Minutes of the Monthly
Meeting held on July 11, 2011 at Queen’s Park
Present: Thomas
S. Saras Ahmed
Hotaki Asha
Rajak Syleyman
Guven Neel
Nanda Mohamed
Tajdolati Bahram
Bahrami Marek
J.D. Goldyn Ranjit
Wics Srimal
Abeyawardene Emmanuel
Ayiku John
Saraidaris Luba
Cherny Dumitru
Popescu Mohammad
Bagher Samimi Bob
Ristic Teshome
Woldeamanuel Raffi
Der-Boghossian Paulraj
R. Moorthy
Sellathurai Hai
Tien Lin Ned
Blair C.
Senthi Sabnam
Janani D.
Nishantha A. (Ceylon Express) Parry
Long Charles
Devasagayam Michelle
Williams William
Doyle-Marshall Saad
Alsafar Shahioul
Mint Mila
Astroga-Garcia Hermie
Garcia Luba Cherny Regrets Clyde McNeil Agenda 1.
Welcome Remarks by the chair. 2.
Minutes of the previous meeting. 3.
Presentation by Behrouz Amouzgar- Director, Public Relations Tirgan 4.
Presidents Report 5.
New Business 6.
Adjournment Welcome
Remarks by the Chair: Thomas Saras
chaired the meeting and declared the meeting open. William Doyle Marshall
moved a motion to approve the agenda and Dr. Tajdolati seconded it. The
motion was carried Minutes of
the previous meeting: Dr.
Tajdolati moved a motion to approve the minutes of the previous monthly
meeting held on June 13, 2011 Ahmad Shah Hotaki, seconded it.
The motion was carried. President’s
Report/Discussions ·
The Canada Day celebration took place on Saturday July 2nd with a
dinner and entertainment at the Whistler’s (McNeil Room) 995 Broadview
Avenue. There were a lot of dignitaries and VIPs present to celebrate the
event. The event was a huge success as there was huge turnout and
participation from various cultural groups. President Thomas Saras thanked
everyone who contributed and participated towards the event. ·
NEPMCC Awards. In October we will organize our Awards ceremony.
Effective from January 1st until end of June 30, 2011, members were asked
to download nomination form from our website and submit names of members
they propose from their community, media or organization who they think
are eligible for recognition or to receive the NEPMCC Awards. . Members
were earlier asked to send the completed nomination form to either Dr.
Tajdolati or to the office of the President.
President Thomas Saras mentioned that NEPMCC has received only 5
nominations for the annual awards. The deadline for submission of
nomination for awards was June 30, 2011.This was very disappointing as
there were repeated reminders before the deadline. President suggested
that the deadline be extended for the very last time
Motion: Ned Blair moved a motion to extend the deadline of
nominations to July 31. Senthi Chelliah seconded it. The motion was
carried. ·
President Thomas Saras mentioned that when we are deciding on an
award we are recognizing a publication due to their attendance and for
their commitment in supporting the organization by working hard for the
cause of the ethnic media and the Council ·
Asha Rajak is working hard to get financial donations from
different financial institutions to meet the expenses of the award
ceremony. ·
The office of the President has already sent the questionnaire of
the economic survey via email to all the members of NEPMCC along with
reminders. President urged members to cooperate and respond to the
economic survey undertaken by NEPMCC as it was in their own interest to
participate. Only a small number of members (less than 200), out of more
than 600 members have participated in the survey so far. President Thomas
Saras, expressed disappointment at the rate of responses by the members.
Students may be employed to call ethnic media outlets individually, if the
responses continued to be poor. Employing students will also have an
additional cost to the organization. Seneca College will receive the responses of the survey and
tabulate and present the findings of the survey in a report.
