A Zone Meeting was held on Monday, September 29, 2014.

Opening Ceremonies were conducted by Branch 315  President Comrade  Adam Biesidecki.

The Meeting opened at 7:30 p.m.

The Roll was called. All Branches were represented.

MOTION to deviate from the Agenda was passed.

MINUTES:

The Minutes were adopted as circulated.

CORRESPONDENCE

The Convention Booklet is out.

ZONE COMMANDERS REPORT

Comrade Zone Commander, John Murphy apologized for not visiting all the Branches during the summer. His mother was sick (though well now) and he had to fly to Scotland.

Discussion about the LCBO and THE BEER STORE not accepting cheques was held  at the District Council Meeting  All Presidents should have received letters stating that cheques will be acceptable.

PLEASE ATTEND THE DISTRICT CONVENTION IF AT ALL POSSIBLE.

TREASURER’S REPORT

Past Zone Commander Comrade Jim Chesterfield reported:

Mar.31, 2014       

Financials

Bank Balance April 21,2014.                                                                  6318.46

March

Expenses:                            

Revenues:    Draw Br.60                                                                           70.00

                        Interest                                                                                .01                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   

Bank Balance May 21, 2014                                                                  6388.47

It was noted that the Dominion Convention turned down the $5 increase in per capita tax requested by Dominion Command. Comrade Don Hubbs noted that the PEC Meeting in January will vote to increase the per capita $2 anyway (effective next year)

POPPY

Comrade Robert Watson reported:

We have had an eventful summer. Our Zone had a Poppy Seminar with our District Poppy Chair and Deputy Zone Commander in attendance. It was held at Branch #36 in Dundas on August 9, 2014. As with all events many ideas were presented and discussions were I believe productive and positive. Suzi Murphy was kind enough to prepare the hand-outs and I have extras for any Branch President.

We were reminded at the Seminar that the Poppy Year End is Tuesday, September 30, 2014. No doubt the dates for inspections will be discussed at this Zone Meeting. Please have the following information prepared for these inspections:

1. Completed Status Report- 4 copies

2. Special Use Forms (Application for Special Use of Poppy Funds) -2 copies                                                                                                                

3. Complete Breakdown of "Other Local Expenses" D6 -3 copies                                                                                                                                                                  

4. Poppy committee membership                                                                                                                                                                                   

5. 2013-2014 Poppy Trust Fund Bank Statements

6. Sample of Bursary Application

7. Sample of note or card that was sent to a Branch Member who assisted in the Poppy Campaign.

8. Who you have in mind to be the next Zone Poppy Chair-hey somebody needs this info...........

Members of our Zone also met with the Minister of Veterans Affairs Julian Fantino in July. I have some material that was distributed in this "charm offensive". Please let me know and I will forward you the material that was sent to me.

There appeared to be a significant disconnect between some Veterans Organizations and the Royal Canadian Legion during a part of this meeting.
Our Deputy Zone Commander made a good case for our Legion. Minister Fantino did not engage in much of this discussion. Thankfully.
I would suggest that the ideals and efforts of our organization was represented, which is a positive thing, alas I’m not sure if we moved the rock very far. The rock being the Government of Canada.

Some issues raised were veteran homelessness, mental health, The New Veterans Charter, Reservists, financial support for veterans and their families and the inconsistent coverage of the Government of Canada’s initatives with regards to Veterans. Minister Fantino also mentioned the unflattering coverage of the Government of Canada’s efforts in the media. He also did suggest that there were gaps in service to our Veterans.

I was also able to attend, with the Minister,on your behalf a presentation of the Arctic Star to one of our local Veterans. It was a great event with attendance from the Mayor of the City of Hamilton, the local M.P. and many family and friends of the Veteran.

I look forward to seeing our Branch Poppy Chairs at their Branches and please let me know, if I can be of assistance when completing the Branch Status Reports.

MEMBERSHIP

Comrade Joyce Brown stated that Zone B6 has a 90% membership paid compared to last year when we had 95% renewals. Waterdown and Dundas were near perfect!

This should be our final push to get our numbers up. Have members call to ask why they haven’t renewed. We must actively try to promote our branches and encourage new membership. The Early Bird campaign started September 1 and goes to the end of November.

