Minutes of the Monthly
Meeting held on November 14, 2011 at Committee Room No 2, Queens Park
Present:
Thomas S.
Saras
Saad Alsafar
Bikram Lamba
Ali
Comeedimahboub
Assad Zarrin
Meher
Ahmad
Rostanijam
Mohamad Ahmadi
Irene
keroglidis
Dumitru
Popescu
Sultan
Ali Shunbuli
Neel Nanda
Ihssan Taghavi
William
Doyle-Marshall
Aaron
Berhane
Ramnath
Eeswaran
Isa Mela
Teshome
Woldeaman uel
Marek Goldyn
Nishantha Don
Khan Khoda
Ranjit Wicks
Ahmed Hotaki
Parry Long
Raffi
Der-Bogmossiam
Rakhi &
Sandip (Asian Conections)
Gerald Paul
Viara
Dimitrova
Beagoja Ristic
Noda Reikanman
Logan
Logabndralinab
Chanla
Devasayaym
Hermie
Garcia
Mila
Astorga Garcia
Jonathan
Annolbil
Emmanuel Ayiku
Jose Donan
Susana Donan
John
Saraidaris
Ned Blair
Moorthy
Sellathurai
Paulraj Rajapandian
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:
Dr.
Lamba chaired the meeting and declared the meeting open. Irene Keregolidis
moved a motion to approve the agenda and William Doyle Marshall seconded
it. The motion was carried
Minutes
of the previous meeting:
Irene
Keroglidis moved a motion to approve the minutes of the previous monthly
meeting held on September 12, 2011 William Doyle Marshall seconded it. The
motion was carried.
President’s
Report/Discussions
·
NEPMCC Awards. On October 28 NEPMCC organized the annual Awards ceremony. Awards
in different categories were awarded during the ceremony. President Thomas
Saras acknowledged the help and contribution of the minister the Hon. Dr.
Hoskins, for a grant provided to NEPMCC in order to help the preparation
of the material needed for the ceremony. The awards committee worked very
hard towards the event. President had special word of mention for Asha
Rajak for her outstanding effort towards the annual award ceremony.
President Thomas Saras thanked all the members who participated towards
the success of the event. President also expressed warmest gratitude to
Lieutenant Governor, The Honourable David C. Onley and his office for all
their support in hosting this event this year as well as all the previous
years.
· Word on the
street festival: President Thomas Saras thanked Ahmed Shah Hotaki and
other volunteers who participated in the event. President Thomas Saras
also expressed disappointment at the rate of participation as some members
did not participate and thereby losing the opportunity to display their
publication to a large and knowledgeable audience who come to the event
every year.
· President
Thomas Saras will meet officials of Heritage Canada to discuss on the
circulation and audit of ethnic newspapers as well as different components
of CPF. There is new director of CPF and the President hoped there will be
continued cooperation between NEPMCC and the department to serve for the
cause of the ethnic media industry. Thomas Saras educated the members on
various aspects of the CPF (Canada Periodical Fund) He answered all
queries of the members including various aspect of filling out the
application form and its criteria.
· Canadian
National Exhibition (CNE). Thomas Saras thanked all volunteers for their
participation in this year’s exhibition. This year we had a space in the
International Pavilion for the CNE ethnic press exhibition. Thousands of
people at CNE were impressed by the display of NEPMCC exhibition that took
place for 18 days. The opening ceremony took place on August 21, 2011 with
a lot of fanfare and speeches from all three levels of government. Members
who had decided to volunteer were given passes... The last Sunday/closing
ceremony of the exhibition, (September 4, 2011), NEPMCC celebrated
Canadian multiculturalism by sponsoring a number of multicultural shows at
the great stage of the Hall B International Pavilion. Thomas Saras
expressed disappointment with the rate of participation after more than
850 CNE Tickets and more than 150 parking passes were distributed to the
members in order to attend the venues of the NEPMCC at the exhibition.
· Asha Rajak,
a great worker with a wonderful performance in the business of the
Exhibition is back to school and she was unable to attend today’s
meeting. The President wishes that soon she will be able to join the board
again.
· Annual
Dinner: Many discussions took place regarding the annual dinner on
December 16 and tickets were also distributed during the meeting against a
very nominal donation of $30 which includes full dinner wine and pop.
President Thomas Saras also suggested that Lamb to be included in the
dinner along with other meat. The annual dinner is going to be another
spectacular event with live entertainment along with the presence of very
distinguished guests. Luba Cherny is taking care
of the
entertainment and Isa Melo is bringing a special team of Brazilian Dancers
for the night. This year’s event is dedicated to Hon. Dr. Eric Hoskins
for his services to humanity, to people of Ontario, to international
community and to our organization. Minister Kathleen Wynne, will be also
recognized for her services to NEPMCC. With us are going also to be
Minister Margaret Best and Charles Sousa. From the Federal Parliament we
are expecting Jim Karygiannis and the Liberal Leader Bob Rae.
President
Thomas Saras is expecting that the Hon. Dalton McGuinty, Premier of
Ontario, along with a number of cabinet ministers as well as the Hon. Bob
Rae and Jim Karygiannis will be with us, celebrating our humanity.
New Business:
Mila Garcia
made an announcement on the memorial of victims killed in Maguindanao
Phillipines in 2009 on November 23. 32 of the 57 killed were journalists
as a result November 23 is observed as the International Day to End
Impunity. She invited all members to join the observance on November 23 at
St. Luke United Church from 6:30-9:30pm
Adjournment:
Irene Keroglidis moved a motion to adjourn the meeting, Ahmad Shah Hotaki seconded it. The motion was carried. The chair adjourned the meeting at 9:30 pm. The next meeting would take place on December 12, 2011 at Queens Park.
