AGM March 8th, 2021

Camrose Pride Community
Annual General Meeting
Date: Monday, March 8, 2021    
Time: 6:30pm – 8:30pm    Place: Online Zoom Meeting

Attendance: 
Executive Leadership:
Lucas H (he/him) – Secretary
Candy M (she/her) – Treasurer
Robyn G (she/her) – Member-at-Large
Stephen M (he/him) – Member-at-Large

Regrets:

Gus B (he/him) – Co-chair 1
Zach S (he/him) – Co-chair 2

Members:
Nikki F (she/her)

Guests:
Tessa (they/them)
Sam (she/them)
Teri (she/her)
Janna (she/her)
Brae (she/her)
Charissa (she/her)
Sophie (they/them) – AltView Foundation
Ray (he/him)
Jessica (she/her)
Andrew (he/him)

  1. CALL TO ORDER – Nikki F
  1. The Annual General Meeting was called to order at 6:39pm on Monday, March 8, 2021 by Nikki F with opening remarks.
    1. Nikki F. relays that Gus B. and Zach S. send their regrets.
  2. Quorum is achieved.
  3. There were introductions.
  4. CHANGES TO/APPROVAL OF AGENDA – Stephen M
MOTION: Stephen M That CPC Executive approve the agenda with the following amendments: There are two co-chair positions and a member-at-large position up for nominations, as well. SECONDED: Charissa CARRIED
  1. FINANCIAL REPORT – Candy
    1. The balance sheet and RBC statements have been made available to CPC Executives.
    2. 2020 financial statements were audited by Robyn G. and Stephen M. Thank you for your time.
    3. We had applied for a grant to further our strategic goals, but unfortunately we were not successful.
MOTION: Charissa  That the audited financial report be approved as reported. SECONDED: Lucas
CARRIED
MOTION: Candy   That the two auditors of the financial statements for the AGM selected be two community members. SECONDED: Charissa CARRIED
  1. ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING ACTIONS
    1. Board Positions
      1. Gus B will not stand again for his position as Co-chair 1 and Lucas H will not stand again for his position as Secretary. Zach S will step down as Co-chair 2.
      2. There were no nominations for co-chair 2 and this position will remain open for nomination  during a general meeting in the future. If you know of interested community members, please direct them to the CPC.
MOTION: Robyn G   That Nikki F be elected as Co-chair 1.SECONDED: Lucas H
CARRIED
MOTION: Stephen M. That Robyn G. be elected as Secretary. SECONDED: Nikki F CARRIED
MOTION: Stephen M  That Stephen M be elected as Member-at-Large. SECONDED: Nikki F CARRIED
MOTION: Candy M  That Janna F be elected as Member-at-Large. SECONDED: Nikki F CARRIED
MOTION: Candy M That one Member-at-Large is a liaison for the proposed Youth Council as Representative. SECONDED: Nikki F
CARRIED
MOTION: Candy M   That Sam K be elected as Member-at-Large – Youth Council Representative. SECONDED: Nikki F CARRIED
  1. Youth Council
    1. CPC hopes to begin establishing a Youth Council to collaborate with and include younger members. This Youth Council would nominate an Executive Member-at-Large as Youth Council Representative with voting rights.
  2. Faith Community Relationships
    1. CPC hopes to continue with our strong relationship with the United Church.
  3. Safe Space Program
    1. CPC hopes to create a Safe Space program for business to evaluate and instill business practices that support the queer community in Camrose and area. 
  1. YOUTH COUNCIL 2021 – Candy M
    1. There has been increasing interest in a permanent Youth Council.
    2. We want to ensure that all members of our community have a voice, and we have found that young people through schools and smaller communities in our area would like be engaged more.
    3. Sam K. is co-president with another CCHS (Camrose Composite High School) student and would like to engage the CCHS with the CPC.
      1. The CCHS QSA (Queer-Straight Alliance) has been putting up posters to educate fellow students.
      2. The CCHS QSA has been planning a fundraising for the Open Door.
      3. Their mission is to create a positive and safe environment both within the school and outside of the school, regardless of the student’s home circumstances.
      4. It is important that LGBTQIA+ identified youth have spaces that they feel safe within, that are not taken over by other diversity initiatives.
    4. We would like to have more involvement between QSAs and CPC through this Youth Council. 
    5. CPC’s strategic plan from 2020 strived to have a member from the Youth Council as an executive member from the CPC, which we will move forward with in 2021.