PRO

Zone B6 Public Relations Report - Peter Whittaker – 29th September, 2014 - Branch 315 - 4 Soldinarsc Place, Hamilton

You asked me for more details on accessing the Zone B website.  Listed below are the urls required to access the Branch 36 website homepage, or the Zone B website homepage which is currently resides on the Branch 36 website. 

You can enter either of these urls at the top of the page on your internet browser and you will be taken the homepage listed.

You can also select either of the links from this email  and you will be taken directly to these web pages.

Either of these can be entered at the top of the page, or easier still selected to access the location listed.  If there are problems please advise asap.
Link to the Branch 36 website.  After reaching the Branch 36 homepage the Zone B website link is located at the bottom left side of ths home page:
http://www.br36dundas.org/
Direct link to Zone B website and bypassing the Branch 36 website:
http://br36dundas.org/ZoneB6/ZoneB6.html
Corrected / Updated Zone, District, Provincial, Dominion Meeting Schedule on website.

1)    Sent email to Zone secretary asking for branch president names for 2014-2015 and check information supplied against their web sites and advise them if they are incorrect/out of date, etc..

2)    Added Meeting Minutes for 2014 May 26^th to Zone web site.

3)    I will be updating the Legion Sports Tournament Schedule on the Zone web site when it becomes available

SERGEANT @ ARMS

26 were present for the Meeting.

SPORTS

Comrade Garry Spears reported:

Just a quick update from last meeting. For the first time in 4 years I actually got district and Provincial dates early this year. This has allowed me to set my entire zone dates earlier than past years. Branches hosting events have already been contacted with dates.

I have a district meeting on October 8.  At this time I will get all schedules I will set a zone meeting date and contact all zone sports officers the following week and hand out all sheets. We should all be ready to go for 2015 after that.

TRAINING AND ORGANIZATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Comrade Don Hubbs plans to have the Branch TOD officers meet to learn what their duties are.

YOUTH EDUCATION

Comrade Jackie Ralston stated that  letters should go out to schools re: the Literary and Poster Competition. Please send only the first place winners on the Zone. Comrade Jackie must have your first place entries at the November Zone Meeting.

L.A. REPORT

Comrade Jackie Ralston stated that there will be a L.A. Zone Meeting On October 19 at Branch 60.

BURSARIES

Comrade Jackie Ralston stated that the current Bursary forms are dated January, 2013. They can be printed on line but must be run off and brought to the Branch and signed by the Secretary, President or Membership Chair. She ponted out that they are based on need and the family income level is less that $120,000. However there is a place for the student to explain if the parents are not helping them or there are other extenuating circumstance.

WAYS AND MEANS

Comrade Wilma Becker stated that $80. Was raised in May.

ALL COMMITTEE REPORTS WERE MOVED, SECONDED AND CARRIED.

BRANCH REPORTS

Many Branches  did not have figures so these figures  will have to be corrected at the October Meeting.

BRANCH 36:

Life: 9 Ordinary: 184           Associates: 323                  Affiliates: 224                       Total: 740

BRANCH 58

Life: 14                     Ordinary: 87 Associate: 137                    Voting Affiliate: 111                        Total: 349                       

BRANCH 60:

Life: 16                      Ordinary: 202           : Associates: 328    Affiliates: 177           Renewals: 590      New: 28     Total:  626          

BRANCH 163:.

Life: 16                      Ordinary: 216             Associates: 328    Affiliate: 177 Total: 737

BRANCH 315: 

Life: 8 Ordinary: 6   Associate: 51           Affiliate: 2                  Total: 66       

BRANCH 551:

Life: 8 Ordinary: 34 Associate: 57              Affiliate: 30            Total: 149

BRANCH 622:

Life: 145        Ordinary: 14             Associate: 32           Affiliate:  4     NonV: 1             Total: 65

ALL BRANCH REPORTS WERE MOVED, SECONDED AND CARRIED.

GENERAL AND NEW BUSINESS

The agenda of the District Convention was discussed. There will be a presentation on  haow to get grants.

The Zone does have 47 plots at White Chapel Cemetery. Comrade John Murphy will find out exactly what this means and will report back at the October Meeting. They are to used for Veterans with limited means by Veterans in our Zone.

The next Meeting will be at BRANCH 551 on OCTOBER 27 AT 7:30P.M.

The Meeting concluded at 8:20p.m.

Respectively submitted,

Jane Richardson

Secretary

John Murphy

Zone Commander