Canadian Mennonite University
500 Shaftesbury Blvd. Winnipeg, Manitoba
1:00 PM on 15 March 2008
1. Approximately 40 people were present. The AGM was set in the midst of a mini-symposium on the history of the MMHS/MHV.
2. Bert Friesen, Treasurer, called the meeting to order. Our chair Janis, was in class and will be coming later. Bert noted that the symposia was going along quite well with very good presentation. More follow this AGM. He then spoke a prayer for the society and its projects.
3. The agenda was approved as circulated.
4. The minutes of the 3 March 2007 AGM in Winkler were reviewed. Bob Strong moved their adoption. Seconded by Ken Reddig. They were approved as circulated.
5. Janis Thiessen assumed the position of chairing the meeting. She noted that the reports of the Standing Committees were in the AGM handout. She asked for persons from those committees wished to make comments in addition to the reports to do so. No substantive additions were noted.
Reports were: 5.1 Genealogy and Family History
Historic Sites and Monuments
Local History
Membership and Publicity
Publication and Marketing
It was moved by Ken Reddig, seconded by John Friesen, that the reports be accepted as circulated.
6. The reports of the Board Committees were reviewed. Again the chair asked if people from those committees wished to make any comments or speak to those reports.
Conrad Stoesz spoke to the Conscientious Objectors Monument Committee report. He reviewed some of the work of the Evangelical Anabaptist Fellowship and the “”Peace” events they have now held in Winkler, Altona, Winnipeg and Steinbach. They have been well attended and monies from these events are flowing into the development of a monument.
Anna Ens spoke to the report of the Mennonite Committee for Human Rights. She noted that the committee has been operating for approximately two years. They have met 12 times this past year. They have written a paper that has a number of Mennonite agencies, schools and organizations as signatories. She invited people to review the paper as well as participate in the online survey that the Human Rights Museum folk are currently conducting.
The Board Committee reports were moved for acceptance by John Giesbrecht,
seconded by Adolf Ens and the motion passed.
7. Bert Friesen, treasurer, began reviewing the various financial reports. He noted moved that we appoint randy Wiebe as auditor for another year. This motion was seconded by Bob Strong. The motion passed.
7.1 Bert noted that the auditor has suggested that the financial statement be posted on our website. Bert will look after that. He noted that this will become easier once our new website is in place.
7.2 Bert reviewed the financial report for the past year. Adolf Ens moved the acceptance of this report. Bob Strong seconded. The motion passed.
8. Bert Friesen presented the budget for the coming year. He reviewed the numbers noting that under special projects we need to add $ 500 for the Mennonite Committee on Human Rights. With that change Anna Ens moved the acceptance of the budget for 2008. The motion was seconded by Ken Reddig. The motion passed.
9. It was noted that the nominations committee failed to function in time for this year’s AGM. Therefore no slate of candidates was presented. In discerning how to move forward it was determined that the board presently consists of the chairs of the five standing committees, with two members still remaining on the Executive, for a total of 7 people.
The floor was opened for nomination. Nominated were Abe Ens, Elmer Chornoby and Conrad Stoesz. Adolf Ens moved that these three be accepted by acclamation. Bert Friesen seconded the motion. The motion passed.
It was also suggested that the Executive had the power to appoint several additional members in order to complete a quorum. They will act on that in the next few weeks following this AGM.
10. Several items were listed in the agenda for further discussion. A few generated some comments. It was noted that we should move forward and try to prublish our newsletter online—rather than a paper copy to each member. It was suggested that the Executives of both the MHV and MMHS get together to talk about some joint value-added benefits to members in either organization. It was suggested that the society look towards working with history teachers to make them aware of and assist them with Manitoba Mennonite information for use in their classes.
11. The meeting was not formally adjourned. We simply broke and reformed for the next sessions of the symposium.
Recorded by Ken Reddig in the absence of Hans Werner, secretary.