Minutes of the Venture Association
Annual General Meeting
Held at the Maritime Warfare Centre
Canadian Forces Base Halifax
Saturday, 26 September, 2009
1. Call to Order
The President, Ken Scotten, called the meeting to order at 1000 and declared that a quorum was present permitting the conduct of Association business.
2. Approval of Agenda
It was agreed by consensus that Agenda Item 8, Presentation to Members, be addressed during Agenda Item 1.
3. Agenda Item 1 - Welcome
The President thanked all in attendance for their participation at the 2009 Annual General Meeting of the HMCS Venture Association. He made specific reference and offered our continued support to the honorary members of our Association who are attending this reunion.
The President paid special thanks on behalf of all attendees to RAdm Paul Maddison, Commander Maritime Forces, Atlantic and Commander Joint Task Force (Atlantic) for all the support that he and his staff provided for the Venture Reunion. This support included our day trip on board HMCS Montreal, the use of the Stadacona Wardroom and the venue of the Maritime Warfare School for our Annual General Meeting.
Admiral Maddison addressed the attendees and provided an inspiring talk with respect to his own personal experiences as a commanding officer referring specifically to the first occasion when he knew, via the CO sixth sense, that he had to leave his cabin where he was entertaining a civilian maritime artist, and proceed to the bridge to address a potential collision at sea.
Admiral Maddison spoke to his own career and made specific reference to the support he received from many ex Venture’s in command. He then espoused his own views and opinions on the state of the Navy past, present and future mentioning the exciting ship building opportunities we are now facing including the Joint Support Ships, the Arctic offshore patrol ships and the modernization of our ships and submarines.
The President introduced the Chair of the Board of Directors of the Canadian Naval Memorial Trust who outlined details of the $60 M project to permanently enshrine HMCS Sackville in the proposed Queen’s Landing maritime heritage complex on the Halifax waterfront. He encouraged all attendees to assist in this project by becoming trustees.
The President then thanked all members of his executive who have supported him these past five years. He paid particular thanks to Gordon Longmuir, editor of the Signal, Harley Kieran, webmaster, the area representatives and the class representatives. He closed this agenda item by thanking Ted Kelly, Chairman, 2009 Reunion and his team and congratulated them on putting together an outstanding reunion program.
Ted in turn and on behalf of all attendees then thanked Admiral Maddison for the support provided to his committee which contributed in no small part to the outstanding success of our reunion. He advised the Admiral, on behalf of the Venture Association, that a framed print of the original Naval training schooner, HMCS Venture would be presented to him at a later time and place. The individual who painted the original was the artist referred to by Admiral Maddison in his introductory comments.
4. Agenda Item 2 – Previous Minutes
The President noted that the minutes of the 2004 Reunion have been posted on the website for the last five years and therefore called for a motion to waive the reading of the minutes.
MOVED/SECONDED
THAT THE READING OF THE MINUTES OF THE 2004 HMCS VENTURE ASSOCIATION ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING BE WAIVED
MOTION CARRIED
5. Agenda Item 3 – Financial Statements
On behalf of the Treasurer, Ron McLean, the 2009 Reunion Registrar, Sieg Delu presented a summary financial statement covering fiscal year 2009 and a consolidated financial statement summary covering the fiscal years 2005 to 2008. These statements are attached as Appendix 1 to these minutes. A member queried whether the 2009 surplus of $13,272.69 included or excluded the 2005-2008 deficit of $4,880.10. The President stated the 2009 surplus figure did not include the previous deficit and that the actual surplus was $8,392.59. These funds would be available as seed money for the 2014 reunion. The President then called for a motion to approve the financial statements.
