A Zone Meeting was held on Monday, October 27, 2014.

Opening Ceremonies were conducted by Branch 551  President Comrade  Sheila Latner.

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

NA

ZONE COMMANDERS REPORT

Comrade Zone Commander, John Murphy stated that Branch 163 hosted the District Convention on October 3-5. The event went off without a hitch.  Everyone who attended was impressed with the branch, the entertainment, the food and well-attended parade.

There was a poor turnout from our Zone with 3 branches (58, 60 and 315) absent. This was our opportunity to shine in front of our Provincial President and 2 Provincial Vice Presidents, all of whom are past District B Commanders. It did not take long for them to ask “where is??” “Why isn’t  ??  here??”

The oath as President to attend or to have representation at Zone and District meetings is to be taken to heart.

If you are not going to be there, someone else would use the opportunity to learn more about the Legion in general. Delegate to a Vice President so they will learn about the workings of the Legion and what is expected of them as they progress through the ranks.

TREASURER’S REPORT

Past Zone Commander Comrade Jim Chesterfield reported:

Sept.27, 2014   

Financials

Bank Balance Sept. 19, 2014                                                                      6405.81

October

Expenses:        Photo copying                                                                         58.99              

Poppy Chair Expenses                                                          193.77  

Service Charge                                                                          1.00

Revenues:        Draw Br.315                                                                           90.00

                        Branch 163 Youth Ed                                                            400.00

                        Branch 315 Youth Ed                                                            400.00

                        Branch 622 Youth Ed                                                            400.00

                        Branch 36 Youth ED                                                             400.00

                        Interest                                                                                       .00                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   

Bank Balance Oct. 24, 2014                                                                       7842.05

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 initiatives 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, according to Dominion Command, a 92% paid membership. Please contact members for renewals. Keep up with your Early Bird Campaigns.

An issue was brought to my attention that a member contacted another branch  outside  the Zone because they did not feel their branch was not helping them enough.  Membership chairmen should always be available to help a member and solve small issues that could be solved in-house. This stops the necessity of having another branch and Command involved.

PRO

Comrade Peter Whittaker reported:

1)    I corrected / updated the Zone, District, Provincial, Dominion Meeting Schedule on our website.

2)    I uploaded minutes of the September meeting at Branch 315 Polish Veterans to our website.

3)    I asked all of those present at this meeting to check their Branch web sites and ensure that they have the correct names for their executives, as I have found errors.

4)    I created Zone, District, Provincial, Dominion Legion Sports Tournament Schedule pages on our Zone website for the 2015 Sports Tournaments.

SERGEANT @ ARMS

28 were present for the Meeting.

SPORTS

Comrade Garry Spears reported:

That he attended the District Sports meeting and was given the district and provincial sports schedules for the upcoming year. He held a Zone Sports Meeting and all schedules for zone, district and provincial sports were handed out to each Branch. We are ready to go!

 10-pin bowling has been dropped.

TRAINING AND ORGANIZATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Comrade John stated that the Presentation about how to get grants was very good. Do it BEFOR THE ELECTION.

YOUTH EDUCATION

Comrade Jackie Ralston stated that she will collect your 1^st place winners in each category of the Literary and Poster Contest at the November Zone Meeting.

L.A. REPORT

Comrade Jackie Ralston stated that the official visits to the Branch L.A.’s have begun.

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 pointed 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: 199     Associates: 3233               Affiliates: 237                    Total: 769

BRANCH 58

Life: 14                Ordinary:             Associate:                           Voting Affiliate:                               Total: 155—no new numbers                    

BRANCH 60:

Life: 15                 Ordinary: 71       : Associates: 878               Affiliates: 27      Renewals: 590      New: 5    Total:  195       

BRANCH 163:.

Life: 165               Ordinary: 68         Associates: 105               Affiliate: 65        Total: 263

BRANCH 315: 

Life: 8                    Ordinary: 6         Associate:           Affiliate:                              Total:    Not available    

BRANCH 551:

Life: 8                    Ordinary: 35                       Associate: 98        Affiliate: 50                     Total: 149

BRANCH 622:

Life: 15                 Ordinary: 28                       Associate: 63                     Affiliate:  17                           Total: 113

ALL BRANCH REPORTS WERE MOVED, SECONDED AND CARRIED.

GENERAL AND NEW BUSINESS

The Branch inspections will start immediately. The Presidents will receive the papers necessary for the inspections.

There are 48 plots in the White Chapel Cemetery.

We still do not have all the information (example do these plots include all the expenses incurred or not).

How do we allot these plots?

MOTION: by Comrade Jim Chesterfield, seconded by Comrade Robert Watson that the Past Zone Commander, the Zone Commander and the Deputy Commander be responsible for the decisions concerning eligible recipients based on the fact that it is a veteran and that there is financial need. Carried.

Warning—Comrade Gord Sharpe someone came to Branch 36 selling T-shirts. Do not fall for this Scam or any phone solicitations.

The next Meeting will be at BRANCH 622 NOVEMBER 24, 2014

The Meeting concluded at 9p.m.

Respectively submitted,

Jane Richardson

Secretary

John Murphy

Zone Commander