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Minutes
Iona Connection General Meeting
Held at the Celtic Music Interpretation Centre, Judique, NS
October 20,2007
Meeting called to order by President at 10:05 am.
Agenda approved. Moved by Joan MacInnis; seconded by Syd Slaven.
Regrets: Theresa Brewster, UNIA
Heather Morrison, North Highlands
Rodney Chaisson,Highland Village
Isabell Harris, Elke Ibrahim, Glace Bay Historical Society
Mary Gillis
Jim Tobin, Sydney Mines Heritage
Charles MacKenzie, CBU History Society
Tom Miller, C.B. Miners Museum
Marilyn Ritza, Ron MacDonald, North Sydney Heritage
Catherine Arseneau, Beaton Institute, CBU.
In Attendance:
Pauline Thomson, Pres.
Peyton Chisholm, Vice. Pres. IC, Manager Curator Old Sydney Society
Jim McLean & Rilla McLean & Julia MacKinnon& Maxine Smith, Port Hastings Historical Society
Juanita MacDonald
Cathy Gillis, Chestico Historical Society
Joan MacInnis, Victoria County Heritage Archives
Syd Slave, Sydney Steel Museum Society
Sandra Dunn, Whitney Pier Museum
Tom Urbaniak, CBU & Old Sydney Society
Virginia MacInnis, Celtic Music Interpretive Centre
Guests: Gordon Hammond Pres. Federation of N.S. Heritage
Mern O’Brien, Dept. of Canadian Heritage, NS Office.
Discussion of access to IC meeting minutes on IC web site. Some individuals were unable to download file. Pauline Thomson to investigate. Moved by Syd Slaven and 2nd by Juanita MacDonald acceptance of minutes.
Treasurers report:
Copies were circulated to those in attendance and report was read by Pauline T.
Profit & Loss
April 1 through October 19, 2007
Income
Memberships
Annual Dues $315.00
Shares 50.00
Total Income$365.00
Expenses:
Bank charges$ 11.00
New Checks 110.75
Board Expenses 72.85
Board Travel Expenses 364.75
NS Co-op council 78.30
Photocopying 107.27
Postage 6.65
Stationary 26.03
Webb expenses 273.94
Total Expenses$1051.54
Net Income$ -686.64
Summary Balance Sheet
As of Oct 19, 2007*
ASSETS
Current Assets
Check/Sav$2,416.51
Other 1,544.43
TOTAL ASSETS$3,960.94
LIABILITIES & EQUITY
Equity$3,960.94
* Please note, the Summary Balance Sheet presented at the meeting was for April 1,2007. Above is the correct one for October 19, 2007.
Financial Statement acceptance was moved by P. Thomson, and seconded by
President’s report:
Copies of the president’s report outlining tasks and objectives of strategic plan were circulated. It is the plan of the Board to present information on the annotated items on the Report Card at the next General Meeting. (See attached.) Moved by Joan MacInnis and 2nd by Sandra Dunn acceptance of president’s report. Unanimous acceptance.
Membership report was given by President in absence of Membership Chair, Rodney Chaisson. A Membership policy is being formulated. It will include the process for returning the cost of share purchases when the member withdraws. Upon receipt of the original proof of payment (receipt from IC treasurer) the total cost of the share purchase will be refunded to the member organization. This includes the original $10.00 shares purchased prior to 2002.
Members, who don’t have their membership certificate, will have them mailed shortly. Renewals will take the form of a Gold sticker with the year stamped on it. Voting (hot pink)cards have been distributed to members who dues are paid for 2007-2008, other will be mailed as received.
Education Committee report is postponed to next meeting.
Those persons interested in a grant writing workshop should contact the President by Dec.. 10/07
Engaging Youth Award-
Award to be given out at the IC spring AGM. Discussion as to the age range for youth will be defined by the committee. Details and application form is on the first page of the website.
Web site Committee – Pauline Thomson.
C@P sites are willing to help heritage organizations with their IT issues and most organizations have C@P sites in their areas. I-notes, the promised Connection Communication for the membership will be launched shortly and will be a supplement to the Federation Flash. Everyone in all our organizations can receive both of these bi-monthly newsletters. Go to each organizations website and send e-mails to have your names added to the lists. This is how the Iona Connection and the Federation of Nova Scotian Heritage keep members abreast of changes in the heritage community. Put everyone in your organizations on these lists. Everyone should also be on the CB List-Serve.
Finance Committee – Marilyn Ritza, Chairperson
The Board of Directors has agreed on the rate of $.25/km for travel to and from board meetings. (this is half the Gov’t. rate) and the Iona Connection acknowledges the high costs of volunteering and appreciates the individuals who accept this token amount for their time and dedication.
Nominating Committee- Joan MacInnis, Chairperson
Joan and Judy Madden have met to discuss the appointment of a Richmond County representative to the Board. A representative is expected by the AGM.
PR.Committee- no formal membership.
There has been a good response to the IC by the Oran and the Victoria Standard.
The IC constitution By-Law regarding the number of members of the IC Board of Directors has been changed from 8 members to 12 members. See website for Constitution and By-Laws.
The President, Pauline Thomson reported on her experience as a peer reviewer for the Nova Scotia Museum Strategic Development Initiative application selection for funding. She noted the noticeable difference in the quality of applications presented for consideration. A wide range in the effort put into the grant applications was very obvious. The reviewers suggested that the scoring sheet be included with the SDI application from now on. It is also suggested that applicants have their application reviewed by a second person outside their organization before the application is submitted. Persons connected with the CBU Shannon Business school have offered to review such application and can be contacted through the IC Board President. Also the need for applicants to indicate how their proposal results will be measured can’t be overly emphasized. Reviewers look very carefully at that part of the application and it was the weakest on many of this years’ applications.
