Minutes of the Monthly Meeting held on June 11, 2012, at Committee Room No 230, Queens Park

Present:

Thomas S. Saras

Bikram Lamba, Dr.

Asha Rajak

Jaques Varbedian

Ranjit Wicks

Upali Obeygsekere

Mohamma-Bafher Samimi

Suleyman Guven

Jonathan Annobil

Mohammad Tajdolati

Irene Keroglidis

Henry Gomez

Teshome Wordeamanuel

Khan Khoda, Dr.

Parry Long

Maurice Bygrane, Dr.

Srimal Abeyewardene

C. Senthi

Ceylon Express

Ned Blair

Muluken Muchie

Ahmad Hotaki

Aaron Berhane

Rakhi and Sandeep Prabhakai

Kathy L. Lin

An drew Randdrivi

William Doyle-Mrshall

Eaffi D. Boghossian

Isa Melo

John Saraidaris

Paul Raj (Kathir Oli)

Vijayaletchumi, Periyannan, Ms.

Julius H.

Ernesto Donan

Susana Donan

Hermie Garcia

Mila Garcia

Gerald Paul.

Agenda:

1.            Welcome Remarks by the chair.

2.            Minutes of the previous meeting

3.         Report of the President

4.            Presentation by  CARIBANA™ ARTS GROUP  

5.         New Business

6.            Adjournment

Welcome Remarks by the Chair:

Dr. Lamba chaired the meeting and declared the meeting open.  Irene Keroglidis moved a motion to approve the agenda, Ned Blair seconded it. The motion was carried

Minutes of the previous meeting:

Suleiman Guven moved a motion to approve the minutes of the previous monthly meeting held on May 14, 2012. Dr. Tajdolati seconded it.  The motion was carried.

President’s Report/Discussions

·            President Thomas Saras expects a very busy year ahead with many important projects and events for NEPMCC.

·            President Thomas Saras attended a special event on May 22 hosted by the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario to commemorate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebration at Queens Park in Honour of  His Royal Highness Prince Charles. President Thomas Saras also attended the Government of Ontario Reception for His Royal Highness Prince Charles at the historic distillery district in Toronto. This was a great honour for ethnic media as President Thomas Saras represented the voice of the ethnic media in Canada in this historic function. It was a proud day for President Saras and the NEPMCC.

·            President Thomas also received an invitation from Lt. Governor celebrating the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebration on June 18. President Thomas Saras accepted the invitation on behalf of all the members of NEPMCC to receive Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal.

·            Canada Day celebration is going to take place on July 2nd at Cypriot Community Centre. There would be a full dinner followed by light entertainment. The event would be attended by  Hon: Jim Karigiannis, Minister Sousa and Minister Best of Ontario as well as Soo Wong, and other government dignitaries and VIPs. Tickets for Canada Day dinner were distributed at the meeting. Only guests with tickets would be allowed for the event.

·            President Thomas Saras asked members to notify Asha Rajak on the number of tickets each member needs for CNE to attend this year’s exhibition of NEPMCC at CNE.

·           President Thomas Saras informed the members that NEPMCC is almost ready with the new website. Any member wanting their website listed under NEPMCC should give the URL to Asha Rajak.

·            President Thomas Saras plans to visit Vancouver to meet with the members of NEPMCC and the Premier of BC along with various MPPs of British Columbia. Motion: A motion was moved by Suleiman Guven and seconded by Dr. Khan Khoda in this respect. The motion was carried.

Presentation by Chair of CARIBANA™ ARTS GROUP   Henry Gomez

 Henry Gomez on behalf the CARIBANA™ ARTS GROUP invited members of NEPMCC in celebrating CARIBANA™ FLAGS and COLOURS Children and Youth festival at

Yorkgate mall on July14 2012.This year's FLAGS and COLOURS festival will be highlighting aspects of

CARIBANA™, COMMUNITY and CULTURE with a focus on the Carnival Arts, History, Education and the various Islands of the Caribbean. Various discussions took place after presentation of the CARIBANA™ ARTS GROUP. Many members participated in the discussion.

Dr. Lamba thanked the delegates of CARIBANA™ ARTS GROUP for their invite and wished success for their event.

 New Business

Dr. Lamba shared with members about his interview by CNN on US elections.

The chair welcomed the new member to the council.

 Adjournment:

Sandeep Prhabhakar moved a motion to adjourn the meeting.  Suleiman Guven seconded it. The motion was carried. The chair Dr. Lamba adjourned the meeting at 8:30 pm. The next meeting would take place on July 09, 2012 at Queens Park.