Minutes from Previous AGM

Funeral Service Association of Nova Scotia
82nd Annual General Meeting
June 4, 2015

 

Meeting was called to order by President Lisa Smith, at the Debert Hospitality Centre in Debert, N.S. at 9:41 a.m.

 

Roll call was taken by signing in. There were 24 members present.

 

A moment of silence was held for departed members.

 

It was agreed that the agenda circulated be approved.

 

President Lisa Smith asked non-members of the FSANS to please leave the room until new membership applications had been voted on.

 

Applications for membership to the FSANS were dealt with.
The following application was presented for Funeral Home Membership to the FSANS.
1. Jaynes Funeral Home, Digby, Nova Scotia. Michelle Farnsworth is the Managing Director.
MOVED by Kirk MacDonald that Jaynes Funeral Home of Digby should be accepted as a member of the FSANS. SECONDED by Glenda Cole. M/C

 

The following applications were presented for Individual Memberships to the FSANS.
1. Ashley Boudreau employed with C.H. Boudreau Funeral Home in Arichat as a Funeral Director to become an Individual Member of the FSANS. MOVED by Kollin Weatherbee, that Ashely Boudreau of Arichat, should be accepted as a member of the FSANS. SECONDED by Avery Aker. M/C
2. Rita Tompkins employed with Curry’s Funeral Home in Glace Bay as a Funeral Director to become an Individual Member of the FSANS. MOVED by Bruce Varner, that Rita Tompkins of Glace Bay, should be accepted as a member of the FSANS. SECONDED by Kollin Weatherbee. M/C
3. Joshua Noiles employed with DeMont Family Funeral Home in Windsor as a Funeral Director to become an Individual Member of the FSANS. MOVED by Adam Tipert, that Joshua Noiles of Windsor, should be accepted as a member of the FSANS. SECONDED by Don Kaulbach. M/C
4. Robert Doucette employed with SCI Jaynes Funeral Home in Digby as a Funeral Director to become an Individual Member of the FSANS. MOVED by Kirk MacDonald, that Robert Doucette of Enfield, should be accepted as a member of the FSANS. SECONDED by Kollin Weatherbee. M/C
5. Michael LeBlanc, recipient of the Nova Scotia Bursary and employed with Ettingers Funeral Home in Shubenacadie as a Funeral Director to become an Individual Member of the FSANS. This was approved by the Board of Directors at their meeting on May 22,2015. MOVED by Bruce Varner, that Michael LeBlanc of Shubenacadie, should be accepted as a member of the FSANS. SECONDED by Emelie DeMont. M/C

 

The following applications were presented for Associate Memberships to the FSANS.
1. Darren Croft employed with Sweeny’s Funeral Home of Bridgewater to become an Associate Member of the FSANS. MOVED by Emelie DeMont, that Darren Croft of Bridgewater, should be accepted as a member of the FSANS. SECONDED by Kirk Neville. M/C
2. Gille Savoie employed with Batesville Canada of Dieppe, N.B. to become an Associate Member of the FSANS. MOVED by Kollin Weatherbee, that Gille Savoie of Dieppe, N.B. should be accepted as a member of the FSANS. SECONDED by Emelie DeMont. M/C
3. Eric Beaudoin employed with Nelson Monuments of Sussex, N.B. to become an Associate Member of the FSANS. MOVED by Kirk MacDonald, that Eric Beaudoin of Sussex, N.B. should be accepted as a member of the FSANS. SECONDED by Glenda Cole. M/C
4. Michael Whynot of Halifax, N.S. to become an Associate Member of the FSANS. MOVED by Bruce Varner, that Michael Whynot of Halifax, N.S. should be accepted as a member of the FSANS. SECONDED by Avery Aker. M/C
5. Michael Smith employed with Assurant Life of Canada of Yarmouth, N.S. to become an Associate Member of the FSANS. MOVED by Jonathan DeMont, that Michael Smith of Yarmouth, N.S.. should be accepted as a member of the FSANS. SECONDED by Emelie DeMont. M/C

 

Minutes of our last AGM held on May 1, 2014 were read by Lewis MacIntosh. MOVED by Lewis MacIntosh to accept the minutes of May 1,2014. SECONDED by Emelie DeMont. M/C

 

Business Arising from the Minutes:
1) Lisa Smith reported that the application from Jaynes Funeral Home for membership in the Association was withdrawn last year.
2) Lisa Smith reported that the Retort Fee will be addressed in the Legislative and Political Action Report. Funeral Homes have been compensated where this may have occurred. Kirk MacDonald had communicated with Community Services and is awaiting a response with respect to the any increase to Community Service funding. Lisa asked Kirk to forward this information to our Association.
Finance Report: Treasurer Lewis MacIntosh presented the Income Statement and Balance Sheet for 2014/2015. The association had revenue of $51,341.44 and expenses of $39,503.42 leaving a surplus of $11,838.02. There was an operating bank balance of $19,466.78. Copies attached
MOVED by Emelie DeMont to accept the financial statements as reviewed and presented. SECONDED by Glenda Cole. M/C

 

Prior to the presentation of the proposed budget for the upcoming year, Lewis MacIntosh gave the membership a brief analysis of revenue and expenses since 2007/2008.