Special Guest - Gordon Hammond, Pres. Federation of Nova Scotia Heritage
Mr. Hammand addressed the proposed changes to the Federation of Nova Scotia Heritage resulting from a strategic planning session held by the FNSH Board of Directors during July. He informed the meeting of FNSH Exe Dir. Susan Charles’ decision to leave the FNSH Oct.31, 2007 to pursue new career opportunities.
Gordon indicated that the renewed organization would have a more specific “museum focuse,” as apposed to a general heritage focus. This will require an organizational name change as well. The proposed vision statement reads, “The Nova Scotia Museums’ Association (proposed name), using a consultative, regional representative model, proactively champions community museums through education, outreach, networking and advocacy to achieve excellence.” Please refer to the Flash and the FNSH Website for the written copy of Gordon’s presentation and the Nova Scotia Museums’ Association Strategic Planning Framework, October 2007.
In response to the suggestion by Gordon that the new name for the FNSH would consist of the word museum and NS, Tom Urbaniak asked what definition of “museum” we are working with. Discussion ensued with no concrete result. The President suggested that we ought to gather as many definitions as we can for the word “museum” and have a discussion on the subject at the AGM in the Spring.
Mern O’Brien – Heritage Canada – NS Office
Ms. O’Brien outlined the funding programs offered by Heritage Canada, Cultural Spaces, Local Arts and Heritage Festival, Community Historical Anniversary Program, Museums Assistance Program, Canadian Arts and Heritage Sustainability and Second Language material for new audiences. For more detailed info check Heritage Canada web site. Ms. O’Brien toured a number of museum sites on the western side of the island yesterday and offered advice on grant writing. She made it be known that her office is very interested in working with museums to write their grants and to offer advice on projects. It has been suggested that interested parties look at the projects already funded by Heritage Canada for ideas. There are posted on their website.
Tom Urbaniak – UCB & OSS
Dr. Urbaniak discussed the efforts of ICOMOS Canada (The Canadian National Committee of the International Council on Monuments and Sites) to encourage the federal government to establish a Heritage Tax Incentive Program for homeowners and the plans by the Old Sydney Society to establish a Heritage revolving Fund. General Discussion followed.
New Business:
The Port Hastings Historical Site representatives read their report from president, Dernie Gillis, wherein among other things, he said, “As you gather today, I urge you to show a united front, in the form of a motion that will persuade our elected politicians to properly support our museums; a motion that will benefits all stakeholders in the tourism industry.” Where on Jim MacLean motioned that a letter be sent to the provincial government urging them to increase funding to the Community Museums Assistance Program which would make additional funds for core operations available to community museums. Seconded by Julia MacKinnon. Motion carried.
Member Reports:
Syd Slaven reported on the initiatives of the Sydney Steel Museum Society. Recently the Steelworkers Memorial Monument has been relocated to Harbourside Park on the former site of the Steel Plant.
The Sydney Steel Museum Society conducted an auction in October and raised over $10,000. To be used for the proposed Museum to be located in the Lyceum Building on George Street in Sydney. The Society is gearing up for its school visitation program, to date steel workshops have been given to over 4000 students in CBRM. This year the program has expanded to high school students.
Cathy Gillis outlined the work of the Chestico Historical Society in Port Hood.
Virginia Mac Issac explained the work of the Celtic Music Interpretation Centre and the operation of its Museum and Archives and their plans to establish an endowment fund to secure sustainability of their operation for the future.
Sandra Dunn of the Whitney Pier Historical Society outlined the work the society does in providing tours and tea for cruise ship passengers. On one occasion they had ten bus loads of visitors at the museum on one day as part of the Coastal Heritage Tours.
Peyton Chisholm commented on the Old Sydney Society’s completion Phase I of the St. Patrick’s Church Restoration Project. Phase II will see the restoration of the cupola and re-installation of the church bell and a new roof. Also the society is involved with legislation to establish CBRM’s first Heritage Conservation district in the Historic North end of Sydney. In conjunction with the Whitney Pier Historical Society plans are being developed for the operation of a Heritage Revolving Fund to initially operate in the areas adjacent to the Tar Ponds site.
In closing, the President give honorable mention to the following groups:
Congratulations to ACAP on success in holding off the bulldozer at the site of the Broughton Mine, near Glace Bay, until a plan can be devised to preserve the site. An outdoor walking trail has been proposed.
Congratulations to CBRM Heritage Advisory Committee on the CBRM Heritage Conservation Plan and Bye-law that will soon be before the council.
Congratulations to the Cape Breton Wireless Heritage Society who commemorated the 100th anniversary of the first transatlantic wireless message from the site of the original tower on Tower Road, at the former Marconi home, with a exchange of greetings between the Governor General of Canada and the President of Ireland via transatlantic radio on Oct 17.
Congratulations to Rodney Chaisson and the Highland Village on becoming one of 15 Signature Attractions of Atlantic Canada. The HV has been given a Gem attractions rating from the American Automobile Association which means their tour books recommend the HV as a place not to be missed when visiting in the region.
The members of Iona Connection Heritage Co-operative wish to thank the Celtic Music Interpretive Centre for their kind hospitality and the delicious chowder luncheon and cake served at the brake.
Date and site of next Annual General Meeting: Sydney Mines Fossil Centre, tentative date, April 19 2008.
Respectfully submitted:
Peyton Chisholm, acting secretary
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