Banner Article, July 2009

Wednesday, July 1st, 2009 From the GM, News by k.lowerison

2009 Annual General Meeting Round Up

The 2009 version of the Annual General Meeting (AGM) was held in Russell, MB on June 30^th. The meeting was called to order as soon as a quorum of 25 people was counted at approximately 9.15 a.m. by President Cam Sparrow. Following the approval of the agenda and the minutes from the 2008 AGM, George Boucher was elected as the Parliamentarian with Kristi Hunter and? Jackson was named as Scrutineers.

The nomination chairman was Campbell Forsyth and at the first call for nominations he explained that Cam Sparrow and Ian Harvie were retiring from the board and that the Saskatchewan Association had nominated John Wilgenbusch and the Alberta Association had nominated Dory Gerrard. No further nominations came from the floor during the meeting so both members were elected by acclamation.

The reports from Cam Sparrow, Neil Gillies, CCA Field representatives and Judy Lennstrom plus the committee reports from Breed Improvement chair – Clint Robertson, Market Development chair – Brent Saunders, Education Youth and Export chair – Ian Harvie and Public Relations chair – Cam Sparrow and all of the provincial reports will be posted on the CCA website in the near future.

The finance chair – Jennifer MacDonald provided a good explanation of the Consolidated Financial Statements of the CCA Review Engagement Report. In a precis form of Jennifer’s report it was explained that two non cash items; namely the write off of $66,508.00 for the ABRI registry system and $57,606.00 for unrealized loss on the CCA investment portfolio combined to post a loss of $117,983.00 for the 2008 year. The ABRI registry system was paid for in 2007 with the government funded “Genesis grant” however it was then considered a capital investment by the CCA accountants and would be amortized over a number of years. When the system was retired in 2008 the balance owed on the system had to be stated on the Review Engagement. On the second loss a reasonably new accounting practice introduced two years ago means that any unrealized losses in investments has to be stated on the CCA balance sheet. Although the portfolio is considered a conservative investment it lost the stated amount in the final few months of 2008.

• Note: – At the end of June the investment has rebounded approximately $37,000.00.

Without these two no cash losses the Review Engagement would have posted a gain of $6,131.00.

During the Presidents Luncheon the Charolais awards for the year were presented.

There was 27 Dam’s of Distinction awarded. This award goes to a female that has indexed 100 or greater for 5 consecutive years.

Twenty-Five Year Members were: – Clifford Wilkie from Endiang, AB. Randy & Susan Cay from Kinistino, SK. Gordon & Leone Thurston from Irma, AB.  Medonte Charolais, A Miller, from Hillsdale, ON. Real Poirier from Ste-Agathe, PQ. Horseshoe E Charolais from Kenaston, SK. Darwin Plewis from Swift Current, SK. Char-Lew Ranch from Pincher Creek, AB and Rolling D Charolais from Dropmore, MB.

Forty Year Members were: – Norheim Charolais Farm from Saskatoon, SK. McKay Charolais from Glenella, MB. White Cap Charolais from Moose Jaw, SK. and Hunter Charolais from Roblin, MB

Honor roll – This is the highest award the Charolais Association can bestow on any member, and this year there were four new members inducted.

W. Gordon Meakin family from Alcomdale, AB – Bo-Jan Enterprises, Bob and Janet Jackson from Sylvania, SK – Rollin D Charolais, Bob & Elaine Digby from Dropmore, MB and the Hunter Charolais family from Roblin, MB. The write-ups will be posted on the Charolais website in due course.

Two other presentations were made during the luncheon. The first was a limited edition Charolais print that was presented to the retiring President Cam Sparrow recognizing his time spent and dedication in leading the Association over the past two years.

Secondly, Judy Lennstrom was presented with a crystal decanter set courtesy of the members of the Association in recognition of 25 years of service to the CCA. Judy also received a gift and flowers from the Manitoba Association in recognition of her impending marriage to Larry Cummer on July 4^th.

By laws – All of the proposed by-laws that had been mailed to all members at the beginning of May were passed with the necessary two thirds majorities. The most notable change for 2010 will be that WHE will have to be returned to the office by January 1^st 2010 with invoicing on January 15^th and payment due by January 31^st 2010. This change will replace the March 15^th WHE date and the April 1^st and October 1^st invoicing dates. One factor that will assist with WHE in the upcoming year is that breeding dates will not be required on the WHE forms; breeding dates will not be required until the calving information is submitted.

The new President and Board of Directors for 2010 are:- President – Lyle Bignell, AB, 1^st Vice-President – Wade Beck, SK, 2^nd Vice-President – Campbell Forsyth, MB and Past President – Cam Sparrow. SK.  Jennifer MacDonald – director at large, Steeve Poulin, PQ, Brent Saunders, ON, Clint Robertson – director at large, John Wilgenbusch, SK, Dory Gerrard, AB, Ursula Corpataux, AB.

The CCA committees and members had not yet been selected at press time.

In conclusion the BOD considered the AGM to be successful meeting and they would like to thank the attendees for supporting the actions of the administration and the BOD and for providing encouragement in planning for the year ahead.