 

Budget Presentation: Lewis MacIntosh presented to the members present a recommendation by the Board of Directors to accept the proposed budget for 2015/2016. Total revenue and expenses of $49,590 is being forecasted for 2015/2016.
MOVED by Adam Tipert and SECONDED by Avery Aker, that the recommendation of the proposed budget for 2015 – 2016 be accepted as recommended by the Board of Directors. M/C

 

Auditor’s Report: Bruce Varner, Adam Tipert and Don Kaulbach reviewed the financial records provided by Secretary Treasurer Lewis MacIntosh. Bruce noted the following in his report:
1) There have been no transactions completed by credit card. At the time of the current Secretary Treasurer assuming this position, the credit card was cancelled.
2) Cross references of cheques written, invoices paid, bank deposits etc. have been completed in a timely manner and no discrepancies were found.
3) With regards to the investments, the term deposit certificates match with the statements of investments.
4) We found that the books have been kept in good order and we’re easy to navigate through and cross reference.
It was noted that Mike Halfpenny and David Mattatall were not available to conduct the audit with Bruce Varner. In their place, Adam Tipert and Don Kaulbach assisted Bruce with the audit.
It was MOVED by John MacIsaac to accept the auditor’s report. SECONDED by Emelie DeMont. M/C

 

President's Report:

Copy attached. Lisa Smith extended a thank you to all Board Members and Associate Members for their member engagement, professional development and member advocacy.
It was MOVED by Glenda Cole to accept the President’s Report. SECONDED by Emelie DeMont. M/C
It was MOVED by Adam Tipert at 10:53 am that we take a brief recess. SECONDED by Maurice Bourgeois. M/C
The meeting reconvened at 11:06am.

 

Committee Reports:
- Professional Development/Education: Copy attached. Report presented by Avery Aker, Co-Chairperson
- Member Services & Recruitment: Copy attached. Report presented by Glenda Cole, Co-Chairperson.
- Member Health & Safety: Copy attached. Report presented by Glenda Cole, Co-Chairperson.
- Legislative & Political Action Committee: Copy attached. Report presented by Glenn Livingston, Co-Chairperson.
- Women in Funeral Service: Copy attached. Report presented by Lisa Smith,

The Phone Lady Seminar was presented on November 20th and all registration fees were donated to the Transition House Association of Nova Scotia. The International Women’s Day celebration was held on March 31,2015 in Debert.
Adhoc Dues Structure: Copy attached. Report presented by Bob McArel.
MOVED by Bruce Varner to accept all committee reports as presented. SECONDED by Emelie DeMont. M/C

 

Board of Registration Report: Copy attached. Report was presented by Kollin Weatherbee, Board of Registration representative.

A joint meeting between the Board of Registration and Nova Scotia Funeral Service Association was held to hear a report on Self Governance from Adam Tipert. The Board members felt that the report was well put together. They feel there still needs some work to be done. The Board supports it and the general consensus is we are open to change. More information needs to be received as well as get input from licensed personnel in the Province. We need to work together and see if this idea is feasible.
It was noted by Kollin that Bill Laurie’s term as a Board Member finished on March 10th. There is no replacement as of today’s date. Dean Johnston, Deputy Registrar is going to check into this matter.
 

 

FSAC Report:

Copy attached. Report from FSAC representative John Greene was read by Lisa Smith.
 

Kingstec Report:

Copy attached. Report presented by Lisa Smith.
Lisa is asking membership to lobby with respect to the intake of students each year as there is a shortage of funeral personnel.
MOVED by Alan MacLeod to accept all reports as presented. SECONDED by Emelie DeMont. M/C

 

NEW BUSINESS:
Joe Curry mentioned that we have an opportunity to be in better communication with our membership. He extended an invitation to the Assocation to come to Cape Breton.

 

Nominating Committee Report:

Chairperson Kollin Weatherbee presented the following names as directors for the 2015-2016 fiscal year as, Lewis MacIntosh, Lisa Smith, Glenda Cole, Erika Jobes, Kirk Neville, Glenn Livingstone, Alan MacLeod, Jr and Consumer Advocate, Malcolm Bennett.
The following members Avery Aker and Kollin Weatherbee did not reoffer.
 he following nominations were received from the floor: Adam Tipert, Jonathan DeMont, Bruce Varner, Mischa Zeltner and John Greene.
Joe Curry MOVED nominations from the floor cease. SECONDED by Emelie DeMont. M/C
Appointment of Consumer Advocate: Malcolm “Mac” Bennett was re-appointed for a one (1) year term as Consumer Advocate for the FSANS.
MOVED by Avery Aker to accept the new slate of Board of Directors for 2015/2016. SECONDED by Emelie DeMont. M/C
Don Kaulbach MOVED that the new following Directors make up the new Executive for 2015/2016: SECONDED by Bob McArel. M/C
Jonathan DeMont – President
Glenda Cole – Vice President
Lewis MacIntosh – Secretary Treasurer
FSANS Representative to Board of Registration:
Glenn Livingston expressed an interest in being the representative to the Board.
Jonathan DeMont nominated John Greene for the position.
As a result ballots were passed out for members to vote.
Glenn Livingston was elected as the FSANS Representative to the Board of Registration for a 2 year period.
Don Kaulbach MOVED that all ballots be destroyed. SECONDED by Avery Aker.

 

Appointment of Auditors for 2015/2016:
Lisa Smith, Bruce Varner and Alan MacLeod Jr agreed to be auditors for 2015/2016. MOVED by Lewis MacIntosh and SECONDED by Joe Curry. M/C .

 

Appointment of Nominating Committee for 2015/2016:
The nominating committee for 2015/2016 is Lisa Smith, Glenn Livingstone, Glenda Cole and Kirk Neville. MOVED by Lewis MacIntosh and SECONDED by Jonathan DeMont. M/C
MOVED by Lewis MacIntosh to adjourn at 12:32 p.m.

 

 

Respectfully submitted,
Lewis MacIntosh, CFSP; Secretary

Lisa Smith,  President

1083 Queen Street Suite 123 | Halifax, NS B3H 0B2 | Phone: (782) 409-1088 | Fax: | Email: info.fsans@bellaliant.com