To make a conclusive report based on the findings, participation in
large number is required. Based on this report of the economic survey, The
National Ethnic Press and Media Council will prepare a three day
convention and seminar for the members of the sector next year in 2012 and
apply for Government funds accordingly. This national convention in turn
will provide to all of the members the important information and education
about the Canadian Laws on Journalism. The questionnaire which was
prepared with the help of Seneca College was designed to make a decision
about the nature of the educational material the Seneca College should
prepare for the three day national convention. Besides this we are working
with the government in order to get some benefits for the members of
NEPMCC. In order to be successful we have to show to authorities that most
of our members are professionals and they are contributing to Canadian
economy. This will only be possible if the members participate in large
numbers. ·
Senthi Chelliah suggested each volunteer dial at least 10 ethnic
media outlets for conducting the survey. He urged members to volunteer
some of their time towards getting remainder of the surveys filled. 5
volunteers agreed to participate and forwarded their names to Asha Rajak
and Neel Nanda. ·
President reminded members of a motion which was unanimously passed
in the previous meeting. The
motion was as follows “The Board authorizes the administration to
proceed with the application for funds from Heritage Canada for CNE,
Awards Ceremony, The Word on the Street festival in Toronto, Vancouver and
other Canadian cities, as well as for other promotional projects/events
for the community” Irene Keroglidis had moved the above motion in the
floor in the previous monthly meeting and William Doyle Marshall had
seconded it. The motion was unanimously carried. In this regard the office
of the president is working for funds towards future events ·
Canadian National Exhibition (CNE). This year we have requested for
space on international pavilion where we can display exhibition of the
ethnic press for 18 days. Members
were urged to ask their local businesses to sponsor some prizes which are
going to be announced through lucky draws for the people who visit our
pavilion. (August 18- September 5,) There will be various prizes for the
draw depending on the sponsorship. We are going to participate 18 days at
CNE. The Prime Minister may inaugurate the opening ceremony of the
exhibition. The opening ceremony is on August 19, 2011. Insurance is
required for the event. President urged members to volunteer for the event spanning
to 18 days. Members who decide to volunteer will be given passes and also
food tokens for the days they decide to participate and volunteer. Besides
volunteers NEPMCC may employ students for this event. President suggested
Asha Rajak and Neel Nanda to coordinate the activities with the volunteers
during the event. CNE
Committee: The following
members agreed to volunteer their time for the event. Senthi
Chelliah, Saad Alsafar, Raffi Der- Boghosian, Ranjit Wicks, John Saras,
Asha Rajak, Neel Nanda, Michelle Willliams,
Oniccka Wathe, Sherlock Wathe, Shabnam Janani and Bob Ristic ·
Word on the Street. Besides Toronto, this year we are going also to
organize this exhibition in Vancouver on the same day with Toronto. Presentation
by Behrouz Amouzgar- Director, Public Relations Tirgan: Behrouz
Amouzgar thanked President Thomas Saras for inviting him to make a
presentation to the council. He began his presentation by informing about
the background of “Tirgan” The
following are some of the highlights of his presentation followed by
discussions ·
The Iranian Canadian Centre for Art and Culture, ICCAC, is a
not-for-profit, non-partisan and non-religious organization, registered
under the Canada Corporation Act in Ontario, Canada. ·
ICCAC which organizes Tirgan are confident that Tirgan which is a
regular biennial event, with the help of friends, volunteers, and
sponsors, Tirgan 2011 will surpass our expectations in terms of quality
and outreach. ·
In collaboration with the Harbourfront Centre, Tirgan 2011 will be
the event of the summer as more than 100,000 enthusiasts gather on
Toronto’s lakefront to celebrate art, culture and diversity.
Transpiring from July 21 – 24, Tirgan 2011 will remain true to
the festival’s ancient roots in showcasing the tremendous ethnic
diversity within Iran by celebrating the country’s music, dance,
theatre, cinema, literature, the visual arts and culinary cuisine ·
Tirgan 2011 – with the theme of 'Visions of Eternity’ – takes
many years of invaluable experience to new heights as it commemorates
Tirgan, an ancient Iranian celebration observed in the month of July (the
month of Tir in the Persian calendar). ·
There are many legends on the origins of Tirgan. One legend
describes that Iran and Turan, two long standing enemies, decided to
declare peace by demarcating the boundaries between the two empires. Arash,
the best archer in the Iranian army, was chosen to ascend Mount Damavand
to shoot an arrow whose landing location would determine the boundary. The
arrow flew from dawn to noon and fell on the banks of Jihun, and the
boundaries of Iran expanded beyond all expectations. ·
This led to Tirgan festivities and contributed to enhancing the
richness of the Iranian culture over the course of three millennia. Today,
Iran’s population is composed of over fifteen different ethnic groups
with their own dialect or language, outfit, music, dance, and cuisine. ·
After a successful appearance during its 2008 summer event in
Toronto, Tirgan has geared efforts in organizing yet another extraordinary
celebration of Iranian culture and Canadian diversity, once again in
Toronto, in July 2011. Tirgan is built upon the contribution of over 300
young volunteers, who have worked side by side to contribute to the
diverse cultural mosaic of the Canadian society, by promoting a
cross-cultural dialogue and understanding between the Iranian community
and the community at large. ·
Tirgan 2011 will present Iranian art and culture through a four-day
festival in Toronto – a city that rightfully prides itself in welcoming
diversity. ·
There will be contributions from various ethnic groups in Iran in
as many artistic and cultural disciplines as possible, showcasing
internationally acclaimed as well as local artists and performers of
Iranian descent, who celebrate Iranian heritage through music, dance,
theatre, cinema, literature, and visual arts. Tirgan also features Iranian
cuisine and special arts and crafts presentations made available by vendor
kiosks. This is going to be an engaging, educating, and entertaining
experience for a wide range of audiences. Many members
participated in the discussion following this presentation. Behrrouz
Amouzgar invited all ethnic media representatives to this event and handed
out his coordinates to all members present for media passes for Tirgan
2011. New
Business: Bob Ristic
invited members of NEPMCC to the Serbian Flag Raising Ceremony on July 29
to be held in front of the Legislative Building, Queens Park at 6 pm. This
will be followed by reception in room 228-230 of the Legislative Building
at Queens Park at 6:30 pm. President
Thomas Saras informed the members that the Legislative Building will be
closed in September for provincial elections I October. He suggested
postponing the meeting in September or holding it in another venue.
Members present at the meeting agreed to the suggestion of having the
September monthly meeting at City hall. Adjournment:
John Saras moved a motion to adjourn the meeting, Dr. Tajdolati
seconded it. The motion was carried. The chair adjourned the meeting at
10:30 pm. The next meeting would take place on August 08, 2011
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