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Annual General MeetingHalifax Chamber of CommerceThursday, April 18, 201910:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.Call to OrderCynthia Dorrington, Chair of the Board called the meeting to order at 10:30 a.m. saying that the meeting offers a fiscal and operational review for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2018.MOTION:THAT the minutes of the 2018 Annual General Meeting are approved. Moved by Mark Sidebottom; seconded by Saeed El-Darahali. Motion approved.Outgoing Chair’s Remarks (Cynthia Dorrington)“The Annual General Meeting is the final item on my to-do list as Chair of the Board. And it’s now my pleasure to give my Outgoing Chair report.It’s been a whirlwind of a year and we’ve accomplished so much in such a short time. Of all of our accomplishments, I am most pleased about the successful rollout of our new strategic plan. Patrick, the Board and I worked diligently to see our members reflected in the new plan, and we are very proud of the next step in the Halifax Chamber’s strategic direction.Patrick will share more about the plan in his report. From my perspective as Chair, I know this plan will help our members reach their goals.There’s been a change in the attitude of the Halifax business community – we’re seeing underrepresented groups make a name for themselves, and organizations like the Chamber play a part in helping them succeed. We’re changing what it means to do business in Halifax. And that change starts with us.I’ve heard it from members, partners and the Chamber staff over the last few years. The Chamber is putting diversity, inclusion and immigration at the forefront of our operations.Immigration continues to be a key pillar of our strategic goals, but it is not just immigration, it is the addition of new people to the workforce. They come from abroad, from other regions of Canada and from right here in our community as underrepresented groups. Those groups include the indigenous community, African Nova Scotians and the disabled. All of whom will add real diversity and value to our Halifax workforce. But we can’t just talk the talk – we have to show businesses how easy and important it is to be an inclusive organization.We need to be reaching the right audiences. We need to work more with organizations like ISANS, BBI and the Centre for Women in Business. And we don’t have to do it alone – we can work together, combine our ideas and achieve a diverse and inclusive Halifax. I’m excited to say in the last year, we’ve done just that. At our 2018 Spring Dinner, more than 15 corporate table holders agreed to host an immigrant at their table. It’s a good opportunity for both the guest and the host to make a lasting connection and to make them feel welcome in their new home.One of my passions and one of my goals as Chair was to engage the not-for-profit sector. They are important economic contributors and should have a seat at the table when it comes to the business community.During my year as Chair, I’ve hosted roundtables with not-for-profits, invited them as my guests to our events, encouraged them to take advantage of the free exposure opportunities in our Business Voice Magazine, and asked them what they’d like to see from their Chamber.I’m happy to report we’ve seen an increase in not-for-profit engagement: in event attendance, Business Voice exposure, and advocacy efforts.Speaking of engagement, we noticed another opportunity at Chamber events for underrepresented groups. This past year, we implemented the “Host” initiative.We invite our members to host our luncheons, rather than have only Patrick on stage. We want to show a more representative Chamber on stage - a vibrant and diverse membership. Having them on stage in front of a room full of business leaders provides exposure and an opportunity for our hosts to network with the business community.Another important focus for us at the Chamber is to have the important and sometimes difficult conversations – whether that be inclusion, accessibility or big changes in legislation.As you know, in October of 2018, recreational cannabis was legalized in Canada.Rather than shy away from the impending changes, the Chamber hosted an information session last July with a panel of experts to discuss the coming changes and what steps businesses could take to be prepared. Last month, we hosted a check-in event with the panel of experts to have another discussion as the law evolves. These events provided our members with an accessible forum to ease their concerns and ask the difficult questions.I know the Chamber will continue to focus on the areas that will strengthen Halifax’s business community, and I look forward to watching the community grow. It has been a jam-packed year – and according to the staff, it was the busiest year they’ve seen and there are no signs of slowing down.And that’s a good thing. Under this board’s leadership, focusing on membership and new