National Ethnic Press and Media Council of Canada
Minutes of November 11, 2024, online meeting
Time: 18:00 (06:00pm)
Location: Online (Zoom) meeting
Chair: Dr. Mohammad Tajdolati
Minute taker: Demetris Vohaitis
Participants: 48
| A | J | Roberto Hausman |
| A. R. Nathan | Joe Volpe | Rosemary Sadlier |
| Anfisa Lyasola | K | S |
| Arif Ahmed | Kathy Gerasklis | Shahidul Mintu |
| Ayubowan Srilanka | Kathy L. L. Lin | Shail – India Journal |
| C | Kethees Kumar | Sima Gharrarzadeh |
| Cittadino Canadese
Basilio Giordano |
L | Sohi Kheradmand |
| D | Lankathas Pathmanathan | Sukumar – The Tamil Journal |
| Demetris Vohaitis | Liisa Qureshi | Syed Hassan |
| Denis Poirier | Lucy Lyang | T |
| Dimitris Papadopoulos | M | Tamilexpress |
| Dr. Mohammad Tajdolati | M. B. Samimi | Thomas S. Saras |
| E | Manan Gupta | Tom Bijvoet |
| Eduardo Vieira | Maria Saras-Voutsinas | W |
| Elsayed Nasr | Max Zhou | Weera Fonseca |
| Ernesto | Mila Garcia | Y |
| Eugenia Blachinow | O | Yugam Radio |
| G | Olga Knopka | Yuri Natchetoi |
| Ghulam Rasool | P | Z |
| Guzmas | Phoebe Li | Zenaida Kharroubi |
| H | Pooyan Tabatabei | Zolen Georgievska |
| Hermie Garcia | R | Zuhair |
| Houman | Ragee Arasaratnam |
Guest of the evening: Amrita Roy Chowdhury Majumbar, Marketing and Communications Manager, Catholic Community Services of York Region
- Call to order
At 18:08 (06:08 pm) the meeting was called to order.
The Chair of the meeting, Dr. Mohamad Tajdolati, did the opening and the welcoming remarks.
- Approval of the agenda
Motion to approve Agenda: Roberto
Seconded by: Sukumar
Outcome: Approved as all participants were in favour
- Approval of previous meeting minutes
Reference date of previous meeting:
Corrections/Amendments: None
Motion to approve: Pooyan Tabatabei
Seconded by: Tom
Outcome: Approved as all participants were in favour
- Matters arising from previous minutes
None
- Agenda items
5a i. Thomas Saras, CEO of the NEPMCC, began by expressing his gratitude to all attendees for their participation.
- Saras highlighted the cost-effectiveness of online meetings compared to in-person gatherings. With humor, he noted: “Online meetings are much cheaper than live ones, as even for coffee, we must pay $300!” (laughter from the audience).
iii. He then shifted focus to the importance of members applying for available programs.
- To support members more effectively, Saras reminded attendees of his earlier request for all members to inform Maria Saras-Voutsinas about their equipment needs. He extended the request for those to send requests to November 15, 2024.
- Saras addressed the concept of “remote communities,” offering clarification on its interpretation.
- He emphasized that “remote communities” does not imply sending individual copies of publications, as single copies are designated for subscribers who have paid for the service.
- Saras elaborated on the term by stating:
- “In communities where the number of members is very small and they lack the resources to publish a newspaper, or where there are community members who do not understand English or French, it is imperative that your publication reaches them. Therefore, you should send a bundle of newspapers, containing at least 25 copies, to such communities to ensure they have access to important information.”
Building on this definition, he requested that, should such circumstances apply -even in large cities where there are newly arrived community members who would benefit from receiving these publications- publishers should inform him accordingly to facilitate the distribution.
- Looking ahead, Saras announced details of the annual Holiday event, scheduled for the 20th of December. He revealed that Premier Doug Ford is expected to attend, along with an unspecified leader from Ottawa. Regarding logistical arrangements, he noted the following:
- 350 tickets have been ordered for 35 tables.
- Each ticket is priced at $70.
- In closing, Saras emphasized inclusivity, stating: “For those whose financial circumstances make it difficult to purchase a ticket, please inform me, and we will explore how to ensure your attendance, as I want all of you to be there.”
- Saras informed the attendees that:
- Nominations would close in four days due to the time required to prepare the awards. He stated that his office had already received 10 nominations, with an additional 10 expected for the best publications category.
- He encouraged members to promptly nominate individuals from their communities who have demonstrated exceptional work, emphasizing the importance of submitting these nominations as soon as possible.
- Saras proceeded to outline the monetary awards associated with this year’s recognitions:Best Articles: $1,000 will be awarded to the best articles published this year.
LJI Publications: Articles produced under the Local Journalism Initiative (LJI) program or by interns working on LJI projects will also be eligible for a $1,000 award, along with an official recognition.