MOVED/SECONDED
THAT THE HMCS VENTURE ASSOCIATION FINANCIAL STATEMENTS BE ACCEPTED AS PRESENTED
MOTION CARRIED
[Secretarial Note: The 2009 Financial Statements at Appendix 1 are interim, unaudited and cover the period 1 January to 26 September 2009. They do not include the reunion revenues and expenses that have not yet been finalized or reported. The Treasurer will prepare and present the Association’s 2009 Financial Statements and a separate set of Financial Statements for the 2009 Reunion in January 2010. These two sets of financial statements will be posted on the Association website and subsequently posted in the Signal. RRD]
6. Agenda Item 4 – Election of New Officers
Jean Verroneau, Director at Large and chair of the nominating committee presented the following slate of officers for 2009 to 2014:
President: John Westlake (Ontario)
Past President (ex officio): Ken Scotten (Victoria)
Secretary: John Carruthers (Victoria)
Treasurer: Ron McLean (Victoria)
Registrar/Editor, the Signal: Gordon Longmuir (North Vancouver)
Webmaster: Harley Kieran (Halifax)
Director at Large Victoria: Doug McClean (Victoria)
Director at Large Ottawa: Tim Porter (Ottawa)
Director at Large Halifax: Matt Durnford (Halifax)
Venture Historian: Wilf Lund (Victoria)
Chairman 2014 Reunion Ottawa: George Kolisnek
Jean, noting that we were fortunate in having both old and new volunteers step forward to serve the Association, then provided a thumb nail sketch of each nominee. He noted in particular that the position of Venture Historian was a new one and reflected the desire of the Association to recognize all the sterling work that Wilf has undertaken to date with respect to documenting the history of Venture and coordinating the accumulation of memorabilia for display in the Welland Room at NOTC Venture. He then called for any additional nominations from the floor. Hearing none, the President declared the above slate elected by acclamation. On behalf of the attendees, he congratulated all nominees on their election as officers of the HMCS Venture Association for the period 2009 to 2014.
7. Agenda Item 5 – Next Reunion Location and OPI
The President noted that this item may have been preempted by the fact that we had already elected in the previous agenda item George Kolisnek as OPI of the reunion to be held in Ottawa in 2014. Nevertheless he opened up discussion of this agenda item to the floor. Bill Paul, citing the advanced ages of some members, recommended that the date of the next reunion be advanced to 2012. There was much discussion on the pros and cons of this proposal. A subsequent proposal from the floor suggested that the newly elected executive committee should decide the issue with regard to the date of the next reunion at the earliest opportunity. However, until the date and location are changed, the next reunion is scheduled to take place in Ottawa in 2014.
MOVED/SECONDED
THAT THE 2009-2014 EXECUTIVE OF THE HMCS VENTURE ASSOCIATION CONSIDER MOVING THE DATE FOR THE NEXT REUNION TO 2012 AND CONFIRM THE LOCATION OF THE NEXT REUNION AS OTTAWA
MOTION CARRIED
At this point in the meeting, the 2009 Reunion Registrar presented several slides illustrating the difficulties he experienced following a water leak on his file box of reunion registrations and cheques. He then presented a chart of the 2009 reunion registration statistics. The latter is attached as Appendix 2 to these minutes.
8. Agenda Item 6 – Venture Association – Look Ahead
The President confirmed the decision of the 2006 HMCS Venture Association AGM that the membership was now closed and limited to those who attended HMCS Venture, whether graduating or not, and staff from the initial class of 1954 to the last class of 1968. There was considerable discussion on naming issues vis a vis HMCS Venture and NOTC Venture et al, but in the end consensus was arrived at reflecting that the HMCS Venture training plan was very different from the current NOTC training plan, for example the latter does not include any training for pilots, supply officers or engineer officers. The entire raison d’etre for our Association is the unique training experiences we all enjoyed as cadet-midshipmen which are not reflected in the current NOTC training plan.
Referring to our constitution and by-laws, the President emphasized that our Association is not a lobby group. We leave that tasking up to the Naval Officers Association of Canada, which as a member of the Canadian Defence Association Institute, continually monitors and advances defence issues to the public and government.
9. Agenda Item 7 – Memorial Book
Our newly elected Venture Historian preceded his presentation on the Memorial Book by recounting the Venture history program work accomplished to date. He described the Welland Room, the displays and the location of missing artifacts, silverware, trophies and other memorabilia. Of significance was his successful request to the families of the Venture division namesakes, Admirals Stephens, Reid, Grant and Brodeur, for a personal memento to be put on display. He noted that the Association has an excellent relationship with NOTC who provides us the space for the Welland Room at no cost in return for the maintenance and upkeep of the displays by our volunteers.