initiatives, we’ve seen measurable success at the Halifax Chamber.Our Member Health Index reports:High retention ratesMore new membersSold-out eventsLots of interest in the task forcesAnd higher than ever engagement in our advocacy efforts, events, and membership. These are encouraging results, and it’s heartening to know our members are seeing the value in their Chamber. But we know there’s more work to be done.These are my final remarks as Chair and as I conclude, I want to express my appreciation to those who supported me…To Patrick and the small but mighty team at the Chamber I want to personally thank each and every one you - your energy and positive attitudes are contagious, and I am continuously impressed by your dedication to helping our members. To my fellow board members, I am grateful for the expertise and dedication you have brought to the Chamber – your contributions have made my job more meaningful.To our incoming chair Margaret Chapman – I am honoured to pass the torch to another woman, signifying the first two successive women Board Chairs of the Halifax Chamber of Commerce. I look forward to watching you lead the Chamber with your passion for Halifax’s business community. To the more than 1,650 Chamber members - thank you for your continued support of the Halifax Chamber of Commerce – you are the reason we have so much to be proud of in this city, and you are the reason we have come so far…I am grateful to have served as Chair of the Board this past year and am excited to work towards Halifax’s future.Thank you.”Announcement of 2019 – 2020 Board of DirectorsCynthia Dorrington drew everyone’s attention to the Nominating Committee Report 2019-2020. The report lists the names of the Chamber members who will sit on the Board of Directors in the coming year. This list was developed according to the process outlined in the Chamber bylaws. The Chamber always has a strong group of interested volunteers from a wide variety of business backgrounds on its Board.Cynthia noted new to the Board for the coming year are; Roger Boutilier, CEO, Nova Scotia Association of REALTORS, Caroline Wolfe Stewart, VP Operations, The Berkeley Retirement Residences, Andrew de Freitas, National Account Manager, Domestic Intermodal and Atlantic Region, Sales and Marketing, Canadian National Railway, Cayla Stryncl, Senior Manager, Financial Planning, Fiera Properties Limited and Christopher Googoo, Chief Operating Officer, Ulnooweg.* Report of the 2019 – 2020 Nominating Committee AttachedHalifax Chamber of Commerce Report of the Nominating Committee2019-2020Board of Directors OfficersChair of the Board Margaret Chapman Narrative ResearchJoined 2014Vice Chair of the Board Gavin MacDonaldCox & PalmerJoined 2016Past Chair of the Board Cynthia DorringtonVale & Associates Human Resource Management and Consulting Inc.Joined 2013The following Officer is serving the 1st year of a second two-year term ending April 2021Robert DeanMNP LLPJoined 2016The following Officer is serving the 2nd year of a first two-year term ending April 2020Mark SidebottomNova Scotia Power Inc.Joined 2014The following Officer is serving the 1st year of a first two-year term ending April 2021Richard ButtsClayton Developments LimitedJoined 2018Board of DirectorsThe following Directors are serving the 2nd year of a second two-year term ending April 2020Paul BentSelf-Employed ConsultantJoined 2016Saeed El-Darahali Simply CastJoined 2016The following Directors are serving the 1st year of a second two-year term ending April 2021Faten AlshazlyWeUsThemJoined 2017Stefanie MacDonald Halifax Paper HeartsJoined 2017The following Directors are serving the 2nd year of a first two-year term ending April 2020Michele Peveril Department of BusinessJoined 2018Brad Proctor McInnes CooperJoined 2018Captain(N) David Mazur Maritime Forces AtlanticJoined July 2018The following Directors are serving the 1st year of a first two-year term ending April 2021Roger BoutilierNova Scotia Association of REALTORSJoined 2019Caroline Wolfe StewartThe Berkeley Retirement ResidencesJoined 2019Andrew de Freitas Canadian National RailwayJoined 2019Cayla Stryncl Fiera PropertiesJoined 2019Christopher Googoo UlnoowegJoined 2019Patrick Sullivan is President/CEOThe Nominating Committee for 2019-2020 consists of Mark Fraser, Chair of the Nominating Committee & Past Chair of the Board; Cynthia Dorrington, Chair of the Board; Margaret Chapman, Vice Chair of the Board; Robert Dean, Chair, HR & Governance Committee; Matt Hebb, Member at Large and Patrick Sullivan, President & CEO.The 2019-2020 Board is in effect as of the Annual General Meeting in April 2019.*Officers are elected for a two (2) year term; and may be elected for a maximum of three (3) consecutive two- year terms. Bylaw section 4.09 (a).