North Nova

In Attendance:

T. Fleury, President, B. white Secretary, L.McCarthy Advocacy, H. Cromwell Membership, C. Gibson director and G. Alexander director.

Regrets:

Joyce Howard Communications and John Brown Treasurer

Call to Order:

The meeting was called to order at 2pm. A moment of silence was held in remembrance of those who passed away since our last meeting.

Membership Report:

H. Cromwell reported that we currently have 356 active members.

Financial Report:

Total assets for 2025 were $ 6260.80 – chequing balance $ 4423.12

Total assets for 2024 were $9412.63 – chequing balance $3385.37

The 2024 reserves  template totalling $8,000 Was presented.

m. M. Thompson                     s. C. Gibson

the 2025 Reserves Template totalling $4200 was presented.

m.T. fleury                           s.M. Thompson

The Reviewed 2025  financial statements show a loss of $3572.53

The reviewed 2024 financial statements earnings of $2644.41.

Total 2025 Revenues including MBRRP $2600 received from N.O. was $5603.40

Total 2025 Expenses were $5393.66

Proposed 2026 budget $2800.00

Old Business:

Terri explained that our special project consisted of two paid employees contacting paid-up members, who have not been attending meetings, and having a conversation with them to try to determine what would interest them in our branch. Were there specific topics they would like from guest speakers? Were they receiving Sage magazine? Project took place from mid September to mid-December 2025. Although many didn’t wish to speak to callers, some good information was obtained and recorded.

The Special Committee on Association Structure is still ongoing. It will be discussed at the regional meeting in Dartmouth this April and at the AMM in Ottawa in June. The original structure was set up in the 1960’s.

Previous Minutes:

Copies of the Fall AGM, Oct. 23, 2025 were distributed. No errors or omissions were noted.

M. B. white           s. G. Alexander ; member vote taken and all approved.

New Business

Terri informed members present that John Brown (treasurer), will be off until further notice due to illness and that she will assume the treasurer’s duties until his return.

CRM training will take place at the DMM meeting in Dartmouth April 29, 2026.

Elections will take place at the Fall AGM, presently a vice-president is needed.

Margaret T. stated that she is proposing the executive have training of the VIP portal and hopefully this could be done at the PARL meeting rooms. She will book a room and those attending are encouraged to bring their tablets  or laptops.

Adjournment:

Meeting adjourned at 2:35 followed by our guest speaker and lunch.

Guest  Speaker:

Mary Jane Saunders from Patterson Law gave an excellent talk on estate planning, wills, power of attorney and personal directives.

B. White, secretary

In Attendance:

Terri Fleury, President, Margaret Thomson, past president, Brenda White, secretary ,Larry McCarthy, Advocacy, Heather Cromwell, Membership, J Howard, Communications and Glenn Alexander, Director

Regrets: 

J.Brown, treasurer and C. Gibson, director

Guest Speaker:

Sgt Andrew Joyce, RCMP gave a very informative presentation on fraud , in particular to seniors entitled Fraud- How to Recognize and Report it.

Call to Order:

Meeting was called to order after presentation at 3:15 p.m.

Membership:

Current membership is 357

Financial Report:

Chequing account is currently at $7145 of which $2600 is earmarked for a special project.

Previous AGM Minutes:

Copies of minutes were distributed and adopted by acclamation.

Old Business:

AMM update; Terri and Larry attended the Annual Members Meeting in Ottawa in June, 2025. Topics such as the Public Service Health Plan and Dental Plan were discussed. Presidents from across the country attended a forum to discuss the continuance of the President’s Forum . Also resolutions from the Branches were voted on. A wonderful surprise was our Branch receiving an award for Best Small Branch Excellance, pictures and write up were in the Fall Sage edition.

MBRPP – $ 2600 was received under the Minimum Branch Remittance Pilot Project and is to be used by years end. The branch has hired two individuals to make phone contact with our members. The purpose is to make members aware of our two general meetings for members and to see what interest members have for guest speakers and if there are any topics/help we can provide. Also surviving members may not be aware that they have to apply to have their benefits continued.

New Business

National office has hired a consultant, Watson to advise on Association structure. They have been surveying members to see what interest they have in volunteerism and what changes they would like to see in the association. There is also a national special committee on association structure and will be presented at the next AMM.

A vote for our next national board chair will take place on Nov. 19, 2025.

We have an opening for a vice-president in the local branch.

Remembrance Day wreath will be laid in Hopewell this year by Joanne McHardy.

Adjournment:

Motion to adjourn at 4:15 p.m. by Brenda White, seconded by Heather Cromwell.

In Attendance:

Margaret Thompson, Past President, Terri Fleury, Branch President, John Brown, Treasurer, Brenda White, Secretary, Larry McCarthy, Advocacy, Heather Cromwell, Membership, Joyce Howard, Communications, Cathy Gibson, Director, and Glenn Alexander, Director.

Call to Order

Meeting was called to order at 2 p.m. with a two minute period of silence to remember those who have passed since our last meeting.

Financial Report

The reviewed financial statements for 2024 were presented showing an earnings/loss of $1529.41.

Reserves template 2024 created and reviewed by board totalling $7500 was presented.

m. T Fleury           s. C. Gibson   vote taken and all in favour

Membership Report:

H. Cromwell presented the report showing a total of 362 total active members

m. H Cromwell                 s. L McCarthy

Overview of executive meeting held March 27, 2025

Margaret spoke to national office on the possibility of  CRM training for new executive members. In person training requested as it is shown that adults learn by being shown and doing it themselves. Possibly members from near by branches  would be interested in joining also.  Follow up to be done.

Signing authority to be done for new treasurer, John Brown.

Advocacy Action:

Branch prepared an eblast to be sent from national office to its members with recommended question to ask canvassers. Also, letters to the candidates were delivered asking the individual parties what actions they were taking to protect senior pensions and health care.

New Business:

T. Fleury and L McCarthy will be attending the Atlantic district meeting in Dartmouth.

Margaret is looking into a bus trip for members and future members to Baddeck (perhaps the Baddeck Film theatre ) later on in the year or new year.

From the Floor;

A discussion was held on the PSDP and the new free government plan. Only people who don’t have a plan are eligible for the  new free plan. The iniquity between the two plans was discussed; members must pay a monthly amount where the new plan is free. This will be brought up with national office at the district meeting.

Adjournment;

Meeting was adjourned at 3 p.m.

Guest Speaker

Margaret introduced our guest speaker, Ron Matlock, pharmacist from Shoppers Drug Mart. We had a very informative presentation on all the new services available at the pharmacy  (walk in clinic) rather than having to go to a doctor’s office.

B. White, Secretary