, at the International Markets Pavilion, (Hall B.) of the direct energy building, in the main stage. Many government officials and dignitaries will attend the opening ceremony of the NEPMCC Ethnic Press Festival. Following the ribbon cut the organization will offer to attending members and their friends a wine and cheese reception. 
  11. Motion: President Thomas Saras suggested that any member accompanies or travels for official visit for the business of NEPMCC be reimbursed $300 per day+ expenses of the trip. Isa Melo moved the motion and Arif Ahmed seconded it. The motion was carried.
  12. President Thomas Saras mentioned that the Government has allocated $50 million dollar for five years or 10 million dollars per year, for financial support to community publications, out of this amount 20% would be distributed to Ethnic Media. He encouraged all members to apply for funds under the Canada Periodical Fund and other such programs by Federal Government. President Thomas Saras would meet with the officials of Ministry of Heritage to discuss distribution of advertising in ethnic media.
  13. President reminded the members to renew their membership this year in order to enjoy the benefits and privileges of being a member of NEPMCC. He expressed disappointed that only a portion of members have renewed their membership. The president also encouraged all the members to apply for an ID or Media Pass of the organization. There are so many benefits, the president said that it is to your advantage to have it.
  14. President Thomas Saras mentioned that NEPMCC will organize a conference in Vancouver, British Columbia, in order to hear from them their problem and how the organization can help them, as well as to educate the members about the benefits of the digital platform undertaken by NEPMCC for all its members. The meeting with the members in Vancouver would take place on Saturday July 21, and he will accompanied by Yuri Natchetoi for this very important conference. The meeting will be attended by 50 plus members from BC and by the year end NEPMCC hopes to have around 175 members from British Columbia.
  15. The City of Toronto will offer editorials in English which should be translated in 10 different languages. The Editorial will be published in the website and also in the main language of the publications.
  16. The President spoke about student internship program with the schools of journalism.  Internship will be from 3 – 6 months. The program will cover $13 per hour per student and the rest has to be covered by the respective organization. President Thomas Saras said he will travel to Ottawa to continue his dialogue with the Federal Government regarding advertising and funding of ethnic media. A motion was placed on the floor about his plans for the program. The motion was carried unanimously.
  17. Thomas Saras mentioned that rules will be changed for receiving grants under Canada Periodical Fund and more emphasis will be given on Canadian content and circulation than sales, which was the measure in the previous years.  He emphasized that before submitting their application under the Canada Periodical Fund, the members should thoroughly go over all the rules in order to avoid any rejection of their application.
  18. The president reminded to members that August 17, 2018 open the doors to public the annual National Canadian Exhibition, CNE, the biggest event of its kind in Canada. He mentioned that for the last 25 years the NEPMCC is participating in the fair with all the benefits in order to promote and support the sector to Canadian Public. Saturday, August the 18th, at 12:00 noon the organization is doing the official opening of the pavilion with the participation of members and a number of VIP. The president encouraged the members to attend. To this extend the office will provide to all those willing to attend free entry tickets and also this day the entrance to fair will be free for the members only by showing their Media Pass. The event will conclude with a reception for all present members with live music and cheese and wine.
  19. President Thomas Saras mentioned that nominations for the Annual Awards is now closed this year and only 20 nominations have been submitted to the Awards Committee. This year the Annual Awards will take place at the Rotunda of the Toronto City Hall, on Friday November 9th, 2018 and Her Honour the L. Governor will present them on behalf of the organization. Following the presentation of the awards the organization will offer a reception in honour of the recipients. The motion was carried. The End of the Year Get Together, will be organized at the Saint Laurence Hall, and the day will be announced according to availability of the Hall.

    20. Presentation by Peace and Justice Alliance

    A delegation representing Peace and Justice Alliance in Toronto made a presentation to the members on their mandate and the growing concerns of abuse of freedom and democracy in certain countries. And Justice Alliance believes that all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights, also there can be no peace without justice! It  supports  to promote and protect human, civil, fundamental rights, democracy, social-justice, assist victim of torture, forcefully disappearance, illegally imprison, rule of law, Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Rights for freedom of expression, association, and assembly around the world. We also work to resolve armed, political conflict, illegally detention, harassment, hate crime, forcefully disappearances. They also mentioned the situation in Bangladesh and asked NEPMCC to provide support for the cause.
    Many members participated in the discussion and expressed solidarity with the people of Bangladesh.

    Presentation by Canadian Human Rights International Organization (CHRIO)

    A delegation representing CHRIO made a presentation. The delegation included Founder and Chair President Jonathan Whiteside, Mental Health Director Simone Jennifer Smith and others. The Canadian Human Rights International Organization-CHRIO is a not-for-profit organization, founded by and made up of professionals of law, social work, sociology, psychology, and criminology and human rights defenders, with much participation from members of the civil society where victims have an important place. CHRIO monitors human rights abuses, it defends and publicly promotes the defense of human rights; through education it searches  to eliminate the violation of human rights at the individual and group level. CHRIO looks for the support of other international organizations to eradicate all types of discrimination toward women, in order for women´s rights to be respected in an effective way, as their fundamental human rights, one should respect the principle of equality and encourage the particular role that women´s rights play in the processes of peace and development in countries in conflict. CHRIO works to protect victims of human rights violations, to protect the defenders of human rights, to prevent these violations and to bring the perpetrators of these violations before the justice. The delegation drew attention of the abuse of human rights and violation of freedom in certain countries which is depriving its citizens of basic human rights, democracy and justice.
    Arif Ahmed, Nishank Don, Omeed Sha, and other members participated in the discussions after their presentation.

    Presentation by Yuri Natchetoi on the Digital Publishing Platform:

    Yuri Natchetoi provided an update on the progress of the Digital Publishing Platform. He informed how the project could benefit all members who are participating in the project. He said his committee is working out ways in generating advertising revenue for the print and digital media.

    New Members/ New Business:

    Arif Ahmed invited all the members to the “United Bangla Festival” on August 5th at the “Grand Palace Convention Centre” located at 380 Birchmount Road.
    Isa Melo invited everyone to the 10th Annual Boat Cruise on August 12. There will be live entertainment and tickets are only $45 per person.
    Sandie De Freitas is planning web conference on issues facing woman worldwide on either September 29th or October 20th via  Facebook  Live. She will send more details in the weeks to follow.

    Adjournment: Khalid Magram moved a motion to adjourn the meeting and Isa Melo seconded it. The motion was carried. The Chair, Dr.Tajdolati adjourned the meeting at 9 pm. The next monthly meeting would take place on Monday, August 13, 2018 at committee room N# 2 at the Toronto City Hall.