**Board members shall serve a two-year term to a maximum of two (2) consecutive two-year terms and thereafter are not eligible for re-election for two years, unless elected as an Officer. Bylaw section 3.03.Introduction of Vice Chair of the Board (Gavin MacDonald)Cynthia Dorrington provided an introduction for incoming Vice Chair Gavin MacDonald.Gavin is a partner in the Halifax office of Cox & Palmer.? His practice focuses on business law in the areas of organization and financing, business restructuring, insolvency, and banking.? Gavin has represented individuals, companies, and other organizations from start-up financing to restructuring and sale. He has also advised financial institutions, insolvency professionals and individuals involved in business restructuring, contested and uncontested insolvency proceedings before the trial and appeals courts of Nova Scotia, including as local representative counsel to affected users of the Quadriga CX cryptocurrency exchange.Gavin lives in Bedford with his wife, Christine, and their two sons.Introduction of Chair of the Board (Margaret Chapman)Cynthia Dorrington provided an introduction for incoming Chair Margaret Chapman.Margaret has worked as a consultant since 1999, specializing in market intelligence research, facilitation, marketing and communications. In 2019, she became one of three partners who took ownership of Narrative Research (formerly Corporate Research Associates), a market insights consultancy based in Halifax, where she has worked since 2007.Margaret has extensive international experience, having worked across 20 countries while based in London, England as a marketing, communications and media consultant. She began her career as a reporter for the Los Angeles Times. She is a proud alumna of the University of Southern California and Simon Fraser University. Margaret is a passionate volunteer involved with numerous organizations that aim to make Halifax a more vibrant community. She is past board chair of MetroWorks, a member of the board of Hospice Halifax, and past chair of 2b Theatre, an acclaimed Halifax-based theatre company.She has regularly volunteered as part of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's power team in training and the QEII Foundation’s Ride for Cancer, and performs as a violinist with chamber groups, Nova Sinfonia and the PEI Symphony Orchestra. 5.Reading and Signing of the Oath of OfficeCynthia Dorrington welcomed Mayor Savage to the meeting and invited him to the podium to administer the oaths to incoming Vice Chair, Gavin MacDonald and Incoming Chair, Margaret Chapman.6.Incoming Chair’s Remarks – Margaret Chapman"I’d like to thank Mayor Savage for taking the time out of his busy schedule to swear me in…And thank Cynthia for her kind introduction. I am honoured to take on the role of Board Chair, a job made so much easier since I am following in Cynthia’s footsteps.Cynthia, as the first African Nova Scotian Chair of the Board, is a strong voice in our community and represented a new, more inclusive era for the Halifax Chamber. Cynthia, on behalf of the Board and the Chamber membership, I want to thank you for your steadfast commitment to the Halifax Chamber of Commerce.It is thanks to your leadership that I am able to step into this role as Chair with confidence and with a clear vision.I am excited and grateful for this opportunity to be a part of what’s happening here in Halifax.I’ve been lucky to sit on a variety of Boards, in the arts, in healthcare, and in social enterprises. I’ve seen the courage and resilience of these groups.Their passion for change inspires me and led me to take on this position with an organization who strives to make a difference in the business community. Halifax’s mosaic of cultures and backgrounds is something to be proud of. Our immigration rate is at an all-time high. Nova Scotia’s population increased to an all-time high of 965,382 people and Halifax increased to 430,512 people a 9.3% increase in the last 10 years.We’re seeing more cultural festivals like the Pakistan Food Festival and the multicultural festival or Multi-Fest in the Mayor’s favourite neighbourhood, at Alderney Landing. These celebrations connect us and teach us about one another, about how we all strive to make the community around us supportive and inclusive. As Cynthia mentioned, one of the Halifax Chamber’s focuses for the last several years has been immigration.It’s wonderful to see our immigration numbers increase in Halifax, but just like our Chamber members, if we don’t engage them, they won’t stay.We can boast that we’re a diverse community, but that doesn’t mean we’re being inclusive to our newcomers and underrepresented groups.There’s an important distinction between diversity and inclusion: diversity is inviting them to the dance and inclusion is asking them to dance.We can’t just invite them to the dance and expect them to make their way to the dancefloor on their own.The onus is on us to make them feel welcome. To recognize their knowledge and skillsets, and to encourage them to share their ideas.As much as we, as a province, depend on immigration to keep us economically sustainable – there’s so much more to it.I