McGill University Retiree Association
Minutes of the Annual General Meeting
June 1, 2017 - 475 Sherbrooke Street West, Montreal 2:00-3:30 PM
1. The meeting was called to order by President Ginette Lamontage
2. Motion to approve the Agenda
Proposed by _Beverlea Tallant Seconded by _David Brown Motion carried
3. Motion to approve the Minutes of the 2016 AGM
After a discussion about who did or did not receive the minutes, the motion to approve the minutes was Proposed by: Renée Charron Seconded by: Ron Guttmann Approved unanimously
4. President’s Report by Ginette Lamontagne
The President, Ginette Lamontagne, reported that it had been a most productive year for MURA.
The Association’s membership has risen to nearly 300 members. MURA held 6 events, 2 activities and 2 workshops during the year that attracted a total of approximately 300 participants. There are also ongoing activities such as the Book Club that meets monthly from September to June in each member’s home or at a designated library. The Cycling Group, coordinated by Joan Barrett and Joan Wolforth, organizes outings on a weekly basis from the end of May to the beginning of October. Ms. Lamontagne also reminded the audience that MURA members could join the McGill Gym for half the staff monthly rate. She encouraged members to take advantage of this offer.
Following on a suggestion by Gregg Blachford at last year’s AGM, a series of pre-retirement sessions were organized for active employees in collaboration with MUNASA, MUNACA, MAUT and a session is planned in the Fall with SEU. Colleagues such as Gregg Blachford, Joan Wolforth, Bob Stanley, Kate Maguire and Steven Blagrave participated in these sessions. Ginette Lamontagne indicated that it was an area in which MURA could make an important contribution to current employees who are considering retirement in the foreseeable future.
Ginette Lamontagne announced that there are two permanent partnership agreements with MUNASA and SEU Trades (downtown) and agreements with MAUT and MUNACA that must be renewed annually. In exchange for annual funding, all employees of the four organizations can become MURA members at retirement without having to pay the annual fee.
Ms. Lamontagne was pleased to report that office space was allocated by McGill to MURA. It is hoped that MURA will be able to move in by the Fall. She also unveiled a new logo for MURA, created by McGill’s graphic design department.
The President introduced the members of the Executive Committee, Kate Maguire (VP Internal), Henry Leighton (VP External) and Robert Stanley (Treasurer) and asked each of them to give their reports on their various spheres of activities.
5. Vice-President Internal Kate Maguire’s Report
College and University Retiree Associations of Canada (CURAC) Conference
The conference was hosted by the Carleton University Retiree Association on May 24- 26, 2017 at their impressive campus in Ottawa. It was an excellent opportunity to share and learn about the best practices of Canadian college and university retiree associations. The associations were very impressed by the pre-retirement presentations prepared by Gregg Blachford and Joan Wolforth, that were offered at McGill.
The talks that we attended covered a wide spectrum and were very informative and inspirational. These ranged from Trump’s effects on the Canadian economy, the diagnosis, treatment and care of dementia, a short history of the Canadian alcohol industry, the latest nutritional research, to a very worthy project in Ottawa that provides healthcare that is structured to the needs of those living with dependency issues.
The highlight of the conference for the McGill representatives was when our President, Ginette Lamontagne, received a CURAC Tribute Award that recognizes an exceptional contribution and/or achievement by a university or college retiree, at their local association level. This award also helped MURA our new Association to achieve national recognition. Kate presented flowers to Ginette in recognition of her CURAC award.
Up-coming activities in the Fall:
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Old Montreal Walking Tour in September.
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Homecoming Reception – there will be another reception & concert as part of the
McGill Homecoming festivities on October 13.
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Love Ella (Nov) – popular singer Ranee Lee will be doing a tribute to Ella
Fitzgerald on November 23rd at Bourgie Hall. Tickets will be about $24.
Complete information will be provided in the next Communiqué.
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First annual Christmas luncheon (Dec) – to be held at the École des métiers de la
restauration et du tourisme de Montréal. It is conveniently located on De Maisonneuve West near St. Mathieu street. We are hoping to have it the first week of December.
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Reminder June 6th Luncheon- Lecture: "Water, Agriculture & Food Security,” by Chandra Madromootoo, James McGill Professor of Bioresource Engineering, formerly Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences.
Communiqués and Newsletter
Communiqués are being sent on a monthly basis and contain the latest news about MURA events and activities. A MURA Newsletter, edited by Joan Wolforth, will be distributed in the fall. We encourage members to submit stories, articles, poetry, etc. to Joan.
Facebook – we now have 45 members on this page. We encourage you to join as it is an excellent tool for sharing information and news with each other.
MURA Survey Results
A nine-question survey was sent to members to discover what members would like MURA to do. There were 71 people responses. Those who responded were entered in a draw for a $25 SAQ gift card. A short summary of the responses follows:
Events/ Where and When: Members prefer events to be held during the week on campus, in the afternoon
Events/ Which types: Luncheon/lecture series are the most popular events, followed by information sessions on healthcare & CPR, and the fall concert/reception.
