OSCA AGM Held Via Zoom

The 2020 OSCA AGM was held on October 20, 2020—but this year it was an AGM with a difference! Because of the restrictions encountered by COVID-19, an in-person AGM was impossible. The AGM is usually held in May but it was postponed this year in the hopes that the restrictions would be lifted and an in-person meeting would be possible. Finally, OSCA gave in and held the meeting in October.

Under the efficient Chairing of President Richard Slowikowski and Zoom Technical Assistant Marc-André Roy, the meeting was held without a hitch. There were a total of 74 participants, including Capital Ward Councillor Shawn Menard and a representative from MPP Joel Harden’s office, meaning that the required quorum of 50 was easily met.

The President’s Report set the stage for the meeting and provided an overview of some of the accomplishments of OSCA over the past year and some of the COVID-related challenges. He emphasized that, although in-person programming, of necessity, had to be eliminated (until September when at least modified in-person After 4 Programs could be started again), staff had done an outstanding job creating virtual programs and special events so that community engagement with the Firehall continued.

Standing in for Ben Baril, OSCA Treasurer, Christy Savage OSCA Executive Director reviewed the finances and the Auditor’s Report for the past year. She then went on to discuss the financial picture for 2020 taking into account the impacts that COVID-19 has had on the finances of OSCA, somewhat softened by programs such as the federal government’s Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy. Clearly some form of fund-raising will be needed to enable OSCA to continue providing much-appreciated programming to the community.

Joy Morrow, Chair of the Governance Committee brought forward proposed changes to the OSCA By-laws partly in preparation for changes to requirements for non-for-profit organizations, but also changes which the Board felt would enhance the governance structure and operations of OSCA.

A highlight of the meeting was the election of OSCA Board Members. Because of the transition from one year terms to staggered three year terms, some Directors were elected for a one year term (Susan Brousseau, Anna Cuylits, Mark Gencher, Andrew King, Michael McKay, Ingrid Nielson, and Janet Silver) and some for a three year term (Virginia Asante, Ben Baril, Eli Duern, Michael Jenkin, and Shehryar Sarwar). They are joining Directors in the second year of their three year term ( Joy Morrow, Sue Neill, Winnie Pietrykowski, Richard Slowikowski, Brian Ure, and Laura Urrechaga).

To close off the business section of the meeting, Councillor Menard thanked the volunteers of the community and mentioned several projects such as benches on Bank Street, the pedestrian crossing on Colonel By Drive, and bus stops on Sunnyside Avenue in which his office had been involved. He made reference to his latest newsletter and mentioned that the Brewer Park COVID testing Centre may be moving to Lansdowne.

The business section of the meeting was adjourned and a presentation was made by Winnie Pietrykowski on the upcoming OSCA fund raising campaign which will begin in November.

For further information, all of the AGM presentations can be found on the OSCA website under Annual General Meetings – 2020 – items.

By Sue Neill, Chair Nominations and Elections Committee and Traffic and Safety Committee