A Zone Meeting was held on Monday, February 27, 2012.

The Meeting opened at 7:35p.m. at Branch 163 with opening ceremonies by Comrade President Murray Bown.

The Roll was called. All Branches were represented.

MOTION to deviate from the Agenda was passed.

MINUTES: 

The Minutes were adopted as read by Comrade Secretary, Jane Richardson.

CORRESPONDENCE

--Past Ontario Command President, Comrade Frank Bilotta passed away January 26, 2012. 

--Comrade President of Ontario Command, Andre Paquette stated that “Operation: Leave the Streets Behind—Homeless Veterans Assistance” has entered its 2nd year of operation and is progressing well. Any local veterans can approach the closest Legion who in turn will notify Ontario Command and help will be forthcoming.

--44th Dominion Convention—WORLD TRADE AND CONVENTION CENTRE AND HALIFAX METO CENTRE, HALIFAX, NOVA SCOTION JUNE 9-13, 2012. Information is available from your President.

--Membership in the Legion has never been a requirement for eligible veteran or veteran’s dependent to receive support from any Poppy Fund.

--a few minor By-law amendments have been made

--Scrapbook information was received and will be passed to the PRO.

--Minutes of the Provincial Track and Field are available from the secretary if anyone should care to read them.

ZONE COMMANDERS REPORT

1. It was good to get the zone minutes out again within a week after the meeting and I would like to thank Jane for the effort, keep up the good work. I had an E-Mail from a couple of you requesting them again , so please ensure your E Mail address is current.

2.  Please send electronically to Jane and myself the new executives for you branch including addresses, E-Mail info and phone numbers. We require this info for sending the minutes out to all those who have E-Mail.

3. Let’s make sure we have a good attendance at the March executive training sessions on Article 3 complaints March 31 and Financials March 24 both in Burlington. We will send out a reminder to all the Executives, that we have E-Mail addresses for, this week. It is good for every one of them to attend even those that feel they know it all or have been involved for years. Let’s show them Zone B-6 cares.

4. We are hosting the District Convention April 13-15 at Br58 Hamilton so make sure you check with the Branch President to see if they can use your help. Also encourage your Executive to attend and we expect all Presidents and Vice Presidents to be there throughout the events.

5. I am requesting a Presidents report every quarter for the next 2 years, (Which should include a L.A. update as well) prior to District Council and Convention meetings. I require this to give a meaningful report on our Zones activities. We are also going to carry on with the practice of reading out names of Veterans who passing away between District Conventions. The dates for these where in the last meeting minutes that is Dec., March, June and Sept. So please prepare it for me by late next month.

6. Branch Executive should be looking at members worthy of Life Membership, MSM and Palm Awards early so the paper work can be processed. Please go on line each time and ensure you use the current form. We only have 1 submission so far this year.

7. We have feedback on our annual reviews and I will be contacting all Presidents with comments and questions asked by District Commander and Ontario Command. Main comments are about Financial Advisory Committees and Lottery Financial Reviews. 

8. Branch regulations have been reviewed and memos from Brain have been sent to all Branches in our Zone with requests for changes. To date we  know of  2 Branches that have completed new

9. Regulation Forms and submitted them. Please let me know the status at your Branch and forward a copy to me so we have them on file for the Branch Elections.

10. We have issued the Branch Election as well as the Honors and Awards Dates for the Zone and each branch will receive a copy. If you do not agree with the dates let me know so it can be updated.

11. We also have a sign up sheet for Branch Elections and we would like 4 to attend each so please enter you name on dates you are available.

TREASURER’S REPORT

Comrade George Chalmers was absent. Comrade Zone Commander Jim Chesterfield has been handling the books. He stated that our bank balance is $4,034.56

POPPY

Comrade Robert Watson was absent.

MEMBERSHIP

Comrade Joyce Brown suggested that Membership Committees should try to get new members, approach lapsed members and get the slow renewal members on board. She urged Branches to make sure their per capita payments were up-to-date.

PRO

Comrade Peter Whittaker has compiled a booklet of information about how to approach the media. He is also setting up a web page for the Zone.

SENIORS

Comrade Bill Eisan had no report.

SERGEANT @ ARMS

27 are in attendance. 

SPORTS

Comrade Garry Spears sent his report to the meeting

Results from Zone Snooker—Branch 36 had the winning team.

Zone single and double darts—Ron Mill, Branch 622.

Doubles—Kevin Walsh and Brian Walsh from Branch 60

Team winners-- from Branch 58.

Congratulations.

Upcoming events—March 10—euchre at Branch 551, mixed team darts on March 18 at Branch 36, mixed doubles on March 24 at Branch 36.

TRAINING AND ORGANIZATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

There is a seminar on Saturday. March 24 at 8:30a.m at Branch 60. The subject is Branch finance and promises to be very informative. 

There will be a second seminar to be held on Saturday, March 31 at 8:30a.m. The subject is complaints. It will aid members in filing complaints or helping members file complaints or advising members who have complaints served against them.

Both seminars will be led by Ontario Command Officers.

Legion dress is expected but should not hold anyone back from attending.

YOUTH EDUCATION

Comrade Jackie Ralston stated that the Public Speaking Provincial finals will be held in Niagara Falls. Zone B is responsible for hosting the contest. This occurs only once in five years. She stated that Zone B6 is to urged to help with the expenses. 

MOTION: by Comrade Don Hubbs, seconded by Comrade Joyce Brown, that we provide $400.00 for the Provincial Youth Education Public Speaking Contest. Carried.

L.A. REPORT

Comrade Jackie Ralston stated that the visits by the Zone Commander and Deputy Zone Commander have been completed. Everything is running smoothly.

She reminded the Council that there must be two joint meetings of the Branch and L.A. Executives each year.

WAYS AND MEANS

Comrade Wilma Becker stated that the Bar and the Draw for the good and the welfare at Branch 60 $56.00.

ALL COMMITTEE REPORTS WERE MOVED, SECONDED AND CARRIED.

BRANCH REPORTS

BRANCH 36: 

Life: 10 Ordinary: 206 Associates: 324 Affiliates: 212  Total: 741

BRANCH 58

Life: 15  Ordinary: 106 Associate: 168  Voting Affiliate: 122  Total: 411

BRANCH 60: 

Life: 18 Ordinary: 204  Associates: 223 Affiliates: 125  New: 26        2012:  596   

BRANCH 163:.

Life: 15  Ordinary: 200 Associates: 281  Affiliate: 140 Affiliate NV: 2  Total: 2012: 638

BRANCH 315:  

Life: 7 Ordinary: 9 Associate: 41 Affiliate: 26     Total: 83 

BRANCH 551:

Life: 6 Ordinary: 62 Associate: 142    Affiliate: 74 Total: 294

BRANCH 622: 

Life: 15 Ordinary: 168 Associate: 294 Affiliate: 93 Affiliate Non-Voting: 1 Total: 571

ALL BRANCH REPORTS WERE MOVED, SECONDED AND CARRIED.

GENERAL AND NEW BUSINESS

MOTION: by Comrade Don Hubbs, seconded by Comrade Wilma Becker, that we pay the travel expenses of the Zone Commander to the Dominion Convention in Halifax. Carried.

The Meeting ended at 8:50p.m.

The next Meeting will be BRANCH 315 ON MONDAY, MARCH 26 AT 7:30P.M.

Respectively submitted,

Jane Richardson

Secretary

Jim Chesterfield

Zone Commander