work in research and data analysis, and the research tells us diverse workplaces are more productive and more innovative.When you invite different backgrounds to the table, you’re opening up your workplace to new ideas, new possibilities, and new perspectives.Inclusion is more than a nice to have, it’s a need to have. People need to feel welcome and integrated into their surroundings in order to succeed.Narrative Research (formerly Corporate Research Associates) just hired two new international graduates, and we’re grateful for an opportunity to get it right. We’re asking ourselves, “How can we make them feel more comfortable? What are some ways we can expand our networks to include everyone?”The Chamber wants to make Halifax a vibrant business community, and we know diversity and inclusion wholeheartedly contribute to achieving that goal. We want businesses to take on a leadership role in this effort.How can we be leaders?Invite a new colleague out to lunch. Ask them how they’re finding their new workplace and community. Listen to their feedback and make space for them to feel comfortable sharing their opinions. Hiring an immigrant or international student isn’t enough. We want them to be part of the team.When we put in the effort to make them feel welcomed, we’ll get so much back. It’s a win/win for the business community. They want to contribute, and it’s our responsibility to encourage them every step of the way. I’m looking forward to working with the Chamber Board, staff and members to achieve these important inclusion goals in my year as Chair.Thank you to the team at the Chamber for the amazing support they provide along with the excellent work they do for our members.Thank you to my colleagues and family for giving me the space and time to volunteer and work with the Chamber.And thank you to the Chamber and the Board for this opportunity – it’s going to be a great year.I’ll now pass it over to President and CEO of the Halifax Chamber of Commerce, Patrick Sullivan.7.President’s Report - As presented at AGM – Patrick Sullivan"Thank you, Margaret.And thanks to all of you for joining us here today.I would like to welcome all of you – along with our Directors, Task Force Members and Board Members.The Chamber’s Annual General Meeting is a mandatory function of the Chamber’s Bylaws, where certain processes must be completed and traditions upheld.First, I would like to give a brief update on what we have been working on since last year’s Annual General Meeting.The AGM is the perfect time to pause and reflect on what your Halifax Chamber of Commerce has accomplished over the past 12 months. It also gives us time to examine our opportunities and challenges.Your Chamber of Commerce is made up primarily of small businesses, with 82% of the member companies having fewer than 25 employees. Many of our events and advocacy work is focused on their needs and challenges. Now let’s review the year. This year was strong financially. Expenses and revenues were better than budget which led to a net income of $115,172 versus only $13,543 the previous year. Our revenue sources are primarily from our members, whether through annual dues, ticket sales for our events including our upcoming Spring Dinner or our Business Awards in January, and our luncheons and smaller events throughout the year. Last year, we reached the end of our 2013-2018 Strategic Plan. We designed and presented the new Strategic Plan last fall, as more of an evolution rather than a revolution of the previous plan. The plan is designed to help guide the Board of Directors, task forces and staff in our efforts around advocacy, event and communication themes. Our purpose is to create value and prosperity for our members.We provide services they need, events that will help them learn and we advocate for conditions in the economy that enhance their prosperity.We are first and foremost here for our members. We want to see them succeed in Halifax. Before building this plan, we listened to our members’ feedback through roundtables and surveys and narrowed our areas of focus based on their needs. The plan’s two pillars are: Fostering Private Sector GrowthAnd Accessing a Skilled Workforce Mark Sidebottom, Nova Scotia Power led the Membership Committee, which is focused on driving member prosperity and value – the overarching goal of our strategic plan, and we saw real growth last year.Our Member Services Specialist and the Chamber team have been working hard to ensure member satisfaction remains high. We can see the evidence in our retention rate, that are currently the best we’ve had in years. We want all members – which represent 65,000 individuals! – to really understand the value of the Chamber to our city, our province and to them. We provide value to the businesses through networking events, insurance programs, advocacy work, and training. We want them to see the Chamber is in their corner and prove to them the value of the chamber. In fact, they can check out