Comhaltas 2015 Canada East Region AGM

2015 Comhaltas Canada East Region AGM

On Saturday 7 November 2015, the Harp of Tara CCE Kingston Branch, very graciously hosted the 2015 Regional AGM. There were several workshops on Saturday morning and a meet and greet event on Friday night.

Outgoing Regional Executive: Pat, Anne, Genevieve and Phyllis

The branches present at the meeting were Kingston, Ottawa, Hamilton, Toronto, and Sudbury; Montreal and Saint John sent their regrets. Ottawa was represented by our Chair S. Scott, Vice-chair C. Hamm, M. Maher, B. Guglich, P. Cassidy, T. Forsythe, P. Avendano.

Some of the topics discussed were the branches proyected planning to celebrate Ireland's 1916 events (Easter Rising). This include presentations about the importance of the Irish language in the 1916 uprising via a collaboration between the University of Ottawa and the Irish Embassy.

There was the election of the new Regional Executive, where three long-serving officers were stepping down: Anne McConnell-Strong (President), Phyllis Gorman (Treasurer), and Patrick McGuire (Secretary). B. Guglich was asked to perform the duties of the Election's officer.

CCE Ottawa Branch's Bridget was the Elections Officer

Pat received tokens of appreciation from all Eastern Branches

Phyllis received tokens of appreciation from all Eastern Branches

Pat, Anne and Phyllis, the retiring members of the executive

The new officers are:

Ena O'Brien (TO) - Chairperson || Cathaoirleach
Maureen Mulvey O'Leary (TO) - Vice-Chairperson || Leascathaoirleach
Crystal McCollom (SB) - Secretary || Rúnaí
Sara Van Hamme (HA) - Treasurer || Cisteoir
Ann Gorman-McKinney (HA) - Public Relations Officer || Oifigeach Caidrimh Phoiblí
Aralt Mac Giolla Chainnigh (OT)- Irish Officer || Treoraí na Gaeilge
Genevieve Robinson (TO) - Youth Officer || Oifigeach na nÓg
Bridgit Ripley (SB) - Auditor || Reachtaire
Craig Hamm (OT) - Auditor || Reachtaire
Aralt Mac Giolla Chainnigh (OT) - Delegate to Province || Ionadaí
Steafan Hannigan (KG) - Delegate to Province || Ionadaí

Outgoing members and the 2015 Executive: Pat, Ena, Anne, Genevieve, Phyllis, Sarah

Pat Cassidy

Our own esteemed former Ottawa Branch Membership Officer (Pat Cassidy) was asked to take the role of Regional Membership Officer (Oifigeach Ballraíocht), a role that before was under the duties of the Regional Treasurer, since the incoming Treasurer is not familiar with the complex calculation of membership dues. Pat graciously accepted.

Toni and Maureen

Also the East Regions nominations for the Provincial Council members were selected. The Provincial Council members will be elected at the CCE Provincial Convention in St. Louis (Missouri) between 31 March to 6 April 2016.

A motion was passed (prior to the AGM) to request to CCE Ireland to change the dates for the 2016 Echoes of Erin tour to Canada can be moved, due to the problem of scheduling concert venues (and audiences) during the Canadian Thanskgiving, as it has been experienced in the past years. We are waiting for a response from Dublin.

There were services awards given to long-term members: Jack Hickman and Elmer Strong.

Jack Hickman

Elmer Strong

The next tentative date for the Regional AGM is for 22 October 2016 in Sudbury.