Activities: Gourmet luncheons, museum visits and day trips topped the list.
Members locations: 94% live in the Montreal area, with the rest of the respondents living in the West Island, Laval, South Shore and Eastern Townships.
Issues: Healthcare is the top priority of members. Members are urged to check the HR website for complete information.
Website & Facebook page: members are very happy with these forms of communication. If enough members request another Facebook workshop, one will be set up.
MURA Communiqués: these are very popular and a great way to learn about current events and activities
Newsletter: a newsletter will be published yearly with Joan Wolforth as editor. A request was made for members to submit stories and articles about their retirement experiences.
Prize drawn by Nick Acheson in response to the survey – Winner of the SAQ certificate: Jim McVety.
6. Proposed Changes to the Constitution by VP External Henry Leighton. Art. 3.1
Current Text
Regular Member. Membership in the Association is open to all McGill University retirees upon payment of the annual membership fee.
Proposed Text
Regular Member. Membership in the Association is open to all McGill University retirees.
Art. 3.2
Current Text
Associate Member. Any person who is the spouse or partner of a regular member is eligible to become an Associate Member. Associate members are not eligible to vote on matters related to Association business. If, after the death of a regular member, an Associate Member continues to receive McGill Benefits, he/she may opt to become a full member.
Proposed Text
Associate Member. Any person who is the spouse or partner of a regular member is eligible to become an Associate Member. Associate members are not eligible to vote on matters related to Association business.
Motion to approve all constitutional changes together in one lot Proposed by Bev Tallant
Seconded by David Brown
Approved unanimously
7. Proposed Changes to the MURA By-laws by VP External Henry Leighton By-law 6b
Current Text
Members of the Executive shall serve a term from the end of the Annual General Meeting at which they were elected to the end of the following Annual General Meeting. Members of the Executive may not hold the same position for more than three consecutive terms.
Proposed Text
Members of the Executive shall serve a three-year term commencing at the Annual General Meeting at which they were elected to the date of the Annual General Meeting three years hence. Members of the Executive may not hold the same position for more than two consecutive terms.
By-law 6c
Current Text
Each year, by November 15th, a Nominating Committee of three regular members shall be appointed by the Board. They will prepare a list of candidates for the Executive for the following year and report this to the Past President by February 1st. There shall be at least one nomination for each office. The nominees must acknowledge their willingness to accept office if elected.
Proposed Text
Each year, by November 15th, a Nominating Committee of three regular members shall be appointed by the Board. They will prepare a list of candidates for any terminating Executive positions and report this to the Past President by February 1st. There shall be at least one nomination for each vacant office. The nominees must acknowledge their willingness to accept office if elected.
By-law 7a Current Text
Eight regular members in good standing may be elected to the Board.
Proposed Change.
Delete By-Law 7a and renumber the subsequent sections of By-Law 7.
By-law 7b
Current Text
Members of the Board shall serve a term from the end of Annual General Meeting at which they were elected to the end of the following Annual General Meeting. Members of the Board may serve up to a maximum of three consecutive annual terms unless subsequently elected to the Executive of the Association in which case he or she may serve in this new role for the term designated in the by-law for Executive positions.
Proposed Text
Members of the Board shall serve a three-year term commencing at the Annual General Meeting at which they were elected to the date of the Annual General Meeting three years hence. Members of the Board may serve up to a maximum of two consecutive terms unless subsequently elected to the Executive of the Association in which case the member may serve in this new role for the term designated in the by-law governing the term of Executive positions.
By-law 7c
Current Text
Each year, by November 15th, a Nominating Committee of three regular members shall be appointed by the Board. They will prepare a list of candidates for the Board for the following year and report this to the Past President by February 1st. There shall be at least one nomination for each office. The nominees must acknowledge their willingness to accept office if elected.
Proposed Text
Each year, by November 15th, a Nominating Committee of three regular members shall be appointed by the Board. They will prepare a list of candidates to fill any terminating Board positions and report this to the Past President by February 1st. The nominees for the vacant Board positions must acknowledge their willingness to sit on the Board if elected.
By-law 7e
Current Text
If there is no more than one nomination for each office, the nominated slate of officers will be acclaimed at the Annual General Meeting.
Proposed Text
If there is only one nomination for each vacant position, the newly nominated Board members will be acclaimed at the Annual General Meeting.
By-law 7f
Current text
If there is more than one nomination for any office, voting will occur by ballot, ballots being distributed to all members by the Vice-President (External) at least 30 days before the Annual General Meeting.
Proposed text
If there are more nominations than vacancies, voting will occur by ballot, ballots being distributed to all members by the Vice-President (External) at least 30 days before the Annual General Meeting.