that value themselves with the ROI calculator on our website. In 2018, we reshaped our two task forces, focusing on the two pillars of the strategic plan.Paul Bent, a Self-Employed Consultant, is the chair of the Fostering Private Sector Growth Task Force. This task force works towards a frictionless business environment in Nova Scotia. They focus on optimizing the size of government through:Reducing the tax burden, efficient spending in government, and increased revenueCreating a frictionless business environment through reduced regulatory burdenSupporting the growth of Nova Scotia’s export sector, both goods and servicesPromoting and supporting the growth of Halifax as a major Canadian cityWe are currently discussing issues like, the use of P3’s, chamber involvement in the fracking debate, growing our exporting businesses in Halifax and positive business stories in our city.Our task force members will be engaging in social media posts, Chamber member polls, business voice communications and issue note and pre budget submission creation.Don Bureaux, President of NSCC is the lead on the Accessing a Skilled Workforce Task Force. ?This task force aims to attract and retain talent in our region. They focus on:Immigration to achieve Ivany population targets, whether through direct immigration, interprovincial migration or the addition of underemployed groups in Nova Scotia to our workforce. Ensuring youth retention through work integrated learning and successful job placementEntrepreneurship training and developmentHeading into Spring Dinner, this task force is researching how our members can take advantage of experiential learning. We have received business voice articles from them, utilized social media to talk about the benefits of hiring students and will be adding other tactics to the list after the next meeting.Please know that our staff, with the support of our dedicated volunteers, are working to create better networking opportunities, relevant training programs, and news that will help you build your business. Last year, we led the biggest Small Business Week Halifax had ever seen. In partnership with BDC, we reached out to Business Improvement Districts and business associations and hosted a week full of free events, free training, and an expo. With almost 1,000 individuals attending the week’s events, 300 businesses reached through our Storm the City initiative, 25 booths at the expo, 10 sponsors and 6 community partners, we consider the week a huge success. We’re looking to double our impact in 2019.?We’ve hosted a variety of training sessions for member businesses to brush up on skills to make them more productive and competitive in the marketplace. Some of the training included marketing, social media, business management, communications, project management and human resources. All training sessions have been sold out with a waiting list.??Halifax is growing, and we want to support our members in taking advantage of every single opportunity that is out there. And perhaps create a few of their own!? ?Before I sign off, I would like to talk to you about some of our latest projects at the Chamber. Our new member engagement initiatives, to hear from our members on important issues facing their businesses.We want to help our members succeed.We’re committed to providing you with more value for your membership through:New Mode tool: Our new advocacy tool that lives on the website. When an issue arises that requires a Chamber response, we now have the opportunity to reach out to our members for their support and can ask them to write directly to political leaders.Website and newsletter surveys: We’ve implemented quickpolls on our website and in our e-newsletters to hear from our members on important issues and incorporate this feedback in our work.We want to hear from our members on red tape, taxes, and any other issue preventing them from focusing on their business. When you invite the chamber to become an extension of your team, your business will thrive even more. It’s never a boring day at the Chamber, and we’re excited to share some more news with you. We’re in the midst of planning our third edition of the Wonder Women event. We took 130 members to China last fall for a discounted price of $2,299. We walked the Great Wall and Tian An Men Square, and experienced a beautiful and ancient culture. This September, we’re offering a trip to India. Members will see the Taj Mahal at sunrise, and taste one of the most popular cuisines of the world.In two weeks from today, we will be hosting our annual Spring Dinner, on May 2nd. Please join us to hear from business leaders on how we can strengthen the conditions to create, attract and retain talent in Nova Scotia. In line with our Strategic Plan, we’ll be discussing the importance of Work-Integrated Learning to our province’s economic growth.I’m looking forward to another outstanding year in 2019. Thank you."8.Financial ReportLori Barton, Chair of the Audit and