Telecommunities Canada
Annual General Meeting
2004-05
Friday,February 25, 2005
Coast Plaza Hotel and Suites
Vancouver, B.C.
Present at the meeting:
Garth Graham
Mike Gurstein
Marita Moll
Peter Royce
Gary Shearman
Chair: Marita Moll
Agenda:
1 Approval of minutes of 2003-4 AGM
2 Financial report
3. Appointment of auditor
4.President’s report
5. Director’s reports
6. Review and updating of bylaws
7. Issues and directions
8. Election of directors
9. Adjournment
Minutes of 2003-4 AGM were tabled for approval
Recommendation 1: That the minutes of the 2003-4 AGM (Vancouver) be approved
Moved by Gary Shearman
Seconded by Peter Royce
Carried
2. Financial report
Gary Shearman reported that there had been no financial activity this year so the report of 2003-04 still stands.
Recommendation 2: That the verbal report provided by Gary Shearman be received
Moved Garth Graham
Seconded by Mike Gurstein
Carried
Recommendation 3: That TC continue to use the services of the present auditor - Stuart Boddy of Victoria
Moved by Garth Graham
Seconded by Peter Royce
Carried
4. President’s report
Recommendation 4: Given that most activities have been at the Director’s level, the President’s report be waived
Moved by Garth Graham
Seconded by Peter Royce
Carried
Upcoming Telecom Policy Review
Garth Graham reported that, as soon as Industry Minister Emmerson announced that a telecom policy review would to be conducted this year, a letter was drafted and sent to the Minister on behalf of TC directors. The letter stated our position that the telecom legislation did indeed need review but that it be done in an open and consultative manner that recognized the value of Canadian experience on-line and enabled the participation of a wide-range of players in the new communications world. see: http://www.tc.ca/newapproach.txt
Garth reported that no response to this letter had been received. The group agreed that another letter should be sent referring to the first letter and indicating that, as a group with a keen interest in the outcome of this review, that we would appreciate being kept informed.
American Federation of Community Networks (AFCN)
Mike Gurstein suggested that we have more and better connections to similar groups outside of Canada. He suggested, particularly, that AFCN would welcome and reciprocate such links.
It was agreed that we should extend our reach and that any progress in that area be reflected on the website (in the form of links, reports, etc.)
CANCAP
Peter Royce, who has been involved in CANCAP, a new organization representing community access sites in Canada, noted that CANCAP was looking for an organizational home. He suggested that TC would be an excellent umbrella for the CANCAP group as the mandates are very similar and TC is already registered as a non-profit group.
It was agreed that Peter and Gary, who are both active in CANCAP, should extend the offer to merge our activities.
Lawful Access
Marita Moll reported that, in response to an invitation from Pippa Lawson of CIPPIC, she would, on behalf of TC, be attending a full-day consultation on the draft "Lawful Access" legislation on March. 9, 2005.
CRACIN
Marita Moll, as TC representative to the Canadian Research Alliance for Community Innovation and Networking (CRACIN) reported that, over the course of the year, she had done considerable work, through the CRACIN project, on a policy map showing activity by private, government and public interest players on telecommunications policy since 1990. She noted that TC, having been around for most of that time, was well represented on that map. http://www.fis.utoronto.ca/research/iprp/cracin/policy/index.htm
She also noted that, over the next year, she would be leading the CRACIN survey of social benefits of community networks over the next year. More details on this are available at: http://www.fis.utoronto.ca/research/iprp/cracin/publications/pdfs/presentations/posters/Moll.pdf
Recommendation 5: That the reports of directors be accepted as provided
Moved by Garth Graham
Seconded by Mike Gurstein
Carried
Recommendation 6: That the actions of the directors since the last meeting be ratified
Moved by Peter Royce
Seconded by Gary Shearman
Carried
Marita Moll reported that there had been a minor misunderstanding when the changes to the by-laws were filed with Industry Canada this year. Approval of the change is still pending awaiting a letter of further explanation from us.
She also reported that the government seemed to be in the process of streamlining the legislation which deals with non-profits to reduce the regulatory burden on resource-thin organizations.
It was agreed that we should be doing more outreach and establishing or re-establishing connections with like-minded groups. These include AFCN, CRACIN, CANCAP, some of the international groups and individuals who were part of GCNP, etc.
8. Election of directors
Gary Shearman reported that Mark Surman would be unable to stand for director this year due to his new appointment with IDRC and a possible conflict of interest.
Recommendation 7: That the remainder of the directors list (listed below) be left unchanged but that 3 positions remain vacant to be filled eventually with representatives from the new CANCAP organization.
New list of directors:
Gareth Shearman
Chris Cope
Marita Moll
Alain Ambrosi
Brian Beaton
Fred Campbell
Garth Graham
Michael Gurstein
David Murdoch
Peter Royce
3 vacant positions
Moved by Peter Royce
Seconded by Garth Graham
Carried
9. Adjournment
Recommendation 8: That the 2004-2005 AGM be adjourned
Moved by Gary Shearman
Seconded by Marita Moll
Carried