By-law 8 Membership Dues
Current text
A membership fee shall be levied, the exact amount to be determined and approved each year for the succeeding year at the Annual General Meeting. Membership dues will be payable annually by September 1st. These dues are levied to cover the costs of administering the Association from September 1st until the following August 31st.
Proposed Text
Membership in the Association is contingent on payment of a membership fee, the exact amount to be determined and approved each year for the succeeding year at the Annual General Meeting, or on a membership fee waiver. Fee waivers may be provided to former members of employee groups that have negotiated fee waiver agreements with MURA. Membership fees will be payable annually by September 1st.
By-law 9 Association Activity Fee
Current Wording
Any events or activities organized by the Association by, or on behalf of members are expected to be self-sustaining. The Association will not be liable for financial shortfalls incurred by members during the exercise of activities.
Proposed Wording
Events and activities organized by the Association by, or on behalf of members are normally expected to be self-financing. The Association will not be liable for financial shortfall incurred by members during the exercise of activities. However, certain events (such as but not limited to the Annual General Meeting), upon approval of the Executive, may be financed completely or partially by the Association.
By-law 11 (In effect for the years 2015-2017)
Current Text
In order to ensure continuity of membership on the Executive, for the inaugural two years of the Association the President and Treasurer will be elected for a two year term in 2015, renewable for one year, and the Vice Presidents Internal and External will be elected for a one year term, renewable for one year.
Proposed Change
This by-law will be removed.
Motion to approve all by-law changes together in one lot. Proposed by Jane Amro
Seconded by Linda Jacobs Starkey
Approved Unanimously
8. Presentation of the Financial Review for 2016-2017 by Treasurer Robert Stanley
The report dated May 10, 2017 by Pierre Gagnon CA of Services administratifs et comptables D.G. Inc(Appendix 1), was presented and discussed, for the year ending March 3, 2017.
Total Revenues - $12,213.
Total Expenses - $ 7,983.
Excess of Revenues over expenses - $ 4,230.
Net Assets Beginning of Year - $ 7,488.
Net Assets End of the Year - $11,718.
Motion to approve the financial review dated May 10, 2017 – Proposed by _Kathy Mayhew
Seconded by _Linda Montreuil
Approved unanimously
9. Resolution on the Annual Membership Fee – by Robert Stanley
Be it resolved that:
The annual membership fee for individual memberships in MURA for the year beginning September 1, 2017 shall be Twenty Five Dollars ($25.00).
Proposed by: _David Brown Seconded by: _Johanne Hebert Approved unanimously
10. Presentation of the Budget for 2017-2018 by Robert Stanley
The proposed budget dated May 17, 2017 was presented and discussed (Appendix 2). The budget shows anticipated revenues of $12,259 and anticipated expenses of $11,350.
Robert Stanley explained that additional revenues might be forthcoming once the contractual agreement currently being finalized with MAUT is ratified. This addition revenue for 2017-2018 could be as much as $2,000.
A motion was proposed to adopt the budget dated May 17, 2017. Proposed by __Joan Hagerman
Seconded by __Kathryn Peterson
Approved unanimously.
11. Presentation on behalf of the Nominating Committee by Linda Jacobs-Starkey
The President indicated that a nominating committee, composed of Honora Shaughnessy, Linda Jacobs Starkey and Linda Montreuil was struck last Fall to oversee the election of new members to the Board. She asked Linda Jacobs Starkey to give the report.
Dr. Jacobs Starkey announced that two members were leaving the Board: Nick Acheson and Myron Frankman. A search was made to find two colleagues to replace them on the Board: James Coulton and Eduardo Pereira were asked to serve and responded positively. She proposed that the two members be acclaimed by the Assembly. The 2017-18 Board members are the following:
Ginette Lamontagne, President
Kate Maguire, Vice-President (Internal) Henry Leighton, Vice-President (External) Robert Stanley, Treasurer
Steven Blagrave
James Coulton
Maria Keenan
Kathy Mayhew
Allan Oliver
Eduardo Pereira
Judy Pharo
Beverlea Tallant
The 2017-18 Board was elected by acclamation.
12. Presentation to Nick Acheson for his service on the Board
Ginette Lamontagne thanked Nick Acheson for his support for MURA from the initial launching meeting of the association in June 2015. MURA was grateful for his two-year service as a Board member, and for looking after the interests of retirees as a MAUT representative on the Staff Benefits Advisory Committee. She indicated her appreciation for his efforts in enhancing the collaboration between the retirees’ section of MAUT and MURA. Nick Acheson was presented with a McGill memorabilia gift as a token of appreciation from all the members.
The President also thanked the coordinators of activities and all the other MURA volunteers. She expressed her gratitude to the Board members for all their work and the remarkable Executive members for their outstanding contribution. Finally, she thanked all the members of their participation and their support. She invited all the members present to the celebration of MURA’s 2nd Anniversary.
13. The meeting as adjourned at 3:30 PM.