    6. There are concerns that the pandemic has prevented students from important face-to-face interactions. 
    7. The QSA meets every Thursday at CCHS. 
    8. The responses from the community survey may have venues where the Youth Council can take charge. 
    9. There are not a lot of queer role models in the community for the QSA to witness.
      1. We would like to support intergenerational community relationships.
    10. There are many QSAs in Edmonton and area communities. Our Youth Council and QSAs could get support from these other organizations. 
    11. Our AltView guest Sophie P would love to be involved in supporting this Youth Council.
    12. There was also conversation about talking to Camp fYrefly and Camp Dragonfly.
MOTION: Candy M   That CPC support queer youth in the development of a Youth Council. SECONDED: Nikki F
CARRIED
  1. CONVERSION THERAPY BAN
    1. Candy M presented information for everyone on conversion therapy in Canada and Alberta with a slideshow. Thank you.
    2. Norm Mayer, current mayor, has expressed his support. We would like/need a champion on the city council. 
    3. While there is talk at the federal level about a conversion therapy, it is not in place yet, and having a municipal bylaw would strengthen the ban regardless of who controls the federal government.
    4. We want to ensure that our community is engaged in getting involved in the ban. 
      1. The more communities and community members we have voicing their support, the stronger it would be. 
    5. The fight is worthy of the time and effort, so we will continue to do research and see what our communities are doing. 
    6. Pam Rocker, queer faith community worker, and Dr. Glynnis Lieb, Executive Director of iSMSS and one of the members of the now-dissolved conversion therapy working group have both expressed support for the CPC’s initiative.
    7. We would like to send out a letter for the opinions of the Camrose County Council and surrounding municipalities’ councils. Charissa S. can also reach out to some interoffice agencies.
    8. CPC will draft a letter to send out to interested parties.
  2. COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
    1. Review of 2020
      1. We did what we felt we were able within the emotional constraints of the pandemic. 
      2. Pride Outside – Nature Hikes
      3. ExpressOUTside! – Monthly Nature Walks
      4. Reading with Royalty – Virtual Edition
      5. Augustana 2020 Pride Week (pre-pandemic)
      6. Moments of Pride – June/Pride Month
      7. Camrose Women’s Shelter – 16 Days of Gender Based Violence Awareness Partnership
  3. DIRECTIONS FOR 2021
    1. We want to formalize the strategic plan to publish and share with the community.
      1. Jessica D., our guest from Drayton Valley, is happy to help with strategic planning as well as she is familiar with the process. 
    2. Andrew, our medical professional/student guest, has shared information on an Alberta Doctor’s grant that he is willing to help with. 
    3. Survey Results
      1. Respondents included 9 from our email group and 3 from our Facebook group.
        1. Survey Monkey produced more responses than previous attempts with Google Forms.
      2. What in-person events would you attend, once it is safe to do so?
        1. Family Queer Dance
        2. Pride in the Park
        3. Online Trivia/Name that Tune
        4. Fire Pits
        5. Pride Hikes
        6. Drag Shows
        7. Low Energy – High Reward Commitments
      3. Online Workshops Ideas
        1. Trans Makeup
        2. Drag Makeup
        3. Expanding Community
        4. Queer History
        5. Mythology
        6. Queer Identities
        7. Gatekeeping/Autonomy/Othering
      4. It would be nice to include people outside of our immediate known people.
      5. If you have further comments, please contact the camrosepridecommunity@gmail.com
  1. UPCOMING REGULAR MEETINGS
    1. Regular Meeting for Planning and Connection
      1. Monday, April 12th, 2021 from 6:30pm to 8:30pm
      2. Location: Online Zoom 
    2. EspressOUTside
      1. TBA – weather dependent, resuming in Spring?
    1. Friends and Family Meeting
      1. Monday, April 5th, 2021
      2. Location: Online Zoom Meeting
      3. Please contact Andrea Dyck for details (adyck@brsd.ab.ca)
  1. SHARING CIRCLE
  2.  ADJOURNMENT
    1. The meeting was adjourned at 8:39pm

