Nov 30 2023 GHTC AGM summary

REPORT ON THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING NOV 30^TH 2023

The club held its 2022-2023 Annual General Meeting at the Arboretum Centre last Thursday night. 37 members attended the meeting. It was a very enjoyable evening, meeting together in person in a very welcoming space.

Apart from the standard business reports given by the Executive committee  (aided by AV support from Lynn Stradeski our membership coordinator) the members also approved changes to the bylaws which were required to comply with the Ontario Not for Profit Corporations Act. (ONCA).

In the elections phase of the proceedings Colin McCusker was acclaimed as President as was Nick Wenzler Treasurer and Sue Alderson Secretary. Lisa Slater was appointed Vice President by the Board as her 3-year term was up.

John Fisher’s 3-year term as President was also up and he moves to the position of Past President. He expressed great confidence in passing the leadership torch to a younger generation and expressed that this was exactly what the bylaws had intended to keep the leadership strong and energized. Colin McCusker will bring a different perspective to the way we do things and a different set of skill sets. John still plans to be very active as Past President in support of Colin and Mike Curtis the previous P.P. remains on the Executive as Kissing Bridge Trail Coordinator and Hike Ontario representative, so we retain that “Club Memory”. It’s a win all around for the Club.

Wally Vandervaart also introduced himself as the new Hike Program Coordinator. We are very excited that Wally has taken on this role and the leadership and energy he will bring to the role.

It was clear that the Club has an active, engaged executive team who want to build on the club’s strengths. Our members can be proud of the Club’s accomplishments and confident the affairs of the Club are in good hands.

After the business end of the meeting we were treated to an entertaining presentation by Chris Earley on Biodiversity and the impacts of the outdoors and nature on our psyche and well being. (Chris is the Arboretum’s Interpretive Biologist and Education Coordinator. He substituted on short notice for Justine Richardson the Arboretum Executive Director who succumbed to sickness at the last minute).

We would like to thank all our members who attended the meeting. It was wonderful to see you all and to respond to your questions and enquires.

And to All our members Thank you so much for your support. It is gratifying to know the work we do is supported and valued by our community.