Risk Board Committee provided a brief financial report. She drew attention to the audited Financial Statements for 2018 that were included in the package of materials distributed at the annual general meeting.The financial statements include a Statement of Operations, a Statement of Changes in Net Assets, a Statement of Financial Position and a Statement of Cash Flows as well as corresponding note disclosures.? Page 1 of the audited financial statements, the Independent Auditors’ Report, in which Baker Tilly has issued an unqualified opinion.On Page 3, The Statement of Operations, there is a detailed breakdown of the surplus of revenues over expenditures amounting to $115,172. Revenue items include memberships, events and other revenue sources such as insurance and certificates of origin. MOTION:THAT the 2018 Audited Financial Statements with amendments as stated at the March 21, 2019 meeting of the Board of Directors for the Halifax Chamber of Commerce be approved as presented. Moved by Lori Barton; seconded by Paul Bent. Motion Approved.Cynthia Dorrington noted the Chamber selects the financial auditors every 5 years, Baker Tilly (formerly Collins Barrow) was selected in 2015. However, they are approved annually by the membership at the Annual General Meeting, for the coming year. The auditors for 2020-2025 will be selected through an RFP process of Chamber members in 2019, to be approved by the membership at the next Annual General meeting in 2020.Lori Barton brought forward a motion to approve the Chamber’s Annual Auditors.MOTION:THAT Baker Tilly (formerly Collins Barrow) be appointed as the Auditors for the Halifax Chamber of Commerce for the period May 2019 – May 2020. Moved by Lori Barton; seconded by Richard Butts. Motion Approved.9.Ratification of the Actions of the Board in 2018-2019Mark Fraser brought forward a motion to approve the Actions of the Board for 2018 - 2019.MOTION:THAT we approve the actions of the Board of Directors for 2018-2019. Moved by Mark Fraser; seconded by Michele Peveril. Motion Approved.10.Approval of BylawsCynthia Dorrington noted that in order to bring our by-laws up to date, we’ve made some adjustments. These bylaw amendments are primarily brought forward as housekeeping items.? The bylaw amendments are highlighted in red in sections; 2.07 (page 3), 2.09a, 3.01a and b (page 4), 5.01, 5.02, 5.03, 5.04 and 5.05a (page 10), 5.07 b, 5.08 and 5.09 (page 11) and 6.08 a (page 12) of the bylaws.? A copy is in your package.? These changes were approved by the Board at its March meeting and as per our bylaws must be approved at the AGM.Gavin MacDonald brought forward a motion to approve the Chamber Bylaws.MOTION:THAT we approve the amendments to the Halifax Chamber of Commerce bylaws as stated at the March 21, 2019 meeting of the Board of Directors. Moved by Gavin MacDonald; seconded by Robert Dean. Motion Approved.The amended bylaws will be forwarded to Industry Canada to be approved by the Minister as prescribed in the Boards of Trade Act. Once they are approved by the Minister, they will be added to the Chamber documentation and uploaded to the Chamber website.11.Thank You to Outgoing Board MembersAt this point Cynthia Dorrington, recognized the contribution of those Chamber members who are completing their terms as Board Directors. Departing from the Board are:Mark Fraser, Executive Vice President, T4G, has served on the Board of Directors of the Chamber since 2013 from serving as Chair of the Grow and Nurture the Skilled Workforce Task Force to Vice Chair, then Board Chair. Mark has brought her considerable expertise to the Chamber. From 2017 – 2018 Mark was an influential and strong Chair of the Board. As well as past chair, Mark led the work of the Nominating Committee. Lori Barton, Principal, Beaumont Advisors, has served on the Board of Directors since 2013 serving as Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee.Cynthia Dorrington also thanked all the volunteers that came out today – noting they are vital to our success.12. New BusinessCynthia Dorrington asked for any new business arising from the floor. There being none the agenda moved forward. 13. Questions from the FloorCynthia Dorrington asked for questions from the floor. A member from the Not For Profit sector of 10 years commended Cynthia Dorrington for her focus on the NFP sector during her term as Board Chair. A member noted it had taken 3 hours to get to Burnside from Downtown Halifax.It was noted that the Chamber works closely with the city regarding transportation and more specifically in the downtown core. Burnside in general is not easy to access. The city’s focus is on building its downtown core as well ensuring the transportation needs are met there.14. AdjournmentMOTION:THAT the 2019 Annual General Meeting of the Halifax Chamber of Commerce is adjourned. Moved by Cayla Stryncl; seconded by Caroline Wolfe Stewart. Motion Approved. ................
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