March 9, 2020 AGM

Camrose Pride Community
Annual General Meeting
Date: Monday, March 9, 2020   
Time: 6:30pm – 8:30pm    Place: Augustana Library, Room B

Attendance:
Executive Leadership:
Agustus Belcourt – Co-chair 1
Zach Stevens – Co-chair 2
Lucas Hill – Secretary
Candy Morningway – Treasurer
Robyn Gray – Member-at-Large
Regrets:
Amielle Christopherson – Member-at-Large
Members:
Stephen McKenzie-Comeau
Staff:
Nikki Meyer-Featherstone – The altView Foundation Liaison

  1. CALL TO ORDER – Gus Belcourt
  2. The Annual General Meeting was called to order at 6:32pm on Monday, March 9, 2019 by Gus Belcourt.
  3. CHANGES TO/APPROVAL OF AGENDA – Lucas Hill
MOTION: Gus Belcourt    That CPC Executive approves the agenda, as presented. SECONDED: Robyn Gray CARRIED
  • 4. FINANCIAL REPORT – Candy Morningway
    • a) The balance sheet and RBC statements have been made available to CPC Executives, and RBC Wave has been utilized to categorize all expenses and create reports.
    • b) A petty cash amount of $368.00 has been made available.
    • c) The General Ledger has been received with a total of $1,952.53 less $133 outstanding fees to be paid.
    • d) Please see attached Financial Reports.
MOTION: Candy Morningway    That financial report be approved as reported. SECONDED: Zach Stevens
CARRIED
MOTION: Candy Morningway    That the two auditors of the financial statements for the AGM selected be the two members-at-large. SECONDED: Nikki Meyer-Featherstone CARRIED
MOTION: Candy Morningway    That approval be made that those elected into executive positions be added to the RBC account with signing authority. SECONDED: Lucas Hill CARRIED
  • 5. ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING ACTIONS
    • a) Board Positions
      • Gus Belcourt will continue in his position as Co-chair 1 and Lucas Hill will continue in his position as Secretary.
MOTION: Nikki Featherstone    That Zach Stevens be elected as Co-chair 2. SECONDED: Gus Belcourt
CARRIED
MOTION: Lucas Hill    That Candy Morningway be elected as Treasurer. SECONDED: Zach Stevens CARRIED
MOTION: Lucas Hill    That Robyn Gray be elected as Member-at-Large. SECONDED: Nikki Meyer-Featherstone CARRIED
  MOTION: Lucas Hill    That Stephen McKenzie-Comeau be elected as Member-at-Large SECONDED: Nikki Meyer-Featherstone
CARRIED
  • 6. Bylaws – Amendments
MOTION: Zach Stevens    That the following amendments to the Camrose Pride Society Bylaws be enacted:   II.b:
Original: Any LGBTQ2S+ person and/or ally residing in Camrose, Alberta and the surrounding area who is at least 18 years of age shall be deemed a member of the Society by permitting their name to be included on the member-ship list, and by paying the membership fee, if any, as may be determined by the Society at a general meeting.
Amended: Any LGBTQ2S+ person and/or ally residing in Camrose, Alberta and the surrounding area shall be deemed a member of the Society by permitting their name to be included on the member-ship list as may be determined by the Society at a general meeting.

