A Zone Meeting was held on Monday, February 24, 2014 at Branch 58.

Opening Ceremonies were conducted by Comrade President Jeannette Scott.

The Meeting opened at 7:35 p.m.

The Roll was called. All Branches were represented.

MOTION to deviate from the Agenda was passed.

Comrade Zone Commander introduce d two speakers to the Council members.

Helene Ortmann spoke on behalf of the Juravinski Centre. She wished to encourage Branches to donate Poppy Funds to the well deserving Centre which provides such valuable care to Hamilton and areas surrounding it. She mentioned several new services which are worthy of consideration by the Poppy Committees.

The second speaker was Chris Kruter who spoke on behalf of the Dutch Canadian Veteran Association  who requested a presence of Zone Branches at the May 5 Festivities, the Anniversary of the Liberation of the Netherlands.

MINUTES:

The Minutes were adopted as circulated. Corrections to the membership numbers were made.

CORRESPONDENCE

Ontario Command held a meeting of competing sellers of break open tickets and chose Arrow Games.

Call to Convention---Dominion Convention to be held June 14-16, 2014 in Edmonton, Alberta.

Credentials must be completed and mailed to Ontario Command so that as many of our votes as possible may be covered.

Ontario Command is developing a Military Recognition Book—all Branches have further information about it.

ZONE COMMANDERS REPORT

Comrade Zone Commander John Murphy stated that he must have reports from the Branches very soon. Last Post names are to be emailed to the Zone secretary the week of March 1.

TREASURER’S REPORT

Past Zone Commander Comrade Jim Chesterfield reported:

 As of: Feb. 24, 2014:        Financials

Bank Balance Nov.21, 2013                                                                      6587.64

December

Expenses:     Poppy Chair Expenses                                             397.80

                        Annual Audit Expenses                                           193.50

                        S/C                                                                                     .50

                        Poster Contest Awards                                           1800.00

Revenues:    Draw Br.36                                                                    60.00

                        GIC deposit                                                               1588.89

                        GIC Interest                                                                   12.71         

                        Br.315 Poster/speaking                                           400.00

Interest                                                                               .01                      

Bank Balance Jan. 21, 2014                                                                     6257.45

POPPY

Comrade Robert Watson was absent. No report

MEMBERSHIP

Comrade Joyce Brown stated upon going over the records from Dominion Command Zone B6 had 62% renewals as of January 31, 2014. Membership Branch Chairmen should have a committee to either phone or send renewal notices to their members who have not yet paid their 2014 dues. Often the personal touch is all it takes!

Command is renewing their campaign of signing up new members. All branches should have received the package with signs and forms, etc.

PRO

Comrade Peter Whittaker reported:

1)    )Updated Zone Home page—added new page containing Royal Canadian Legion District Bursary report submitted by Comrade Jackie Ralston

2)    Updated Zone Web site—Minutes page

3)    Please view the Zone Web site and confirm that the information for your Branch is correct and if you have something you would like to see on this site please let me know. If no one gives me suggestions to add to the site then they won’t get added.

4)    Comrade Peter stated that every member of Council should enter the site and also request that the Branch PRO go to the site and make sure it is up-to-date and correct. It is only as good as the material that is on it! He pointed out that it is up to the Branches to do the corrections and make it user friendly. The site should also be noted on Branch web sites so members can access it.

SERGEANT @ ARMS

26 members and 2 guests were present for the Meeting.

SPORTS

Comrade Garry Spears reported that Zone Snooker was won by Dundas Branch 36.

Cribbage was won by Branch 551.

Darts—Single darts was won by James Way, Branch 622: Doubles winners were Ron Larkin and Sean Lodge, Branch 551: Team winners were from Branch 622.

Next event is Euchre.

TRAINING AND ORGANIZATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Comrade Don Hubbs stated that the Presidents should be encouraging Branch members to come to Zone Meetings. There should be as many members present as the quota for each Branch  states  as of December 31, 2013. This will ensure that the membership’s wishes are expressed.

YOUTH EDUCATION

Comrade Jackie Ralston stated that 4 entries are going to Provincial from our Zone. Comrade Jackie returned folders to the Branches at the Meeting.

There will be no Zone Public Speaking Contest as Branch 60 was the only Branch in the Zone holding a contest. District Public Speaking will be at Branch 163 on April 12. Student Registration is at 9:30a.m. Area A Public Speaking is April 26 in Milton. ANYONE CAN COME AND OBSERVE. IT MIGHT MAKE SOME BRANCHES RECONSIDER HOLDING A CONTEST.

L.A. REPORT

Comrade Jackie Ralston stated that the Zone L.A. will have a  Zone Meeting and a “fun day” on March 16 at Branch 58.

BURSARIES

Applications for this year’s bursaries must be in by the 3^rd week in March.

WAYS AND MEANS

Comrade Wilma Becker was absent—No report.

ALL COMMITTEE REPORTS WERE MOVED, SECONDED AND CARRIED.

BRANCH REPORTS

BRANCH 36:

Life: 9 Ordinary: 180           Associates: 314                  Affiliates: 214                       Total: 717

BRANCH 58

Life: 14                     Ordinary: 79 Associate: 124                    Voting Affiliate: 104                        Total: 321                       

BRANCH 60:

Life: 16                      Ordinary: 168           : Associates: 4210  Affiliates: 109           Renewals: 503      New: 28     Total:  531          

BRANCH 163:.

Life: 17                      Ordinary: 197             Associates: 297    Affiliate: 162 Total: 673

BRANCH 315: 

Life: 8 Ordinary: 9   Associate: 49           Affiliate: 1                  Total: 67       

BRANCH 551:

Life: 8 Ordinary: 65 Associate: 146           Affiliate: 85            Total: 304

BRANCH 622:

Life: 14                      Ordinary: 124                       Associate: 256                    Affiliate: 17       Total: 481

ALL BRANCH REPORTS WERE MOVED, SECONDED AND CARRIED.

GENERAL AND NEW BUSINESS

MOTION: by Comrade Garry Speers, seconded by Comrade Don Hubbs  that the cost for entry to Zone Darts and Cribbage be raised by $5 per event per person to be paid by the Branches. This  will offset the increase that District has made. Carried.

MOTION: by Comrade Don Hubbs, seconded by Comrade Jeanette Scott that the per diem be paid for our Zone Commander, Comrade John Murphy to attend the National Convention in Edmonton. Carried.

Discussion was held concerning attracting young people into the Legion.  Suggestions included:

1.    That Legion members visit the army messes and reserves and encourage them to join the Legion—possibly giving them some incentives.

2.    Encourage the Cadets who qualify for Associate Membership when they complete cadet training—again possibly giving them an incentive such as a year’s dues paid.

Another concern was raised about how to get members to attend General Meetings. No concrete answers came but members were encouraged to suggest solutions at a future meeting.

The Meeting ended at 8:45p.m.

The next Meeting will be at BURLINGTON BRANCH 60 ON MARCH 31, 2014.

Respectively submitted,

Jane Richardson

Secretary

John Murphy

Zone Commander