- Welcome Remarks by the chair.
- Minutes of the previous meeting
- Report of the President/Discussions
- Presentation Michal Bryant, Executive Director –Canadian Civil Liberties Association
- New Members/New Business
- Adjournment
Welcome Remarks by the Chair:
Dr. Tajdolati chaired the meeting and declared the meeting open. Pooyan Tabatabaei moved a motion to approve the agenda. Rosemary Sadlier seconded it. The motion was carried. .
Minutes of the previous meeting:
Nishant Don moved a motion to approve the minutes of the previous monthly meeting Isa Melo seconded it. The motion was carried.
President’s Report/Discussions:
- Thomas Saras welcomed everyone to the second monthly meeting of 2019. NEPMCC had another productive year and the organization is working on a number of important projects this year which will benefit all the members. President Thomas Saras said that this year the Government will reward all legitimate ethnic media houses as it has a budget for it. All members that are in good standing with NEPMCC stands to get benefitted by its association and involvement with NEPMCC. The Government has allocated $10 million for the media industry and there are several programs where the members could apply for funding under this budget. President Thomas Saras will fly to Ottawa on February 20 to meet with officials of the Federal Ministry in order to negotiate more funds for ethnic media industry on the allocated budget for media.
- Motion: “Expenses of this trip to be covered by the treasury of the organization”. Motion moved by Demitris Vohaitis and seconded by Rosemary Sadlier. The motion was unanimously carried.
- The media fund would be distributed to the qualified members of the ethnic media industry. Qualified members are those who belong to one of the six media organizations. President Thomas Saras suggested that a committee be formed that would recommend distribution of government funds to ethnic media based on the circulation and reach.
- President Thomas Saras encouraged all to renew their membership in 2019 to take advantage of the privileges of the membership. NEPMCC has been over the years fighting for the rights of the members to stand in shoulder to shoulder with the mainstream media. Members not in good standing may not qualify to serve in the board from 2019 - 2021
- Educational conference/seminar will be held this year for 3 -4 days. A survey will be sent to the members to finalize the curriculum of the seminar. Daniela Spirlac from BeSoacial Event will send out a survey to the members.The seminar will most likely take place in Seneca College.
- Motion: Authorizing the office of the President of NEPMCC to organize an educational seminar and to build website for the members. Moved by Demetris Vohaitis and seconded by Mareck Goldyn. The motion was unanimously carried.
- Motion: Motion on the floor-NEPMCC to participate at CNE Ethic Press Exhibition. Motion was moved by Joe Volpe and seconded by Marek Goldyn. Motion was unanimously carried
- NEPMCC would submit a proposal to build a free website for all members who do not have a website.
- President Thomas Saras, informed the members that he represented the ethnic media at the standing committee of the senate to educate the committee about the grievances of the ethnic media.
- 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.
- 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.
- The President spoke about student internship program in cooperation with the schools of journalism. Internship will be from 3 – 6 months. The program will cover $15 per hour per student and the rest has to be covered by the respective organizations .Maria Saras-Voutsinas is in touch with student intern coordinator from Seneca College.The program has started from January 2019. Any member interested in hiring students for their publications should contact Executive Director Maria Saras-Voutsinas as it is on first come first serve basis due to limited funds approved by the Government on this project. This is a win- win situation as it will benefit the students as they will gain from the valuable experience as well as the members as they will get additional help in a very subsidized rate to run their publications. There was a suggestion that members receiving assistance for the internship program should make small donation to NEPMCC. The program has already started in January and the second phase is to start from April and only those members which have applied and contacted Executive Director Maria Saras -Voutsinas expressing their interests in hiring Student interns for their media outlets would be given preference and allocated student interns based on first come first serve basis.
Presentation by Michael Bryant Executive Director Canadian Civil Liberties Association
Michael Bryant former attorney-general of Ontario made a presentation for Canadian Civil Liberties Association as it’s Executive Director.
CCLA fights for the civil liberties, human rights, and democratic freedoms of all people across Canada. Founded in 1964, CCLA is an independent, national, nongovernmental organization, working in the courts, before legislative committees, in the classrooms, and in the streets, protecting the rights and freedoms cherished by Canadians and entrenched in our Constitution. For over 50 years, CCLA has been Canada’s national civil liberties organisation. Working with dedicated pro-bono lawyers from across the country, CCLA has intervened in courts at all levels, been vocal in the press and broadcast media, and advocated strategically and effectively to protect the rights and freedoms of all persons in Canada. CCLA has been at the forefront of all of the cutting edge civil liberties debates since its founding in 1964. CCLA has been a leader in protecting rights, and has earned widespread respect for its principled stand on such issues as national security, censorship, capital punishment, and police and state accountability. The history of CCLA is the history of the Canadian civil liberties movement itself. In 1964 a group of citizens, who were alarmed by a proposal of the Ontario government to drastically increase police powers saw a need for an ongoing watchdog group to guard against threats to democratic rights. The bill was eventually withdrawn after extensive protest and CCLA was born.
“We are fighting Federal Government and Provincial Government with different issues”. I want to become source of content for your organization mentioned Michael Bryant. CCLA would like to be resource for education as they have experts in different areas of public interest and law. CCLA should be natural partners with members of NEPMCC as it can supply content and provide some important information to the members of NEPMCC..
Maria P, Januscz, Karim, Demetris Vohaitis, Michael Homs, Marek Goldyn and other members participated in the discussions on various issues facing the community following the presentation of Michael Bryant
New Members/ New Business:
Marek Goldyn invited all members to the European Day in May in celebration of the European Heritage month in May 2019.
Adjournment: Joe Volpe moved a motion to adjourn the meeting and Michael Homs 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, March11, 2019 at committee room N# 2 at the Toronto City Hall.