V.b:
Original: The board shall be comprised of no more than seven and no fewer than five members. Quorum shall be three members (if a five-member board) or four members (if a seven-member board). Term of office shall be two years. Board members may serve a maximum of two, two-year terms unless the majority of Society members approve an additional term.
Amended: The board shall be comprised of no more than seven and no fewer than five members. Quorum shall be three members (if a five-member board) or four members (if a seven-member board). Term of office shall be two years. Board members may serve a maximum of two, two-year terms unless the majority of Society members approve an additional term. Elections will be held on alternating years with even-numbered years pertaining to Co-chair 2 and Treasurer and odd-numbered years pertaining to Co-chair 1 and Secretary. Members-at-Large will be annually elected, with a stated minimum of two Members-at-Large. V.c: Original: A person appointed or elected a director becomes a director if they were present at the annual meeting when being appointed or elected and did not refuse the appointment or election. They may also become a director if they were not present at the meeting but consented in writing to act as a director before the appointment or election.
Amended: A person appointed or elected a director becomes a director if they were present at the annual meeting when being appointed or elected and did not refuse the appointment or election. They may also become a director if they were not present at the meeting but consented in writing to act as a director before the appointment or election. Directors must be of majority of age to be elected.   IX.a:
Original: The Society annual meeting shall be held on the first Monday of February in each year, of which notice by email to the last known address of each member shall be delivered no less than seven (7) days prior to the date of the meeting. At this meeting there shall be elected two Co-Chairs, a Secretary, a Treasurer and up to three directors. Those so elected shall form the Board of Directors and shall serve until their successors are elected at a subsequent Annual Meeting. Any vacancy occurring during the year shall be filled as soon as possible by the remaining Board members for ratification at the next Society meeting.
Amended: The Society annual meeting shall be held during the first quarter of each calendar year, of which notice by email to the last known address of each member shall be delivered no less than seven (7) days prior to the date of the meeting. At this meeting there shall be elected two Co-Chairs, a Secretary, a Treasurer and up to three directors. Those so elected shall form the Board of Directors and shall serve until their successors are elected at a subsequent Annual Meeting. Any vacancy occurring during the year shall be filled as soon as possible by the remaining Board members for ratification at the next Society meeting.

IX.c:
Original: Quorum: Twelve members in good standing, of which five may be a member of an associate member group or agency, shall constitute a quorum at any meeting of the Society.
Amended: Quorum shall be three members (if a five-member board) or four members (if a seven-member board).

IX.d:
Original: Any member, or member of an associate member group or agency, shall have the right to vote at any meeting of the Society. Such votes must be made in person.
Amended: Any member, or member of an associate member group or agency, shall have the right to vote at any meeting of the Society. Votes may take place electronically. Votes may cast between meetings, including electronically, to be ratified at the next meeting.

SECONDED: Candy Morningway CARRIED
  • 7. Calendar Year
    • a) Pride in the Park – Saturday, June 20th
      • CPC hopes to connect with the Art Festival held by the Camrose Art Society and About Time Productions.
      • CPC would like to expand the festivities this year to include vendors, music, performers, and more. Nikki will speak to altView about potential vendors, etc.
      • Insurance for the event was supported financially by Camrose and District Support Services. Nikki Meyer-Featherstone will contact Margaret Holliston at CDSS about potentially offering that support again this year. Candy Morningway says that insurance through foster park for Director and Officer Insurance can be up to $900.
    • b) Reading with Royalty
      • Nicole at the Camrose Public Library said she would love to have additional Queens/Kings for the Court, and Lucas Hill expressed interest in being included.
    • c) BVJ Parade Float – Thursday, July 30th
      • CPC will make a stronger point to walk with partner organizations (Camrose Public Library, About Time Productions, etc.) by meeting up at a specific point and entering together. We may also signal intent to walk together on application, if possible. We will invite the United Church to walk with us as well.
      • CPC would like to create another strong float this year!
      • BVJ Insurance deadline will be in June.
      • CPC will speak to United Church about creating a strong supportive atmosphere for queer celebration at the location of last year’s protest.
    • d) Family Masquerade Ball – Saturday, October 17th
      • Bailey
        • was already booked for the Saturday, October 24th
        • comes with DJ, but a playlist can be included on a USB.
      • We could invite a Drag performer as part of the entertainment, with Halloween theme
      • Prizes will be included for costume categories.
      • Bracelets will be included to make the event available to all ages.