Exceptional Intern Performance: An additional $500 will be awarded to an intern for outstanding work, accompanied by an award.
- Saras reiterated the need for members to inform him if their publications included LJI-related content or articles prepared by interns that meet the criteria for recognition.
vii. The general manager of the NEPMCC, Maria Saras-Voutsinas spoke about the LJI program and how the committee is finalizing the remaining applications. She thanked everyone for their patience in receiving their funding.
viii. Updates from Joe Volpe
- Mohamad Tajdolati inquired if the General Manager of NEPMCC, Maria Saras-Voutsinas, had any updates regarding the Google situation. Maria responded that there were no new developments and referred the question to Joe Volpe for further information.
- Joe Volpe prefaced his remarks by stating that his information, while accurate at the time, was approximately 36 hours old and might no longer be entirely current. He outlined three key issues discussed in ongoing conversations:
iia. Volpe highlighted that the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC), the body overseeing the Canadian Journalism Collective (CJC) initiative, had made significant progress. However, he noted the following complications:
Members who had not applied or believed they were eligible to apply were required to submit applications again. Eligibility for funding does not guarantee acceptance for 2024; those who miss this opportunity may have to wait until subsequent years.
The structure of the CJC’s Board of Governors (BoG) will determine future opportunities, with decisions expected by the end of this year.
iib. Volpe confirmed his application for a seat on the BoG under two conditions:
- To represent himself independently.
- To represent the interests of the NEPMCC and its members, as this group is underrepresented.
He urged other qualified members to consider applying for the BoG, emphasizing the need for collective representation. He stressed the injustice of excluding certain groups and the importance of ensuring their voice is heard within the decision-making framework.
iic. Volpe addressed challenges faced by NEPMCC members in aligning with CJC’s categories. He noted that broadcasters and digital media often face different standards compared to traditional print media, such as Global News, which qualifies as both. He urged members from all media backgrounds to apply and recommended doing so immediately to avoid delays in the next cycle.
iid. Volpe stated that the final decision on applications would be followed by a general meeting to elect BoG members. This timeline is expected to progress quickly, with funding to be distributed by the end of 2024 or early 2025.
iie. Volpe underscored the political motivations driving the urgency to disburse funding. With speculation of a federal election looming before next October, concerns have arisen that a potential change in government could favor Google and derail the initiative. The priority is to secure the first $100 million in funding, benefiting eligible organizations, including those in the NEPMCC.
iif. Volpe concluded by encouraging members to submit applications for funding and to consider applying for BoG positions. He emphasized his willingness to support these efforts, reiterating the importance of accessing the available $63 million (net of administrative fees). He remarked “Even a small portion of that funding is better than having nothing at all.”
- New business
Amrita Roy Chowdhury Majumbar, the Marketing and Communications Manager of Catholic Community Services of York Region (CCSYR), was presented to the floor and she likely highlighted the organization’s central role in supporting the community during the Christmas season. CCSYR provides various services, focusing on inclusivity and aid to vulnerable groups.
- Support for Newcomers: CCSYR is known for its programs assisting immigrants and refugees with settlement services, including orientation, language training, and cultural integration. Around Christmas, the organization emphasizes helping new families celebrate the holiday in a welcoming environment, especially those unfamiliar with Canadian traditions.
- Community Outreach: Likely, Majumbar spoke of initiatives such as holiday food drives, gift donations for underprivileged families, and organizing community events that foster belonging and togetherness.
- Mental Health and Wellness Support: CCSYR provides counseling and emotional support services, crucial during the holiday season, a time that can bring stress or feelings of isolation to many.
- Volunteer and Donor Engagement: She also called for community involvement through donations, sponsorships, or volunteerism, ensuring the continuity of programs during the festive period.
- Cultural and Religious Inclusivity: CCSYR often incorporates diverse cultural and religious practices into its services, which might have been emphasized to include all members of the community in holiday celebrations.
- Next meeting
Date and Time: Monday, December 9, 2024 at 6:00pm (18:00) Eastern Time (US and Canada).
Location: Zoom meeting.
Meeting link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86037003092?pwd=6iUxTFKJwy5Q6aSfeMrjVnj1V4XNOp.1
Meeting ID: 860 3700 3092
Passcode: 592006
- Adjournment
Time: 07:17pm (19:17)
Closing remarks: A proposal was made for everyone to secure tickets for the upcoming holiday event scheduled for the 20th of December. Tickets are priced at $70 each, and tables seating ten people are available for $700. This festive gathering promises to bring together community members to celebrate the season, likely featuring a mix of networking opportunities, entertainment, and acknowledgments of collective achievements throughout the year. The emphasis on early bookings suggests a high level of anticipated interest and the importance of ensuring participation in this key end-of-year celebration.
Motion to approve adjournment: Yuri Natchetoi
Seconded by: Anfissa Lyasola
