2007 Annual General Meeting

The 2007 Annual General meeting of RUSI of VI was convened on Wednesday, March 14, 2006 by the president, Col John Eggenberger. He explained that he would be stepping down from the presidency as he had accepted the appointment of FMUSIC Vice Chairman for Region 8 – British Columbia, by concurrence of the presidents from Nanaimo USI and Vancouver RUSI.

The president then announced with regret, that the Air Force Officers’ Association had voted to disband several days previous for lack of members willing to serve on the executive. He said an invitation had been issued to AFOA welcoming those who were not already members, to join RUSI of VI.

Following the adoption of the minutes, LCdr Murray Watkin presented the 2006 Audit report from LCol Gordon Gedge that was accepted.

Col Bill Weston recommended that awards and prizes similar to last year be continued. These include a book prize to the outstanding UVic history graduate. The book prize program for military history undergraduates at the University of Victoria was to continue and awarded upon the recommendation of the university. Grants of $250.00 were to be awarded again this year to each of the designated best Navy, Army and Air Cadets within Victoria region. Motion carried.

The treasurer, LCdr Murray Watkin, presented the financial statement for 2006 and the 2007 budget.

The financial statement contained unbudgeted expenses for hosting the Chief of the Defence Staff on his visit to Victoria and the reception for the Oral History Project with the University of Victoria at which the Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia presented certificates of appreciation to both the senior year military history students and our veterans who participated in the oral history interviews. These unplanned costs were off set by funds accruing from the dissolution of the Defence Associations National Network – Pacific in 2006.

In presenting the 2007 budget, the treasurer explained that it is based upon nine luncheon meetings, a Christmas party and four issues of the Newsletter. He further recommended the motions setting up Reserve Funds No. 1 and No. 2 were redundant and dropped as this is part of the Board’s executive authority. The AGM approved the remaining motions based upon the financial statement and budget as distributed to the members present.

Following reports from the present directors, the President moved the nominations of the slate of directors for 2007. The following slate for 2007 was approved:

President:	Col(Ret) Gene Lake
Vice President:	Cdr(Ret) Bill Macdonald
Immediate Past President and Secretary:	Col(Ret) John Eggenberger
Treasurer:	LCdr(Ret) Murray Watkin
Functions:	Maj(Ret) Tom Body
Membership:	TBA
Awards:	Col(Ret) Bill Weston
Member at Large:	Ms Paula Skippon
Newsletter:	LCol(Ret) Cec Berezowski
Emeritus:	Cmdre(Ret) Ted Heath

Col John Eggenberger explained that the newly elected president was out of town thus he would continue as chair. Under new business, a few words were devoted to the future of FMUSIC and the status of our annual Federation dues of $2.00 per member since its future is under discussion. The executive took note of the motion to withhold payment by MGen Pat Mitchell, seconded by BGen Jim Hanson. Others said that this action could be premature at this stage of national deliberations. The Chairman advised that all Institutes had just received the request from FMUSIC for our Annual Reports that are normally due by February 28. The motion was taken under advisement.

A motion by MGen Pat Mitchell praised the quality of our FMUSIC Newsletter. Col Stan Brygadyr moved that the outgoing Board of Directors be thanked for their dedicated service during the past year. The meeting adjourned at 1425 hrs.

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