    • e) Strategic Planning Goals for year one
      • CPC hopes to begin establishing a Youth Council to collaborate with and include younger members. This Youth Council would nominate an Executive Voting member as Youth Representative.
      • CPC hopes to continue with our strong relationship with the United Church.
      • CPC hopes to create a Safe Space program for business to evaluate and instill business practices that support the queer community in Camrose and area.
  • 8. Reports of Homophobia
    • a) A business in town has allegedly been involved with a recent homophobic letter/email sent to protest what looked like their support for a recent Pride Week event in the Chamber of Commerce Friday Flyer. Staff from this business are known to have sent past letters protesting CPC and AQUA events, including events Reading with Royalty at the Camrose Public Library. To our knowledge, the Chamber of Commerce has not responded to this recent alleged incident. The Camrose Public Library responds to all protest letters, and has expressed support of the Camrose Pride Community and the wider queer community.

MOTION: Zach Stevens    Zach Stevens will draft a letter to be sent to this business to address allegations of homophobic statements in this last email. The draft letter will be approved by Camrose Pride Community Executive Members before being sent. SECONDED: Lucas Hill CARRIED
  • b) These incidents further support the need for a system of approving business for inclusion in a potential Safe Space program. Nikki Meyer-Featherstone will contact altView about potential training and ideas.
  • 9. GOOGLE FORMS FEEDBACK
    • a) Mission, Vision, Value statements
      • We will continue to develop our Strategic Goals throughout the year, with collaboration on Mission, Vision, and Value Statements made online. Nikki Meyer-Featherstone has shared those documents with CPC Executive Members. Lucas Hill will create Google Forms to illicit community input.
  • 10. PRIDE WEEK UPDATE
    • a) Achievements
      • The week was a smashing success enjoyed by all! Best turn out for SYTYCD ever!
    • b) Suggestions
      • Pride Movie should occur earlier than 9:30pm.
      • Locations need to be made more explicit on advertisements
      • More events could take place in the community and outside of Augustana Campus.
      • Flag Raising at Chamber of Commerce should take place later on Monday, or possibly on Sunday to officially begin week.
      • There needs to be more collaboration between Camrose Pride Community, Agustana’s AQUA, and the Pride Committee.
      • Cheques and financial obligations should be written out and dealt with before actual events.
      • Engagement with Battle River School Division’s Queer Straight Alliance was floated as an idea, but did not occur. They should be involved and communicated with more intention in the future.
      • There is a lot of possibility for collaboration with Camrose Public Library.
    • c) CPC’s Role
      • CPC is interested in planning and facilitating So You Think You Can Drag, so to streamline the process and to take some stress away from the Pride Committee/Students. Zach Stevens performing as Robyn Bank$ was considered the contact person by many community members, but was in fact not, and this created miscommunication and confusion, which reflects poorly on CPC and the broader Camrose queer community. The monetary benefits would still be used to support the costs of Pride Week.
  • 11. UPCOMING REGULAR MEETINGS
    • a)Regular Meeting for Planning and Connection
      • i)     Monday, April 13th, 2020 at Augustana Library, 6:30pm
    • b) EspressOUT
      • Monday, March 30th, 2020 at Camrose Coffee, 5:30pm to 7:00pm
        • Alternate Location: BP’s Lounge
    • c) Friends and Family Meeting
      • Monday, April 6th, 2020 at the Camrose Public Library – Irving Room, 6:30pm-8:00pm
  • 12. SHARING CIRCLE
  •  13. ADJOURNMENT
    • The meeting was adjourned at 8:32pm