The Venture “In Remembrance” book was located by Ken Scotten in a box of miscellaneous Venture artifacts. This memorial book was commissioned to record the name of Venture cadets and staff who had lost their lives in the performance of naval duties. Unfortunately the book was so deteriorated that the only option was replace it. Wilf researched, confirmed and corrected the details of the eight names listed in the original book. He also identified five additional names not previously recorded. He was assisted in the production of the new book by Marilyn Cunningham who donated her services to the Association. The new book will be dedicated at the Remembrance Service on Sunday and then placed on permanent display in the Welland Room. A copy will also be placed on the website. Complete details of this heritage project, including the names of the thirteen entries can be found in the August 2009 edition of the Signal. Wilf requested reimbursement from the Association in the sum of $356.29 covering the costs he had incurred in replacing the book.
MOVED/SECONDED
THAT THE HMCS VENTURE ASSOCIATION REIMBURSE WILF LUND THE SUM OF $356.29 FOR EXPENSES INCURRED IN THE PRODUCTION OF THE NEW HMCS VENTURE “IN REMEMBRANCE” BOOK.
MOTION CARRIED
The President thanked Wilf for all his efforts on this special project. He asked that special thanks be extended to Marilyn Cunningham for her outstanding work and contribution to the success of this initiative.
Wilf then outlined the Venture history projects he will be pursuing in the near future. He intends to present a paper on HMCS Venture at the 2010 Canadian Naval Historical Conference being held in conjunction with the Centennial celebrations. His plan is to then expand on this paper by writing a book to be published in time for our 2014 reunion. To assist him in these two endeavours, Wilf asked attendees for support in three areas:
a. As previously solicited via the class representatives, he asked that every member of the Association provide him with a one page memoir responding to four questions:
i. Why did you join Venture/RCN?
ii. What were your initial impressions?
iii. What person, activity or aspect of training do you remember and/or influenced you most?
iv. How did the Venture experience prepare you for your service/civilian career and life?
He asked class representatives who had not yet passed on this request to their classmates, to do so as soon as possible. He noted that to date he has received 65 responses.
b. He would appreciate receiving copies of letters, photographs and artifacts covering life and times at Venture.
c. Lastly he would like to receive one midshipman’s journal per class.
10. Agenda Item 9 – New Business
The President opened the floor to attendees for any new business.
Several members brought messages of welcome from/about absent friends including Admiral Welland, Ray Phillips, Russ Rhode and Peter Birch-Jones who just recently passed away. The President asked members to forward these personal snippets to the Editor of the Signal in order that all members can read of their news.
A member asked for the status of the proposal to produce a lapel pin of the Venture Crest. The President advised that the executive had reviewed the proposal but concluded that due to the large expense involved it would not be a viable project. Ted Kelly agreed to pursue obtaining additional “Cadet” lapel pins, that were handed out to all at the Reunion, for those who wished.
A member asked what the Association was doing for the Navy’s Centennial. The President pointed out that completion of the Welland Room was considered one of our major contributions in this regard. We are also registered as an Association with the Centennial Committee.
The Editor of the Signal advised attendees that he would be producing a special edition in October as a follow-up to the reunion. He also requested the names of class representatives be forwarded for publication in our newsletter. He noted that in between reunions he acts as Registrar and maintains the membership list. Listing changes and membership dues may be submitted to him at any time.
The President urged classes to ensure that they have a “willing and active” Class Representative to look after class interests within the Association. The Class Representative is a very important communication link between the Class and the Executive for Association business. Without a “willing and active” representative, the Class suffers and the Association business is incomplete.
John Simpson, on behalf of attendees and all members, extended thanks and a sincere Bravo Zulu to outgoing President, Ken Scotten and his executive for the outstanding work they have done for our Association over the last five years.
11. Agenda Item 10 - Adjournment
There being no further business, the President adjourned the 2009 HMCS Venture Association Annual General Meeting at 1230.
Ken Scotten Richard Duffield
President Acting Secretary
7 October 2009
AGM 2009 Links:
Agenda
Minutes
App 1 - Financial Statement
App 2 - Reunion Registration Statistics