Minutes of the February 13 2023 Monthly Meeting

Minutes of the Monthly Meeting held on February 13, 2023, through video conference via Zoom

Present/Attendees

Thomas S. Saras
Mohammad Tajdolati
Neel Nanda
Maria Saras-Voutsinas
Rosemary Sadlier
Ricky Castellvi
Hon. Basilio Giordano
Daniela Sprilac
Michael Li
Helen Wang
Rue Hayer-Bains
Zuhair Alshaaer
Elsayed Nasr
Ned Blair
Jonathan Annobil
Shahidul Mintu
Pooyan Tabatabaei
Martha Pinzon
Nishantha Don
Lankathas Pathmanathan
Linda Karuks
Liisa Qureshi
Zenaida Ferry-Kharroubi
George Guzmas
Roberto Hausman
Arif Ahmed
Fiza Syeda
Denis Poirier
Ragee Arasaratnam
Lydia Sun
Leila Monteiro Lins
Mohammed BagherSamimi
Ali Mahmoud
Ghulam Rasool
Anfisa Lyasota
Ranjit Wicks
Sandie De Freitas
Norman Hart
Kathy Li
Teshome Woldramanuel
Khalid Magram
Mooka Tamil
Bobby Wang
Maria Swietoizacki
Mike Kolososki
Hon. Joe Volpe
Susana Donan
Ernesto Donan
Khalid Hamid
Nagamany Logendralingam
Hermie Garcia
Mila Garcia
Eugenia Bakchinow
Michael Li
Sima Ghaffarzadeh
Cezar Bangu
Zuhair Alshaaer
Rui Yang
HaiTien Lin
Isa Melo
Yuri Natchetoi
John Saraidaris
Said Henry
Lui Queano
Tom Bijoet
Dimitri Papadopoulos
Ahmad Hotaki
Kathy Gerasklis
Athanasios Kourtesis
Bill Fatsis
Nishantha Don

Agenda of the day

Welcome Remarks by the chair.
Minutes of the previous meeting
President’s Report/Discussions
New Members/New Business
Adjournment

Welcome Remarks by the Chair:

Mohammed Tajdolati chaired the virtual monthly meeting and declared the meeting open. Roberto Hausman moved a motion to approve the agenda. Tom Bijvoet seconded it. The motion was carried unanimously.

Minutes of the previous meeting:

Yuri moved a motion to approve the minutes of the previous monthly meeting and Mintu seconded it. Minutes of the previous monthly meeting were approved unanimously.

President’s Report/Discussions:

Thomas Saras welcomed everyone to the online monthly meeting. He discussed that he is wrapping up the end of the fiscal year reports.
President Saras and Chair Tajdolati reminded members of the annual membership fees for 2023.
President Saras asked that all with requests in for LJI equipment and approvals come to the office to pick up their gear.
President Saras mentioned that the LJI applications will be uploaded shortly and will advise the group once they can download the application.
Special Measures funding was discussed and funding figures will be made available to all that applied shortly. Funding must be given out by the Ministry by the end of March 2023
President Saras encouraged participation in the Internship program. It has been a very successful project and both students and publishers are benefiting immensely.
May 3^rd is Freedom of the Press Day- we will be hosting an event to celebrate Freedom of the Press. We will also take the opportunity to hand out awards during this event. Nominations will be accepted immediately. Save the Date: the evening of May 5^th. Details will be shared with all shortly regarding the venue.
President Saras moved a motion to expense food and drinks for the event. It was approved and accepted unanimously.
President Saras explained that audits for the various programs we are administrating are happening.
President Saras reminded all participants in the LJI and Internship programs that they must declare on their outlets that they are receiving financial assistance from the Government of Canada. Maria shared a link to the Government of Canada site with the logo and statement that must be declared.
President Saras expressed his desire to visit the members in BC in the spring. Rue will discuss the logistics with President Saras and she suggested that the meetings happen in Surrey.
Saras reminded everyone that 2023 is an election year for the Board. He encouraged all to email him with their intention to run.
President Thomas Saras thanked all the members who generously donated to NEPMCC. Although the industry and our members are struggling financially, he encouraged everyone that can do so to donate.

New Business/Discussions

Ned Blair spoke about the passing of David Onley. Mr. Saras and Ricky Castellvi signed the condolence book on behalf of the NEPMCC. Mr. Saras also attended the funeral.
Logan asked about having cultural dancers perform at the Press Freedom event in May. Mr. Saras welcomed the idea and asked that members contact him with suggestions. He asked that all dance routines be no more than 5 minutes.

Adjournment:

Roberto Hausman moved a motion to adjourn the meeting and Zuhair Alshaaer seconded it. The motion was carried. The Chair, Dr. Tajdolati adjourned the meeting at 7:15 PM. The next monthly meeting will take place on Monday, March 13, 2023, via Zoom.

The above notes from the meeting of February 13, 2023, were prepared by Maria Saras-Voutsinas on behalf of Secretary General and Senior VP of the NEPMCC, Neel Nanda.